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Kate and Tamsin Trip 2019
  • Tamsin Gallie
  • Kate Saxton
  • Tamsin Gallie
  • Kate Saxton

Kate and Tamsin Trip 2019

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  • Kate and Tamsin Trip 2019
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    Pre wedding prep for Sonia and Jude

    November 15, 2019 in England ⋅ ⛅ 8 °C

    Poor jude has had to work right up until the day before her wedding- that’s teachers for u... dedicated!
    So the morning was spent dropping K off at random hairdressers in Chorlton before cutting out faces for the photo podium the girls have got for the reception.
    Next it was off to reception venue of Science and Industry Museum loaded with table decorations, podium, and other necessary bits and pieces required for the 220 guest event!!
    Drop off successful, it was off shopping for essentials - shoes, bags, etc which nearly killed us but now on way back on number 86 bus laden with bargains.
    Tonight it’s more prep and a couple of beers- excited for tmrw!!    Read more

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    Sonia and Jude's Wedding- Manchester

    November 16, 2019 in England ⋅ ☁️ 7 °C

    What a fabulous day??!!! Busy morning pottering around whilst the girls were having hair and make up before pre wedding bubbly at The Font in Chorlton.
    After getting out of the black cab and into the white one sent, off we went with the brides and Catrin to prepare for the ceremony at Manchester Art Gallery.
    Soon we were setting up amongst the Lowry art works as Kate was playing the pre ceremony playlist to the v early guests.
    The girls were stunning and the ceremony which included 4 fabulous ( 2 not so traditional) readings resulted in hardly a dry eye in the place.
    Next it was off to the pre- raphaelite Gallery for bubbly and canapés which was the first chance to catch up with long lost friends.
    6.30pm saw us head to the Britain’s Protection pub where blisters were compared and cabs ordered for a journey that took longer to drive than to walk!
    The evening do at Manchester science and industry museum was out of this world with games, photo booth, dancing and lots of frolicking and laughter.
    This finished at 1am but Bride 1 insisted on more drinks in Canal Street so off we went to Churchill’s emerging ( some reluctantly) at 2.30am.
    Off to bed at 3am but not before Sonia mistook a cork for some toast !!! Amazing day and most future happiness to the girls.    Read more

  • Kate and Tamsin Trip 2019
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    Post wedding- a bit of a slow day

    November 17, 2019 in England ⋅ ⛅ 8 °C

    Despite getting to bed at 3am we were up at 8am with cups of coffee and reflections of the day.... followed by reflections of 1997!!!
    12pm saw us get a taxi to Dukes 92 for post wedding lunch for anyone who wanted to come. About 30 tired, slightly hungover and hungry people spent a v pleasant couple of hours chatting, laughing, eating and drinking coffee before heading in every direction to all corners of the UK- hoping we see each other again before too long. Great, great wkend xxRead more

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    Christmas Markets and Art Galleries

    November 18, 2019 in England ⋅ ⛅ 0 °C

    Spent the afternoon in Manchester with K and Sonia having lunch, looking through the Christmas Markets at Albert Square, outside the Manchester Town Hall and then revisiting Manchester Art Gallery.
    Due to the fact we didn’t get a chance to see the collections on Sat, K and I spent a couple of hours perusing the Lowry and Valette works of art amongst many other collections.
    The gallery has really set up well for reducing barriers to access for all people. We really enjoyed the Feminist Revision of each gallery’s explanation from a female point of view
    https://m.imgur.com/gallery/Q9jA4ud
    After retrieving Sonia’s camera from the pub next door it was home for dinner.... not before a couple more beers in Chorlton Green at The Beech Inn for Dave Deans bday and a chance to re catch up with how great the wedding was!
    https://whatpub.com/pubs/TRA/3765/beech-inn-cho…    Read more

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    Manchester to Tenby- Hello Wales!!

    November 19, 2019 in Wales ⋅ 🌧 9 °C

    A v sad farewell to Sonia, Jude and Manchester this am as we headed to the train station for the 09.31 to Cardiff.
    A very easy journey passing the dense fog and flooded fields saw us arrive in Cardiff on time.
    An Uber took us to Europcar where we picked up our transport for the next 10 days/ nights.
    Having no plans we just headed west finding a coffee in Pwll before finding ourselves some accommodation in Tenby. It was now dark and raining at 4.30pm when we checked into The Cottage Court Hotel.
    The room hardly has enough floor space to move but it’s warm and clean so that’s fine.
    K and I walked 15 mins into town and had the hugest fish and chips for dinner at the Coach and Horses pub in town.
    Now back in our tiny room looking forward to exploring south west wales tmrw.    Read more

