A drive out

 I took a drive out yesterday.  The Menai Strait separating the mainland of Wales and the island of Anglesey and it's famous suspension bridge is only thirty minutes from Llandudno.  I had never seen it, so something to cross of my list of things to see while i'm here.  

Designed by Thomas Telford it was the worlds first major suspension bridge.  Work started in 1819 and was completed in 1826, it still carries road traffic and is a Grade I listed structure.   Before the bridge was built crossing to the mainland was difficult as this particular stretch of water has strong currents and whirlpools created by the four tidal flows each day and the twice a day tides.   These kind of structures always amaze me, built without modern day tools and machinery, (and all the risk assessments and method statements needed to do anything today,) they managed to build something that not only looks good but is serviceable and has stood for almost 200 years.

I didn't visit the town instead I drove a few miles down the road to the Hidden Gardens and spent a lovely couple of hours walking through this hidden valley garden.

(playing around with my phone, i'm quite impressed, lol)

I can highly recommend a visit if you are in the area.

 I couldn't visit Anglesey without seeing the station with the longest name in Wales and perhaps the world?

The name is 58 letters long and the translation is -

"Church of St. Mary in the hollow of the white hazel near the rapid whirlpool and the church of St. Tysilio near the red cave"

That's a bit of a mouth full to say, instead the village name is shortened to Llanfairpwllgwyngyll, still unpronounceable in my case, as are most Welsh words 😄

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