Spelled like your dad cheating at Scrabble (stole that one from Henna), Blaenau Ffestinog is a former mining town just south of Snowdonia National Park. Takes three trains to get from Liverpool to Blaenau. The last one was the best; again it was just two cars on a single track with the last ten minutes a tight and completely pitch back squeeze through a mountain.

The trip from Liverpool to Blaenau Ffestinog was uncrowded and on-time. Somewhere along the way we crossed into Wales. And by the time we reached our new home most overheard conversations where in Welsh.

Blaenau Ffestinog is the end of the line for the south spur that interrupts Holyhead to Chester. For us to go just a tad bit further south took a bus trip. Conversations onboard remained in Welsh but were easily understood. Like the elderly woman who gave several warm goodbyes before exiting the bus. The last was to the bus driver and lasted almost a minute. Then she was on the side of the road with a final wave and a smile for the departing bus. Shortly afterwards the bus driver pulled over to use a restroom. The bus idled without him for at least five minutes.

Besides riding the bus we also visited the Portmeirion Resort. One of are all time favorite shows, The Prisoner, was partially filmed there and it was fun walking the grounds. There we mingled a bit, possibly the only Americans on their grounds. It all felt so good, so natural. I miss home but am already mapping out our return.