Anglesey, Wales

Cottage: Tregynrig Bach

Our week long holiday on the Anglesey shores marked a new journey as a family.  Clare and I have been slowly marking off countries of the world but now we have a new addition to our globe trotting family.  We would love to instill the passion of travel and seeing the world into our daughter (Baby I), but thought we should take tiny steps to start with and leave the passports at home.

As we crossed the Menai Bridge into the quaint and laid back settings of the island we thought a stop off to stretch our legs was in order.  Our first destination was Llanfairpwlgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwilliantysiligogogoch, the longest town name in the UK and somewhere I will never be able to pronounce.  A quick chat with some Americans whilst Clare was doing a little shopping with Baby I and realised that our 2 hour journey paled into insignificance compared to the adventure that these intrepid Anglican Aficionado's had endured. They had just come from Scotland (Edinburgh), doing a whistle stop tour of Wales and then off to Ireland for a few days before returning and heading down to the Big Smoke to fly back to the Land of Hope and Glory. Baby I was happy for the break, but not so impressed with the town name, it was time to go and meet Grandad and Grandma..

Our second leg stretch was the coastal town of Beaumaris, pretty much every town in Anglesey is a coastal town, but Beaumaris is one of the larger and a good meeting point.  It was feeding time for all and when Baby I needs food, she needs food!  My policy has always been that whilst on holiday I eat as the locals eat and enjoy my time.  We are generally a healthy family but we work hard for our holidays and I do not like to restrict myself from delicacies....that saying, a few minutes later I was stuck in the longest queue in Wales at a local chippy (well, the fish was freshly caught!).

Clare was reminded of crab fishing off the pier whist on holiday with her grandparents, memories of dropping bacon into the sea waiting for the nip of a crawling critter.  These are always places of great memories and although a little tear came to her eye, she was happy to make new memories with Baby I and her adventures.

We finally arrived, early evening, at our abode for the next week.  A cosy cottage just outside of Cemaes Bay.  Tregynrig Bach.  As we entered the cottage the warm, friendly, yet lived in feel was great.  Nothing too grand that you would feel awkward to touch anything, but homely.  A sign above the log burning fireplace said Croeso, Welsh for welcome, and that was how we felt.

After a hearty chicken dinner, bath for baby I and our inaugural game of Nomination Whist, it was time for us to call this day to a close

Up early to watch the sunrise, both Baby I and myself crept around the house until the other residents arose.  Clare was feeling a little worst for wear (not relating to alcohol, but actually ill) so opted to sleep it off whilst I went to collect provisions for the week with my little helper.  The nearest large supermarket was around 20 miles away in Holyhead, so I thought I would make the most of it. Chewie had gone for a walk with Grandad, Grandma and their dog Pippa, so I had no pup to worry about. Unfortunately, Holyhead did not have much to offer in terms of sights, but we stopped off for dinner and a little amble round the retail park before returning to the fold.

Again, an ample feast, bath for Baby I and Nomination Whist ensued.

We headed over to the South Stacks area near Holyhead on Monday, firstly to a RSPB national park with scenic coastal walks. We opted for the South Stack walk originally, but with Baby I in her harness, when the terrain got a little rocky we decide to alter our route.  Tranquil, relaxing and lovely weather made our time here just what was needed.  Clare was a big fan of the South Stack area and fully intended to return, unfortunately, our time in Anglesey did not bring us back this way again.


We decided to drive across to South Stack Lighthouse and with high cliffs, RSPB bird watching centre, sheep hanging on for dear life and some adrenaline junkies abseiling.  The wind was a little blustery here, and although the sun shone, little Baby I's ears were getting cold.  She needed a hat, and not the summer hat we had brought with us.



The fresh air, sea breeze and long walk carrying Baby I had zapped our energy so it was time to return to the cottage for an ample feast, bath time and Whist, but not before one of the most impressive games of Jenga.  As each plank was removed and replaced the tower refused to fall.  Baby I was soon being passed around from parent to parent, grandparent to grandparent, no one wanted to be the one who toppled this Babelic Tower. The game went on for a good hour with toilet breaks called for to help with the tension and anxiety that was occurring.

Tuesday we headed towards Menai to see the bridge connecting to the Main Land.  There was not much to offer in regards to solice catering for dogs and babies so we decided to head to Beaumaris for lunch, this was after Baby I was fed on the car park, as I mentioned, when that girl wants food, she needs food! Clare fed her some green gloop whilst I acted as a chair.  Not the most glamorous of settings, but needs must. Over in Beaumaris, we found the nearest cafe with outside seating and I tucked into a little bara brith (when in Wales).  We then headed over to Puffin Island (or at least the view of the island), with the white stone shore and fresh air, Chewie was loving chasing each stone as if it was his favourite.  Our little puppy Chewie was beginning to suffer from all this excitement and really needed to sleep.  It must be time for an ample feast, a bath and some form of card game.

