Welsh wonders – with your dog

An island sojourn for humans and dogs: sand, sea and bracing (and healthy) iodine-filled breezes. With a twist. It’s all in Welsh.

Kiah and I are fortunate to live on Sir Fôn (there’s the Welsh already), ready to sniff out the best places for dogs traveling with owners. Anglesey (the English name) is the largest of the Welsh islands (accessible by rail, road or ship), and yes, it’s also the place with the long place name (starts with Llanfairpwllgwyngyll… ) and has standing stones, copper mines and friendly, welcoming locals.

I speak fluent Welsh, so my inside track gives you these top places on Sir Fôn where you’ll experience dog-friendly Welsh hospitality at its best. And, although you’ll find the locals speak Welsh in the pub (it is their native tongue, after all), my simple Welsh phrases mean you’ll make some new friends on your island adventure.

So, let’s start out by choosing a friendly place to spend the night (or two, or three): how about a wee little cottage, surrounded by rolling fields (sheep and cows), a step away from the Anglesey Coastal Path? Anglesey cottages are owned by Sue and Godfrey, who’ll provide local knowledge, logs for the fireplace, and welcome chocolates. Fancy eating out? Just a mile or so walk along the country lanes is the White Eagle pub, a dog-friendly local with scrumptious locally sourced food, or further afield, but well worth the trip is The Old Boathouse restaurant in Red Wharf Bay.

If B&B is more your style, Chris and Bob at Pandy, near Cemaes, know all the local spots, and give you a Welsh breakfast that’ll set you up for the day. And yes, dog friendly, too.

Spend the day walking the coast, or perhaps visiting a 13^th century castle in Beaumaris, where you’ll also find craft shops, cafes and the dog-friendly Bulkeley Hotel.

Or, follow the example of cruise-ship visitors to Holyhead port, and explore Holyhead breakwater county park (walk, eat, swim) or travel a bit further inland to the county town of Llangefni, and explore The Dingle (it’s like a step back in time – local children speaking Welsh, and ancient trees in the steep-sided ‘dingle’), or buy wonderful local art (and have local food) at Oriel Môn. Locals are always ready to share history, recommend great walks, or suggest places to eat.

And those Welsh words?

Begin a conversation with a simple: “helo” – (Hello), or “Bore da” (Boree dah) which means Good Morning.

Fancy buying something? Try out “Faint ydi o?” (Vint udee o?), which means How Much? And, once you’ve bought your Welsh fancy, then simply say “Diolch” (Dee-olch) – thanks!

Welsh travel: you’ll be part of the local scene in no time!

P.S. I believe, or so Kiah tells me, that dog language is automatically multi-lingual. That’s just so civilized.

 

 

1. Josh Smith says:

   January 13, 2011 at 20:53

   Hey very nice website. I approved your comments on my website, so I thought I would return the favor. Thanks very much! Great website by the way, lots of useful information.

   Reply
2. Ffion says:

   January 30, 2011 at 12:00

   Hi Josh – thanks for the comments!

   Reply