I don't know why I bother going to Betws y Coed.
The last time I went, I concluded that it was a just a collection of tourist gift shops and outdoors shops.
If you want to see endless ranges of walking boots, fleeces, and Welsh slate coasters, then Betws is the place for you.
However, because the number 19 bus goes from right outside my house, directly to ByC, Mrs Fester said we should give it a try for a day out.
This also meant that I could have a beer or two, given that we were leaving the car at home. I recalled that I quite liked the Royal Oak and was looking forward to that.
So, off we set with an open mind.
We arrived in Betws, and headed in to the Alpine Coffee Shop, which was unique and excellent.
In hindsight, we should never have left it. From there it all went downhill. We went around a whole series of outdoor clothing shops until Mrs F finally settled on a fleece. By that time I had lost the will to live. Men do not belong in clothing shops. After all, we only own 2 pairs of shoes, and 2 pairs of pants. (one for best, and one for everyday)
From there, we sat on the rocks in the river, ate our sandwiches... took a couple of pics, blah, blah... but we've done ll that before.
So, excitedly we made our way into the Royal Oak, I remembered it fondly for its Victorian grandeur, for its leather armchairs and its cosy atmosphere. But NO!
Now, it resembles a Premier Inn, with its poor quality mish-mash furniture.. its bright lights and its tacky decor.
As you enter your eyes are assaulted by a red neon sign, 'Grill Room'
I went through the Grill Room on the way to the loo, and it was a cheap looking extension, serving what looked like 'Little Chef' style dinners, and it was adjacent to an even cheaper looking self service cafe.
Now, I realise that they have updated the place and are now catering for a wider tourist market. In Summer I'm sure they will absolutely RAKE IT IN.... but in the process. they have ruined the atmosphere and the heritage.
So. after a pint of overpriced lager, we shuffled off to the gift shops again... and back to the bus station.
I did enjoy some of the scenery around Rowen and Llanrwst, which I normally miss while I'm driving.
But other than that, I reckon that my original opinion of Betws y Coed has been re-enforced.
It will be a cold day before I venture there again. (Its going to be freezing next week, I hear)
To top off a really crap day, we got off the return bus early, in order to go to Fat Cat's in Llandudno to have a nice evening meal.
However, as our luck would have it, the Kitchens are closed for 2 days, for refurbishment.
So.... we trudged back home, up the Gt Orme, to get on with that most joyous of tasks, the rubbish recycling!
