Teddy Edward: From Lauder to Llandudno

In an attempt to catch up with my blog posts I have decided to combine two travelogues into one; even though they are only tenuously linked by the fact that both places begin with the same letter.

So lets start with Lauder in the Scottish Borders which we visited in the motorhome for a few days back in September. To be precise we visited the caravan park at Thirlestane, which lies on the outskirts of Lauder.

Thirlestane Caravan Park, Lauder

The caravan park is wedged between the town of Lauder and the grounds of Thirlestane Castle, which gives plenty of opportunity for local walks. Our first walk was a stroll out of the caravan park to the banks of the Leader Water, which runs through the grounds of the Castle:

Leader Water near Thirlestane Castle

Walk along the path beside the Leader Water

There were a few birds dotting upon but my gaze was drawn to the large bird on the bank of the river; it was of course a Heron:

Heron on the bank of the Leader Water

Heron, a patient fisher!

After saying the Heron was a patient fisher it got up and flew over to the other side of the river to try its luck there:

Heron on other bank of Leader Water

Heron getting ready to fish!

Wrong again, the Heron decided it was fed up fishing and flew off across the fields (hope we didn't scare it away)

We carried on along the track beside the river until we reached the end of the path; in front of us stood a large dung heap, and I noticed there was a little bird on top of it:

Large Dung Heap with a bird on top

Closer inspection revealed that the bird was a Linnet:

Linnet on Dung Heap

Linnet and Willow Warbler

Another bird flew in to join the Linnet, it was either a Willow Warbler or a Chiffchaff (hard to tell without hearing them sing). This dung heap was getting popular.

Linnet and Willow Warbler (or Chiffchaff)

Linnet Close-up

Both birds then fly off so we turned around and headed back along the path towards the bridge:

Leader Water (with dung heap on the right)

Heading back along the path to the Bridge

When we got to the bridge we tried to cross over it to the other side but it looked like the only way out was through a field full of sheep, so we decided not to.

We did take a couple of photos on the Bridge:

Leader Water upstream from the Bridge

Moira on the Bridge over the Leader Water

It was getting near teatime so we headed back to the van for something to eat.

There was a big moon that night:

Big Moon

Staying at the caravan park in Lauder gave us free access to the grounds and gardens of Thirlestane Castle, or would have if the Castle and Gardens had not been closed because of a wedding being held there that weekend.

So we had to content ourselves with a walk into Lauder to see what was there; unfortunately the answer was very little. It's a nice enough town but some of the shops and cafes were closed as September is obviously considered as 'out of season'. The High Street was pleasant enough, but the fact that it is the A68 (a main road running from Edinburgh to Northumberland) meant it was busy with traffic.

We did enjoy a walk along Castle Wynd (a back street running parallel to the A68) as it was very quiet and peaceful. This brought us out at a bus stop; where we discovered that a bus heading to Melrose was due in 5 minutes. A snap decision meant we were going to Melrose for the rest of the day.

About half an hour later we got off the bus in Melrose High Street (more familiar territory) and headed down towards the Abbey:

Old Truck near Melrose Abbey

On this occasion we decided not to go into the Abbey but visited the lovely Abbey House Gardens across the road:

Moira outside greenhouse in Abbey House Gardens

Beautiful Flowers in Abbey House Gardens

Colourful Abbey House Gardens, Melrose

As well as the beautiful flowers there was a fascinating statue/sculpture inside one of the greenhouses:

Impressive Sculpture inside Greenhouse

I wonder if they grew the fig leaves in the greenhouse?

After a relaxing visit to the gardens we took a stroll along St Mary's Road, behind Melrose Rugby Club and down the path to the River Tweed. The path brings you out at a caul (or weir) on the river, or at least the remains of it. These cauls were used to divert water towards a mill (such as the Abbey Mill in Melrose) and this one had been broken up many years ago creating a series of rapids:

The Caul on the Tweed at Melrose

Moira at The Tweed (holding all the bags)

Looking Downstream

I noticed this heron amongst the rocks of the Caul, but it refused to turn around and be photographed, maybe it was shy:

Shy Heron on the Tweed

We moved a little further down the river bank, but still the Heron refused to show face:

The Caul, further down the river

Heron still shy

Heron still refusing to turn round

The Tweed downstream of the Caul

We carried on down the path alongside the river, heading towards the Chain Bridge (or Gattonside Suspension Bridge):

Heading to the Chain Bridge over the Tweed

Eddie on path alongside the Tweed at Melrose

The Chain Bridge over the Tweed near Melrose

View of the Tweed from the Chain Bridge near Melrose

The bridge is for pedestrians only (and cyclist I suppose) and links Melrose to the little village of Gattonside. It was built in 1826 and is a suspension bridge constructed with iron chain links. After this we headed back to the centre of Melrose where we went for a delicious meal at Burt's Hotel before heading back to Lauder on the bus.

