Butterflies and castles

What a wonderful visit to Pili Palas Nature World. £17 for one adult and one children with free parking. You first go into the butterfly house and gosh there were so many butterflies. Our toddler loved it so much that we sat on a bench and just stayed there for a long time. Also in the house were birds, terrapins and tortoise. I'd of paid the entry fee just for the butterfly house. 

We walked on to the meerkat tunnel, bugs, snakes, iguanas and then onto an animal encounter to meet a skink and stroke it. This is where the zookeeper spotted the blue butterfly on my blue coat, hitching a ride! I was mortified that i stole a butterfly! Thankfully it was taken back to the butterfly house. I loved the butterfly house but really didn't mean to take one home. 

We walked through the farmyard and stroked the goats. We said hello to the bunnies and guinea pigs in pets corner and then went to the adventure playground. Included in the fee is soft play so we visited there too before deciding we wanted to experience the whole thing again and went around the whole of nature world one more time...without stealing a butterfly. 

The next visit was to Caernarfon Castle and thanks to English Heritage Membership, free entry. The Kings entrance is currently closed for conservation work so we struggled up the stairs with the buggy as legs were now on strike. Due to the conservation work, we were given a castle guide book which was much appreciated. I read the history of the castle while sat within the walls. We had to stand on the slate where Prince Charles became the Prince of Wales. And then had a wander through the beautiful town before heading back. A good day. 

Anglesey Sea Zoo, Transport Museum and Plas Newydd

 

The day started at Anglesey Zoo and a very interesting drive to the building. Just a small road with a drop into the Menai Strait. As our toddler gets older, her attention span for aquariums is getting shorter and shorter. So having to pay for 3 year olds, and a bill for over £17 for less than an hours visit was a bit steep. As was the £3.30 for a coffee that tasted liked the coffee from conferences. But the zoo was good. The lobster hatchery, jelly fish, skate and anemones was a favourite.  

I had hoped that the Sea Zoo was going to take longer than it did, so we then went on to the Transport Museum. Each car has a story from the owner which is a nice touch. I had no idea that military vehicles were so large. Even spotted a Sierra Sapphire Cosworth - the car my dad owned when i was a teenager. 

Our next stop was a National Trust property at Plas Newydd. A beautiful house full of paintings by Rex Whistler including an unfinished mural that doesn't look unfinished one bit. Walking along the Menai Strait was beautiful but the climb up the hill was a workout with a buggy. A lovely visit and we didn't even do the adventure playground or treehouse. Next time. 

Puffin Island Cruise and llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch

We started the day at Beaumaris Castle and free entry thanks to our English Heritage cards. A beautiful castle in a wonderful settings, looking over the Menai Strait to Snowdonia National Park. The castle was built by Edward I but alas never finished as he then set his sights on Scotland. So it never reached its intended height. And accepts dogs which is fab. 

Our reason for being in Beaumaris was to join the Seacoast Safaris Puffin Island Cruise. What a treat. Dogs allowed but Ali had to lift Penny over the jetty to get down to the pier which isn't easy with a greyhound who is all legs. The day was so clear that we could see for miles and had spectacular views on each side of the boat. We saw puffins, cormorants, kittiwakes, razorbills, seals, gulls, shags and hundreds of guillemots. The island is a Site of Special Scientific Interest and Special Protection Area. we were astounded at how many birds we saw. What a wonderful cruise with Seacoast Safaris who were super informative and helpful. 

On the way back, a short photo stop at llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch . Free car parking for patrons of the shop next door. It doesn't take too long to take a snap of the station so a wander around the department store added to the stop. 

A drive along the North coast of Wales

Our day started with a wonderful breakfast in the North Lakes Hotel and Spa. I opted for the continental choice - focaccia, salami, emmental, brie, tomato chutney, prosciutto. Ali has the full Northnern breakfast. On full tummies, we did something they advise you to not do - go swimming. But with such a wonderful swimming pool and spa, it's hard not to. 

Then a long drive along the North coast of wales which spectacular views. Our destination was Anglesey.

We are saying in Afon Menai, a boltholes and hideaways property. Our welcome basket included products made in Wales - coffee, honey, sparkling wine and fudge. The garden is completely enclosed so no more lead wee breaks for Penny. And the best bit - a hot tub that I will be in for the foreseeable future. 

