Pirates Ahoy, West Wales, 23-25 August 2013

Friday

We had a nice leisurely trip down through Wales via Dolgellau, Machynlleth and Aberystwyth to reach our bed and breakfast at Rhydlewis. Broniwan is set up a short drive and is a slightly gloomy solid Victorian house. Our hostess, Carole met us and gave us huge pieces of delicious jam sandwich cake and tea. She reminded me a little of my friend Angela H (tall, blonde and clever!) I think the gloom was probably because it was cloudy and overcast outside. Carole was tickled when we mentioned we would be dressing up as pirates the next day.

We went off for dinner at the Daffodil Inn in Penrhiwllan a few miles away. I was slightly disconcerted by being addressed as “Sir” as when it’s strangers this is normally a verbal punch in the face. When it’s my friends it’s an entirely different matter and is quite correct! We were supposed to sit in the bar and wait to be taken to our table but I had entirely misunderstood this and assumed the whole pub was a bar so we just took a table that we wanted to sit at. The waitress implied that the one they had reserved for us was “better” but we were quite happy not being in the thick of it all. I had various beefy things and Carol had 2 starters. The food was very tasty, nicely cooked and well presented. We washed it down with Greene King Abbot Ale from Bury St. Edmunds (my first ever beers). Back at the B and B we had a short walk up the hill in the dark to stretch our legs, no cars, lovely.

Saturday

Nice big breakfast of organic sausages and poached egg with tomato for me and Carol had similar with bacon. Proper coffee and really just very good. We met Allan, our  host who was also charming.

We went off to Lampeter to buy a couple of bits and pieces, then back to the B and B where Carol had a little snooze. Then off out again to the seaside at Poppit Sands. Any sun there decided to leave as we arrived. We found the pirate flag and a bunch of scurvy pirates who were a bit chilly. We were just in time to help finish off Hilary’s yummy muffins. We stayed a little longer but it certainly wasn’t warm enough to get me in the sea nor Carol. We went back to the B and B and Carol had another little snooze. Then we arranged ourselves for the evening and our hosts both came out to “admire” us!

Bona Pirates drove over to Llandysul Long Barn for the piratical party. Aargh! The scurvy wenches were blistering their barnacles and my parrot was requiring pieces of slate. We ate ships’ biscuits and drank a bottle of rum (actually a chicken kebab and a small glass of champagne). A fire was blazing on the deck and the wenches were rampaging. Chrissie the buccaneering beauty of the Seven Seas was over the yardarm. We returned to the B and B and both had big long snoozes.

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Poppit Sands
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Scurvy Knave Sandy
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Quarter Master Julian
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Everybody say “aargh”

Sunday

Another yummy breakfast and then back to the Long Barn where some pirates seemed a little the worse for wear. Some ship-shaping had been done and all was quiet in the sun. Chrissie had some more presents and additions to the cake fest. It was lovely to see all the Howarths together and to meet Kaye. And all our dear old friends.

We then set off for the long journey home which we broke by calling in to see Kate and Del and Dan in Pontrhydfendigaid. We had some bara brith and a bit more cake and shot the breeze. On the way back we called in at Llanidloes because we both like it there and Carol bought me a Magnum in case I was suffering a sugar withdrawal. We also stopped in Newtown for the loo and then we were homeward bound.

Please visit Map and Compass and learn how to interpret a map with me and my navigation partner, Cath.

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Chrissie, Gerry and Hilary
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Catriona and Chris
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Andy, Chris, Gerry, Hilary and Carol
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As before and with Kaye on the left
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And with me on the right
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The Divine Ms Willows
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Birthday girl with birthday shed voucher

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