Castle, Beach, Memory Lane, Sundaes

After a nice breakfast in the castle café we had a look round Harlech Castle itself this morning. We didn't know when we booked but the apartment came with a free 3 day Cadw Explorer pass, so we didn't have to pay the normal entry fee.

I had to climb 143 steps to get this photo. I know this as a little girl was counting them loudly on her way down the spiral staircase. I also walked down 127 steps to the water gate, situated where the sea used to reach when the castle was built. So all together, there and back, that was over 500 steps - no wonder I went on to do 12k today.

We then drove on to Harlech Beach which is nowadays quite a distance from the castle. The beach is lovely and sandy. Most people had dogs, in fact someone jokingly said to us 'why haven't you got a dog?!' The girls in the first extra didn't, they had a kite instead which looked to be just as much fun as chasing a dog along the sand.

We then drove on to Criccieth, our first visit since a holiday there in 1984, so 40 years ago. It's no good asking us if we noticed any changes as we couldn't remember what is was like back then. I guess the castle was still very much the same, though unfortunately we couldn't use our free Cadw pass to see as it was closed on Wednesdays. We did manage to find Cadwaladers though, as recommended by mambo, where we had delicious sundaes.  The sea wasn't as rough as when mambo was there a few days ago, but I did get a rather feeble shot of the waves crashing against the sea wall. 

We are trying to decide what to do about a meal this evening. We did think about fish and chips but it was too early for that in Criccieth, especially after the sundaes. We stopped off in Porthmadog on the way back to Harlech, but couldn't find anywhere suitable. It might have to be pizzas from the takeway next to the car park as the Harlech fish and chips shop only opens on Thursdays and Fridays.

Tomorrow we are off to Anglesey for the day to see some friends who live there now.

One year ago:
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