And so I /we’ve been away. Did you think I was quiet! Just a hop and a skip away to Anglesey. In a hideaway with view of Red Wharf Bay, but not far from Beaumaris, Menai Bridge (with Waitrose store we found 2 years ago), and only short distance from the garage we had to visit ( reason/excuse for this trip in the first place). Phew that was a long sentence!
For some reason we decided to try as many pubs/ Italian/fish & chip shops/ Tapas bars during the stay. What fun. Not like us at all. Lunch time trips. Sunday roast at the Bull (see above). Where I am stood beneath the strange coat rack with a sheep’s head!. Obviously couldn’t find one of a bull.
So many great views, either looking towards Snowdonia, across Menai Straights, or out to sea.
The sea view from our cottage was spectacular, and I didn’t even have to set foot outside to take the photos. Which was handy as the weather wasn’t always tropical. 
Koy or is it Coy carp in a pool that required feeding each day. Shame they were hidden under a net, but I suppose at least not been snatched by local heron.
Never saw any herons, but we did see a red squirrel; and from the conservatory window! haven’t seen one of those for years! So lovely to see, much smaller than the grey variety and a beautiful rusty red. I snatched my phone trying to photograph but all I manged to snatch was its tail. 
Can you spot the back legs and his tail as he moves at great speed behind the window! Ha ha.
We enjoyed our first meal in a Tapas bar ‘the Midland’. The waitress helped us work out what to order- a few dishes to share ( if the were GF). We enjoyed it so much went back a few days later for Julian’s birthday. I think we over ordered that day- great to try so many dishes. The ‘Fries & Paprika Eggs’ were a favourite with Julian and as they weren’t GF- the chef gave me ‘twice cooked new potatoes, alioli sauce with a paprika egg on top’- yum yum ( as my waist expands!).
And one day Julian had his hand at a bit of sea fishing. A nice dry sunny day, but did I mention the windy. Freshening! see fleece, winter hat, scarf & smile!
we/ he didn’t catch anything. But was great fun. And other fisherman are so friendly- we thought they were locals, knowing about high tides etc, but they were from Bury or Bolton somewhere up North. The views were spectacular. It was a struggle getting me to the spot but with lots of rests we made it.
And the fish and chips in Moelfre were out standing. My GF Hake fantastic ( another expanding waistline)! I never have mushy peas – they are one of those things I can’t stand (hidden behind J’s cuppa)!
Wonderful Italian one lunch time – real treat to have gluten free pasta out in a restaurant.
If Josh had been with us – those yucca plants would have to be moved! He has an aversion to spikey plants. Both Julian & I commented on where would we have hidden them as there was about 4 big plants around the house! It is strange that even if our autistic children aren’t with us physically- they never leave our sides.
I hope the house I’ve booked for next summer is yucca free.
So all in all it was a restful trip. The MOT went successfully, Julian had a good birthday (apart from me falling out of bed at 5 am- I’d got up to go to the loo, but obviously was half asleep- promptly fell into the bedroom cabinet & in a crumpled heap on the floor). Poor Julian came to retrieve me & mummered something quietly about being a great start to his birthday. Whoops. Nothing broken ( even the bedside light) and I’ve just collected a new place for bruises.my arm (& can I say the word tit!).
And so we bade farewell to Anglesey & all our lovely meals. Deciding on the way home to stop at Bodnant Gardens as it was such a fine September day. Julian is photographing Water gardens with Lilies. We knew it was quite a hike once inside the gardens & knowing my recent energy levels, and mobility issues were lower than normal, he talked me into borrowing a walker that you can lean on, as well as sit down for rests – probably has a real name! ( free of charge from the entrance) or could have borrowed wheelchair.
This was good idea, but meant we had to keep to paths/ ramps, rather than taking short cuts down steps. ( therefore more walking for aching legs). So he could carry the walker down the steps & I held onto his other arm so no more bruises! Having a map to aim towards the lily ponds it was a quite a quick visit- but what a glorious time. The garden looked marvellous, the shop was full of great plants & accessories. Julian took hundreds of photos. I got to sit on the walker & soak up the sun. But felt my age- noting the other disabled fellows with their aids. But at least I was there- so put those thoughts into a box & back in the cupboard.
