When Visitors Come

Recently we were lucky enough to have my husbands brother and his wife cross the pond for a nice long visit. Naturally it was amazing to see them, be able to talk about all things Canada, and to be able to show them around this country we now call home. I admit I was anxious to have the opportunity to take them to all the places that I have fallen in love with and show off my now superior knowledge of all things British. I discovered very quickly that I had more fun watching them experience England than in showing it though. At every new turn, viewpoint, and maddeningly narrow road I was focused on the two of them. I was thrilled by the widening eyes and sounds of awe and sometimes terror. It brought to mind my own first time in all the places we visited and the amazing overwhelming emotion the whole first few months here were filled with. I was so happy for them to have someone to show them around and explain what things meant leaving them totally free to just enjoy. As we wandered the streets of Oxford, walked the path at Stonehenge, toured Bath and explored London I almost exclusively only saw them. I love these places, Bath and London especially but I wanted to see the same looks of passion in them far more than I wanted to see the sights for myself again. Creepy? Maybe. Truthful? You bet! As the end of their trip drew nearer I found that I was as disappointed to have it end as they were and am now crave the chance to do it all over again. I can only hope that I will get to have such an experience with more guests. Hint Hint.


While they were here my husband took us up to North Wales where he is required to travel for work often. He had mentioned several times that he thought I would love it and wished I could be there to see it so it was the perfect excuse to take our visitors there. I think that much of this continent is beautiful, very few place don't offer something that I have taken to but I have to say Northern Wales is breathtaking.

Despite the slightly cooler temperatures we enjoyed in this area we spent little time indoors choosing instead to see all that we could in the 48 hours we would be there. Our first stop was at Conwy castle and magically the clouds parted and the rain stopped and we got the best weather of the trip during the few hours we wandered the ramparts. Possibly one of the best preserved castles we've been to it was easy to waste a day touring it. I wished that the towers walls were just a touch higher as I was left more than once with the feeling that one could easily fall off of them. Most places would at least put rails up to stop the over eager from leaning to far but not this place, which stopped me from exploring the highest points of the castle as much as my traveling companions. Still very beautiful.

The city of Conwy is actually encircled by the wall of the castle and from what we could tell you could actually walk it's entirety. Had time permitted I would have love to do that as I believe you could have seen the most wonderful views of the city and the ocean stretching out from its shore line. I have to be satisfied with a must more contracted hike along it from the parking lot to the castle entrance

We were actually staying in Llandudno and headed to our hotel there to freshen up for dinner. A small side note: I have become accustomed to hotels, especially busy sea side hotels being kept to a certain standard. For example I assume that they will be very clean and well maintained. Since coming to this country I have lowered these expectations considerably but even considering this I was disappointed. So although I cannot recommend The Bay Tree hotel, in which our toilet literally exploded just before we left, I can whole heartedly recommend Llandudno. A pier full of activities and shops, a long paved ocean side walk way, and Alice in Wonderland themed carvings throughout the city are only a few of the things worth taking in.

Besides the sights that it has to offer there are some amazing places for food in the area. If you find yourself in this neck of the woods I highly recommend Jaya, an Indian restaurant owned by a husband and wife. Make a reservation and be prepared to pay a little more but it will be worth it I promise. I would also tell you to check out the Welsh Food Market, it had amazing cheese and baked goods, it is only about 20 minuted from Llandudno and is a great way to support the local economy.

Thank you for visiting Jay and Cathy. It was wonderful to see you, and to watch you seeing, and getting to discover new places with you. It has been a unique pleasure to get to enjoy someone else's first time in England. I hope you are left with a new found passion for it and an understanding as to why we all love it so much here.