travel

September 8, 2020

My Coronavirus Crisis Experience: September Update

Nick Everything Else reviews, travel 6 Comments

Regular readers will know that I have been posting about my personal experience of the coronavirus crisis since lockdown started (you can read my August update here if you like).

As previously I will discuss what has been happening with my finances and my life generally over the last few weeks. I will try to avoid being too repetitive, as I have obviously published a few of these updates now and not everything changes that much from one update to the next!

As always, I will start with the money side of things.

Financial

As usual, I’ll start with my Nutmeg stocks and shares ISA. This has gone up and down over the last few weeks, but is currently at £16,041. At one point it was as high as £16,270, but it’s still over £400 up on last month, so I’m not complaining. Here is a screen capture covering the last three months…

You can read my in-depth Nutmeg review here if you like.

My two Buy2LetCars investments are still delivering the promised monthly returns without any hassle. I was pleased that Buy2LetCars also chose to feature me and my blog posts about the company in their email newsletter last month. That brought me a few more readers, so a special welcome if you are one of them! Again, if you’d like to learn more, you can read my review of Buy2LetCars here and my more recent article about the company here.

There is nothing particular to report about my Property Partner or Kuflink investments, both of which are ticking along satisfactorily. As regards The House Crowd, another of their properties in which I hold a share has just been sold, so that is around £2,000 in capital I am expecting back in the next month or two. Unfortunately I am not expecting to make any profit on these two investments, though I have of course received rental payouts – or dividends if you prefer – from these properties over the time I’ve held shares in them.

As regards Crowdlords – which I discussed last month – I wrote asking about two investments I still have with them, Kennington Road eco-houses and Trent House. I had received no information from Crowdlords about either of these projects since before lockdown in March, which I found disappointing.

I received a prompt and courteous reply from Crowdlords co-founder, Richard Bush. He told me that the properties in question were proving difficult to exit from and the situation had been complicated by the change in their FCA status. He added: ‘Prior to the FCA announcement we were about to launch new investments for both of these properties, giving those that wish to leave an exit option and others who like income-based investments to take over, alongside mortgages. This is still our plan, though at the same time we will also try and sell both properties…Once we’re back up and running with Equity and Mezzanine investments we will turn our attention to the BTL’s (including Kennington Road) and still hope to have an exit option available by the end of the year. In the meantime Trent House will continue to earn 6% p.a interest.’

So I guess that is somewhat reassuring, but I’m still not holding my breath about seeing any return from either of these projects any time soon. It’s a shame because I’ve always liked Crowdlords and had good returns from my other investments with them. But obviously these are unprecedented times and property markets generally have been struggling. I will wait to see what new offering the company comes up with, but it will have to be very enticing indeed to persuade me to invest with them again.

As mentioned last time, I applied for the second (and final) round of SEISS (Self Employed Income Support Scheme) payments in mid-August and duly received payment a few days latter. I haven’t seen any complaints or problems about the administration of the SEISS programme and think HMRC deserve a lot of credit for how smoothly it has run. I do know there were issues over eligibility, however, so my commiserations go to any self-employed people who – for no fault of their own – failed to qualify.

In any event, if you are self-employed and eligible for a SEISS payment, applications are open now, so don’t delay!

Personal

In the last few weeks I have done a few things for the first time since lockdown in March. For one, I took advantage of the government’s Eat Out to Help Out scheme to enjoy a couple of pub lunches (okay, one was more of a pub brunch). It was great to be doing something more normal again and catch up with old friends I hadn’t seen since the start of the year. And paying half-price was a nice bonus!

It was obviously a different experience from the usual. When my friend and I arrived for our pub lunch, we were met by a man at the door who checked our booking and showed us to our table (no chance to pick our own as we would normally). One thing I noticed was that no staff were wearing masks and only a few customers. As a mask sceptic this didn’t bother me, but again I was struck by the incongruity of a situation where you can be in a pub surrounded by other diners for a couple of hours with almost nobody masked, then go to a supermarket and be forced to put one on while there (unless you’re exempt, of course).

In any event, I really enjoyed my pub lunch and catching up with my friend. We couldn’t pay cash as we would normally – nobody wants cash nowadays in case it’s contaminated – so my friend paid on his card and I later forwarded my half to him via PayPal. That was a first!

I also went to Birmingham to meet another old friend for brunch at one of the Wetherspoons pubs there. It felt odd to be on the streets in Brum and see so many people wearing masks in the open. Nobody does this in the small town where I live, but I guess it’s a bit different in big cities. Anyway, my friend arrived before me and was directed to a table at the back of the pub. I then had to wander around the tables looking for him behind various protective screens, feeling like a voyeur or a spy. But thankfully I found him eventually!

The instructions on the table told us to order via the Wetherspoons app. That task fell to me, as my friend doesn’t have a smartphone. I managed to do it after signing in to the pub’s free WiFi. I saw several people struggling with this, though. They either ended up hailing a passing waitress or gave up and ordered at the bar.

Anyway, the app worked well for me, and I was impressed by the speed with which cutlery was brought to our table, shortly followed by our meals (two all-day breakfasts). We both also ordered coffee with limitless refills. I was pleased to discover that this was still on offer, though you are now supposed to ask a staff member for a new mug before going to the coffee machine again. I did this, but I don’t think anyone else did.

I have just returned form a short break in Minehead on the Somerset coast (my cover image shows the harbour with the Butlins camp in the background!). I won’t say too much about this here as I plan to do a separate post about it soon. But I will say it was an enjoyable and relaxing break, only slightly marred by the fact that many of the attractions were closed due to Covid. I did manage to visit the nearby Dunster Castle (pictured below), which is owned by the National Trust. Sadly only some areas were open to the public, with various restrictions due to the virus. But on the plus side, because visitor numbers were being limited, I had plenty of space to appreciate what was actually on view!

Going back to masks and such matters, I have been wearing a full face shield in supermarkets (I’m not going to other shops till masks are voluntary again, though I might make an exception if the shop clearly states that they welcome non-mask-wearers). I find this a good compromise as it is much easier to breathe through than a cloth mask, and I haven’t yet been challenged by any staff members or self-appointed mask police. I also recently obtained a half-face shield which covers you from the nose downward. That makes it more portable, and also means your vision isn’t impaired (shields are made of clear plastic, but with my eyesight I struggle a bit reading lists of ingredients through them). In case you are interested, here’s an Amazon ad (affiliate) for some half-face shields similar to the type I bought.

I am looking forward to another late summer break in a couple of weeks’ time. I shall be going to Llandudno in North Wales, one of my favourite UK holiday destinations. I shall be staying in a self-catering apartment and am looking forward to shopping for food without having to put a mask on (Wales so far having sensibly resisted the pressure to make masks mandatory in shops). More about that next time!

And that’s it really. Recent reports are indicating an uptick in the virus among young people especially, and of course the doom-mongers are out in force again. Nonetheless, I think there are still plenty of reasons to stay positive. Hospital admissions and deaths are thankfully still at very low levels. And in my personal opinion we are very unlikely to see a ‘second wave’ anywhere near as bad as the first. Of course, it’s important to continue taking sensible precautions such as hand-washing and using sanitizing gel, along with social distancing (if you can keep up with the ever-changing rules). Personally I think that any marginal benefits from wearing masks are more than offset by the way people misuse them in practice. But I’d better not go on any more about that!

I hope you and your loved ones are staying safe and sane during this crazy time. As ever, if you have any comments or questions about this post, please do leave them below.

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March 3, 2020

When Can You Get a Free Bus Pass?

Nick Pensions & Benefits, Saving Money travel, benefits 2 Comments

For many older people the free bus pass (officially known as the older person’s bus pass) is a valuable concession. It helps them get about and maintain their independence without eating into their often limited income.

Holders typically get free bus travel within their local authority area between 9.30 am and 11 pm on weekdays and all day at weekends.

The rules for when you qualify for a free bus pass vary according to where in the UK you live. In Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, it’s straightforward. You qualify once you reach your 60th birthday.

