Second day in Wales
Tuesday (I think) Sept. 3rd 2019
Last night it stopped drizzling while still light so I went for a walk on the beach down to the little stone church. They still use it by traveling priests. I could look in but not go in.
My agility was tested when I had to hop across rocks like I used to do so many years ago . I had to hop onto big, smooth, slippery rocks to get to the sand part of the beach for easier walking. I was good at this but that was 50 years ago. It was nice to get out in the warm breeze and just walk on the beach.
I told Sheila I'd be back shortly as she was making me dinner. For dinner Sheila made local, recently caught from off this beach, Sea Bream. We each had a whole 6 inch or so fish with the head on and all of its' bones. In U.S. bone-in fish is seldom served I think because Americans don't want the inconvenience of de-boning something on their plate. It was delicious along with the rice with caramelized leek and just dug ever so thinly sliced carrot. Green beans with garlic and tomato was served also and very good. No room for her individual cheesecakes though. I was so full. And we enjoyed rosemary focaccia bread with dipping sauce and glasses of wine. We shared a delightful dinner with sparkling conversation.
This morning at 8 I returned to the rock hopping and walked further down the beach meeting 2 gentlemen with a border collie who wanted to do nothing but retrieve his tennis ball, dropping it and staring at it until you threw it again. All the dogs I have met here are super friendly. Owners too.
Sheila made breakfast of (all I could eat) yogurt and fresh fruit. She asked if I wanted very fresh eggs. I said "yes, please"! I asked for poached which came served on thickly cut whole grain dark bread with butter. This meal was again....super delicious.
During breakfast we had emotional conversation (Sheila) about her parents who bought this property in 1998 when it was in dire state of disrepair. It took her parents 1 year to renovate. Her dad was an architect. Sheila moved in with them when they both were in need of care due to illnesses. She lost them in 2010 and 2011. Mom first then dad who gave up on life after loosing her. But before they passed, Sheila made a book of pictures and the poems her dad wrote to her mom for each of her birthdays and each of their anniversaries. They were married for 65 years. Now Sheila lives there alone. She renovated to make a B&B of which has been open for 1 year now. But she loves to cook and does dinner parties in a lavish way.
It was time to get on the road. My trip down the coast took me through many little towns; some on the coast and some a bit inland. Again the roads were too narrow for 2 vehicles but I'm getting better and less nervous when meeting other cars and trucks. But the sidewalls on the tires on the left side are getting beaten up with more scrapes. In total I drove 4 hours, stopping to get a fish and chip dinner to go. Every town displays signs for such so I had to try it. It was pretty good.
The road off the main road to get here at the Cliff House was about 5 miles down a definite 1 car-wide road. I only met 2 cars going down so we each had to stop and one of us inched our way past the other. This place reminds me so much of Ireland. The beach here is wide with a starkness that is peacefully demure. It's been a very gray day with on and off misting.
As I sit here outside having a beer, I'm watching a few couples play croquet in the mist. I'm hoping tomorrow will be NOT raining so I can walk.
p.s. There are a few GOATS mixed in with the hundreds, maybe thousands of sheep. And an occasional small herd of cows.
Last night it stopped drizzling while still light so I went for a walk on the beach down to the little stone church. They still use it by traveling priests. I could look in but not go in.
My agility was tested when I had to hop across rocks like I used to do so many years ago . I had to hop onto big, smooth, slippery rocks to get to the sand part of the beach for easier walking. I was good at this but that was 50 years ago. It was nice to get out in the warm breeze and just walk on the beach.
I told Sheila I'd be back shortly as she was making me dinner. For dinner Sheila made local, recently caught from off this beach, Sea Bream. We each had a whole 6 inch or so fish with the head on and all of its' bones. In U.S. bone-in fish is seldom served I think because Americans don't want the inconvenience of de-boning something on their plate. It was delicious along with the rice with caramelized leek and just dug ever so thinly sliced carrot. Green beans with garlic and tomato was served also and very good. No room for her individual cheesecakes though. I was so full. And we enjoyed rosemary focaccia bread with dipping sauce and glasses of wine. We shared a delightful dinner with sparkling conversation.
This morning at 8 I returned to the rock hopping and walked further down the beach meeting 2 gentlemen with a border collie who wanted to do nothing but retrieve his tennis ball, dropping it and staring at it until you threw it again. All the dogs I have met here are super friendly. Owners too.
Sheila made breakfast of (all I could eat) yogurt and fresh fruit. She asked if I wanted very fresh eggs. I said "yes, please"! I asked for poached which came served on thickly cut whole grain dark bread with butter. This meal was again....super delicious.
During breakfast we had emotional conversation (Sheila) about her parents who bought this property in 1998 when it was in dire state of disrepair. It took her parents 1 year to renovate. Her dad was an architect. Sheila moved in with them when they both were in need of care due to illnesses. She lost them in 2010 and 2011. Mom first then dad who gave up on life after loosing her. But before they passed, Sheila made a book of pictures and the poems her dad wrote to her mom for each of her birthdays and each of their anniversaries. They were married for 65 years. Now Sheila lives there alone. She renovated to make a B&B of which has been open for 1 year now. But she loves to cook and does dinner parties in a lavish way.
It was time to get on the road. My trip down the coast took me through many little towns; some on the coast and some a bit inland. Again the roads were too narrow for 2 vehicles but I'm getting better and less nervous when meeting other cars and trucks. But the sidewalls on the tires on the left side are getting beaten up with more scrapes. In total I drove 4 hours, stopping to get a fish and chip dinner to go. Every town displays signs for such so I had to try it. It was pretty good.
The road off the main road to get here at the Cliff House was about 5 miles down a definite 1 car-wide road. I only met 2 cars going down so we each had to stop and one of us inched our way past the other. This place reminds me so much of Ireland. The beach here is wide with a starkness that is peacefully demure. It's been a very gray day with on and off misting.
As I sit here outside having a beer, I'm watching a few couples play croquet in the mist. I'm hoping tomorrow will be NOT raining so I can walk.
p.s. There are a few GOATS mixed in with the hundreds, maybe thousands of sheep. And an occasional small herd of cows.
I am having a wonderful time on your trip! Can't wait to go myself. Keep writing please.
ReplyDeleteYou write so well! I can taste the food
ReplyDeleteOur burgers on the grill, boiled potatoes and steamed broccoli pale in comparison to your magnificent meals. Having a shot of Stag's Breath (fine whiskey and fermented honey comb liqueur) for dessert is making up for a mundane meal. The family firm of Meikles of Scotland Limited have been producing Stag's Breath Liqueur from a very secret family recipe in Newtonmore since 1989.
ReplyDelete