Another day in paradise!

Most people when they think of North Wales recall towns like Prestatyn and Rhyl with their not so charming ‘chav’ reputations and poor weather not to dissimilar to how many people view Blackpool.

Travel further west however, onto the Llyn peninsula and you’ll see a very different Wales. Yes, the weather isn’t always great, but then again you do not come to Wales for the weather. What you do have is wonderful landscape, the open sea, beautiful beaches, rural community life and the most important thing, good people.

The only thing that tends to spoil it are Cheshire ‘wannabe toffs’, in their leased Range Rover Sports 4 by 4’s and ignorance of how proud Welsh people are of their heritage and language. Now to be fair, not all people from Cheshire who drive Range Rovers are like this, but if they also have a jet ski then you can bet your bottom dollar it’s worth a bet they are a tosser!

Now, I am from Cheshire, but I don’t drive a Range Rover nor do I have a jet ski, but do accept that doesn’t mean I am in the clear. However, hopefully by the end of this post you’ll give me the benefit of the doubt!

I first discovered the beauty of the Llyn back in the early 90’s when I first met my now wife Christina, who had been coming down to Wales as a child with her family for years. They would stay at Hirdre Fawr farm (http://hirdrefawr.co.uk/), Tudweiliog just outside Nefyn. The site has its own stretch of private coastline, it’s a great place to stay and use as a base to explore the surrounding areas.

In April 2001, Christina’s parents stopped going to Wales as the family had all grown up. Christina and I however had six young children, who like us, loved Wales. After much soul searching we finally took the leap and got a static caravan on Aberafon Park, just outside Nefyn. It was the best thing we ever did.

It was the kids that brought us together with other like minded people on the site particular Jon and Sally Clare and Rob Birtwistle, who all remain great friends to this day. In April 2004 we moved from Aberafon for various reasons to a static on our ‘true home’ Hirdre Fawr farm, where we’ve been ever since.

Needless to say, from the day we got the first van, we’ve had some fun! From going on a stag do with Sion ‘Billy’ Porth Dinllaen and 40 rampant Welshman, (the details of which I will not go into until I retire for professional reasons) to numerous ski holidays and a trip to the Dubai rugby sevens with the guys from Pwllheli Rugby Club. These days I enjoy walking, cycling and kayaking my way round depending on the weather and what everyone else wants to do.

Things are a bit more sedate, enjoying to a regular beer with the guys from Pwllheli, Graham and Alwyn with their wives Bethan and Sharon. Also in the Lion Hotel Tudweiliog with my good friends Wil Towyn, Ian Rhent and Gari Porth Ysgaden. As you may have noticed there is this peculiar tradition on the Llyn peninsula to replace your surname with the name of your farm. Not sure why that is… could it be everyone is called Williams or Jones perhaps and it helps identify people? Who knows!

Anyway next year, I’ll be lending a hand on the farms described above to kill some time while I’m waiting to take delivery of the van from McLaren. Just as I’ve done this week, helping Robert ‘Tanc’ at Hirdre Fawr cover the silage pit. A messy tiring job!

As I sit here in the caravan, it’s teaming down outside and I’m trying to edit some of the footage taken with the drone.The problem is, I am not familiar with the process and it’s taking some time, particularly as I do not have an editing software package. I am also using Christina’s laptop as I do not have one of my own. Looks like I’m going to need one very soon. I will be adding content to my YouTube channel when I do, but here is a short clip for starters.

The good news is the drone is still intact, the confidence is building. and I’m becoming a better pilot. So far all the footage is from Hirdre Fawr Farm and beach. Hopefully I’ll get elsewhere on the peninsula soon so subscribe to the YouTube channel.

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Anyway going to sign off with some sunset pics, taken by friends posting on social media etc the last few months during lock down… Tarah!

HOW LONG’S LEFT SEANY?