janisj

>>The monstro name was invented as a publicity stunt in the 1860s<<

Which is when PQ last visited the area


go_laura: Hope you can wade through the chaff to find all the nuggets of wisdom/help

PalenQ

En route to Conwy or other North Wales base Chester makes a good stop - really neat old town - could be a day trip from Conwy.

Really exceptional town: https://www.google.com/search?q=ches...w=1745&bih=864

PalenQ

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/ed...k-8454456.html

the daily use of Welsh has actually fallen from 21% to 19% so unlike what some here say Welsh is not widely spoken- anyway interesting article on the whole issue - interesting to know about anyway from a cultural aspect. And of course everyone speaks English!

thursdaysd

Use of Welsh is more common in some parts of the country than others

eastenderusvi

Re: Wales...We found that people did not speak Welsh in Conwy. However, they DID in Caernarfon. In fact, we got angry commentary from students in town about visiting the castle whence the Welsh people were subjugated by Edward Longshanks. It did cause me to go back and learn some earlier Welsh history. Also the people in western Wales take classes and speak, at least some, Welsh. In Aberaeron, they were happy to let me practice.

PalenQ: The announcements on the big ferry to Arran were in Gaelic and English.

And the wife of the Prince of Wales is not necessarily Princess of Wales. Again, it's the monarch's call. Diana was, Camilla isn't.

PalenQ

PalenQ: The announcements on the big ferry to Arran were in Gaelic and English.>

That like BBC election must have been to be PC - can't believe anyone in Wales don't speak English.

historytraveler

Could we please drop this silly argument regarding who and how many people speak Wesh and respond to the OP's questions instead?

PalenQ

Yes - agree.

The Ffestiniog Railway is a really interesting but not that scenic railway - its history is key - (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ffestiniog_Railway)

Blaneau Ffestiniog - where the national rail line from Conwy ends and you board the tiny train to Portmadogg was a time warp - really down at its heels gritty ex-slate mining town. Redolent of Applachian coal mining towns.

https://www.google.com/search?q=blan...hrome&ie=UTF-8

Hooameye

" In fact, we got angry commentary from students in town about visiting the castle whence the Welsh people were subjugated by Edward Longshanks."

That does make me laugh, I've never heard any Englishman complain about them being slaves to the Italians (Romans), Vikings (Scandinavians) and the French (Normans), just an excuse for English bashing.

thursdaysd

Not to mention the Angles and the Saxons. That's because the invaders became English. The English never became Welsh.

I think the OP should start a new thread [sorry!].

Hooameye

"Not to mention the Angles and the Saxons. That's because the invaders became English."

That's why I didn't mention the English.

Hooameye

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/English_people

go_laura

No worries, I just skipped through all the sidebar discussion and took note of the helpful bits! Just found an inexpensive, well reviewed place to lodge in Chipping Campden so am now working on figuring out if I can get all the transport things to work. Owner is willing to pick us up at Moreton in Marsh train station, so arrival end is ok, just sorting how we'd then getto Wales, on a Sunday no less!

janisj

>>just sorting how we'd then getto Wales, on a Sunday no less!<<

Not that difficult really. There are even trains w/ just just one transfer. You'd take the train from M-i-M to Hereford and then change for a train to Conwy. It will take about 5 hours but not a complicated journey at all.

thursdaysd

For planning train trips: http://www.nationalrail.co.uk/

Sundays can be iffy, the railways like to do maintenance on the weekends, especially Sunday, so you need to check to make sure nothing has changed. Looks like you need the 12:34.

PalenQ

There are even trains w/ just just one transfer>

first one seems to be around 12:30 and yes via Hereford

There is a train a few hours earlier - but requires 3 changes but if you want to get to Conwy earlier look at that one - but if not in a hurry the one change would be nice - since other ones seem to have you changing at Brimingham New Street, a fairly hectic station.

Again the site thursdayds gives is the definitive source for accurate schedules for your exact date - I just put a dummy Sunday in.

So check yourself and book your own ticket- again www.seat61.com is a great source on booking own ticket.

And though thursdayds is right about Sunday maintenance this will be shown in national rail site but delays are always possible -but there are so so many trains that if you miss your previewed connecting train just take the next one -probably no more than an hour or less.

The Conwy station is right in the heart of that small town.

thursdaysd

" have you changing at Brimingham New Street, a fairly hectic station."

I changed there for Conwy last year. Not a problem. Good signage, and escalators.

historytraveler

One of my rules of taking trains is to avoid too many changes.Three is too many. I agree with thursdaysd, Birmingham New Street should not be a problem, but what's the matter with Hereford? You do have several options for trains to Conwn.

PalenQ

Actually for a five-hour plus ride I rather like getting off the train and having some time in a station for a walking break or lunch.

janisj

These are not leisurely 'walk around and have some lunch' stops. They are get off your train, find the new platform, <i>maybe</i> have time to grab a coffee or pastry, and get on the next train. The fewer of those the better IMO.