Those living in England are not as fortunate. In this case, you won’t qualify until you reach the current state pension age. This is currently 66 for both men and women. The state pension age will start to increase again from 6 May 2026, and will reach 67 by 6 March 2028.

Once you have reached the qualifying age in whichever country of the UK you live, you can apply via the government’s Apply for an Older Person’s Bus Pass page. You will see a box on this page in which to enter your postcode. Clicking through this should take you to the website for your local authority (though you may have to navigate to the page for travel concessions from there). You can then apply online for your bus pass. Requirements can vary from one local authority to another, but in general you will be required to upload a passport-style photo, proof of identity, and proof of residency in the area concerned (e.g. a council tax bill). For info about how to renew your bus pass online, please click here.

If you don’t want to apply online, most authorities also offer an option to apply in person, e.g. at a public library. Your local authority website should have more information about this.

Some local authorities have their own schemes and concessions for older (and/or disabled) people. Again, your local authority website should tell you if there are any special concessions for older people in your area, or you can ask at your local library.

In London, once you reach the female state pension age you can apply for an Older Person’s Freedom Pass. This entitles you to 24-hour free travel across Transport for London’s networks (except for some river boats where travel is half price). You can check your eligibility for a Freedom Pass and apply here.

Cards and Discounts

Even if you don’t yet qualify for a free bus pass, there may be other ways you can get free or discounted travel.

If you live in London and are 60 or over, you can apply for a 60+ Oyster card. This provides free travel on the London Underground, Overground, trams and buses, as well as some TfL Rail and National Rail services, but you can’t use it outside London. The card has a one-off £20 administration fee. You can apply online from two weeks before your 60th birthday. For more information about the application process see the TfL website.

Also once you are 60 or over, you can apply for a Senior Railcard. This currently costs £30 a year and gets you a third off most rail journeys, local and national. You can get more information and apply here.

Or if you’re 60 or over and make regular use of National Express coaches, you can buy a Senior Coachcard which costs £12.50 (plus 2.50 p&p) and offers a third off travel throughout the year. With this card you can also buy a £15 day-return on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays to anywhere in the UK (excluding airports) as long as you book three days in advance. You can apply for a Senior Coachcard via the National Express website.

As always, if you have any comments or questions about this post, please leave them below. Happy travels!

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February 18, 2020

Booking a Holiday with Airbnb

Nick Saving Money, Everything Else reviews, property, travel 2 Comments

I recently booked my first ever break with Airbnb.

Of course, I’ve been aware of this person-to-person accommodation booking platform for some time, but till now I’ve avoided using it myself. In the back of my mind were stories I read years ago about people renting out sofas in their living room to make a bit of extra cash. At my age that prospect – the sofa in the living room, I mean – definitely didn’t hold any appeal!

Times change, though, and it’s important to keep up with them. In my case I wanted to book a short break in a part of North Wales that isn’t well served by hotels, the Lleyn Peninsula. Okay, I could have stayed at the Haven Holidays Park (formerly Butlins) in Pwllheli, but I was pretty sure that wouldn’t be my cup of Welsh tea either.

So after researching the relatively few hotels in the Abersoch area where I wanted to stay using Booking.com (affiliate link), I decided it might be time to give Airbnb a try. In recent years, as regular readers will know, I have become more accustomed to booking self-catering accommodation for short breaks, and have realised that in some ways I prefer this to staying in hotels.

In this blog post I thought I’d share my experience of registering with Airbnb and finding and booking accommodation. I hope this might inspire you to try it yourself if you haven’t yet taken the plunge with Airbnb.

Of course, you can also become an Airbnb host and make money that way. I haven’t tried this myself, but did cover the subject in another blog post titled Boost Your Income by Renting Out a Room.

Registering with Airbnb

Before you can make a booking with Airbnb, you have to be registered on the website. You can still browse without joining but (as I found out) if you find somewhere you like available on the dates you want, you will have to go back and register and then start the whole process again. This is a frustrating waste of time. It’s free to register and doesn’t take long, so if there is any chance you might want to book through the platform, my advice would be to do this first.

Registering with Airbnb is similar to registering on other booking websites. One thing to be aware of, though, is that as well as your personal details, as proof of ID they also ask you to upload a scan of an official document such as your passport or driving licence with your photo on it. Once you have done this, you have to wait for your ID to be approved. In my case this happened within 15 minutes and I received notification by email.

Once you’ve done all that, you can start searching for your perfect holiday retreat!

Searching Airbnb

Once you are logged in, you can start your search using the box on the Airbnb front page (see below).

As you can see, you have to enter where you wish to go and the dates you want to arrive and depart. You have to choose specific dates, even if (as I was) you are flexible about this. Once you have found somewhere you like, you will be able to see what other dates that accommodation is available. If you want to check all possible places in the area, though, you may need to do a few searches using different dates.

Anyway, once you have entered the relevant details and clicked on search, a new page will open showing you a map of the area in question. Here’s what I got when I searched just now for accommodation near Abersoch in early May (not actually when I am going).

As you may gather, each of the prices in a small oval represents an Airbnb place with availability on the dates in question. The price is the cost per night. Clicking on any of these will bring up brief info about the accommodation in question. If you like the look of this, clicking again will bring up a new page with photos and more. Here’s the top of the page for a cottage I like the sound of, though it would be too large for me alone.

Also on this page are full details about the accommodation and a reservation form – see below.

As you can see, for your money you are getting considerably more than a sofa in someone’s living room 😀 £110 a night seems very reasonable to me for a cottage that can accommodate a family of six.

As you may have noticed, there are some additional charges. Many Airbnb properties – though by no means all – charge a cleaning fee. In addition, you will always be charged a service fee. This goes to Airbnb, and is one way they make their money (they also charge a fee to the property owners).

If you scroll down you will see various other items, including visitor reviews and a calendar showing when the property is (and isn’t) available. Also towards the bottom of the screen you will find the cancellation terms. These are set by the hosts and vary considerably, so be sure to study them carefully. Often you will be able to cancel free of charge until a certain date. After that, you may have to pay the service charge and perhaps part or all of the booking fee as well.

Making Your Booking

If you want to proceed, clicking on Reserve will take you to a new page where you can confirm your booking and provide payment information. This is pretty standard, although one thing you don’t normally have to do on hotel booking sites is write a message of introduction to the property owners (your hosts).

Airbnb provide a ready-written message you can use by default. This is pretty bland, however. I think it’s best to take a few minutes to write something more personal about who you are, why you want to visit the area, and so on. This is especially important if you are new to Airbnb and don’t have any history on the site or reviews written about you (yep, Airbnb hosts review guests as well as vice versa). In theory a host can decline your booking if they don’t like the sound of you, so it’s good to reassure them that you are a normal human being and will treat their property with respect.

And that’s it, basically. When I made my booking it all went through smoothly and I received a thank-you message from the hosts within an hour. I haven’t been on the holiday yet, but will post a review on this blog after my return.

As always, if you have any comments or questions about this post, please do leave them below.

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September 26, 2019

My Short Break in Llandudno

Nick Everything Else travel 2 Comments

I recently enjoyed a three-night break in the North Wales coastal resort of Llandudno.

I have been to Llandudno a few times. I started going about 10 years ago when my partner, Jayne, was still alive. She fancied the idea of staying in a traditional British seaside resort. Llandudno certainly ticks all the boxes there, with its sweeping promenade, long pier, and Punch and Judy show by the beach 🙂

I have stayed in various hotels and B&Bs in Llandudno, but on this occasion I returned to The Merrion Hotel (pictured below), a place I have stayed twice before.

The Merrion is located overlooking the popular North Shore Beach, just a two-minute walk from the pier. It’s also convenient for the town centre and many of the local tourist attractions. I was happy to be able to park my car there for the duration of the holiday and go everywhere on foot (or the open-top tourist bus – see below).

