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NonMusic: Wales/England this summer
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Subject: NonMusic: Wales/England this summer From: MudGuard Date: 26 May 00 - 08:50 AM I know my question is quite off topic for here, but I know there are some people from Wales/England here who might answer my question. I am going on a cycling tour in Wales (and if time allows England - Cornwall) this summer. As I can't find the info I am looking for on the internet (I spent many an hour on this recherche) The maps which I have all show the Severn bridges between Bristol and Newport as Motorway bridges. Is there any way to get across for a (motor-less) bike? Is there a cycling lane on the bridges or some other way (rail/bus)? Or is there some ferry (perhaps between Cardiff and Weston)? Or do I have to take the detour through Gloucester (100km/60miles = 1 day)? Another thing: do hostels in Wales have self-catering kitchens? All other infos on Wales are also welcome! MudGuard |
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Subject: RE: NonMusic: Wales/England this summer From: Ella who is Sooze Date: 26 May 00 - 09:11 AM Hi I am from Chepstow... The Severn crossing that is on the M48 (the junction closest to Chepstow it your best bet to cross on a push bike. The new bridge on the M4 is for cars etc only. It has seperated paths on either side of the bridge for people to walk across, etc. Lots of people cycle across the old bridge and it is free for push bikes and pedestrians. Be warned though, it is a really open estuary and so it gets really really windy on the bridge. And it is a fairly long suspension bridge, don't be put off if you find out that it wobbles just a bit. The view is good though. The crossing is from Aust on the English side, to Chepstow on the Welsh side. There is no ferry between Weston and Cardiff. If it is Weston direction you are coming from, you can get to the old bridge by going along the roads along the coast I don't know about the youth hostels, but I think most hostels have a kitchen you can use, as that is usually the case in most other hostels. If you don't fancy cycling across the bridge, catch a train to Bristol Templemeads, or Bristol Parkway and there is a train that will go from there to Cardiff - It uses the Severn Rail tunnel under the river, and the first stop is at a place called Severn tunnel junction. (absolutely nothing there, as it is just literally just a halt stop) or the second stop is Newport and then Cardiff. I don't know how much it is for the train, it wouldnt be any more than £10 and anyless than about £4.00. Any other questions, then I would be happy to help. Seeing as I am a local. I hope you have fun anyway. There's not a bad music scene around to be found too, have a look on a magazine web site, that concentrates on Wales folk... www.folkwales.org.uk/taplas.htm here's an address that has links for the Chepstow area and is the towns website. Some nice pics on here. http://www.chepstow.co.uk/main-index.htm But most of all have fun Regards Ella |
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Subject: RE: NonMusic: Wales/England this summer From: sian, west wales Date: 26 May 00 - 09:24 AM The thought of cycling on most Welsh roads scares me stupid. No verges. I don't know enough about the new Sustrans cycle trail (www.sustrans.org.uk), but there should be something about it on the Wales Tourist Board site (www.tourism.wales.gov.uk), surely? I believe there's a summer ferry (passenger only - but that just means no cars) from Swansea to .... Ilfracombe? All else ... not a clue. The problem of being resident, I suppose. If you don't find what you want, send a private e-mail and I'll trip down to Tourist info in the town! Sian |
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Subject: RE: NonMusic: Wales/England this summer From: Peg Date: 26 May 00 - 11:44 AM sounds like a wonderful trip you have planned; enjoy! You must be in good shape to do all that cycling! I hope to do a lot of walking there next month... I want to suggest two of my favorite Welsh spots: Tintern Abbey in southern Wales, and Conwy, in Northern Wales, which is built around an enormous castle ruin--it is a few miles from Llandudno, also a lovely seaside town... |
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Subject: RE: NonMusic: Wales/England this summer From: Llanfair Date: 26 May 00 - 01:56 PM If you find yourself anywhere near Welshpool and need somewhere to sleep, give me a call. E-Mail me for the phone number. Be prepared to see some of the most beautiful countryside in the world on your travels. Hwyl, Bron. |
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Subject: RE: NonMusic: Wales/England this summer From: Jon Freeman Date: 26 May 00 - 10:52 PM Hi Mudguard. If you are thinking of folk music in Wales, Mick Tems maintains a pretty good listing at http://www.folkwales.org.uk and it is worth checking out. If you get as far north as Llandudno, please give me a bell (01492 877299). I'd love to meet you, maybe share some songs or just join you for a pint. Jon |
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Subject: RE: NonMusic: Wales/England this summer From: Jon Freeman Date: 27 May 00 - 11:48 AM Mudgaurd, seeing as Peg has mentioned Conwy, here are a coulple of links to what is arguably the finest of all the Welsh Castles: http://www.conwy.com/ and http://www.castlewales.com/conwy.html Also, and I think that Peg will agree me on this, Conwy Quay, next to the Liverpool Arms, is a delightful spot for a drink on a nice summers day. It is one of my favourites and when there have been local events on, I have spent a whole week basically just sitting there and playing and singing. Jon |
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Subject: RE: NonMusic: Wales/England this summer From: MudGuard Date: 27 May 00 - 01:25 PM Thanks for all your answers! Sorry for my long reaction time, but I could not get online for some time - telephone line was down. I will check out all the links you provided. The problem when searching for sites about Wales are the million of Australian (New South Wales) sites clogging up the result.
