Treardurr Bay, Anglesey (day 4)

New year eve. How quickly did December pass by? How quickly did 2025 go by? Another cold day, and we're still coughing. Wrapping ourselves up we decided to visit Parys Mountain Copper Mine. In the eighteenth century it was the largest copper mine in the world. Around the weird landscape there are many walks through a martian type landscape of colours of pinks, reds, browns and orange.

One of the large rocks, known as a black smoker, a hydrothermal vent found on ocean floors, now sat in the old quarry. It originated in New Zealand. Amazing to think that movement of tectonic plates many years ago rearranged the world like this. Lunch in Margery and then home. John is worse. So a quiet new year's eve for us. Snacky food and T.V. to see 2026 in.

Treardurr Bay, Anglesey (day 3)

Neither us feel great, but we haden't come all this way not to explore. So today, one of those cool clear bright winter days when you just want to take a walk, we decided to visit Llanddwyn beach. The beach which runs for miles along the edge of Newborough forest looked amazing. So amazing, many other people had decided a visit here on a day between Christmas and new year was a good idea.

Armed with our lunch we walked along the beach to the tiny Llanddwyn tidal island (Island of the Blessed) stopping to look at the Dwynwen's ruins before walking to the old lighthouse after which we found a seat out of the wind in the doorway of one of the old pilot cottages.

Our few hours here was wonderful. But as the sun lowered in the sky and the temperature began to drop we were keen to return to the warmth of our little bungalow. All in all, a great day though.

Treardurr Bay, Anglesey (day 2)

We love this place. So quiet, with beautiful views towards the Snowdonia National Park, and an Aldi supermarket five minutes drive away. Living the dream. Angela didn't feel well. That's Christmas for you, all that mixing, results in a good chance you'll pick up a virus. But she wasn't going to let it spoil our time here. There was much to see. So on our first day she decided albeit the wind cold, that as the views along the coast would be clear and probably spectacular we should drive to the South Stack Lighthouse.

The lighthouse is a dramatic landmark on a small islet off the northwest coast of Anglesey. There were four hundred steps to walk down to the bridge that crossed to the lighthouse and four hundred back up. Angela determined not to let the virus that had taken hold of her hinder the walk administered two doses of her inhaler and went for it. Upon our return to Margery we are proud to say the walk back up was not too difficult. In fact we passed much younger people bent forward desperate for oxygen. Obviously our walk on the south west coast path during the summer had set us up for this challenge. Our first full day on Anglesey had been very enjoyable, we couldn't wait to see more.

Treardurr Bay, Anglesey

The weather has been kind to us today. Arriving at our Airbnb, a very nice two bedroom bungalow 800 metres from the bay, we were greeted by a bright cold winter sky. First impressions of the area, very nice. Keen to unpack and explore we ate lunch in record time and walked down to the bay. The incoming tide hid most of the sandy beach, but we didn't mind, walking out over the rocks instead. It seemed an age since we'd left home. Tired from travelling, and Angela with an uncomfortable scratchy sensation in her throat, we looked forward to a week of exploring with only ourselves to please. Time to break out the ferrero rocher  chocolates!

The Cottage Loaf, Thurstaston, Wirral

Today is December 27th. Although the Christmas holiday runs into the weekend this year many people like ourselves were back on the road. Mindful of the possibility of heavy slow moving traffic ahead we left Thame by mid morning. Not far into our journey traffic slowed as we approached the exit for Bicester village outlet shopping area. From then on the traffic moved, albeit steadily. Mindful of possible traffic delays on the M6 we decided to cut across country at Birmingham.

Our destination The Cottage Loaf public house at Thurstaston on the Wirral. Near to the Wirral country park this characterful pub is popular, especially with camper vans and motorhomes as overnight stay is allowed in the large flat car park for ten pounds a night, or free if eating in the pub. John's daughter lives around twenty minutes away so we arranged to meet her and her husband for a meal and a catch up. A Saturday on Christmas weekend, we expected the pub to be busy, but it was not. So our family time was relaxed and unhurried as well as enjoyable. Four other vans kept Margery company. As followers of our blog may remember, we always like to take a little holiday over the new year. This year we have booked an Airbnb on Anglesey, North Wales. We are around two hours drive away so no need to rush off early on the morning.

Thame, Oxfordshire

Today we leave our little cabin. It served us well. But with more relatives to visit we were away early. For some reason we always seem to be the ones who have to do the rounds at Christmas. But needs must. The weather today cold. The wind blowing from the north east. But we managed a walk out to move along the excesses of the season before settling down to Christmas television, buffet food and good company. Tomorrow, we pack up and drive to the Wirral. We feel tired now. That's Christmas time for you. Our bodies, not used to slowing and eating to excess become a little confused.

Kingston Blount, Oxfordshire ( Day 3)

Christmas Day. While some families are up before day break we start the day leisurely. Opening stocking presents before breakfast, the main ones waiting under the tree for opening upon our return, at that time of the day when  at some family gatherings stomachs are full, tiredness from an early start is setting in, and some family members are becoming a little annoying.

Not at all envious we packed some lunch and drove over to Henley on Thames for a Christmas Day walk. And it seems we weren't to be alone. It was a clear cold day, the sky picture postcard blue.