The next day, we made plans to go inland to start with, so headed to The Dingle (Nant Y Pandy).  A Woodland walk where the Red Squirrels roam free, unfortunately too freely as we didn't see any. They were probably scared off by the roaring sounds of flyby's from the local RAF base.  Tornado's were performing low level flights of the area, whooshing and swooping over our heads. Chewie was our focus today as he needed a little freedom and escape from Baby I's torment.  Clare chose the 1.5 mile route towards the reservoir and then headed back along the boardwalk towards the little village that sat on the perimetre.  When we returned to the car park, our little puppy had truly had enough.  Whilst Clare fed Baby I, he slept peacefully in one of the empty bays of the car park!

After lunch we headed to Rhosneiger on the opposite side of the island based on recommendations from a couple we met.  There was nothing much extra to see here, so we crossed the island once more to head towards home.

Whilst in Llanfair... Clare had bought a postcard of the island and very crudely it depicted a monolithic structure called "Ty Newydd".  Filled full of excitement and intrigue hoping for a Stonehenge replica we scoured the land with our very untrustworthy map.  Moments later I saw the sign, "Ancient Monument" and pulled the car over into a safe lay by.  After trekking through mounds of cow pats I arrived and was deeply let down.  A pile of bricks, nothing more, nothing less, and it hardly looked ancient.

The day earlier I had been for a run and stumbled across a little church built in 440AD hanging on a cliff edge.  Being only minutes away from our abode, I took the family for a little visit.  A stunning little hideaway was only made more surreal by a school of dolphins swimming by below in the sea solely for us to see.

After an eventful day it was time to return to our council but unfortunately our back door key failed to work and with the grandparents out at Red Wharf Bay we decided that an impromptu picnic was in order.  The crisp, drink and a block of bara brith were opened.  Thankfully we were only homeless for about an hour and were soon back in the warmth of our abode partaking in an ample feast, bath and a little game of cards. Nomination Whist anyone?

The morning after we decided to take in the local town of Cemaes Bay and then venture towards Holyhead again, possibly for the South Stacks walk taking in a couple of the bay's enroute.  Stopping at Church Bay we suddenly found ourselves stuck on a dirt track road having to turn round and head back to civilisation. Stopping off for lunch at a local cafe, we planned our next location.  Using Clare's trusty postcard map we decided to head towards Moelfre for a little dip in the Irish Sea.

Once Baby I had splashed her toes in the refreshing waves, I tempted Chewie to do the same.  I think the initial shock was something he could not contemplate as he had never been swimming before and especially in such frosty water, but moment later he was back in loving every minute. Clare had heard that there was a coastal walk towards a RNLI centre just up the road, so we thought an investigation would be worthwhile.  With Baby I just learning her new skill of waving, the residents were blessed with royal waves as we made our way up the path. Only a few minutes later we were making our way back to the main road and more waves for the locals.

We headed back to Tregynrig Bach early in the evening ready for another full night, what had we got planned? Bath, Feast and Whist?

Our final full day and it seemed that the weather gods knew it.  The winds had picked up and the temperature had dropped.  Our first port of call was Red Wharf Bay, but with Baby I struggling to breath in the hurricane head winds and Chewie being used as a kite, it was suggested to head to a more built up area for solace.  Again, the regular feel of Beaumaris called and we sat on the main square feeding dogs, baby and ourselves.  Finally we returned to Moelfre for another splash in the sea for Chewie and Pippa.  With intentions of packing and preparing for our journey home in the morning we decided to call it in early and head back to the cottage.  A final ample feast, deciding game of cards and big bath for Baby I.

With a week of walks, fresh air, tranquil surrounds, family days out and warm nights in, it was definitely what our little family needed.  Both our lives are chaotic at the moment looking after Baby I and even though we would not change a single thing, during the week we very rarely get to actually spend time together.  Normally one of us is either entertaining Baby or making tea or just recovering from a hectic day.  Our family week brought us all together and focused the time solely on us.


On the way home we decided to break the journey up and call in to see Granny Sue and Grandad Kev over in North Wales at their weekend retreat.  I think they would have been pretty upset if we hadn't called by with Baby I.  With a treat of Scouse and more toys than she could ever wish for, Baby I was tired out and ready for home.

Baby I truly loved her time away with new foods, dance lessons every night from Grandad, and obviously time with Mummy, Daddy and Chewie Dog.  We are now fully ready to test out her passport and take her to see the world