Friday 11^th July                                   MANCHESTER  -  HOLYHEAD

Well, for a major moving day, today has gone really well (which is never guaranteed with public transport in the UK!)

Firstly, though, one of the biggest news stories in Manchester is that last night’s ELO concert was cancelled – apparently only minutes before it was due to start, when everyone was at the venue! Jeff Lynne is ill, they said. I feel so very sorry for all of those thousands of people who’ve come from all over the world – they will get concert refunds, but not for all the travel, accommodation, etc. I am also worried about him – as I said, he’s 77, and he was definitely not at all well towards the end of last night’s concert. But it must have been pretty bad for him to pull the plug at the last minute, literally. ELO are supposed to be playing at Hyde Park on Saturday in their final performance in the ‘Over and Out’ tour; it’s been sold out for months, so I hope he can make that. Glen and I were so happy and relieved we chose to go Wednesday night.

Anyway, Lex and I were up at 6am to make sure we were out of our flat nice and early, as we had to fill the car with fuel and drop it back at Eurocar by 8am, all of which went according to plan. There was a shuttle bus we could take to the airport from there, and the driver obligingly said he could drop us off at the airport train station, even though it’s not a scheduled stop. So, by ten past eight, we were at the station.

Lex had found the train we wanted to take: the 9.25 from Manchester to Holyhead (which is a port town in Wales) with no changes of trains. They have a bank of ticket machines, and he was able to get our tickets with no worries. Cait and Danny called, so we showed him the station, then took the lift down to the platform and had a cuppa in the café there, before boarding our train which left absolutely on time – no announcements, no whistles, no warning – it just glided away from the platform and we were off. We went through the centre of Manchester, then off into the countryside, down to Chester and into Wales, where we followed the coastline closely for a lot of the way. Today there’s not a cloud in the sky, and Wales is picture-postcard perfect!

                                                               9.25 to Holyhead

                                                            Coast of north Wales

Crossing the Menai Straits

Conwy Castle

We were lucky enough to have a table to ourselves for about half the trip, but as the train filled up, we were joined by two nice young girls, American uni students who are having a great time on their holiday. They’re taking the ferry to Dublin tonight and came from Edinburgh this morning, so three countries in one day! Our train was right on time, and we arrived in Holyhead at 25 to 1. We walked across the big pedestrian bridge that links the town and ferry terminal/railway station, and looked for lunch (the refreshment trolley on the train having proven rather uninspiring, to say the least.)

                                                         Our train at Holyhead Station

                                         We walked over the big pedestrian bridge into town

The quick and easy answer was Holly Molly, an unassuming little café just across from the walkway exit. The prices were astoundingly cheap (my Hawaiian Beef Burger was only 5 pounds) and the food plentiful and yummy. Afterwards, Lex phoned our hotel, and they said we could check in, as our room was ready. We called a taxi, but had a forty-minute wait, so we sat outside in the pleasant breeze and waited. Our taxi driver was a real character, and it only cost us 3 pounds, which is unbelievably cheap!

                                                    Waiting for the taxi outside Holly Molly

The Boathouse Hotel is in a 15^th century building which was originally a farmhouse, a bit out of town. It’s definitely quirky, but from our window we can see the beach. Much to my relief, our room has two big windows which are wide open and letting in a lovely breeze. (That is never a certainty in UK hotels.) Today is hot for Wales – 25 degrees! I immediately changed into shorts and t-shirts – shall enjoy it while it lasts. Then we both had a nap (much needed).

                                             Looking towards the bay with windows that open!

After our naps, we had a cuppa, then headed out to explore the area around our hotel at about 5 o’clock. The sun was still beating down, and the kids were out in force jumping off big stone steps into the water. We walked past the marina areas with heaps of boats moored. There is a massive stone wall around the bay. We could see both ferries: the Ulysses (smaller one) was coming in, while the Swift waited for it, then headed out for Ireland. We walked as far as the edge of the water and the road to terminal 3, then came back, arriving about 6.30. We had our showers then headed downstairs to a really tasty meal in the conservatory bistro area – lovely and cool with a bay view. I was actually able to wear a summer dress! We both had the Chicken Italienne with salad and rosemary potatoes, and it was delicious. We’re now feeling very well fed and content, and hopefully will sleep well tonight. The only problem might be that our room overlooks the beer garden, it’s Friday night, and we really do HAVE to have the windows open at present….

                                                                      Lots of boats!

                        The local kids were all jumping off the steps and wall as the Swift came in.

Tomorrow, Holyhead is forecast to get to 31 degrees, so let’s see how that goes!