I have embedded a map of the area below (courtesy of Google maps

The Hotel

The Merrion is a traditional seaside hotel. It is family owned and run, and I have always found the service there friendly and helpful. On this occasion I was allocated a third-floor room with a lovely view across the beach and sea. Thankfully the hotel has lifts, incidentally.

My room wasn’t huge, but quite large enough for a short stay. There was a good-sized bathroom (with bath and shower attachment) and a flat-screen TV. I was staying on a bed and breakfast basis, so there were tea-making facilities but nothing else.

The Merrion has a restaurant downstairs where breakfast is served. This is mainly buffet-style, though tea or coffee and toast (if you want it) are brought to your table. As well as fruit and/or cereal, you can have a cooked breakfast including eggs (fried, poached or scrambled), bacon, sausages, mushrooms, hash browns, black pudding, baked beans, grilled tomatoes, and so on. Smoked kippers are also available on request.

You also have have the option of eating in the restaurant in the evening if you wish (in fact I did for all three nights). The menu changes each day and you pay a set fee for one, two or three courses (plus coffee).

I thought the food generally was excellent, and there was a good range of choice, including meat, fish and vegetarian/vegan options. The service was also excellent from the team of young waiters and waitresses, many of whom were from eastern Europe..

There is a bar and ballroom at the back of the hotel. Live entertainment is on offer here most evenings. This is generally provided by a solo singer, and clearly targeted at the Merrion’s core audience of seniors. It wasn’t really my cup of tea, but maybe it will be in another ten or twenty years’ time 😀

The Merrion has free wifi, which worked perfectly during my stay (not always the case in my experience).

I should also mention that the hotel is well prepared for visitors with disabilities. All public areas are wheelchair accessible, and mobility scooters and other aids can be hired via reception.

The location is obviously not the quietest. If you want that, you are probably better off at a hotel such as The Clontarf (where I’ve also stayed) on the quieter West Beach. Personally, though, I enjoyed listening to the buzz of visitors and the sound of the Punch and Judy drifting over. It all goes pretty quiet at night, and I didn’t have any problem sleeping.

Financials

As Pounds and Sense is primarily a money blog, I should say a few words about this.

I paid £450 for my three-night stay (including breakfasts) at The Merrion, which I thought was reasonable bearing in mind the location and facilities on offer. I didn’t have to pay a deposit and paid the entire fee on arrival. You can cancel up to two days before and not owe anything.

As regards evening meals, The Merrion charge a fixed fee of £27 for three courses, or you can pay lower prices for two courses or a single course (all including coffee and a mint as well). It’s obviously good to have this flexibility, even though I must confess to having three courses every night!

You can check current prices and availability on the Booking.com website. You can book this way (which I did) or directly with the hotel. The latter method may or may not work out cheaper.

Things to Do

I shan’t give you a blow-by-blow account of what I did while I was there. However, I will highlight a few of my favourite attractions in and around Llandudno.

The Pier

Llandudno Pier is the longest pier in Wales at 700 metres, and the fifth longest in England and Wales. It is free to visit and has all the usual seaside attractions, many of which are aimed more at younger visitors. It is pleasant to walk along, though, with wonderful views of the Llandudno seafront (see cover photo). At the end of the pier you can get a drink and a snack at any of several bars and cafes.

Cable Car

The Llandudno Cable Car runs from Happy Valley, an attractive public park overlooking the pier, to the top of the Great Orme. It is the longest passenger cable car system in Britain. The distance to the summit is just over a mile and the whole journey takes about nine minutes. There are stunning views along the way, including both of Llandudno’s beaches, the Great Orme and the Little Orme, the town of Llandudno, and further away the mountains of Snowdonia and the island of Anglesey.

On the day I went the wind was starting to get up and sandbags were put in the cars to stop them swaying too much. Later in the afternoon the ride was stopped. If you hope to go on the Cable Car, be aware that this may happen – and if you get a calm day, take advantage of it!

Great Orme Tramway

The Great Orme Tramway offers an alternative method to the Cable Car for getting to the top of the Great Orme (and one that is less susceptible to the weather). It is is Britain’s only cable-hauled public road tramway and opened in July 1902. You have to change trams at the Halfway Station and continue your journey to the summit. You will be travelling in the original Victorian tramcars, which have been lovingly restored over the years.

At the top of the Orme you can visit the Summit Complex, which has a variety of shops, bars and cafes. It’s a bit too commercialized for my taste, and I prefer the Visitor Centre (behind the Tramway station) which has displays about the natural history of the Great Orme and a small gift shop. There are also, of course, amazing views from the summit in all directions.

Great Orme Mines

The Great Orme Mines are said to be the oldest metal mines open to the public in the world. Excavations are ongoing, but visitors can explore several levels of the 3,500-year-old tunnels. The shop offers a selection of interesting and attractive rocks, minerals and fossils.

The Mines are about half-way up the Great Orme. One (relatively effortless) way of getting there is to go up on the Tramway and break your journey at the Halfway Station. It is just a short, signposted walk to the Mines from here.

Boat-Trips on the Sea-Jay

The Sea-Jay (pictured below) offers trips from Llandudno’s south beach. They have short (25-minute) trips around the Great Orme throughout the day, and longer (one-hour) trips that take in both the Great Orme and the Little Orme. I highly recommend the longer trip, which took place at 11 am every day during my visit. It’s not massively expensive (£8 when I went) and you may be lucky (as I was) and see grey seals at the foot of the Little Orme.

If you enjoy boat trips, there are also various others from Conwy (see below).

Conwy

The medieval walled town of Conwy is just a few miles down the road from Llandudno and well worth a visit while you are there.

One option (which I took this time) is to buy a one-day ticket on the open-top tourist bus which runs between Llandudno and Conwy, starting by the pier. This ‘hop on, hop off’ bus is a great way of getting your bearings if you are new to the area, and you get the benefit of an interesting running commentary as well. There is also a discount for over 60s!

The biggest and best-known attraction in the town is Conwy Castle, and I went there myself on this occasion. It is remarkably well preserved, and if you go up the spiral staircases to the tops of the towers (you need to be reasonably fit for this), you can enjoy some amazing views of the town and estuary (see photo below).

Two other places I recommend visiting in Conwy if you are interested in history are Plas Mawr, a large Elizabethan town house owned by CADW, and Aberconwy House, a somewhat smaller 14th century merchant’s house owned by the National Trust.

Final Thoughts

As you may gather, I enjoyed my short break in Llandudno staying at The Merrion Hotel, and am happy to recommend both the town and the hotel for a short break. Llandudno is a traditional British seaside resort, and none the worse for that. It’s a good place to chill out, but there are lots of interesting things to see and do as well. And it is very well set up for older visitors, as evidenced by the large number who go there!

As always, if you have any comments or questions about this post, please do leave them below.

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July 24, 2019

My Short Break in Aberystwyth

Nick Everything Else reviews, travel 2 Comments

I have just returned after a three-day break in the Welsh coastal town of Aberystwyth.

It was actually my third visit to Aberystwyth. I first went there a couple of years ago on the recommendation of friends, and liked it so much I have gone every year since.

On previous occasions I stayed at the Marine Hotel on the seafront overlooking the North Beach. The Marine is a traditional seaside hotel and I do like and recommend it, even though the reception staff can be a bit glum 😀

This time I fancied a change, though. I have been impressed by my recent forays into self-catering (especially on my recent visit to Yorkshire), so I decided to see what was available in that line in Aberystwyth. I ended up booking three nights at the Seabrin apartments, pictured below.

Seabrin is situated overlooking the seafront at the quieter South Beach, not far from the harbour. I have embedded a map of the area below (courtesy of Booking.com).

Booking.com

The Accommodation

There are actually three apartments at Seabrin, all self-catering (at one time the owners offered B&B, but for various reasons they no longer do so).

The top floor apartment is the smallest and has one double bed. The second floor apartment (which I stayed in) has a double bed and a single bed, all in the same room. The first floor apartment is the largest with two bedrooms, so can easily accommodate three or four people. All three apartments have sea views.