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    Post breakfast walk to Tenby

    November 20, 2019 in Wales ⋅ ⛅ 8 °C

    After a full cooked breakfast at the Cottage Court Hotel we walked into Tenby in the garden force wind and rain- it was still v beautiful.
    After getting food for tonight we walked back to the accommodation, picked up the car and drove an hour west to St David’s.
    A v pleasant hour was spent walking around the 12th century St David’s Cathedral and Bishops Palace before heading north to Fishguard.

    https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/St_Davids_Cathe…

    https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/St_Davids_Bisho…    Read more

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    Mwnt

    November 20, 2019 in Wales ⋅ 🌬 6 °C

    Wales turned on beautiful weather for us this afternoon as we drove through Fishguard, went for a coffee at Cat Rock Cafe at Newport Golf course with beautiful sea views and ended up in Mwnt.
    We have a great little bungalow accommodation tonight at Pant Glas- a working farm 10 mins south of Mwnt , on the west coast of sunny Wales.
    Settled in with a Wairau Cove Sav Blanc and wedding cheese!

    https://www.catrock.co.uk/

    https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/mwnt    Read more

  • Kate and Tamsin Trip 2019
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    Aberystwyth to Barmouth

    November 21, 2019 in Wales ⋅ 🌧 5 °C

    We woke to a dry and windy day and the rain clouds were nowhere to be seen as we headed north up the coast an hour to Aberystwyth.
    Aberystwyth is a coastal town which sadly appeared a bit tired and run down but people were lovely.
    We had a coffee at Sophie’s Bach- it was like being in her living room with her little daughter and whole family in Situ, “Sir John” having a bacon butty and a few more locals- great coffee and snacks though and it warmed us up as we were freezing!
    Back to the car we drove 1.5 hours up the road to Barmouth, another coastal town accessed by a beautiful bridge and fronted by a wide expanse of sand.
    It was only 5 degs with a wind chill factor of -5degs so we had a quick walk on the beach to the waters edge before hurriedly getting back to the car to warm up.
    Next it was off to Harlech.....

    https://www.google.com.au/amp/s/www.packthepjs.…

    https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barmouth    Read more

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    Harlech to Betws-y- Coed

    November 21, 2019 in Wales ⋅ ☁️ 3 °C

    After freezing at Barmouth we enjoyed the 30 min drive north up the West Welsh coast to the beautiful little town of Harlech and it’s central castle.
    We didn’t actually go into the castle due to the failing light (at 2.30pm!!!) and the cost of $15 each!
    However we enjoyed the outside and the view of the valley.

    https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harlech_Castle

    https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harlech

    Back in the car it was a beautiful drive through Snowdonia National Park to our destination of Betws-y-coed- lots of low stone walls, road side rivers, winter trees and beautiful light.
    Tonight we are staying v rurally on Mae’s Madog Cottages where we have cooked our dinner and opened the complimentary bottle of bubbly!!
    Tmrw it’s a walk in Snowdonia NP but it won’t be up Snowdon itself as there is sleet and snow forecast and a summit temp of -8degs!

    https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Betws-y-Coed

    http://www.snowdoniacottages.net/    Read more

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    Llyn Idwal walk - Part 1

    November 22, 2019 in Wales ⋅ 🌧 6 °C

    Wales turned on a great day today with dry weather until 3pm although it was cold at 5degs.
    Leaving our cosy little cottage we drove 25 mins to Capel Curig for our walk to Llyn Idwal.
    The scenery was stunning and didn’t disappoint as we climbed up to the lake. What was termed a moderate/ strenuous walk had us expecting a gut busting scramble but after 20 mins we were surprised to find ourselves at the lake.
    90 mins later we were back down so we walked further on to a viewpoint overlooking the valley towards Bangor, a mere 30 mins drive away.

    https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/carneddau-and-…

    https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Llyn_Idwal

    Back into Betws-y-coed we had a look around the outdoor shops before stopping for a coffee and a cake in The Alpine Cafe

    https://www.alpinecoffeeshop.co.uk/

    Now back at the cottage with a nice wine and a v nice dinner listening to the rain outside.
    Tmrw off to Mold to see Cath, Jo and Ellen for the wkend.    Read more

  • Kate and Tamsin Trip 2019

    Chester Zoo to Frozen 2!!