Thanks to Ella I know that it is possible to cross at the Severn bridges. Whether I will do it or not depends on the time I will have - I am just starting my planning for the tour which will be from July 22 to August 27.
And if I do it I will most probably use the train option even if I lose the view (big, windy bridges are not my dream cycling condition - I did not like the Firth of Forth bridge near Edinbourgh when I crossed it two years ago).
Sian, thanks for your concern - but I am quite an experienced cyclist, I survived 7000km (4400m) in Ireland, 1000km (630m) in England, 1800km (1150m) in Greece, 6000km (3750m) in France, 1000km (630m) in Italy, 2000km (1250m) in Austria and about another 1000km (630m) in various other countries (Poland, Suisse, Liechtenstein, ...) In addition there are between 8000km and 12000km (5000m - 7500m) every year in Germany, most of it in Munich.
This should also answer Peg's worry about my fitness (I wish you will have fine weather for your walking!).
Llanfair and Jon, I think you made a big mistake! I might accept your offer and visit you! But if I do, I can't give you a long warning time - it is the nature of a cycling tour that you can't plan ahead for too long (there might be technical problems, or I just decide to stay longer in a place ...)
Jon, no problem about the pint (btw, is Guinness available in Welsh pubs? It is the only beer I like. If not, I will find some other stuff to drink!), but about the song... My musical abilities are limited to listening. My music-making abilities can only be used for one purpose: to get people to flee (if I get on stage and start, half a minute all people will have left the concert hall in panic)
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Subject: RE: NonMusic: Wales/England this summer From: Jon Freeman Date: 28 May 00 - 07:29 AM Mudguard, short notice is not a problem to me as long as you are prepared to take me as you find me. The only possible difficulty is that my phone line tends to get tied up with the internet for much of the day so I am not that easy to get in touch with by phone. If you do get that far North, I can also offer a floor to crash on if it is of any help to you on your travels and yes, we do have Guiness - a nice pint though not quite as good as the Dublin brewed stuff IMO. Jon |
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Subject: RE: NonMusic: Wales/England this summer From: MudGuard Date: 29 May 00 - 03:54 AM Jon, why should I not take you as I find you? As I did not see you before, how could I know the difference? "a floor to crash on" - what does that mean? My English is not good enough to understand this expression! And none of my dictionaries (web- or paper-based) can help. Merriam-Webster even suggested fluorocarbon ;-) MudGuard |
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Subject: RE: NonMusic: Wales/England this summer From: Llanfair Date: 29 May 00 - 07:12 AM We keep forgetting that most other Mudcats are saesneg, and speak a different sort of english!!!!!!!!! The same goes for me, MudGuard, but you get to crash on the futon, a bit more up-market, you see? P'nown da, Bron. |
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Subject: RE: NonMusic: Wales/England this summer From: Jon Freeman Date: 29 May 00 - 09:14 AM Sorry Mudguard, I hadn't thought that expression is probably a bit of a local one. You should have got it from Bron but it is a simple offer of a floor (and in fact a couch but I think the floor is more comfortable) for you to sleep on if you end up my way and to save you the cost of a hostel for a night. Also, with reference to your first post, I am not a hostel and don't run to cooking meals but I do have a self catering kitchen. Jon |
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Subject: RE: NonMusic: Wales/England this summer From: MudGuard Date: 29 May 00 - 09:54 AM Jon and Llanfair, thanks for your offer of a sleeping place! I think the problem with the expression was not so much about it being a local one, the problem is more one of native/foreign language (my native tongue is German) MudGuard |