The owners, Marise and Wilf, live on the ground floor, so they are usually around if you need anything.

I found my apartment comfortable and spacious. There was a lounge with TV and DVD player and a bay window with wonderful views overlooking the beach and sea. I spent quite a bit of time just sitting here looking out, hoping to see dolphins in the bay. Marise told me that dolphins had been spotted the week before, but the sea was probably just a little too rough while I was there. It was still wonderfully relaxing, though.

There was a separate kitchen, well equipped with electric cooker, dishwasher, microwave, fridge/freezer, and so on. The bedroom was at the back of the house, with a good-sized shower room a couple of steps down from it. The separate WC with wash hand basin was outside the bedroom at the end of a short corridor. It’s a slightly eccentric layout, but does mean that if there are two of you, one can take a shower while the other is, er, washing their hands.

The decor in the apartment was a little quirky – the glittering glass-covered kitchen wall reminded me of a nightclub – but obviously for a few days that’s not a problem. There were lots of books around the apartment which made me feel at home, and a selection of videos too.

As far as eating is concerned, Seabrin is only a short walk from the town centre, so there are plenty of restaurants nearby and shops for buying provisions. There is a large Marks and Spencer’s with a food hall, where I bought a couple of ready meals. On my last night I intended to eat out, but couldn’t get a table at The Olive Branch, the Greek restaurant I have been to before. I ended up getting a takeaway meal from The Seafront Palace (just round the corner from The Olive Branch) instead. I ordered Sweet and Sour Chicken Hong Kong Style with Egg Fried Rice. It was delicious, so I highly recommend it if you visit Aberystwyth and fancy a Chinese!

Seabrin has free wifi, which worked perfectly during my stay (not always the case in my experience). The location is quiet and peaceful, and I slept very well.

Financials

As Pounds and Sense is primarily a money blog, I should say a few words about this.

I paid £375 for my three-night stay in the one bedroom apartment at Seabrin, which I thought was reasonable. I paid an initial 70% deposit of £262.50 when I booked (in March 2019), with the balance of £112.50 payable a month before my holiday dates. Note that these payments are not refundable if you cancel, so you need to be pretty sure you are going before putting your money down. Or take out separate holiday cancellation insurance, of course.

Costs obviously vary according to the accommodation you want, when you want it, and for how long. The price I paid worked out to £125 a night, which – as I said above – seemed reasonable bearing in mind the location and what you get for your money. Of course, unlike most hotels, you don’t get a cooked breakfast, and neither is a daily housekeeping visit included. On the positive side, though, you do get much more space, a fully equipped kitchen, a separate lounge and bedroom, and complete privacy during your stay.

One other thing to bear in mind is that Seabrin do not allow dogs in the property or children under the age of 12.

You can check current prices and availability on the Booking.com website. You can book this way (which I did) or directly with the property. The latter method may or may not work out cheaper.

Things to Do

I shan’t give you a blow-by-blow account of what I did while I was there. However, I will highlight a few of my favourite attractions in and around Aberystwyth.

1. Constitution Hill

This is the famous promontory at the northern end of Aberystwyth (see cover photo). If you’re feeling energetic you can walk up it, or for a few pounds you can take the historic Cliff Railway. A standard return ticket on this costs £5, but over-60s pay just £3.50.

At the top you can enjoy spectacular panoramic views across Aberystwyth. You can also visit the Camera Obscura, which on a bright sunny day is very impressive (not so much when it’s cloudy, though). I also recommend a coffee and slice of cake at the Consti Cafe. They serve excellent cappuccinos, and also have free wifi which works without having to log in. I’ve spent an hour in here just enjoying coffee and Welsh cakes and reading my newspaper 🙂

2. Vale of Rheidol Railway

This heritage steam railway will take you on an hour-long journey from Aberystwyth along the beautiful Rheidol Valley to Devils Bridge. You can read more about it on the railway’s website and book tickets as well. It’s possible to upgrade to first class for £3 on the day (one-way only), but having done this I’d have to say I don’t see much point. I actually found the standard class carriages (and seats) more comfortable.

Devils Bridge itself is well worth a look if you have time before getting the train back. Three bridges were built here, one on top of the other (at different times, obviously). There are two walks you can take for a small fee. The Punch Bowl walk costs £1 and gives you a chance to view the three bridges and the the stream that flows under them. The other, longer walk takes you the other way from the bridges, past some stunning waterfalls. This costs a maximum of £4 at the time of writing, though there are some discounts for older people and children. As for why the place is called Devils Bridge, I’ll leave you to find that out for yourself!

3. Ceredigion Museum

The Ceredigion Museum in the centre of Aberystwyth is free to visit and a great option for a rainy day. It’s in a beautifully preserved Edwardian theatre, with many of the original fixtures and fittings still in place. There are fascinating displays here on all aspects of Welsh life and Welsh history.

4. Bwlch Nant yr Arian

I visited this ‘forest centre’ a few miles out of Aberystwyth on the A44 for the first time this year. There are various scenic trails you can walk (or run) from the centre, and a number of mountain biking trails as well. The highlight for me, though, was the Red Kite feeding, which takes place at 3 pm every day in the summer. Once their food has been put out, the skies fill with these magnificent birds (I counted over 100). Whether or not bird-watching is your thing normally, it’s something to marvel at. Here’s a link to the website for more info. And yes, there’s a nice coffee shop as well!

Final Thoughts

As you may gather, I enjoyed my short break in Aberystwyth staying at Seabrin Apartments, and am happy to recommend both the town and the accommodation for a short break. Aberystwyth is a bit quieter and less commercialized than Llandudno (though I also like it there), and the fact that it’s a university town means it has quite a cosmopolitan feeling. It’s a good place to chill out, but there are lots of interesting things to see and do as well.

As always, if you have any comments or questions about this post, please do leave them below.

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June 18, 2019

My Weekend at Hewenden Mill Cottages

Nick Everything Else reviews, property, travel 0 Comments

I have just returned after a three-day break at Hewenden Mill Cottages in Yorkshire.

I was there to visit my sister Liz and her family, who live in Wilsden, near Bradford. They don’t really have room for me to stay with them, so I did an internet search and discovered Hewenden Mill Cottages, which was just a mile and a half from them.

At first I assumed that, as these were self-catering cottages, they wouldn’t be suitable for a solo visitor who was only coming for a long weekend. Turns out I was wrong, though. They were very happy to accommodate me for three nights, and the cost was, if anything, cheaper than staying at a hotel (see Financials, below).

Hewenden Mill Cottages is in a secluded location between the villages of Wilsden and Cullingworth. I have embedded a map of the area below (courtesy of Google Maps.

The Accommodation

Hewenden Mill Cottages and Apartments (to give their full title) is based around not one but two old mills which have been converted into holiday cottages.

The main Hewenden Mill complex (which includes the reception, shown in the cover photo above) is easy to access from the B6144 (also called Lane Side). I was staying at Bent’s Mill, however, which is a short distance from Hewenden Mill. It’s a seven-minute walk from one to the other through some picturesque woodland, but unfortunately it’s not possible to drive through this. I have posted a photo of Bent’s Mill below.

When I arrived I was met at reception by the charming Susan, who told me she was the owners’ daughter. She asked me to follow her in my car as she drove to Bent’s Mill. I was glad to have her as my guide, as the journey involved going on narrow, twisting country lanes, and for my first visit it was reassuring to have her car in front and know I was going the right way. It also came in useful when we turned a corner and met another car coming the opposite way. As there were two of us and only one of them, they had no option but to back up!

I was staying in the Wheel Pit House at one end of Bent’s Mill. As you may gather, this is where the water wheel once stood. It’s no longer there, but you can see the chamber where it was through a window in the entrance hall (or from the outside). You can read more about the Wheel Pit House on this page of the excellent Hewenden Mill Cottages website. Here is my own photo of the exterior.

My accommodation was on three levels. On the ground floor was the front door and entrance hall. Upstairs on the first floor was a double bedroom and bathroom. On the top floor were the kitchen and lounge, from which you could enjoy lovely views of the woodland and mill pond (see photo below).

