Tag: Wanderlust

Pembrokeshire day 4 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿

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Today we did a coastal road trip and spent most of it fog dodging! We have been quite lucky for most of the day, but it definitely caught up with us this evening making the coastal roads a total joy to drive on.

This morning we started in Tresaith to hunt down the beach waterfall. As is tradition with this trip, we couldn’t find the car park. If anyone decides to visit here, keep an eye out for the A5 sized sign which is just past the bus stop. I promise it’s a car park and not a building site like we originally thought 🤣 head to the beach and climb over the rocks to the right and you’ll find the fabulous falls that cascade on to the beach. There’s also a burger van with a very enthusiastic chap so it’s well worth spending time here.

Our next stop was the Dinas Head coastal walk. Luckily the fog was clearing by this point so we were able to actually see some of the views! We also managed to bag another trig. It’s a fantastic 3 mile walk which I would definitely recommend. And an added bonus.. there’s a pub at the car park overlooking the beach ⛱

Next stop.. Fishguard and time to wrap up as the temperature had definitely dropped. We had a little walk around the harbour before heading to another watering hole for a delicious burger and a real ale for Santa.

Back on the road and to St David’s- the smallest city in the UK. The fog was particularly thick now, but this meant the cathedral looked a lot more dramatic. Luckily there was a group of lads lads lads making a vlog, so we had a cheeky earwig to learn all about the place. Unfortunately we got there after 5pm so santa was unable to have a mooch around the cathedral. But it was still great to see it from the outside.

The last stop was a walk around Carew Castle, which again looked very dramatic against a misty backdrop. Parking here is free! And even after opening hours you are still able to get a very good view of the ruins.

Santa’s Sesh 🎅🏻 Santa enjoyed Jemima’s Pitchfork. A 4.5% ale named after the Welsh heroine Jemima Nicholas. A man of many words.. he described it as very very good 👍 and he’s currently munching on his 4th Welsh Cake of the day 🐷

Pembrokeshire day 2 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿

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This morning was all about coastal Trusting again. The car park however was a nightmare to find and a nightmare to drive in to. I’m convinced I’ve done rather a lot of damage to my car thanks to the million pot holes in the road!

We started with the Lydstep circular which gave us more spectacular views across Pembrokeshire, then headed along the coastal path to Church Door Cove. The steps up and down certainly got the old ticker going! It was a gorgeous cove with more unsual rock formations (for those who went to high school with me.. this certainly would be in Miss Humphries’ wank bank) Make sure you check tide times if you plan on visiting here.

This afternoon was all about Tenby. After lunch in a pub which had its own brewery (obvs) we headed to the beach for a spot of sunbathing and an obligatory ice cream. Unfortunately I am now one crispy ginger because I neglected the factor 30 again.. Tenby is full of charm, colourful houses, and one of the most pissy smelling multistorey car parks. I particularly enjoyed the shop selling Center Parcs rubber rings outside. I’m intrigued to know how they acquired these!

This evening we visited St Govans Chapel which is build into the cliff side. Legend has it that if you count the steps on the way down and up, the number is never the same. Unfortunately mid way, somebody decided to talk to Santa about his football shirt which totally threw the count. This is definitely worth visiting as it’s so unique!

On the way back to our gaff we stopped by Freshwater West again – this time to visit the grave of Dobby. Yes it’s just a pile of rocks for a fictional character.. but just reading the tributes on the rocks shows how much the world of Harry Potter means to people. In the words of Dobby – it’s such a beautiful place, to be with friends.

We finished off our super long day with alcohol beverages on the beach. Such lads lads lads!

Santa’s sesh 🎅🏻 Lunch & beer was at Harbwr in Tenby with its own brewery. Santa enjoyed the Caldey Lollipop – a 4.5% American style IPA. He’s purchased yet another glass to go with his ever growing collection 🍺

Pembrokeshire day 1 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿

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Today we were meant to be arriving at the airport 5 hours early to board a plane for attempt number 2 of our Croatian adventure. Unfortunately it wasn’t meant to be.. so we jumped in the Seat Leon and along the M4 to Wales.

We are staying in Freshwater East; so decided to keep today nice and local and explore the coastline around Barafundle Bay. After firing up the Alltrails we found a 6 mile walk (including the instagramable Lily Pond) and set out for our first adventure. The views were spectacular and luckily so was the weather. A mixture of coastal national park, beaches, woodland and the most enormous lake made it one of our most varied and enjoyable walks.

As its the law to have fish and chips when you’re by the sea, we grabbed a takeaway from Pembroke and took our greasy feast to Freshwater West. Although a fair few chips did end up on the beach.. we still enjoyed the obligatory meal and finished the day off with the beautiful sky.