A 40th at the Spa

It was time to leave Scotland and head South. Heading out with a toddler takes three times the amount of time it would take for us to normally leave. As such, we ended up missing my plan A for the birthday - a cruise on Derwent Water. We had a stopover at Annandale Services, an old haunt of Ali's on her way back to Uni. I could tell why, it has a mini nature reserve to walk around and not your boring old service station that smells of wee. 

I had to think of a Plan B - Ullswater for a trip to the lake. Timing would work perfectly if it wasn't for the fact that Ali took a wrong turn, ended back on the M6 and had to go 20 miles each way to get to the next junction and back. So we missed Plan B. Onto Plan C - go direct to the North Lakes Hotel and Spa and check in early. 

What a hotel! We have a dog family room, with bunkbeds, a dogs bed, doggie treats, dog towel, dog bed. We had cookies on a plate with a chocolate smiling face. A huge bed and seating area. We've recently stayed in a dog room in a Travelodge and I can't tell you how black the floor was. The North Lakes Hotel and Spa goes above and beyond to welcome doggies. We have our own door to go outside for dog walks, a basket of toys and treats available. We all have our own spa bags with robes and slippers, and our toddler has her own bag with activities, towel and Very Important Little Person on the back of her robe. 

I booked afternoon tea for Ali's birthday and again, they went above and beyond. Allowing us to eat in a conservatory with our dog by our side, and the afternoon tea was wonderful. It could easily feed 4 people instead of just 2. After tea, a quick dip in the jacuzzi, steam room and sauna for me. Then Ali finished the big birthday with a facial and massage in the spa. Time to relax. 

A walk in the woods at Queen Elizabeth Forest Park

 

Today we ventured further afield and headed to Queen Elizabeth Forest Park. A gorgeous drive from Loch Lomond. We chose the waterfall walk which was a mile (enough for toddler legs). We were looking out for red squirrels but we aren't exactly quiet. 

Close to the start of the walk we found the monument to the Lumberjills. Our toddler loved the talking bench and learning about how women took over from men during the war - felling, snedding, loading trucks and trains and milling timber all over Scotland. 

Along the walk there were children's activities and mini playparks which was perfect to keep the little legs walking. As we rounded a corner at the bottom of the hill, we saw the waterfall. It's glorious and the perfect lunch spot while lying on the hammocks. On the way back up the hill, we found a fab fairy village and little houses to play in. Then ended our visit with a coffee stop in the Lodge visitor centre which was so welcoming and dog friendly. A lovely visit. 

Leisure day at Cameron Hotel

 

Ali's brother managed to get us day passes at Cameron Hotel on Loch Lomond. It has a valet service and it's own sea plane! It was quite funny driving up to the front door with a family car and roof box. Our toddler and I went for a swim first. It has a fabulous children's pool with slides, floats, bubbles and shallow enough for them to just go off by themselves and have some independence. We ended up staying in the pool for 2 hours! Then lunch in the tavern where the children's portion was bigger than a regular adults portion. Then we switched and Ali went for an afternoon of swimming, jacuzzi, sauna and steam. A much needed rest day. 

Banged up in Inveraray Jail

The drive from Cove to Inveraray is spectacular. The weather was perfect and around every sea inlet, yet another beautiful view. On route we also discovered who our neighbours are - RNAD Coulport. Home to the Royal Naval Armaments Depot, aka where the nuclear warheads for the UK are stored.   

Our destination today was Inveraray. Alas the castle isn't open for the season yet, but we were heading for the jail. Complete with Court Room, thumb screws that you can try and a whipping table you can also try. The best bit for a toddler is that nothing was forbidden to touch. We wandered around the old prison where women and children were kept, then onto the exercise cells outside which prisoners used alone for one hour a day. The new prison had 12 much bigger cells, heating, lighting and water closet. The prison closed in 1889. 

Inveraray is very quaint. We got a pasty and sat on the dock looking at the spectacular view. Got pudding in the Chocolate Box and then car sweets from the old sweet shop. A lovely visit. 

Sea Life Centre Loch Lomond and a lake cruise

 A day in Balloch - the Sea Life Centre which our toddler whizzed around within minutes so we went around 3 times to get out monies worth. Then Sweeneys cruise on the lake for 1 hour.