I have to say I was very impressed by my cottage. It was spacious and comfortable, with everything you would need for a short stay (or a longer one).

The kitchen included an electric cooker with ceramic hob, fridge, freezer, dishwasher and washing machine – all very clean and modern, and considerably nicer than I have at home!

The cottages have free wifi, and all costs such as electricity and VAT are included in the price. There would have been plenty of room for a couple, and a young child or baby as well. To me as a solo visitor it felt palatial, especially after the compact ‘Forest Retreat’ I stayed in a few weeks ago at Aberdunant Hall. As a matter of interest, I worked out that at Hewenden my accommodation was over six times larger!

A nice touch is that the owners provide a complimentary ‘welcome pack’ of groceries on arrival. This included bread, milk, butter, preserves, orange juice, biscuits, and so on. A selection of breakfast cereals in individual boxes and sachets was also provided, along with coffee and Yorkshire Tea (see below!).

Hewenden Mill and (especially) Bent’s Mill are a bit off the beaten track and there aren’t any shops close by (though there is a Co-op in Cullingworth about a mile away). As I was mostly eating with my sister and her family that wasn’t an issue for me, but if I’d had to buy some provisions it wouldn’t have been a problem. There are also several takeaways, cafes and restaurants within a mile or two.

Financials

As Pounds and Sense is primarily a money blog, I need to say a few words about this.

I paid £327 (including VAT) for my three-night stay in the Wheel Pit House at Hewenden Mill Cottages, which I thought was very reasonable. I paid an initial £50 deposit when I booked, with the rest due on arrival.

Costs obviously vary according to the accommodation you want, when you want it, and for how long. I did though notice that the longer your stay the cheaper (per day) it works out. While you can book for one or two nights, it becomes much more economical if you are staying for three nights or longer.

The price I paid worked out to £109 a night, which – as I said above – struck me as very reasonable (and cheaper than most of the hotels I have stayed at recently). Of course, unlike most hotels, you don’t get a cooked breakfast, and neither is a daily housekeeping visit included. On the positive side, though, you do get far more space, a fully equipped kitchen, a separate lounge and bedroom, and complete privacy during your stay.

You can check current prices and availability on the Hewenden Mill Cottages website.

Things To Do

Obviously I was visiting family, so I won’t go into detail about everything I did while I was there. However, for the benefit of anyone who may be considering visiting the area, I will mention a few of the local attractions.

First of all, Hewenden Mill is just a few miles from Haworth, the home of the Bronte sisters, Charlotte, Anne and Emily (indeed, the area is sometimes called Bronte Country). If you haven’t visited before, I would say this is a must-see. You can go around the parsonage where the sisters were brought up and wrote their famous novels such as Jane Eyre and Wuthering Heights. The parsonage has been preserved (or restored) largely as it was in their day. I found it quite an emotional experience seeing the family home where the sisters lived, wrote, and tragically all died at an early age

The village with its cobbled high street is also well worth seeing, and there are numerous (enticing) tea and cake shops.

And finally, Haworth has a station on the Keighley and Worth Valley Railway, a heritage steam railway which runs between Keighley and Oxenhope. The line and its stations has been used in numerous period film and television productions, including the film The Railway Children. More information and timetables are available via the KWVR website. You can get a 10% discount on a Day Rover ticket if you buy your ticket more than seven days in advance.

Also nearby is Saltaire, the Victorian model village built by textile magnate and philanthropist Sir Titus Salt to house the workers at his mill. The mill itself is still there, and large parts are open free of charge to the public. Inside is a bookshop, and you can still see some of the old heavy machinery there that was used in the mill. There is also a bustling coffee shop and restaurant, along with displays and exhibitions. The River Aire runs alongside the town (hence the name, of course), and the Leeds and Liverpool Canal too (great for a brisk walk along the towpath!).

And, of course, the whole of the area is incredibly scenic, with lots of scope for country walks, runs or cycle rides, as you prefer. From Hewenden Mill Cottages there are various walks you can take, from a five-minute stroll to Goit Stock Waterfalls (see photo below) to much further afield.

Final Thoughts

As you may gather, I very much enjoyed my stay at Hewenden Mill Cottages and thoroughly recommend them. Obviously, the fact that they are only a short drive from my sister’s home was a big attraction for me. Even if that wasn’t the case, though, I would definitely consider going back for a short break.

There is plenty of choice of accommodation, though at weekends especially it does get popular, so it’s definitely advisable to book a few weeks in advance.

If you want complete peace and seclusion, I can highly recommend staying at Bent’s Mill, where the only noise to be heard is birdsong. My one slight reservation is that, as mentioned earlier, getting there by car involves a somewhat nerve-racking drive along narrow, twisting lanes, where you really hope you don’t meet someone coming in the other direction! it’s perfectly do-able, of course, but if you don’t fancy this particular challenge then staying at the main Hewenden Mill might be a better choice for you.

As always, if you have any comments or questions about Hewenden Mill Cottages, please do post them below.

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May 26, 2019

My Weekend at Aberdunant Hall Hotel Near Porthmadog

Nick Everything Else reviews, travel 2 Comments

A couple of weeks ago I enjoyed a long weekend (three nights) at the Aberdunant Hall Holiday Park and Hotel near Porthmadog in North Wales.

It was the first time I had stayed at Aberdunant Hall (as I’ll call it from now on), but I know the area pretty well. I used to stay at the Tremeifion Hotel just across the estuary from Portmeirion, but unfortunately this closed last year. So I went online to research alternatives in the area and discovered Aberdunant Hall. It had generally excellent reviews, so I decided to check it out for myself.

Aberdunant Hall is about four miles from Porthmadog, near a small town called Prenteg. I have embedded a map of the area below (courtesy of Booking.com).

Booking.com

The Hotel

With the help of my satnav I had no difficulty finding Aberdunant Hall. On the main road there is a gatehouse and you have to turn in here and follow a narrow, winding road through some scenic woodlands before you reach the hotel.

The hotel is actually quite small – it has only about a dozen rooms for guests – and the reception area is basically a desk in the dining room. A friendly and helpful young man took my details and showed me to my room.

I say my room, but I had actually opted to stay in what the hotel describe as a Forest Retreat. This is a small cluster of wooden cabins a few minutes’ walk from the main hotel. Here is a photo to give you an idea. Mine was at the top of the hill, in the middle of this picture. You can see the view from my balcony in the cover image (above).

The Forest Retreats are certainly compact (the website says they they measure 14 ft by 10 ft). There is a fold-down bed which when pushed up reveals a sofa with a mirror above it (the mirror in mine was cracked, unfortunately). There is a small but well-equipped kitchenette by the door and a bathroom with a shower cubicle at the back.

You also get a balcony with a table and chairs. I know if I had been staying with my late partner Jayne, I would have ended up being banished here quite often while she was getting dressed and ready! There isn’t much space for hanging clothes or putting things away, so I wouldn’t recommend this type of accommodation if you are planning to stay any longer than a few days.

If you are in one of the Forest Retreats – or any other accommodation in the hotel and holiday park – you have the option of eating at the hotel restaurant if you wish (you will need to book in advance). I ate there on the first night and enjoyed an excellent meal of potato and leek soup, smoked haddock with poached eggs and spinach, and vanilla cheesecake with a strawberry topping. The other two nights I cooked my own meals, but that was just for convenience (and to save a few pounds) really.

A cooked breakfast is included in the price you pay. This is basically a self-service buffet, though a waitress was around to answer questions, fix the drinks machine and toaster when they broke down, and deal with any special requests (e.g. vegetarian/vegan options). I enjoyed the breakfasts. I rather prefer the buffet style, as you can choose exactly what you have and when you have it (e.g. I prefer to have my toast at the end). It would have been nice if scrambled eggs had been available as well as fried, but that’s a very minor criticism.

