"A Road-trip Around Wales" Wales by Bwana_Brown

Wales Travel Guide: 5,216 reviews and 14,207 photos

The summer of 1979 was a time of big changes in our life. We had decided to emmigrate from Canada to Papua New Guinea (as a stepping-stone to Australia) where I had signed-on for a 3-year contract job with the PNG Electricity Commission. But first, we had 6-weeks of previously-booked vacation to use up in Great Britain, where my wife's parents, sister and brother lived!

It was during this visit that Sue and I, along with her younger brother Steve, were able to enjoy almost a week touring around beautiful Wales! Setting off from Cornwall, England, we crossed into Wales from Bristol via the Severn Bridge and then began meandering our way north up through the centre of the country. We reached the outskirts of Liverpool, England before turning for the northwest coast of Wales and then made our way back south again.

It was a fantastic experience enjoying the mountains, castles, forests and hospitality of Wales!! My photos are a little worse for the wear after years of dragging them around the world to hot and moist climates, but they still give us great memories of this pre-video camera era!!

Photo of one of our B&B stops at a country farm located at Foel in north-central Wales, west of Welshpool.

Pros and Cons

In a nutshell:Beautiful Vistas and History all Around You!

Last visit to Wales: Aug 1979
Intro Updated Aug 30, 2005
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Reviews (14)

Pen y Garreg Dam Things to Do (8)

One of the reservoirs on the Elan River, which eventually feed water to Birmingham through the underground aqueducts, is... more travel advice

Caban Coch Reservoir Things to Do (8)

As with the Lake Vyrnwy Reservoir, only two years after it went into service (1893) construction started further south... more travel advice

A Half-Timbered Market House Local Customs (1)

While passing through the town of Llanidloes in central Wales, we were intrigued by this old Market House. It turns... more travel advice

Beautiful Lakes and Mountains Things to Do (8)

On our fourth day in Wales, after finishing a picnic lunch beside a small mountain stream, we continued our drive back... more travel advice

Transportation (1)
Mini 1275 GT
Restaurants (3)
See All Mountain Stream

Hotels (1)
A Country Bed & Breakfast
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Comments (23)

hunterV Oct 2, 2010 at 1:07 AM Report Abuse

You have great memories... Thanks for sharing!
richiecdisc Nov 23, 2009 at 3:03 PM Report Abuse

Definitely better off being a Canadian in Wales than an Englishman. English friends tell me they'd never "cross the border." ;) Love the hilly landscapes, quaint houses, and castles. High on this non-Englishman's list.
Nemorino Jun 24, 2009 at 1:22 PM Report Abuse

A nice account of your 1979 trip, complete with very authentic-looking photos! There are lots of Welsh people in Birmingham (where I used to take groups every summer), but I never knew that even Birmingham's water came all the way from Wales.
ranger49 Nov 18, 2008 at 4:25 AM Report Abuse

An interesting account of how the place where I have lived for so long is seen.Time for a return visit?
nightcowboy Feb 29, 2008 at 8:23 AM Report Abuse

Sorry you missed the real Wales more about Wales then Castles.
betako3 Feb 15, 2008 at 12:59 PM Report Abuse

I love the patina of age in your photos but long live digital era :)
breughel Jul 21, 2007 at 11:06 AM Report Abuse

Hello Glen, As an amateur of maritime history I couldn't miss the maritime museum of Belem, Lisbon. I staid in South-Wales in 1960 and I still feel nostalgic (ref. my Barry tip).
HORSCHECK Jun 13, 2007 at 2:29 PM Report Abuse

Glenn, another interesting page of yours. I have been to Wales a few times and also always much enjoyed the B&B accomodations.
MalenaN Apr 14, 2007 at 11:04 PM Report Abuse

Sounds like you hade a great trip through Wales! The landscape looks really beautiful and I would very much like to visit one day.
evaanna Nov 9, 2006 at 12:48 PM Report Abuse

I thought at first the Water Tower was a castle :)) Dams must be your speciality, am I right? Very interesting and informative page.