The Norwegian adventure begins… Via the National Trust ⛴

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What do you do when you’re 4 hours early for a flight? Find the local trust and have a mooch. Luckily for us there is one just round the corner from Manchester Airport! Quarry bank site is huge so one we will definitely return to, but probably in the summer as it was a little bit dead and crispy today.

So I’m currently sat in out little cabin, or ‘cell’ as I like to call it on my fold out bed and we’ve not long set sail. Luckily dinner tonight was a buffet so I managed to avoid the array of fishy fish. Tomorrow however is when the set menu starts, therefore operation loose a stone also begins.

Tetons to Jackson

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Another chilly start to the day as we headed back into Yellowstone as a cut-through for the Tetons. We stopped off at West Thumb which is beautiful and well worth the visit. It sits alongside the Yellowstone River and features the Abyss Pool which is approx 53ft deep and is that gorgeous shade of blue that you see on all of the photos.

After leaving the South Side of Yellowstone we headed through Teton National Park on our way to Jackson. The mountain range is stunning; especially with the clear sky and fall colours surrounding them. We had a couple of stops along the way, including the Oxbow Bend and the site where ‘Shane’ was filmed (nope.. Never heard of it either!!) Some more lovely photos to add to my ever expanding collection.

After exiting Teton NP we arrived in Jackson. Right by our hotel is part of the ski slopes (just over 3 months til my ski holiday 😉) and it was lovely to watch all the biker’s do their thing on the mountain. It’s a lovely town full of bars, restaurants and shops, as well as the Elk Antler Arches at each corner in the centre. We even treated ourselves to an ice cream as the sun was out.

Dinner tonight was in the Snake River Brewery. Took on the American sized burger and ginge won the battle. Now feeling incredibly fat.

It’s our last day tomorrow which will be mostly filled with travel as we head back to Salt Lake City for our flight home tomorrow evening.

TTFN x

SANTA’S SESH 🎅

Santa has had far too many of ‘Rob Still Sucks’ I’m feeling a night of snoring coming on……

 

Yellowstone National Park

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I am beyond sunburnt today! If this place isn’t on your bucket list.. Get it on there right now! The park is 3500 sq miles so you will find so much to see; from the vivid colours of the many pools, the erupting displays of the Geysers and the abundance of wildlife. It is an outdoor lovers paradise (if only it was National Trust!)

On our way into the park we were incredibly lucky to pass an enormous buffalo herd and there was hundreds on them. What a privilege to see these fantastic animals and their calves in their own environment.

We visited the Fountain Paint Pot area, famous for its reds, yellows and browns. The Grand Prismatic Spring famous for being the largest hot spring in the US and the third largest in the world. And finally the area surrounding Old Faithful.

When we arrived at Old Faithful it was a good hour or so before it was due to erupt. I would recommend going to see the Castle Geyser, about a 15 minute walk from OF. You can get so close to it and it erupts for ages, giving you enough chance to get some photos then actually stand back and watch it in all its glory.

We decided to do things a little bit differently with OF and if you’re able to walk uphill over rocks, trees and other obstacles then I would recommend going to the observation point. I’ll admit the walk was a bit of a bitch, the elevation and thin air made me feel like I was about to have a heart attack!! But stick with it as your are rewarded with the most fantastic views. Whilst watching OF I heard some rustling, and just to the side of us was a Coyote, how amazing! He was very obliging and posed for a photo.

As the group we were with wanted to go back to West Yellowstone town centre and we didn’t (typical) we were dropped off at Madison River and began the 5 mile walk back to the hotel. Again we were treated to more gorgeous colours from the river and the mountain backdrop and it was amazing to be outdoors with all the nature.

I shall sleep well tonight!!

TTFN x

SANTA’S SESH 🎅

Had a couple of beers in the Slippery Otter, best beer selection of the holiday. Got to watch a game of football on the TV, what more could you want.

Cody to Yellowstone

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Woke up this morning to a blanket of snow! Hard to believe that yesterday we were having drinks in the sunshine outside. We headed to the Buffalo Bill and Cody museum this morning; a Wild West, Firearms and Taxidermy heaven! Definitely worth a visit if you’re ever in the area.

We then headed to Yellowstone (something I have so been looking forward to) however it was a complete whiteout and as we had expected, the pass into the East of Yellowstone was closed. The only option for us was to begin a 6 hour drive to another entrance.. However an hour into the drive the pass decided to open, so; back we went!

The weather on the journey back to where we had originally gone had now much improved and it meant we could actually see the surrounding area, and it was beautiful. Lakes, mountains, snow covered trees and Elk, what more could you want!

