Rhyl has a serious drug problem which is visible if you visit the town. There are many other places to stay which have more charm.
A friend would not allow her grandaughter on the beach because of the danger of used needles.

You mentioned walking but have I missed your plans in that regard? Or will the walks be local and not make up a separate plan? I ask because the last few trips I've been walking along the Thames Path, a section per visit. The next section I'll do is starting from Hampton Court Palace where I finished last time. I intend to finish it this time and since it's the part coming into and passing through London I'll have the opportunity, after Richmond, to combine my usually separate stay in London with the walk and so will have the luxury of not needing to carry a pack as I go. My point for you, obviously, is to combine your stay in London with a part of the Thames Path or other local paths. I also found the whole part after Oxford full of things to see along the path. I especially enjoyed either side of Henley with houses to visit and galleries along the way or not far off the path.

there is plenty of good walking in Cornwall, though it can be a bit dependent on the weather.

the coast path goes all the way round, well, the coast!

Come to that, there's plenty of good walking everywhere! Heaven, all things being relative.

Thanks folks, my computer has just come back from being fixed.

The B&B we were planning on staying at is out of Rhyl. We thought this makes a good stop in north Wales for the castles and the Neolithic mines, but not too far from Ambleside our next destination.

Where would you recommend?

Where exactly is the B and B?

B&B is near Church Wood south of Dyserth.

We are planning no specific walks at this stage, due to the unpredictable nature of the weather. We will walk when we can and not when we can't!

I know the Lake District and Cornwall have no shortage of walks. What are your favourites?

the walks we tend to do most are reasonably near us in west Cornwall so not that convenient for Bodmin. We have a favourite along the Helford from Durgan to Helford Passage [there's a pub at the end of it which might have something to do with it], another down on the Lizard [not sure abut that one in the depths of winter] a couple near Falmouth, and bits of the coast near us around St. Agnes.

you could do worse than just walk out to see the Merry maidens, so long as it's not foggy. There are also nice bits of coast near Mevagissey, down near the Lost Gardens of Heligan.

Cats Bells in the Lake District is a great walk for a winter's day as it shouldn't take too long.

Thanks. Great. I'll ad them to my list!

Walking, geology and war history... how about Chislehurst Caves - very unique, accessible easily from London... see http://wp.me/p2r6no-7p

Yes, they certainly fit the bill.

Dyserth is not Rhyl thankfully so you should have no problem with the B&B. If you go on to bbc.co.uk/news you will find a news item about a report by the Centre for Social Justice . One of the towns discussed is Rhyl.

Good to know.

We aim to visit the Chislehurst cave between leaving Colchester and arriving in Portsmouth.

Thanks again.

Having just read the articles you could swap Rhyl for many of the town names around here.

What do we do with people who can't/won't work? Can the cycle be broken completely? For some, yes, but for all?

We have no jobs (or very few) for those with little education. Manufacturing is almost gone here and service industries are increasing. But just because you are good at one doesn't make you good at the other.

We aim to visit the Chislehurst cave between leaving Colchester and arriving in Portsmouth.>>

my friend's mum used to own the caves and we lived about 20 miles from there.

Never went though!

be nice to read what you think about them!

You'll just have to wait for the trip report.

<<< no comments needed. it seems to make admirable sense for Aussies to be leaving OZ during the ashes season as it'll be too painful for you to stay at home!

>>

Anne, who never misses a chance to get the knife in ...

Anne, who never misses a chance to get the knife in ...>>

we learnt from the champions, Peter! years of being told that we were c..p at sport, useless at cricket, aussies were best, etc. etc.

you can't begrudge us our few short hours in the sun, surely?

We aim to visit the Chislehurst cave between leaving Colchester and arriving in Portsmouth.>>

my friend's mum used to own the caves and we lived about 20 miles from there>>

I grew up even closer, and I never visited. The rest of my family still live within 4 miles and none of them have been either. Are they really worth it? Be interested to hear a trip report.

I grew up even closer, and I never visited. The rest of my family still live within 4 miles and none of them have been either.>>

lol, a nicecupoftea - dosen't look as if the locals are bowled over, does it?

sometimes it takes a visitor to show us what we're missing - or not!