The next day we had a lazy morning at the van and after lunch we went for a walk to a different part of Thirlestane Castle grounds. We went past the main gates to the Castle, crossed the road bridge over the Lauder Water then took a left turn on to the track leading to Thirlestane Woodland Lodges:

Impressive Entrance to Thirlestane Castle

We skirted round the lodges and headed along a forest track until we reached a clearing, which had great views over the fields towards Lauder and Thirlestane Castle:

View across the fields

Moira checking for birds

Thirlestane Castle in the distance

Lauder in the distance

We found a track that took us past a majestic Beech tree and then we followed a path that headed down towards the Leader Water:

Beech Tree loaded with Beech Nuts

Path heading down to Lauder Water

Along this path we got a good view of Thirlestane Castle, just before we reached the Lauder Water:

Thirlestane Castle near Lauder

Leader Water near Lauder

By coincidence rather than planning we ended up on the other side of the bridge we stood on at the end of our first day walk; and we didn't have to walk through a field full of sheep to get there.

Moira on Bridge over Leader Water

View downstream of bridge

Whilst enjoying this view I noticed quite a few birds swooping down to pick insects out of the air just above the surface of the water:

I think they might be Sand Martins (or maybe House Martins) bit far away to tell.

That was basically that for our trip down to Lauder (and Melrose), next time we will try and see more of Lauder itself, and Thirlestane Castle if it's open

Our next trip out wasn't even in the motorhome; we took a train (or three) down to North Wales to spend a few days in Llandudno. It wasn't the best of Journeys with the main train being delayed by about an hour due to a vehicle running into a railway bridge, which meant us missing our connection and having to take the slow train(s) to Llandudno.

By the time we got to the hotel, got unpacked then had a bite to eat it was dark. We still managed a short stroll along the esplanade, and I took a couple of fuzzy photos on my phone:

Llandudno Esplanade at night

The Ferris Wheel near Llandudno Pier

We were staying at the Wildings Hotel and (despite the name) it was very civilised and not wild at all. It had a nice restaurant and our evening meal was great, as was the delicious breakfast the next morning. The hotel was on the West End of the North Shore Beach (if that makes any sense) and was ideally located for all the amenities such as the esplanade, the pier, the amusement arcades, shops and cafes.

First up was a short walk along the beach front and onwards to the pier:

Looking East across Llandudno Bay

Llandudno from the start of the pier

Moira on Llandudno Pier

The weather wasn't too great, but it was dry when we headed out along the pier. From here you had not only good views of Llandudno but also of The Great Orme; an impressive limestone headland full of interesting geological (and historical) features:

The Great Orme Headland

Cable Car Station serving the Great Orme

The Great Orme is such an interesting feature that you can get to the top of it by walking, by car, by cable car and even by tram!

The pier itself is just as fascinating, so we carried on our journey:

Heading along the pier

Looking back towards the Grand Hotel

We carried on along the pier until we reached the Deck Amusement Arcade at the far end.

The Deck Amusement Arcade

The views from here were even better:

Llandudno from the end of the pier

The Great Orme Headland

The Grand Hotel from the end of the Pier

Not only were there great views, there was also an amusement arcade (did I mention that?) and Moira likes nothing better than playing the penny pushers (as featured on Tipping Point). She seldom wins but a pounds worth of tuppences keeps her happy for a good ten minutes. When she does manage to win some coins, they just go back into the machine.

So half an hour later we came out about £5 lighter and carry enough prize tickets to get a packet of sweets (in fairness she gave the tickets to a mother with a small child to add to her own tickets for a better prize).

We sauntered back down the pier and found a place in Llandudno for a spot of lunch. After lunch we decided to conquer The Great Orme and headed up to Victoria Station to get the tram up the hill:

On the Great Orme Tramway at Victoria Station

And we're off!

It was fun winding our way through the streets on the tram, so close to some properties you could reach out and touch them.............. but please don't try that!!

Looking back down the hill from the tram

Heading on up the hill

As we headed on into the countryside another tram (no.5) passed us going in the opposite direction heading downhill:

No.5 tram heading down the hill

Onwards and upwards, we passed by the cottages on Ty-Gwyn Road then round the bend and up an even steeper slope:

Passing the Cottages on Ty-Gwyn Road

Going round the bend!

By now we were now quite high up and you got a good view back down towards Llandudno:

Looking down at Llandudno North Shore Beach

Looking towards Llandudno West Shore Beach

Just after this we reached the Halfway Station where we all had to get off and change tram for the final stage of the Great Orme trip. Typically this is when it started to rain quite heavily and the wind got stronger:

On the second tram heading up the Great Orme

Almost at the summit

By this time it was quite heavy rain and windy, which is an issue on a tram with open windows, so we kept to the side away from the wind and zipped up the coats:

Bishops Quarry near the summit

Looking West across the Irish Sea

When we reached the tram station at the summit I decided it was too wet and windy so put my camera away. We visited the Rest and be Thankful Cafe at the summit for a cup of tea and something to eat. Then we spent some time in the interesting little museum at the Summit Tramway Station before getting the trams back down to Victoria Station.