    November 23, 2019 in Wales ⋅ 🌧 8 °C

    After a sad farewell to our little Mae’s Madog barn conversion cottage it was off for an hours drive to Mold to see Cath, Jo and Ellen.
    Jo had got home at 1am after her touch rugby end of season do and Ellen has reportedly been up at 4am due to the excitement of seeing us!! ( she is too cute!)
    Had a fab day at Chester Zoo where we all fell in love with the Anteater and in awe with the Komodo dragon!!
    The red panda was fantastic as was the tapir.
    Next it was off for a coffee and cake before heading to the cinema for a newly released Frozen 2!! Ellen pretended she didn’t want to see it but we explained that as 4 x adults we couldn’t see it without an accompanying child!!! It was v enjoyable!!
    Home for wine, Dinner and a game of action charades made up by Ellen.
    Late night after midnight and tmrw i feel its more impromptu games and the day directed by a 9yr old!!    Read more

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    Llangollen, Lego and a new hairdo!

    November 24, 2019 in Wales ⋅ ⛅ 9 °C

    We have had a cracking day with Cath, Jo and Ellen.
    First we were taken to Pontcysyllte Aqueduct.
    The canal for the long boats only had safety railings on one side and the other was a sheer drop off the top of the aqueduct!!
    In the fog/ mist of the day it was a really spooky walk along the top of the aqueduct but beautiful as we then walked down to the bottom of the feat of engineering before following the river.
    After our lovely walk it was off to the new Chapel tearooms for coffee/ hot chocolate and the best coffee cake.
    Next it was a drive to the picturesque town of Llangollen which was full of white water kayakers!! There must have been nearly 50 of them in various states of undress in the car park, boats everywhere!
    We had a lovely walk around this beautiful town with the fast wide river following right through the middle of it.
    The historic Corn Mill looked like a lovely place for lunch but we were too full from the cake!
    Back home it was a Lego competition which Ellen won with her party hotel room and then the night was finished off with Kate getting a hair style of the year!!!

    https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pontcysyllte_Aq…

    https://www.pontcysyllte-aqueduct.co.uk/

    https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Llangollen

    https://www.llangollen.org.uk/index.php/things-…    Read more

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    Cheshire Oaks to Llandudno via Rhuddlan

    November 25, 2019 in Wales ⋅ 🌧 10 °C

    After walking Ellen to school we left Mold and drove 20 mins to Cheshire Oaks outlet village to replace some of our worn out gear. K got some new walking shoes and a backpack whilst I have managed to replace my leaky waterproof jacket.
    Next it was off to Rhuddlan Castle.
    This was special for me because whilst doing my family history I found my 21 great grandmother Elizabeth Plantagenet was born here on 7th Aug 1282. Sadly it was closed during the winter months so we could only take photos from afar.
    Lastly we drove to the coastal town of Llandudno and just for there in the fading light - at 3.45pm!!!
    We checked into Carmel House a newly renovated B+B on the seafront which was actually v nice for the cheapest option around.
    Walking along the wide open promenade reminded K of France and me of Blackpool!!!
    A wine and an Indian later it was pouring with rain but we had no option but to walk the 20mins back.... and yes I had left my new jacket in my bag!!!
    Tmrw if the weather is dry we will go to Caernarfon for more castles and town.

    https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rhuddlan_Castle

    https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elizabeth_of_Rh…

    https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Llandudno    Read more

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    Castles, Caernarfon and Anglesey

    November 26, 2019 in Wales ⋅ ⛅ 9 °C

    Started the day off with sea views during our free brekkie.
    Then it was a stunning drive around Llandudno Orme which provided us with a beautiful rainbow.
    https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_Orme

    Next it was a drive by Conwy Castle- another masterpiece by my ancestor King Edward 1, this one intact and quite breathtaking.
    https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Conwy_Castle

    By now the weather was packing up which was a shame as we drove the 30 mins to Caernarfon.
    We had a damp but pleasant 2 hours in Caernarfon. One of the highlights being (apart from another Edward 1 castle) a walk to the Roman segontium- a fort built in 77-78 AD. K was less than impressed with the 2000yr old foundations ( she is getting harder to please!) but I enjoyed the historical attraction.
    https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caernarfon

    https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Segontium

    The sun came out as we left Caernarfon and drove 15 mins to our accommodation in Anglesey via a trip to Tesco for provisions. The Britannia Bridge over Menai Strait didn’t disappoint.
    We checked into our v cute White Lilac Cottage- 140yr old Stone walled v cosy accommodation which used to be part of the Bulls Inn.

