Wales, I think.
We’d seen the kites, and we’d ended up eating at Burger King.
Next day we went across Anglesey to South Stack, where I reported unfavourably on the toilets.
The stiff note of reprimand I’d planned for Travelodge has still not been written because, like so many I have planned, I never quite get round to it. My indignation doesn’t last long, which is probably a good thing.
However, I do stand by my original view that a Little Chef (closes 8pm), a Burger King and a petrol station shop do not equate with the words “Guests can enjoy a variety of food and drink choices within easy walking distance from this hotel.”
The choice between Little Chef and Burger King in culinary terms (when you are looking for something nice because you are on holiday) is a bit like the choice between a cystoscopy and a colonoscopy. Obviously my recent hospital experiences have extended my range of comparisons, even if they haven’t done much for my temper.
The trip across was painless, though we did miss using the Menai Bridge. Once at South Stack a cheery volunteer explained what was available, and where to find the Choughs. We soon spotted one flying in and out of one of the sea caves where they were nesting, but it was a long way away and could easily have been a Jackdaw. They were a lot easier to see last time we were there, but that was later in the year.
Two Jackdaws hung about as we walked the cliff top, giving us plenty of false alarms, but we did manage to see plenty of Choughs too. They obligingly called as they flew over, a softer call than the crisper call of the Jackdaws, and more chuff than jack.
We got some good views of Skylarks and Meadow Pipits and a Whinchat. Best views of the day were a selection of Stonechats that we saw in the field with the Iron Age hut circles. I wonder how it happened that 3,000 years ago someone thought “Let’s build houses on the most exposed and inhospitable corner of the wettest part of the UK.”
The bird photos were all poor but several flowers,lichen, a lizard and several buildings did stand still long enough for me to get some decent shots, despite the hazy light. It was just warm enough to wake the lizard but cool enough to keep it slow.
Footprints of a dog
At some point a dog had stood in some wet cement by the roadside. Roadside grit has blown into the prints to give them some form. I was annoyed by missing all the bird photos so I took a photograph.
On the way back we used the Menai Bridge, which was more interesting than the other one.
I enjoyed the photos. How are you coming along with learning Welsh?
Still very much in the planning stage. Concentrating on a job application for Julia at the moment.
sounds a bit like one of the hotels I stayed at in North Carolina, that offered Wendys, Hooters, and the Waffle House as choice venues. Yes I did go to all of them, I have a lot of class when I try 🙂
There’s still a touch of the exotic about North Carolina that is lacking from North Wales. 🙂
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” I wonder how it happened that 3,000 years ago someone thought “Let’s build houses on the most exposed and inhospitable corner of the wettest part of the UK.”…….probably a fully qualified architect looking for a ‘unique and interesting’ site.
That works. After watching all those glass-walled houses on TV I always find myself wondering about the heating bills.
I’m glad the buildings stayed standing long enough for you to take photographs!
Yes, it was fortunate.
😉
I have left a stiff note or 2 to Trevelodge over the years. From what I keep hearing, dont think it affected them too much though. This was fun to read 🙂
Thank you. Yes, I never noticed much of an upsurge in customer service after making a complaint either. 🙂
Supposedly the ringing call of the chough has given the bird its name. The theory is that people used to pronounce it “chow” (to rhyme with plough) but then as they became rarer and rarer birds they began to be called “chuff” because people didn’t hear the call any more. It may be true! I do think though that the tale has a hidden agenda in that people want to add another bird to the very short list of the species that are named after their call. It’s about four or five, I think.
The Lapwing is another example of debate over its call isn’t it? Peewit according to bird books, Tewit according to my family in Lancashire. 🙂