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Subject: RE: NonMusic: Wales/England this summer From: Jon Freeman Date: 29 May 00 - 10:07 AM I don't know Mudguard, even amongst us English speakers (and I am English and unfortunately don't seak Welsh - maybe one day I'll make the effort) there are some differences in the usage of the langage. As an example, as a smoker, I can be desperate for a fag which is a ciggarette over here but in the US, I'd likely get thumped by a straight male if I said that! One thing I have learned on my internet "travels" is if I am talking to somebody from a different country to me and they say something that sounds strange to me is to ask them to explain as these language differences do exist and can be embarrassing! Jon |
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Subject: RE: NonMusic: Wales/England this summer From: Jon Freeman Date: 29 May 00 - 06:59 PM And Mudguard according to a Welsh speaking friend of mine, one could say "mi gei di gusgy ar lawr?" Jon |
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Subject: RE: NonMusic: Wales/England this summer From: Guy Wolff Date: 29 May 00 - 09:03 PM Have a great Trip.. HAve you seen the welsh museum just west of Carrdiff named St. Faggon's?? Very beautifull. Powus Castle has great gardens(I have heard though I hav'nt gotten there yet!) In Pembrokshire I loved the three beachs called Big Haven Little Haven and most beautifull Monk's Haven..west of Haverford -West<><><>< Let us all know what YOU find. All the best, Guy<><>>< PS Warning about farmers who introduce you to Barley Wine. Best for hand to hand combat as the Python used to say! Try all local beers if you have the inclination<><> they can be an educatoin in themselves... |
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Subject: RE: NonMusic: Wales/England this summer From: MudGuard Date: 30 May 00 - 02:39 AM Thanks Guy for your Tips. Jon, I overlooked the hint of the self catering kitchen. If I come to your place I offer to cook a meal for both of us! Btw, so you know what to expect, here is a picture of me. (Sorry for the low quality but I'm still struggling with my scanner). Although it is 2 years old I have not changed too much except for my belly which got bigger... Off to work :-( MudGuard |
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Subject: RE: NonMusic: Wales/England this summer From: sian, west wales Date: 30 May 00 - 07:58 AM You've chosen a good time to come over. You might keep in mind the Pontardawe Folk Festival which tends to be around the ... second? ... weekend in August. Pontardawe is just a few miles north of Swansea. And, of course, the National Eisteddfod is in Llanelli from 29 July to 6 August - not a folk festival, but an interesting event. Not to be outdone, if you need to lay your head down in the Carmarthen region, phone me. I've got a variety of guests over the summer, so there may (or may not) be a spare bed. No harm in trying ... Sian |
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Subject: RE: NonMusic: Wales/England this summer From: Peter K (Fionn) Date: 30 May 00 - 08:13 AM Mudcat, There are various ways to narrow a search dpending what search engine you're using. Typically (minus sign) or NOT followed by Australia would have worked in the case you quoted. Just click on the help button beside the search box and you will usually turn up various useful tips. |
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Subject: RE: NonMusic: Wales/England this summer From: Peg Date: 30 May 00 - 11:00 AM Jon wrote: Also, and I think that Peg will agree me on this, Conwy Quay, next to the Liverpool Arms, is a delightful spot for a drink on a nice summers day. Yes, yes it is!! Or even on a windy misty summers' day (which it was when I went). Conwy is a delight; don't miss the churchyard where Wordsworth's poem about the little girl who says "We are seven" was inspired...(I forget the actual title). I also enjoyed the wonderful pastures with walking trails...also, Deganwy is a little castle ruin high on a hill in a sheep pasture; about a mile or two from Conwy (I walked there, at any rate)... Mudguard, it does indeed sound like you are fit for this trip! ( I now assume your Mudcat name refers to something on your bike?) Jon has also graciously offered his floor and kitchen to my friend Berta and I-- and we are both good cooks so I like your idea of cooking him a great meal! We are trying to fit Northern Wales into our trip... hope your journey is wonderful! Peg