Although you don’t get any sea views at Aberdunant Hall, the country park location is undoubtedly picturesque. As well as trees and plants, the park (which also houses lots of static caravans and lodges) is criss-crossed with small streams. My Forest Retreat was wonderfully peaceful, and I slept very well while was I was there.

Financials

As Pounds and Sense is primarily a money blog, I should say a few words about this.

I paid £395 (including VAT) for my three-night stay in a Forest Retreat at Aberdunant Hall, which I thought was reasonable. My three-course meal in the restaurant including a drink came to £29.75, which again I didn’t think excessive.

There are plenty of other accommodation options at Aberdunant Hall. They include a variety of rooms in the hotel itself, from a basic single room starting at £85 a night to a Victorian-style luxury room with four-poster bed starting at £185 a night. Or if you prefer to stay in the park rather than the main hotel, you can book a Woodland Escape Suite. These are over twice the size of the Forest Retreats and cost from £185 a night. I like the sound of them, even though they are (of course) really aimed at couples. You can see all the accommodation options at Aberdunant Hall Hotel on this page of their website.

One comment I would make is that – a little surprisingly – there is no shop on the site. So if you are planning to cater for yourself at least some of the time, you may want to bring some provisions with you. The nearest shopping centre is Porthmadog, about four miles away. This has a large Tesco and a variety of other shops.

Finally, I should mention that (as I often do) I booked this break via Booking.com. I like this site for a number of reasons, including the fact that it shows you what rooms are available on any given dates for your accommodation and even suggests alternative dates if your first choices are unavailable. But you can, of course, also book directly with the hotel if you prefer. I find there isn’t usually much difference in price one way or the other.

Things To Do

Aberdunant Hall is on the edge of Snowdonia, so there is no shortage of things to do in the area. As well as walking, there are some popular tourist attractions as well. Here are the main places I visited and things I did while I was there…

1. Portmeirion

This is about twenty minutes’ drive from Aberdunant Hall and I spent my first morning here. Portmeirion is a beautiful Italianate village created by the architect Clough Williams Ellis. These days it is probably best known as the location for the 1960s cult TV series The Prisoner, starring Patrick McGoohan. It is a wonderful place to while away a few hours. I recommend taking one of the guided tours that start near the entrance and run more or less continuously through the day. I also recommend the woodland train, which offers an effortless way of exploring the wooded area behind the village and includes a photo stop at a viewpoint above the village (see below). There is an admission fee to get into Portmeirion, but you can save a pound or two by booking at least a day in advance on the website.

2. Festiniog Railway

This heritage steam railway has two separate lines, both of which run from Porthmadog. The Welsh Highland Railway takes you on a two-and-a-quarter hour trip through the heart of Snowdonia to Caernarfon, while the original Festiniog Railway takes you on a one-hour trip to Blaenau Festiniog. As I only had the afternoon I took the shorter journey, but I have done the Welsh Highland Railway trip before and highly recommend it as well. You can get more info on both (and book in advance if you wish) via the Festiniog Railway website.

3. Snowdon Mountain Railway

On my second day I drove to Llanberis, which is about 40 minutes by car from Aberdunant Hall. At Llanberis you can get the Snowdon Mountain Railway, which will take you all the way to the peak of the highest mountain in Wales. This is a very popular attraction, so I highly recommend booking in advance, which you can do via the website. I was fortunate that on the day I went the weather was perfect and so was the visibility. Here’s a photo I took on the summit, although no photo can really do justice to the amazing views in all directions.

4. Electric Mountain

This is another tourist attraction in Llanberis, so I thought I’d combine the two. Electric Mountain is actually the Dinorweg hydro-electric power station. For a modest fee you can take a one-hour guided tour on a mini-bus which takes you deep into the mountain. I found this interesting and informative, and the engineering on display is undoubtedly impressive. No photos of this, as they don’t allow you to take cameras or mobile phones on the tour, presumably in case you are planning a spot of industrial espionage. You can book tours in advance on the website. At the time of my visit they were renovating the visitor centre, so visitors had to collect their tickets and assemble for the tour at a portacabin in the car park.

Closing Thoughts

i enjoyed my visit to Aberdunant Hall and would certainly consider going again. I am not sure if I would stay in a Forest Retreat another time, though. Even for me, as a solo visitor, it felt cramped. If you are going as a couple, I’d imagine that staying more than a day or two could put quite a strain on your relationship!

There are many positives, though. The woodland location is peaceful and picturesque, and allows easy access to Snowdonia and the Lleyn peninsula. All the staff I met were charming, and the food was very good as well. Although I’ve been a little disparaging about the size of the Forest Retreats, mine was spotlessly clean and had all the facilities needed for a short stay, including a cooker, fridge and microwave.

As always, if you have any comments or questions about this post, please do leave them below.

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May 1, 2019

My Weekend at Lake Vyrnwy

Nick Everything Else reviews, travel, food 2 Comments

I recently spent a weekend at Lake Vyrnwy, a few miles over the border from Shropshire into Wales. I had wanted to visit the area since watching a TV programme a few months ago about the history of the lake.

Lake Vyrnwy is actually a man-made lake (or reservoir if you prefer). It was created to provide a water supply for Liverpool in the 19th century. It’s about 25 miles from Oswestry. I’ve embedded a Google Map below showing the area.

My Hotel

I stayed at the Lake Vyrnwy Hotel and Spa (pictured below), which is near the dam at the western end of the lake. I booked on the Booking.com website.

The hotel dates back to 1890 – it was originally built to accommodate senior managers and engineers on the construction project. Since then it has been extended several times, although as recently as the 1970s it was still owned by the water company (it’s now in private hands). The hotel doesn’t make as much of its interesting history as it could, in my opinion.

Anyway, I pushed the metaphorical boat out and booked a Premier Lake View Room via Booking.com. The view certainly didn’t disappoint, as the cover photo (taken from my balcony) indicates.

My room was on the top floor, up various flights of stairs. One thing to bear in mind if you plan to stay here is that there is no lift in the main hotel, though I was told there is one in the spa (which I didn’t go in, partly because you have to pay extra – see below).

My room was spacious and comfortable, with all the features you might expect from a four-star hotel, including tea and coffee-making equipment, flat-screen TV, refrigerator, walk-in shower, and so forth. There was also good free wifi in the room, and in the public areas of the hotel too (just as well, as there was no mobile phone signal!).

I had my breakfast and evening meals in the hotel. Breakfast was included in the fee I paid. Evening meals were extra, though to be honest there isn’t really anywhere else to eat in the vicinity (apart from a couple of cafes that aren’t open in the evening anyway).

A lot of people rave about the food at the Lake Vyrnwy Hotel. Personally I thought it was good but not exceptional. It was let down by little things, e.g. at breakfast on the first day the muffin with my Eggs Benedict was burnt. I went for the full Welsh breakfast the next day, and on my final day decided to chance the Eggs Benedict again. This time the muffin wasn’t burnt but dense and tasteless – I’m guessing it had come straight out of the freezer. I’ve had much better Eggs Benedicts at my local Wetherspoons. For the money I was paying I’d have expected better really.

You have two dining options at the Lake Vyrnwy Hotel: the restaurant and ‘less formal’ brasserie. My top tip would be to stick to the restaurant and give the brasserie a miss. On my second night I tried it and found it crowded (it’s in a small room and the tables are pushed close together) and noisy. There were also young children running around apparently unsupervised. Okay, the brasserie might be a bit cheaper, but the main restaurant offers a much more relaxed, civilised dining experience, and much better views across the lake as well.

Financials

As Pounds and Sense is primarily a money blog, I should say a few words about this.

For my Premier Lake View Room (with single occupancy) I was charged £589 including VAT for three nights. Obviously I could have booked a cheaper room without the lake view, but in my opinion it would be a shame to stay at the Lake Vyrnwy Hotel and not have this.

Evening meals in the restaurant were charged at £27 for two courses or £35 for three (there were supplements for certain dishes such as sirloin steak). You do also get a complimentary ‘taster’ of fresh soup with home-made focaccia bread, which I enjoyed and recommend.