The river Thames ran high and fast, but as always it pleased us to walk beside it. We've lost count how many times we've visited Henley and walked alongside the river. Overhead the red kites circled low. Were they aware it was Christmas Day? Did they expect remnants of Christmas lunch to be place out in gardens for them to swoop down to?  If you've ever watched these beautiful birds of prey you'll know how keen an eye they have and how quickly they move. We find them mesmerizing.

As for our own Christmas meal, it was to be a challenge. In our little cabin there was no oven, just a two ring electric job, microwave and air fryer. Our first time using an air fryer. How would our meal turn out. Very well as it happened. And yes it was delicious!

Kingston Blount, Oxfordshire (Day 2)

Christmas Eve. The best day of Christmas according to Angela. A day of joy, excitement and anticipation, and a dash around the family to drop off presents for grandchildren. The excitement of younger children infectious. The laying out of refreshments for Santa and Rudolph (still the other reindeer don't get a look in), still brings a smile to us adults with memories of Christmas as a child fresh in our minds. An evening family meal of new Forest venison casserole a great start to the many indulgent days that lay ahead. As Johns father would say. 'There's no calories in sweet treats gifted to you'. Bring them on!

Kingston Blount, Oxfordshire

There's something about the Christmas getaway. All those jobs that needed to be done somehow don't matter anymore. They can wait until the new year. For the next two weeks life's all about family, relaxation and enjoyment, and driving. Yes, Margery is taking the trip with us. 

Christmas, a time for families, tends to be complicated. Who do you visit on Christmas Day? We like to be obliging, and tend to spend the day just the two of us. And this year we've rented a very nice cabin overlooking a pond in the countryside near to the relatives. Perfect!

Setthorns Campsite, New Forest

Well here we are again Margery. Setthorns is the only new forest campsite open now. It's back to basics here though. No toilets or showers, so you can't book on to the site unless you have your own loo. Our reason for being here is not that we're some sort of crazy people who would rather sleep in a van in the woods as temperatures plummet, but because today is the day a kilo, or thereabouts, of new forest venison is purchased from a local butcher. Christmas may have begun in retail, but to us it doesn't begin until the venison is bought. Last night was very cold. Tonight slightly warmer. But we should be all cosy in Margery. Chilli con carne for dinner. Ginger wine, another Christmas tradition for Angela, and new teddy bear bedding should keep us well snuggly. This afternoon John discovered some large hedgehog mushrooms.

The carpeting of the surrounding ground by the large brown fallen leaves of the sweet chestnut trees makes it difficult to spot the mushrooms. We know they are out there somewhere. A week ago we were in Turkey wearing shorts and t-shirts. Today warm coats and hats. That aside, for us being away somewhere makes us happy. 

Footnote: The teddy bear bedding was a success, we were well warm.

Poole, Dorset

Well here we are, home again. What a week! It's flown by. Our transfer to the airport wasn't until 2 pm so this morning after packing our bags we walked along the seafront to the ancient city, and boy were we glad we did. Unlike our visit on our first full day it was a long quieter and we were able to take more photographs without people constantly photo bombing us.

A coffee and tea stop at a cafe over looking the harbour was to be our final treat. The waiter spoke very good English and it materialised he was married, his wife's a senior nurse at a hospital in Warrington. Seemed a strange marital arrangement they had, but hey ho. John mentioned to him we'd been snubbed by a member of staff at the shop adjacent to the cafe when we last visited the area. Upon discovering we were not German, the free samples of apple and pomegranate tea we'd been proffered were promptly withdrawn. We know. Unbelievable! So today we were to be honoured with free apple and pomegranate tea, and a large plate of very sickly Turkish delight, which of course we had to force ourselves to consume as much as possible. That'll teach us to complain! Sadly with no more time to soak up the rays of the late summer sun we strolled back to our hotel. Sun beds were being collected from the beach and poolside, bushes were undergoing a trim and the stall holders seem subdued. We were told the season would end in about ten days. Why? It's 75f and sunny here. As our transfer mini bus took us to the airport we realised the other passengers were the ones who accompanied us on that dark night when we were deposited outside the Hotel A Side. Laughing now, they agreed they wondered where we'd been left. But after talking with the couple behind us who'd stayed further down the coast at a five star all inclusive it seemed we'd got the better deal. A very nice breakfast buffet that also provided our lunch of cheese sandwiches, technically upgrading us to half board, and the fantastic China Corner restaurant which we are already missing. They complained their hotel was too large and too noisy. Just shows you perhaps sometimes it's best to consider a three star hotel with breakfast only. Antalya airport was busy. But we stayed calm and easily managed to find our way. Extra security was in place, and of course Angela was stopped. Thank God John had our bag of dirty washing. Search over, she wondered why she'd bothered to pack her bag so neatly. Our Jet 2 flight home to Bournemouth was busy. There were quite a few children on board and the three Turkish children two rows in front of us were noisy, the youngest cried for the whole of the four hour flight! Slightly annoying. Now we are home and already we have itchy feet. We caught sight of a holiday in Tunisia in the window of Tui in the town. Might be worth a look. The clock is ticking, we know it's never been more important to 'go for it'.

One of the cat houses, where local wild cats live very well provided for with food by the locals.