21 June 2022
The rail strike began today, but fortunately most people had kept off the roads so the traffic wasn’t a problem. A glorious summer solstice day for us all to enjoy.
We set off early, and after a stop at Bridgend for a new charge we arrived in Laugharne (pronounced Larne) just after lunch time. Dylan Thomas had made his home in the village and died there in 1953 at the age of 39. Naturally many local businesses use his name as a form of advertising. The village is not really beautiful but the setting is.
Biddy and Geoff had bought some time share days and we were invited to participate in 2 of them. The two bedroom bungalow sat on the edge of a hill overlooking the Taf River estuary.
Fortunately the weather treated us to 2 glorious days and the views from the hillside where the bungalow sat were magnificent. The panorama changed regularly not only with the weather but also because of the tides.
As usual Biddy and Geoff were very welcoming after we had settled in we went for a short walk to get acquainted with the area. Laugharne Castle sits close to the River Taf. The current walls date back to the 16th Century
Biddy and Geoff between them cooked us a nice evening meal and we spent the rest of the night playing bridge.
22 June 2022
Biddy had prepared a more substantial walk for us on Day 2. We more or less followed the route we had taken the day before but continued around the headland on the foreshore. The path joined the Welsh Coastal Path and then veered off.
Suddenly Biddy stopped and said the route takes us up here. There was a signpost but the path had been almost overgrown. Geoff took the lead and confirmed that a path actually existed, but it was extremely steep. We climb up the hillside with brambles scratching and nettles stinging our unprotected legs. Eventually we made it to the top and the rest of the journey presented no further problems.
We returned home for lunch and a rest.
In the evening we visited Brown’s Hotel and and their restaurant, Dexters at Browns. Here we enjoyed an excellent meal. Geoff and I had a steak for which the restaurant is primarily known for, while Maggi and chicken. Biddy only had a started as her main course. The staff knew how to serve in the best possible way. I highly recommend the place. Biddy even wrote a piece on Trip advisor. I believe the name of the establishment is based on the name of cattle breed, Dexters, which they exclusively serve.
We walked back up the hill after eating to play another game of bridge and Adam rang to ask me to buy a refurbished phone for Islay. I did this.
23 June 2022
As I walked down the hill for an early morning swim I received a message to say the phone would arrive between 1;30 and 2:30. I made the swim much shorter than I would have liked and returned to the bungalow. To cut a long story short we left early and drove back only to arrive 20 minutes after the delivery driver had arrived at the house. There are no options other than a second delivery the next day, when Islay and family had left for France.