Twenty members boarded the coach bound for South Stack
near Holyhead to view the ancient hut circles in warm sunshine (yes, this was
October!). After a picnic lunch and many
favourable comments on how the site is being maintained and interpreted, we
retraced our steps for a guided tour of Telford’s masterpiece – The Menai
Bridge.
After viewing a video on the subject we were lead by Bob
Daimond (retired Gwynedd County Engineer) over, under and round the bridge to
learn many fascinating facts and see how the bridge chains are secured in the
mother rock.
We made a quick diversion to Beaumaris prior to booking
in at our hotel in Llandudno, for an enjoyable dinner, games and a hilarious
poem by one of our number.
Sunday, after a stroll down the prom and the pier we
boarded the Victorian tram for what felt like a near vertical ride up the Gt.
Orme. Eight of us visited the
fascinating Bronze Age copper mines whilst the remainder continued to the
summit to enjoy the sun and explore the area before joining the coach for
Conway.
With four hours in the town - the castle, town walls, 15th
century Aberconwy House, Plas Mawr Town House and the opportunity to compare
the original designs of both road and rail bridges to those seen the day before
ensured there was something for everybody.
We arrived back at Barrowford early on Sunday evening
with our heads full of memories and a couple new friends as well.
R.G.