    Excitedly I drove us to my favourite Anglesey beach- Newborough beach but when we got there at 3.30pm we discovered a £5 charge!!! WTF? It’s a beach!
    With only 30 mins of daylight left we decided to leave it until tmrw and hope we can get a dry spell in which to visit.
    Slightly disappointed we drive back to the cottage and enjoyed a v simple evening with dinner and TV.
    Tmrw it’s off to Bangor and back to the beach, and if time allows the last of Edwards castles- Beaumaris.    Read more

  • Kate and Tamsin Trip 2019

    Bangor and Beaumaris

    November 27, 2019 in Wales ⋅ ⛅ 7 °C

    We had a sleep in in our lovely little cottage allowing the rain to stop before heading into Bangor.
    Got a few jobs done.... including printing out our rugby tickets for Saturday!!
    The ladies in the library were more than lovely.
    Sadly Bangor high street has turned into all charity shops and poundland and generally looks rundown. However one charity shops had been donated a shed load of new Ted Baker gear so came away with a bargain price brand new jumpsuit!!
    Next it was a drive to see Beaumaris Castle before heading home for lunch.
    After lunch we drove back the 15 mins to Newborough Beach and had a beautiful hours walk on this special beach. K was enamoured with the razor clam shells that littered the beach whilst I love the green and purple rocks.

    https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beaumaris_Castle

    http://www.cerrigybarcud.co.uk/llanddwyn-island…    Read more

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    Anglesey to Llechwen Hall

    November 28, 2019 in Wales ⋅ 🌧 6 °C

    Today was a travel day from North to South Wales, from Anglesey to the Brecon Beacons where we have checked into a v nice room at Llechwen Hall for the night.
    It was torrential rain as we left Anglesey, so bad we couldn’t even see the Menai Bridge.
    Driving through the winding roads of Snowdonia National Park the weather cleared to allow us to appreciate the stunning beauty of the area.
    After 2.5 hours we stopped for a coffee in Llanidloes and stretched our legs in this cute little town.

    We arrived at Llechwen Hall at 3pm and have had a v relaxed afternoon with a pint in the lounge of this rural accommodation.

    Tmrw we are off to Cardiff and bid a sad farewell to Independent travel aka returning the hire car.

    https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Llanidloes

    https://www.llechwen.co.uk/    Read more

  • Kate and Tamsin Trip 2019

    Cardiff - part 1

    November 29, 2019 in Wales ⋅ ☁️ 4 °C

    This am we left Llechwen Hall early at 8am to head to the outlet shopping centre of McArthur glen Bridgend as it was Black Friday.
    We left at 12pm with some great bargains that neither of us really needed but were lovely and will be used.
    By 1pm we had dropped the hire car back to Europcar and dialling up an Uber we were blessed with a Mercedes Benz E class- those cars have big boots for lots of luggage and both a front and rear sunroof!!! We arrived at our terraced house Airbnb in style!!
    Sadly our room is soo small we both can’t be moving at the same time so one of us has to be on the bed if the other is getting ready!!
    The bonus is that the room is a 15 min walk away from city centre and from Principality Stadium for tmrw’s rugby.
    We had a v pleasant pm wandering around Cardiff City centre admiring the Xmas lights.
    At 5pm is was beer o’clock so off we went to The Goat Major pub for a pint, a well known Cardiff pub.

    http://historypoints.org/index.php?page=the-goa…    Read more

  • Kate and Tamsin Trip 2019

    Cardiff - Part 2

    November 29, 2019 in Wales ⋅ ☁️ 6 °C

    After the Goat Major we walked past the walls of Cardiff Castle to the treat of the evening... The Angel Hotel.
    This was really special because K’s Grandad Charlie Saxton was the All Black Manager of the 1967 tour which was one of the most successful NZ tours of all time.
    Whilst going through Char’s memorabilia we found his typed daily tour report from this tour and in it he describes his day before and after the game in which Wales nearly pulled off the historic win of the century as they led the AB’s 3-0 for most of the game until the AB’s scored 3 points in the dying minutes to land a draw.
    He led the team of Brian Lahore , Thorne etc from the Angel Hotel!!

    So tonight we went back through those same doors, climbed the same steps, sat in the same bar and had a pint to toast Char and Bill in their memory. Great night.

    https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_Saxton_…

    https://www.google.com.au/amp/s/amp.theguardian…
    ( if you can read this link it is an amazing recollection of the 16yr old Gareth Jenkins - later to be Wales coach - of the game day above mentioning Char)

    https://www.google.com.au/amp/s/thesportsdragon…

    https://www.google.com.au/amp/s/rugbyredefined.…

    Tmrw it’s games day for us with Wales vs Barbarians women kicking off at 11.45am and the men kicking off at 2.45pm. Should be an amazing day with 50.000 tickets sold.    Read more

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    Rugby, Rugby and a Welsh Male Choir!!