It was a very enjoyable trip and we would have spent more time exploring the summit of the Great Orme if the weather hadn't been so inclement. All in all it had been a good day and we looked forward to our evening meal in a little Italian restaurant not far from our hotel.

The next morning we were up relatively early, had breakfast and headed across the road from the hotel to the conveniently located bus stop, where we boarded a tour bus heading to Conwy:

Onboard the Llandudno & Conwy Tour Bus

Looking towards Llandudno Esplanade

Looking back to the Grand Hotel

Five minutes later and we were on our way along the North Shore Beachfront. Although it was chilly, the sun was shining and we were looking forward to our trip:

North Beach from the tour bus

Looking back towards the Great Orme and the Pier

The Esplanade at Llandudno

At the end of the Esplanade we turned inland and headed South towards Llandudno Junction:

Heading towards Llandudno Junction

First sight of Conwy across the river

We did a quick drive along Glan-Y-Mor Road to Llandudno Junction before turning back and heading over the Conwy Bridge:

Conwy from Glan-Y-Mor Road

Entrance to Conwy Tunnel

Heading along the Bridge to Conwy

The views of the River Conwy and Estuary were brilliant from the top of the bus as we headed along the bridge:

River Conwy from Tour Bus

Conwy Estuary from Tour Bus

Before we knew it we were disembarking from the bus next to the Railway Station in Conwy. We could have stayed on the bus and continued our tour back to Llandudno, but our aim was to explore Conwy and its magnificent Castle.

First stop was the Illy Cafe near the harbour for a well deserved cup of coffee and a bun. Once refreshed we headed through the archway next to the Liverpool Arms, which took us straight onto the Harbour front:

The Harbour at Conwy

Across the Estuary towards the Conwy Bridge

Moira outside the Liverpool Arms in Conwy

We had a stroll around the harbour area before heading along the Quay towards the Conwy Bridge and Castle:

Heading along Conwy Quay

On the Quay at Conwy

Looking back towards Conwy Harbour

Looking out to the Conwy Estuary

It was such a glorious day and there was so many view to enjoy. We headed on towards the Conwy Bridge:

Heading on to the Conwy Bridge

Conwy Castle from the bridge

Conwy from the bridge

We carried on over the bridge to the promenade at Conwy Cob, where the spectacular views continued:

Boats on the Conwy Estuary

Conwy Castle and Bridges from The Cob

We decide that the next stop should be the Castle so we made our way back across the bridge.

Firstly we tackled the Town Wall, which at some stage in history surrounded Conwy but now only sections of it survive. We climbed up and walked along the section of the wall nearest to the Castle:

View of the hills from Conwy Town Wall

Part of Conwy Town Wall

Moira on Conwy Town Wall

Conwy Castle from the Town Wall

After our walk along part of the wall we headed into the castle:

The impressive walls of Conwy Castle

Wooden Sentry guarding the entrance to the castle

There were several parts of the castle you could explore, including the various towers:

View of the Town Wall from the South West Tower

View of the Conwy River from the Prison Tower

Entering the Outer Ward

We passed through the Outer Ward into the Inner Ward before continuing on to an area known as The East Barbican; here we got great views over the Conwy Estuary and the bridges:

Conwy Chain Suspension Bridge from the East Barbican

The Three Bridges across the Conwy

View across the Estuary from East Barbican

Whilst enjoying the views we were also aware that we were being watched:

Conwy Road Bridge (with Herring Gull on guard duty)

Herring Gull keeping a beady eye on us!

Not to be messed with!

Even the Jackdaws were watching us closely

There was a handy Information Board telling us about the Three Bridges over The Conwy:

The Three Bridges across the Conwy

History of the Three Bridges (and one Tunnel)

We decided to head up the Chapel Tower; where there was a model of what the castle originally looked like when it was built:

View of the Harbour from inside Chapel Tower

Model of Conwy Castle and Town Walls

After this we headed outside, where we got even better views of the bridges and Conwy itself:

The Three Bridges from Chapel Tower

Looking over the Road Bridge to the Estuary

Conwy Harbour from Chapel Tower

Conwy from Chapel Tower

We then came back down from the tower to the upper wall level, where we could look down on the inside of the castle:

The Inner Ward at Conwy Castle

Kings Tower at Conwy Castle

After heading down the King's Tower we reached the castle entrance where we headed back out for a quick look around the gift shop. We then left the gift shop (surprisingly empty-handed) and headed down a path that took you to an area below the East Barbican. In other words right in front of the Chain Suspension Bridge (which thankfully does not carry traffic anymore):

Heading along the Chain Suspension Bridge at Conwy Castle

This bridge designed by Thomas Telford was the main entrance to Conwy Castle from the North and crosses over the River Conwy. Built in 1826 it carried all traffic coming in to Conwy and the castle for more than 160 years until the current road bridge replaced it in 1991. Now it only carries pedestrians, and the odd bike. Prior to the Chain Suspension Bridge being built the River Conwy had to be crossed by boat.

With the coming of the railways another bridge was built in 1848 to allow trains to cross the River Conwy, this was an innovative tubular bridge developed by Robert Stevenson and is still in use to this day.