Sitch family reunion - North Wales

Ben and Allison, plus their kids Florence, Rosie, and Eddie, met Sara and me and our kids Charlie, Miles, and Harriet, in London and we took the train up to North Wales to stay with Aunt Jane, my mother's sister, on the farm where she and my mother were born (and where my mother is buried). We had a whole week together with nothing planned - perfect.

SFO to LHR

We flew SFO-LHR leaving at 7pm, fantastic flight on the 787 Dreamliner.

London with the Ontario Sitches

We checked into the hotel and went downtown to meet up with Ben, Allison, Florence, Rosie, and Eddie.

The kids now vastly outnumber the adults.

Colwyn Bay, Wales

We took busses and tubes and trains to get to Colwyn Bay in Wales. California Sitches were traveling light, one backpack each, while Ben and Allie were cheating with a huge duffel and a roller. Smug ole me wasn't smug for long when we needed to buy an expensive little roller bag for overflow.

We grabbed lunch at Euston Station. It was packed, so we commandeered some floor space.

Sheep and pubs

3 hours later we're there! Aunt Jane met us at the station and we took two Ubers up to the farm.

The kids immediately went into the field to chase sheep. Everyone stepped in sheep poo. No sheeps were captured. No one got butted or kicked. Success!

Parents and Charlie walked up to the White Lion, the local pub, for a well-deserved drink. For Sara and me it was our first drink of the year! We tried to catch up for lost time.

Charlie came with us as his first adult outing. What happens in Wales stays in Wales.

Conwy Castle

So the funny thing about Wales is that it rains all the time, but never ever when Sara visits. She's a good-weather talisman.

We built a swing.

Conwy Castle was built in the 1280s by King Edward I to crush the Welsh under the imperial boot. The Welsh revolted in 1295 and managed to beseige the King for several months, but he was rescued by his navy and punished the Welsh through sanctions and tariffs. This is why the Prince of England is called the Prince of Wales.

The castle was used by various leaders for hundreds of years since, and was the scene of several Red Wedding-like betrayals and surprise attacks.

The town of Conwy is also walled and connected to the ramparts of the castle. It's still impressively maintained.

The old rock

Next we went to see a very old rock. It's like the Welsh version of Stonehenge or the Easter Island statues. Slightly less impressive.

These rocks are so old and sacred it would be a crime to steal them for lawn ornaments.

Caernarfon Castle

We visited another of King Edward I's castles further west, Caernarfon Castle, which is in much better shape than Conwy Castle. It also was a key component of the English mission to subjigate the Welsh, was also unsuccessfully besieged in the late 1200s, and was also the site of many an attack, betrayal, and probably also the site of many a good party.

This is where the royal prices are investitured. That word means when princelings formally become princes. King Charles was investitured here in 1969.

We reguarly stopped for ice cream to keep the children from revolting and overthrowing our leadership.

Dinner was at the White Lion and a late sunset walk back to the farm.

Beaches and parks

We visited several beaches and different parks. Our kids got into a massive waterfight with other children. It didn't end well for them.

Memories

What an amazing trip! Kudos to Aunt Jane for being the most generous and kind host.