Friday 29 August 2025

We’re to leave Wales tomorrow. This may sound strange but Wales is like another country. Albania maybe! You do not expect to see so much Welsh language on signs, shops and posters. Nor, as we are in Great Britian, do you expect to hear a living language that is Welsh, spoken so much.

It is quite shocking, when you have been in England, Scotland and Cornwall, the latter two have a smattering of the local Celtic/Gaelic, to hear so much Welsh spoken. We asked a bloke for directions yesterday and he replied in Welsh. Then he saw our puzzled expressions and switched to what can only be described as some sort of English.

So, in the beautiful town square, near Carnarvon Castle, Lady P engaged in conversation with a local. He, in English, explained that in most of rural and non urban Wales, the Welsh language was widely spoken. Well, we can vouch for that. Being the true gentleman he was, he happily spoke a lilting paragraph or two in Welsh for Lady P to video. One can only assume he said nice things.

A relatively easy start to the drive to our next pet sit, which got harder as the traffic, roadworks and diversions took their toll on the driver. We did however make it to the Weathervane Hotel in Stoke on Trent for an overnight stay just 5 minutes from our five bedroom mansion and Dottie the cat.

Draycott in the Moors is a village in Staffordshire, between Stoke on Trent and Uttoxeter near the River Blythe and our hosts are a lovely, mid sixties couple and their late 20’s daughter. It is an amazing semi rural property, set on around two acres with manicured gardens, modern two story home and large hot tub in the garden.

After the briefing and collecting the keys, we returned to our hotel to leave them pack for a morning departure.

Saturday 30 August 2025

Following our host’s advice, we headed to a Farmer’s Market for breakfast and some shopping. The ‘Alfie’s Half Serve’ full English, still delivered bacon, egg, sausage, tomato, oat cake, baked beans and toast. From the butcher we got a beef roast, English sausages and prime mince. The Deli gave us sourdough loaf, focaccia, bacon, Tandoori spices and chicken thighs and the F&G section a few farm grown veges, eggs and fruit. We should be right for the week.

After unpacking, Flashy retreated to his happy place and began making orange, ginger and carrot soup and Lady P found the bedroom.



Our cottage in Bangor.
Crammed with life's nick naks
Welsh beer. Not bad.
Carnarvon Castle.

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