At the brasserie you order from an A La Carte menu, so the price depends on what you choose.

As mentioned earlier, the hotel also has a spa, for which you have to pay an extra £10 a day admission charge. The spa has a thermal suite, including a sauna, steam room, ice fountain, whirlpool, and tepidarium (no swimming pool though). It offers various treatments at extra cost, including massages, facials, manicures, pedicures, and so on..

Activities

One thing I should mention before describing what I did is that when I visited – the weekend before Easter – it was bitterly cold. The temperatures typically didn’t rise above 4 or 5 degrees, and when you factor in the wind chill as well, it was probably around freezing. I was very glad I remembered to take my quilted winter coat, gloves, scarf and woolly hat!

First Day

On my first day I walked to the dam down the precipitous bridle path from the hotel (I asked the receptionists how many guests they lost on this – they laughed but didn’t reply).

The dam is undoubtedly impressive and leads to a small tourist area with a visitor centre; this is a good place to start your exploration. A short film plays constantly inside with alternating English and Welsh narration. It tells you about the history of the lake, and the various plants and animals that live around (and on) it today. Nature conservation is quite a major theme around the lake.

Also in the village is an RSPB shop and a bird hide that is well worth a visit (see picture below). There is also a friendly cafe called The Old Barn, and Artisans, a cafe and shop where you can also hire bicycles. I had planned to do this myself, but the very cold weather dissuaded me. I did see quite a few – admittedly much younger – people cycling around the lake, though.

A short distance away is a sculpture park, and I recommend this if you fancy an enjoyable walk that isn’t too taxing. The sculptures are all made of wood, and some are quite striking. This one is called Mother Earth, for example.

In the afternoon I walked the opposite way from the hotel to the Victorian Straining Tower (picture below). This Gothic-style building filters the lake water through mesh before it starts its journey to Liverpool. Unfortunately it’s not open to the public, but you can admire it from the road. It’s a pity there isn’t an explanation board, just a forbidding ‘Keep Out’ notice.

Second Day

On my second day I decided to drive around the lake, stopping at points of interest along the way. There is a good (if narrow) road all round the lake, about 12 miles in total.

I had picked up a leaflet from the hotel reception about walks in the area, and decided to do the two-mile round trip to Rhiwargor Falls. This walk starts near the east end of the lake at a convenient car park. Despite the cold I enjoyed this. I didn’t see another soul on foot the whole time, although I did come eye to eye with a few sheep…

The waterfall is pretty impressive, and I imagine if it has rained recently it is even more so. Here is a video I recorded.

On the way back I stopped at another bird hide on the side of the lake, but there wasn’t a lot to see. I spotted a Canada goose and three mandarin ducks and duly logged them on the whiteboard. I erased the previous recorded sighting of six pterodactyls, as I suspected this wasn’t entirely genuine.

In the afternoon I took a short walk from the hotel to visit a church I had noticed before. This turned out to be St Wddyn’s (pictured below).

St Wddyn’s was built in 1880 to replace the original church of that name that was flooded (along with the rest of the old village of Llanwddyn) when the lake was filled. It is a quiet, peaceful place with some beautiful stained glass windows. It is well worth a visit if you are staying at the hotel, as it’s barely 10 minutes’ walk away. Again, I didn’t see another living soul while I was there.

Closing Thoughts

So that was my visit to Lake Vyrnwy. I didn’t hang about on my last day, as it was still very cold, and the wind was getting up as well.

I thought the area was beautiful and unspoiled (if you can say that about a man-made reservoir) and the hotel itself very good despite my minor reservations.

It’s probably not a place to take young children as there wouldn’t be a great deal to occupy them. But if you enjoy beautiful scenery and (especially) if you like walking, running or cycling, it would make a great short break destination. The Lake Vyrnwy Hotel and Spa is also a popular venue for people celebrating their honeymoon or anniversary, or wanting some serious pampering in the Spa. In view of the many steps and lack of lifts it’s probably not ideal if you’re physically infirm, though.

If you like the idea of visiting the Lake Vyrnwy Hotel and Spa, if you follow any of the links in this article you can get a £15 discount via the Booking.com website. This is credited to your card once you have completed your break. I will also receive £15 as a reward for introducing you 🙂

As always, if you have any comments or questions about Lake Vyrnwy or the hotel, please do post them below.

Note: You can get the £15 discount on Booking.com wherever you go on your next visit, be it Lake Vyrnwy or elsewhere. Just click on my link and follow the instructions!

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October 24, 2018

My Day Out on the Talyllyn Railway

Nick Everything Else reviews, travel 0 Comments

I recently enjoyed a day out on the Talyllyn Railway, a heritage steam railway in Wales. It was an great day and excellent value as well, so I thought I’d take the opportunity to write about it here.

The railway starts in the town of Tywyn in mid-Wales, so I booked a short break there to provide a base for my planned trip on the railway. I stayed at The Arthur Guest House, a B&B on the coast road. Here’s a map showing the area…

Tywyn is pretty quiet, or at least it was when I visited at the end of September! It has a rocky rather than a sandy beach and not a lot in the way of tourist amenities (which may or not not be a good thing, depending on your point of view). I did get to see a couple of lovely sunsets, though…

The Arthur Guest House, where I stayed, is small but comfortable, and the breakfasts were excellent. The price was also very reasonable – about £70 per night for a double room with single occcupancy.

The Arthur was about 10 minutes walk from the Talyllyn Railway main station, so I was able to leave my car at the guest house for the day.

The Talyllyn Railway

The Talyllyn Railway goes seven and a quarter miles inland from Tywyn Wharf station along the scenic Fathew Valley to Nant Gwernol. Here’s a map of the route, borrowed from the Wikipedia page.

The Talyllyn Railway is said to be the oldest preserved railway in the world. It opened in 1865 to bring slate from the quarry at Bryn Eglwys to Tywyn, where it would connect with the newly opened Cambrian Coast line and the national railway network. The line was originally owned by the quarry, but unusually it also ran a passenger service almost from the very start. You can read more about the history of the railway, and how it was taken over in 1951 by the Talyllyn Railway Preservation Society, on this page of the railway’s website.

The main station at Tywyn Wharf has a shop and a restaurant, and also a small museum devoted to the railway, which you can look round for free. There is no car park at the station itself, but there is a reasonably priced municipal pay-and-display with plenty of spaces about 150 yards down the road.

For my day out I bought a Day Rover ticket, which lets you travel all day on the line if you wish. I paid the donation fare of £19, which also gets you a £2.85 voucher you can use in the shop or cafes. I knew I would use the voucher on refreshments, but otherwise I could have paid £17.25 for a standard ticket without a voucher.

I went on my own, but if you have children (or grandchildren) the cost of tickets for them is surprisingly low. The Day Rover donation fare for an accompanied child is just £3 which includes a 45p voucher. If you don’t want the voucher, the fare per child is just £2.70.

If you wish, you can pay a £2 surcharge per journey to sit in a first class compartment. I did look at these but they weren’t much different from standard class, just with bigger and possibly more comfortable seats. I guess if you were there in peak season and there were lots of people wanting to travel, going first class might buy you a bit more space. It was pretty quiet on the day I went, though, and I found the standard compartments perfectly comfortable.

If you are a UK taxpayer you may be able to Gift Aid your fare. There is no extra charge for this, and it means the government will give the railway an extra 25% at no cost to you. Unfortunately I couldn’t do this as I don’t currently earn enough to pay tax.

My Day on the Railway

I set out in the morning from Tywyn Wharf station (photo below) and decided to start by going the complete length of the line and back again. I enjoyed the views, while keeping one eye on the excellent guidebook. The latter is available in the shop at a discount to people buying a ticket on the railway, which is a nice gesture.

There isn’t much at Nant Gwernol at the end of the line, but on the way back the train stops for half an hour at Abergynolwyn station (pictured below). There is a nice little cafe here, and I enjoyed a morning coffee and Bara Brith (Welsh fruit bread).