We have another day in the park tomorrow but decided to have a little taster today, despite getting there a lot later than originally planned. Aside from the fact that the whole place smells like eggy farts, what we have seen already is just wow. From the mud volcano to Norris Geyser Basin. The vivid colours and the plooms of steam. And the angry Japanese tourists. As John Muir once said.. “A thousand Yellowstone wonders are calling, look up and down and round about you”

We are looking forward to another day in the park tomorrow!

TTFN x

SANTA’S SESH 🎅

Nothing on draught tonight so had to settle for a can.

Little Bighorn Battlesite to Cody

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Today was a beautifully hot day so I could finally wear one of the dresses I’ve brought. We started the day at the Little Bighorn Battlesite; more commonly known as Custers Last Stand. We were given a tour by Rusty (how fabulous!) who had long flowing hair (they are not allowed to cut it and you’re not allowed to touch it as they believe that is where your soul is) and double jointed arms.

The battlefield went on for miles and miles and it was so quiet apart from the wind blowing the long grasses. Make time to reflect and walk amongst the white graves. Rusty was incredibly knowledgeable but he packed so much in to a small space of time; therefore if you want to know about the battle, Wiki is a good place to go 😉

We then set off on the long trek to Cody, having another supermarket picnic en route. Cody is another Western style town which again is closing down due to being the end of the season. We walked into a bar and were basically stared back out again by the locals. On our way back to the hotel we spotted some Mule Deer who were snuffling around the locals gardens. They were very obliging and let us get some fabulous pictures of them.

Dinner tonight was of course in the local brewery. The staple burger was ordered and it was absolutely delicious.

TTFN x

SANTA’S SESH 🎅

Santa had so many that he can’t remember the name of the beer he had tonight! A 7% IPA which was very nice and finished off with a Porter.

Deadwood & Devils Tower

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Following a stand off for a table with the Germans at breakfast, we left Rapid City and headed for Deadwood; the town where Wild Bill was shot whilst playing poker. As it’s the end of the season it was like a ghost town, but it meant you could fully appreciate all the wild west style bars and saloons. We took a trip up to the site where he is buried alongside Calamity Jane and had a lovely view over Deadwood from here.

After Deadwood we visited Devils Tower, the first United States National Monument in 1906. It rises up 1,267 feet so is pretty impressive when you’re stood at the bottom. The surrounding area again had beautiful fall colours, and the burnt trees from historical fires added another dramatic dimension to the scenery.

Following the tower it was another long drive to our home for the night.. Sheridan (thank God for Netflix downloads!) We were greeted by the most fabulous sunset. We ate in a Sanfords pub, and these people literally have no concept of portion control. I could have had mine for breakfast, lunch and dinner!! But it was lovely food.

TTFN x

SANTA’S SESH 🎅

Had a pint of standard IPA at happy hour in the hotel, $2 a pint, can’t go wrong! In the evening I had a Sam Adams Oktoberfest. Apart from the 9% at Moab, the best beer of the trip so far.

Crazy Horse & Mt Rushmore

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Mother nature was still in a bad mood today. Following a 4 hour drive (with a cheeky stop at a typical American ‘gas’ station) we arrived at Crazy Horse. Luckily I managed to grab a photo before the clouds decended and the work in progress monument was gone for the rest of the visit. I have to say, I wasn’t overly impressed and found the whole thing quite boring. It is basically a construction site; has been for years and will continue to be so for a very long time. The museum passed a bit of time, but this place really wasn’t for me.

On our drive to Mt Rushmore (somewhere I have been dying to see!) we were very lucky to see a couple of mountain goat (basically a sheep with long legs) thank God for the Nikon and the long lense.

Mt Rushmore didn’t disappoint (OK.. Blue sky would have been amazing but you can’t have everything) the detail and craftsmanship to go into all 4 presidents, they were just amazing. You can take a walk towards the bottom and look up at their faces to give you a different perspective and this is something I definitely recommend you make time for. How they managed to produce what they did, it’s so hard to believe. As well as the obvious, the surrounding area is also beautiful and a wildlife haven. We saw a variety of birds and I finally managed to photograph a chipmunk (once it stayed still!!)

Luckily the hotel tonight provided a happy (two) hour, for free! Wine in a plastic cup, classy as always.

TTFN x

SANTA’S SESH 🎅

Last night I had to show ID to get served, could not believe it, and I was one of the youngest on the table. Tonight we went to another local brewery… 620 b.c IIPA 7% really nice. Also had Procrastination Porter, unsure of %, very strong taste of burnt toast but still lovely.