More Wales

More Welsh travels today, which included a drive through the Snowden National Park and the Llanberis Pass. I’m not one much for nature, but it was interesting to see these mountains up close and the way people lived here.

Mountain Lake

Mount Snowden

Caernafon Castle was next, and it was pretty impressive.  To those of you who are interested in British Royal history—and I know you’re out there—this is where Prince Charles was invested as the Prince of Wales in 1969, when he was 18. He looked pretty happy and carefree in those TV videos. I guess waiting 41 years for the throne affected him.

Caernafon Castle

Castle Courtyard

We also stopped at the train station at the town with the longest name in the UK and one of the longest in the world: Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch.  It means St Mary's Church (Llanfair) in a hollow (pwll) of white hazel (gwyngyll) near (goger) the swirling whirlpool (y chwyrndrobwll) of the church of St Tysilio (llantysilio) with a red cave ([a]g ogo goch).

Train Station at Llanfairpw...whatever

Then it was off to Anglesey Island and the Melin Llynnon windmill, which was restored in 1986 and produces flour for sale. The guide was really good, and then we got a shot of vodka when we came in the gift shop. That never happened before!

Windmill on Anglesey

We also went to see a lighthouse on Holyhead Island, but there was fog blowing in from the Irish Sea which totally obscured the lighthouse. It had been a long drive, so we headed to the hotel in Llangefni.

Speaking of driving, I got a good bit more practice today. I’ve gotten the hang of the roundabouts, I don’t freak out by the cars coming at me on the right anymore, I rarely hit the curbs now, and I’m getting the feel of the traffic signs. Bring on Ireland and Australia!

This is what I see off the exit--and it's Welsh!

It's 10:05 PM (GMT) in Llangefni, Wales, UK.