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Subject: RE: NonMusic: Wales/England this summer From: MudGuard Date: 31 May 00 - 02:23 AM Peg, my Mudcat name developped like this: there were several Mud* nicknames around the Mud when I changed my nickname, so the first part definitely had to be Mud. The second part is simply the translation of my German surname Waechter into English, resulting in Guard Both combined result in MudGuard (notice the capital G resulting from this combination). I learned about the meaning of the word mudguard some weeks after I chose the nickname, so the bike part had nothing to do with my choice (although I like the fact that the word I built has an actual meaning). I think I will print out this thread before I start on my tour so I have all your (not only Peg's but all of you) tips for where to go! Looking forward to it!!! MudGuard |
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Subject: RE: NonMusic: Wales/England this summer From: MudGuard Date: 05 Jun 00 - 05:25 PM Another question: I still have some pound sterling (not Irish punt) banknotes left from my Ireland tour last year. Will these be accepted in shops/hostels/B&B in England as these notes are from Northern Bank and Bank of Ireland? I know that it is the same currency but I had problems with a Bank of Scotland note in Northern Ireland. I hope that I will at least be able to change them at a bank, but I will arrive at Birmingham Airport on a Saturday afternoon... TIA MudGuard |
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Subject: RE: NonMusic: Wales/England this summer From: Eric the Viking Date: 07 Jun 00 - 02:35 PM Hey a cyclist-great. Use your computer to find-www.sustrans.org as mentioned earlier. I tell you now Wales is hard work touring!! We rode a tandem round there a couple of times. Now we tour around the Lincolnshire area, Hull to Harwich and York Selby etc. For the second year running we are touring a month in Holland with our 7 and 12 year olds as well. Not a car in sight!! Good luck. By the way if you are here for two weekends time-The millenium festival of cycling is taking place witha massive gathering of about 50,000!! cyclists in York for a rally. Cheers. Eric. |
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Subject: RE: NonMusic: Wales/England this summer From: Ella who is Sooze Date: 08 Jun 00 - 05:00 AM Mud You should not have any problems using those notes. The problems you encounter are usually the igorance of the cashier in the shops etc. Who don't know that they are legal tender. I go to Scotland alot and love using my Scottish notes in the shops down South just to confuse the cashiers. Who start to say I am sorry this is foreign currency. To which I reply in great glee - I think you will find they are legal tender. So you should need to change these at all - So - go on use them to confuse and educate. Have fun explaining. Most of all have a great holiday! Have you got all the information you need now - anymore wanted let me know. Ella |
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Subject: RE: NonMusic: Wales/England this summer From: GUEST,Roger the skiffler Date: 08 Jun 00 - 05:24 AM Actually, I think that ,technically, Scottish notes aren't even legal tender in Scotland (!) but it is true that they are being accepted in shops more in England (my wife has to go to Edinburgh on business frequently and has no trouble using Scottish notes up when she's back here). I the "old days" you could only change them at banks. In Anglesey, because of the Ireland to Holyhead ferry, Irish coinage always used to be acceptable where it was the same design as UK BUT since the value of the punt to pound has fluctuated I think that is less true nowadays. RtS |
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Subject: RE: NonMusic: Wales/England this summer From: MudGuard Date: 16 Jul 00 - 01:57 PM Hi again, by now, the rough planning is finished - the detailed planning will happen each day. I intend to go more or less south from Birmingham (I land there Saturday July 22 about noon) through Worcester to Gloucester. From there I intend to work my way through the southern part of Wales to the west coast, then more or less along the coast to the north. I also want to go through Snowdonia and visit Anglesey. Then back east along the northern shore of Wales to Chester. If I still have enough time, I am thinking about Liverpool and the Isle of Man. The last part of my tour will be the way back to Birmingham, where I leave on the afternoon of August 27. I am very much looking forward to my trip! I'll send personal messages to those Mudcatters in Wales. MudGuard |
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