    November 30, 2019 in Wales ⋅ ☁️ 3 °C

    What a day??!!! Can’t really describe the day we have had.
    Started with a nice breakfast in town and then after an emergency purchase of a fleece blanket from Primark (it was 4 degs) it was off to the Principality Stadium (aka Millenium stadium / Cardiff Arms Park).
    11.45am kick off to the Wales women vs Barbarian women ended up with a crowd of 12,000 watching quite a good game with the Barbarians winning. They played like a team who had been together years. Wasn’t the best display of women’s rugby but the fact they were playing at the stadium before the men and were afforded full brass band, choirs and national anthems showed respect for women’s rugby has come a long way.
    The couple of kiwi girls had a blinder.
    The hour between the women and men’s game went super quickly with the entertainment of the Royal goat, brass band and the welsh choirs singing historic welsh songs whilst both teams warmed up on the pitch- we didn’t know where to look!!
    After an entertaining game the Wales men’s team won 43-33 against the Barbarians who had definitely not looked as cohesive as the women’s team.
    The game was quite a first as Nigel Owens was the first referee to be allowed to referee his own national team, the iconic Irish caption Rory Best retired today from his 124 capped international rugby career and Warren Gatland who has left Wales after coaching them successfully for 12yrs entered the stadium for the last time as coach of the Barbarians..... and if that wasn’t enough we had an encore of epic proportions at The Angel Hotel!!    Read more

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    The encore at the Angel Hotel

    November 30, 2019 in Wales ⋅ ⛅ 4 °C

    After the game we walked against the 62.000 other people leaving the stadium to fight our way back to The Angel Hotel.
    Whilst at the bar getting served, a welsh male voice choir that we couldn’t see suddenly burst into song- it was so moving I nearly burst into tears!!
    Keeping it together K and I were moved to bits after they sang song after song- how Billy Saxton would have loved this??!!
    We got chatting to a random welsh couple Rhiannon and Ian who knew Dan the postman in the choir and after telling them we were from NZ, they asked the choir to sing a NZ song for us so we got serenaded with the National anthem And Pokarekare ana. How bloody amazing was that??!!    Read more

  • Kate and Tamsin Trip 2019

    Falmouth, Cornwall

    December 1, 2019 in England ⋅ ⛅ 1 °C

    Sorry today I’m really scraping the bottom of the barrel re photos!
    We left our Airbnb in the dark and cold at 7.20am and walked to Cardiff central station where we caught the 08.10 to Bristol Temple Meads.
    From there we caught the 10am train to Cornwall arriving at 13.45pm.
    Lovely to see mum and Pete who then drove us to our Airbnb home for the next month.
    We went and met my nephew Jake from work before going to mums for dinner - which basically consisted of a delicious turkey roast as she needed to get rid of it from last year before getting this years one!!
    Now relaxing back in our new ‘home’ which is v centrally located and more than comfortable.    Read more

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    Porthtowan

    December 2, 2019 in England ⋅ ⛅ 7 °C

    This morning involved chasing up a few jobs for mum before we drove to Porthtowan to take advantage of the beautiful sunshine.
    In between this K got v excited about a trip to Sainsburys supermarket to stock the apartment up with essentials.
    Lunch and a coffee in The Blue Bar Porthtowan, bathed in sunshine was v lovely.
    Back to the apartment we made use of the kitchen facilities and made dinner for mum and pete with a lasagne and home cooked rice pudding.
    Now relaxing with a programme called Innocent before heading off to bed.

    http://www.blue-bar.co.uk/    Read more

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    Coffee at the beach & a jaffa cake first

    December 3, 2019 in England ⋅ ☀️ 5 °C

    Woke up to a stunningly sunny but frosty morning so we headed to Gyllyngvase beach for a coffee.
    Luckily we got a table with the best view of the sea, which was completely calm, and Pendennis Castle.
    After coffee we walked along the coastal path to Swanpool beach and back “home”.
    An old colleague from Nelson, Jean ( who now lives in Penzance) came for lunch so we had a lovely few hours catching up ( sadly no photos as the team photographer is having a rest).
    Tonight the day was capped off by K having her first McVities Jaffa cake which it looks like she enjoyed!!    Read more

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