Returning to Tywyn Wharf, I had a look around the shop and the museum, and lunch in the station cafe (a particularly tasty bowl of broccoli and stilton soup with a tuna mayo sandwich). Then it was back on the train again for a trip two-thirds of the way down the line to Dolgoch, where I got off to spend some time walking in this beautiful wooded area (see photo).

Dolgoch has some stunning waterfalls, including this one…

I had a bit of time before the train back, and was pleased to discover a small tea shop offering hot and cold drinks, cakes and ice creams (apparently this is part of the nearby Dolgoch Hotel). As it had turned into a warm afternoon I bought an ice cream and sat outside in their garden to eat it. Then it was time to head back to Dolgoch station to catch the train to Tywyn (photo below).

So that was my day out on the Talyllyn Railway. As I said earlier, a great day and excellent value for money. I went as a single person, but it would also be a good choice for couples and families, if you enjoy beautiful scenery and the romance of steam!

Finally, I should mention that just down the coast road from Tywyn (a 25-minute drive with some great sea views) is Fairbourne, which has a miniature steam railway (see photo below). I took the opportunity of going on this as well before I headed home.

The Fairbourne Railway is much shorter than the Talyllyn. It’s about two miles long. At the far end is the estuary from which you can get a ferry to Barmouth. A trip on the Fairbourne Railway is a pleasant way to spend an hour or two, and again with a day ticket you can travel up and down the line as often as you like (I did it twice). On my return to Fairbourne a volunteer kindly offered me a private tour of the engine shed, so many thanks for that!

Do just be aware that at the estuary end of the line the cafe is only open in peak season. There is, though, a good cafe on the platform at Fairbourne, and they don’t mind you taking food and drink bought there on the train with you.

As ever, if you have any comments or questions on this post, please do post them below.

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August 23, 2018

Warner Leisure Hotels – My Thoughts and Experiences

Nick Everything Else reviews, travel 14 Comments

If you are 50 or over, you will almost certainly at least have heard of Warner Leisure Hotels. The company have 14 country and coastal resort hotels across England and Wales. They have a strict adults-only policy, and appeal mainly to an older clientele (based on my experience, the average age is late sixties or early seventies).

As well as accommodation, they offer a range of leisure activities, including day trips, quizzes, guided walks, archery and bowls, social dancing, swimming, and so forth. Most of these activities are included in the price, as is the evening entertainment.

Accommodation is generally on a half-board basis, including breakfast and evening meal. Guests typically book short stays of two to four days, often focused around a particular headline act. Some of those in the current line-up include Motown, Abba and Franki Valli tribute acts, plus the real Leo Sayer, Paul Young, Russell Watson, Alexander Armstrong, Jane Macdonald, and many others. There are also seasonal breaks, spa breaks (at the Thoresby Hall hotel), bowls breaks, and more.

I have been to two Warner Leisure Hotels, Bodelwyddan Castle in North Wales (pictured above) and Alvaston Hall in Cheshire. I thought I would therefore take the opportunity to share my impressions here for others who might be contemplating this type of short break holiday.

My Review

As my partner passed away five years ago, I went to both venues on my own. I am in my early sixties, and felt very young compared with some of the other guests!

In both cases I found the accommodation spacious and comfortable, with all the facilities you would expect at a good hotel. I was on the ground floor at both, and had a small private terrace with a metal table and chairs, which was pleasant to sit out on. Here’s a picture of the accommodation block in which I stayed at Alvaston Hall.

I thought the food was generally very good. The dining area was large and could be a bit noisy, but the waiters and waitresses did a great job of getting meals out quickly. You are allocated a table at the start of your stay and keep that for the duration. As a solo guest I was offered the opportunity to be matched with another solo male as a dining partner. I declined this, as it seemed a gamble whether I would have anything in common with them.

At Alvaston Hall the evening meal is combined with the entertainment. So, basically, you have your meal followed by a show, all the while sitting at the same table. I liked this idea in theory, but in practice I discovered it had a few drawbacks.

For one thing, if you have been allocated a table towards the back (as I was) it can be quite hard to see what is happening on the stage. In addition, for me anyway it felt a long time to be sitting in one place. Really I preferred the arrangement at Bodelwyddan Castle, where you had your meal in the restaurant then went over to the main hall for the evening entertainment (for which you could sit anywhere).

I must admit I was slightly disappointed by the entertainment programme. The evening entertainment in particular was targeted at an older clientele and I didn’t particularly relate to it, despite being no spring chicken myself!

Both hotels seemed very big on social dancing, with guests being invited to ‘take the floor for the foxtrot’ or whatever. Not my thing at all, I’m afraid. I had been hoping for something more akin to cruise ship entertainment, with song and dance shows and cabaret acts, but perhaps that was asking too much.

There were regular quizzes, though again I felt that they were often oriented towards the older guests. I did one quiz about the 1950s, a decade many of those taking part remembered well. As I was only four years old when the fifties ended, I felt at a bit of a disadvantage!

On the positive side, I went on several guided walks, which I really enjoyed. I also took full advantage of the swimming pools, and at Alvaston Hall went to an interesting demonstration of fruit and vegetable carving (see photo below).

I also enjoyed looking around Bodelwyddan Castle itself (pictured below), which is a National Trust property. Warner guests get free entry during their stay, which is a nice bonus.

Prices

As Pounds and Sense is primarily a money blog, I should say a few words about this.

I thought both the breaks I took were good value for money, bearing in mind that as well as comfortable accommodation you get breakfast and an evening meal, and a range of leisure facilities and entertainment.

When I checked just now, you could book a two-night break at Alvaston Hall for two people this weekend at prices ranging from £219.48 for a standard room up to £315.48 for a luxury suite. In my experience even ‘standard’ rooms are very comfortable, and the price above works out to just over £100 per person per night. By comparison, I have been charged well over £100 per night for bed and breakfast, with no evening meal or entertainment, in some hotels and guest houses.

If you are travelling solo (as I was) you may have to pay an under-occupancy surcharge. However, the hotels do have some single rooms, and there are also ‘no surcharge’ offers for solo travellers on some breaks. It’s definitely worth inquiring about this with the hotel you want to stay at.

Finally, I should mention that Warner Leisure Hotels often offer special deals and discounts. Once you are on their list, you can expect to be mailed regularly about these!

Summing Up

Overall, while I enjoyed my stay at these hotels, I have to say I did feel a bit young for them. The entertainment wasn’t really my cup of tea and I’m not sure it will be even when I’m ten years older. I saw one review that described Warner Leisure Hotels as ‘Butlins for old people’ and have to admit I think that’s quite apt (it’s owned by the same parent company as Butlins and Haven Holidays, incidentally). I don’t mean to sound snobby about this. When I was growing up I enjoyed regular family holidays at Butlins holiday camps and hotels. But the format does seem a little tired and old-fashioned now. In my view the company could learn a few lessons from the range of entertainment offered on cruise ships nowadays and even in tourist hotels in places like the Canary Islands.

I also think Warners could do a lot more to welcome solo guests and get them involved. At times I found staying there surprisingly lonely. Again, my experience with cruises has been that they do a much better job for solo guests, with regular meet-ups, social activities and even dedicated staff members to look after them. It would be nice if Warners did something similar. There are lots of older people who live alone, and I think the company are missing a trick by not reaching out to them.

But to be fair, I do think Warner Leisure Hotels offer an appealing combination of comfortable rooms, good food, a full activities and entertainment programme, and good value prices. I’m not planning on going again soon, but I certainly wouldn’t rule it out in future.

So those are my impressions of Warner Leisure Hotels, but what do you think? Have you stayed at one yourself, or would you even consider it? I’d love to hear your views!

For a wider range of all-inclusive holiday options in the UK and abroad, check out this article on Over 60s Discounts 🏖

Disclosure: This review includes affiliate links, so if you click through and make a purchase I will receive a commission for introducing you. This will not affect in any way the terms you are offered. Neither has it influenced in any way this review!

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