Monday 20th October 2025
We’re away on holiday but unfortunately Tom-Tom hadn’t read th script, he decided he wanted to go out at 5.30am much to Christine’s disgust, I didn’t hear him!! Anyway after his “quick” visit to the garden he was back and we all settled down again, though Christine struggled to really get back.
Looking out of the window at first light the day looked promising, and the forecast suggested rain around 4.00pm, so after breakfast and a chat with the owners, we headed out. Our destination was “Red Wharf Bay” on Anglesey, where there was a dog friendly beach.
Our drive took us over the Menai straits over the more modern Bridge built in 1958. The original which can be seen from the North Wales Expressway Bridge (A55); the Menai Suspension Bridge (Pont y Borth or Pont Grog y Borth in Welsh) is a suspension bridge spanning the Menai Straits between the island of Anglesey and the mainland of Wales Designed by Thomas Telford and completed in 1826, it was the world’s first major suspension bridge. The bridge still carries road traffic and is a Grade I listed structure.
As we drove there the weather improved, a glimmer of blue sky started to appear and when we arrived at this “dog friendly” beach, it was non existent, the “blurb” we read didn’t add —- “only at low tide”. — the tide was right in!!! Anyway we stopped for a cuppa and home made cake before heading to Beaumaris; the glimmer of sun had now grown to a large patch of sun, and by the time we reached Beaumaris, clear blue sky, well over Anglesey. Looking back over the Menai Straits towards Snowdonia, or Eryri National Park as it’s now known (locally), we couldn’t see the tops, everything was covered with very dark and ominous clouds, probably coming our way!
Parking in the town was limited and only for a short time so we were forced to use the big car park on the sea front; flat fee, £7.50!!!!, still the tide had receded and there was some beach, albeit it was stoney but the dogs didn’t care, they went straight into the sea. By now the sun was shining brightly and was warm as well as we now headed into the Main Street.
Beaumaris is a pretty little place at the head of the Menai straits that boasts a famous castle, well the greatest castle never built. It was the last of the royal strongholds created by Edward I in Wales – and perhaps his masterpiece. We looked from the outside but decided not to visit it today, maybe on the next visit.
We wandered the length of the Main Street but apart from a visit to a chemist, a pie and a pint, we headed back to the beach and with the tide out, the dogs had more space to run about.
Christine took the wheel and drove the car for the first time and took to it like a duck to water.
Back at our cottage and after a cuppa, we donned our boots and headed out with the dogs. What a good choice this place is, perfect for dogs, comfortable and quite central for visiting this part of Wales. Tomorrow we head to Conway to meet up with Dave and Leisha for lunch.