The orange squash party adventures in UK & Ireland Part 5

From Bath we made our way to Bristol and then to Cardiff (a coastline full of boats), and from there a train to Bangor Station. The Welsh coastline reminded me of Cornwall, dotted as it was with wildflowers. Conwy was particularly beautiful but pity that was just on route. Les, our cabby dropped us at the Bangor Travelodge where as in most Travelodges, rooms are uniform, all happily coexisting in a maze. :D

We wanted to go exploring so Rosy, the helpful receptionist, suggested that we try the cyclists' path down the road. We happily set out for the road only to discover that cars in Bangor zoom by in a rush which is fine if you have a footpath to walk on. But... no footpaths! Anytime a vehicle came hurtling, we'd jump onto the grassy verges that bordered the road. The tall grasses sure look pretty but are quite uncomfortable to wade through. There was no choice, wading was safer than walking on the road. This was one adventure that we had not anticipated and the walk to the cyclists' path looked long and nowhere in sight. Finally, we decided to ask for directions from a passing motorist who surprisingly and quite kindly gave us a lift. :)

Bangor, Wales ©Rajani Thindiath

And the walk in the woods? Oh wow! I walked with my neck craned the whole time looking up at the the trees. So many oaks, trees and flowers including a rusty-throated bird hopping among the branches. The wooded path had plenty of cyclists, motorcyclists, joggers and their dogs, all helpful about giving us directions to reach Bangor town. Sur, an eternal dog-lover, nearly managed to frighten a dog when she went greet it. But the dog made up for it with a growl as if to say, 'Afraid? Who me?!' :D

The Cyclists' Path, Bangor, Wales ©Rajani Thindiath

As we went along the motorists, joggers and cyclists thinned. Of course we got lost. We checked the GPS, asked the rare passerby and finally reached Bangor town after two hours of ambling along. By then we were so ravenous we fell on the great food at The Black Bull Inn. Yummy Lamb Cawl (a Welsh stew... I always have my eye out for meat stews!) paired with their award-winning chilly and leek sausages. A day that ends with good food and a walk in the woods is a great day by any means! :)