Holiday in Wales August 2002

We took our summer holiday in Wales staying in a friends holiday home in Saundersfoot from 17th - 24th August 2002. I took my Nikon CoolPix 950 along and managed to take 160 photos. What follows are some of the better pictures or pictures with a story.

One of the themes of the holiday was definitely castles. We visited several in Pembrokeshire, an area noted for its castles. This particular castle was at Carew. The visit to Carew created one of the running jokes of the holiday. According to legend one of the castle's more eccentric owners met an untimely and gruesome death at the hands or more rightly, teeth, of his pet ape. It is said that occasionally the ghost of the ape can be seen wandering around the castle grounds. The rest of the holiday we had a running joke of seeing monkey ghosts!

Manorbier castle was a great day out, particularly as it is build right at the edge of a glorious beach so we hit the surf after walking around the grounds. This castle, although the smallest one we visited was particularly well presented as it is privately owned. The grounds were planed with flower borders in full bloom when we were there. In the grounds is a little cottage that's available for rent. It sleeps 10 people so if you fancy a sleep over in a castle in wales, let me know. Manorbier castle is famous for being the birthplace of Giraldus Cambrensis, Gerald of Wales, the finest chronicler of medieval Wales, or so it says in this here book.

The day we spent at Broad Haven was particularly enjoyable. The beach was fabulous and in the afternoon we went on a 4km walk around the Bosherton lily ponds. Well, in fairness Sue and I enjoyed the walk more than the kids who felt it was about 3.5km too long. Anyway, the Broad Haven trip generated some of the best photographs, a couple of which are reproduced here.

The holiday was particularly significant as it was the first time Emily had worn a bikini in public. Those of you who are parents to teenage daughters will know how significant this is. After much coaxing (and despite some teasing from her brother, Matt) we persuaded her into the sea. This wonderful picture with her natural expression is one of the highlights of the holiday. It's a terrific picture and hopefully one she'll be proud of in later life. Matthew on the other hand had no such reservations about donning the trunks and hitting the surf. Here he can be seen catching a wave that must have been, oh, 3 inches. He was really stoked that day man, I mean really toobed dude!

It wasn't all surfing and walking. We found time for relaxing too. Towards the end of the holiday we went to Tenby in the evening and ended up in a pub. I forget what it was called but it served a good pint. Matthew looks particular pleased to be siting between two local lasses I managed to pick up with my knowledge of surfing slang (see above).

Sadly the holiday was over all too quickly. We have decided that next year we'll go for 2 weeks as a week is not nearly long enough. I'll leave you with my favourite picture of the holiday. Sue and the kids walking towards the sea late one afternoon on Amroth beach.