Our visit to the United Kingdom was studded with castles, each well worth a stop. We were on our way to see Harlech Castle, Conwy Castle, and then to overnight in Penrith with a look at Ullswater.
On my way to Harlech Castle.Our vacation began in London, where we enjoyed the British Museum here and here and here. We left with a rented car and were almost accustomed to driving (my husband) and riding (me) on the ‘wrong’ side only inches from England’s gorgeous stone-walled roads by the time we reached Bath. We admired Avebury, then a little of Wales on the route to Stokesay Castle, and later we would be awed by the Kelpies of Scotland.
Even this black dog admires the sights.Harlech Castle in Harlech, Wales, a World Heritage Site, is categorized by UNESCO as one of “the finest examples of late 13th-century and early 14th-century military architecture in Europe.” Enormous, it offers grand views…
The panoramic views from Harlech Castle are impressive…
…even on a cloudy day.
The city of Harloch is lovely…
…including when you see it…
…from here with my honey.It was time for lunch. A short drive further up the coast, we stopped in the city of Conwy for fish and chips fried in beef fat for Khashayar, and mushy peas (marrowfat peas cooked down to mush — a love-it or hate-it staple throughout the U.K.) with vegan gravy for me. Conwy is a walled market town in the north of Wales. After the filling meal, we strolled the nearby river and marveled at the Conwy Castle’s exterior. Writer/TV personality/activist Rick Steves offers a fascinating view of the interior. UNESCO calls Conwy Castle one of “the finest examples of late 13th-century and early 14th-century military architecture in Europe.”
Conwy Castle is worth a visit…
…and so is the region around it.We spent the night in Penrith, Cumbria, a market town with more sights than we could take in. Exhausted and the evening late, we checked into a beautiful bed and breakfast, glad to find an attractive room with a scenic window. Once settled, we strolled to what must have been a theater at one time. Whatever it was, it’s now the biggest Indian food restaurant I’ve ever seen!
Elaine, Richard, and Dora are terrific hosts.That following morning, our hosts, Elaine and Richard plus their lovely Dora, charmed us with their kindness. Their extensive English breakfast equally accommodated my meat-lover husband and my veggie self.
Ullswater is a quick twenty-minute drive away, so we enjoyed a nine-mile ride along the lake. It’s the second largest lake in the English Lake District. Here’s a video by someone else of the boat jaunt we took.
Rain or shine, a ride down Ullswater is fun.What’s your fave region in the U.K.?
Happiness Between Tails by da-AL 
In England the Lake district is my favorite and in Scotland Ayershire on the west coast with all the islands and lochs; driving up from there to Skye and Aberdeenshire with the cairngorms… All so wonderful and atmospheric. My father was Scottish and I have lots of cousins in the Uk so I have visited on more than one occasion.
LikeLiked by 1 person
how fortunate you are 🙂
LikeLike
Hi,good morning! Wow, You have got such a cool height.I loved all the images but what i loved most
was your photo with your mom and dad,Very impressive post and i love you for this.
Cheers!
LikeLike
Reblogged this on Craig's Travel Blog and commented:
happy writing, “DA”
LikeLike
Enjoy ,yaar!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wonderful to read about your UK holiday. With two boys who were 15 and 12 then, we had a great time in the UK several years back, between the many castles, sport like football (soccer) and tennis and places connected with English literature.
LikeLiked by 2 people
that sounds like fun, Ankur 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks for the trip. I have been toying for a while with the idea of spending time travelling in England. SOme day… 🙂
LikeLiked by 2 people
I’m surprised with all the traveling you’ve done. you’ve never been?
LikeLiked by 1 person
oh, went umpteen times to London, either on business (used to work for a Brit company) or pleasure. But always short times and no wandering outside London. Well, just once in a castle outside London for a week-long training seminar… Just need to plan a longer visit to the UK. 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
Really enjoyed this!
LikeLiked by 2 people
thank you 🙂
LikeLike
Thank you for sharing a part of your world and adventure!.. I don’t believe I have a favorite place as all of England and that part of the world has history to be explored!!. 🙂
Hope all is well with you and your family and until we meet again..
May flowers always line your path
and sunshine light your way,
May songbirds serenade your
every step along the way,
May a rainbow run beside you
in a sky that’s always blue,
And may happiness fill your heart
each day your whole life through.
May the sun shine all day long
Everything go right, nothing go wrong
May those you love bring love back to you
And may all the wishes you wish come true
(Irish Saying)
LikeLiked by 2 people
well said, Dutch 🙂
LikeLike
I’ve been to Harlech too–those roads to get up there are steep but the view is so worth it!
LikeLiked by 2 people
not if you rent a car lol…
LikeLike
I like the photo of the area around Conway Castle. Mushy peas sounds a little like pea soup, which is OK by me.
LikeLiked by 2 people
me too, Brian — I love pea soup!
LikeLike