Washed Out in North Wales

Posted on 2007/07/01 11:59:37 (July 2007).

[Monday 25th June]
I started off today with a trip to the doctor's - my stomach ache of the previous few days had got me a bit worried, and I thought it best to get a professional opinion on it. I have to say I am thoroughly impressed with the quality of service of the health service in North Wales. We phoned up at 9AM and managed to get an appointment on the same day (in fact the same morning). The doctor I saw was pleasant and very efficient. He did a few checks for anything more sinister (like appendicitis), and then concluded I probably had a form of good old gastroenteritis. He prescribed me some medicine which wasn't just the usual antibiotics / pain killers. I was also surprised to find out prescriptions are free in Wales - although I was more than happy to pay, the people at the pharmacists wouldn't let me.

So anyway by lunchtime I already felt well on the way to a full recovery, and was brimming with admiration for the excellent North Wales health service. If only the rest of the UK could be like that (not the free prescriptions bit though - I'm more than willing to pay).

The weather was, unfortunately, pretty awful today. I had really wanted to take Chie and her family to Portmeirion today, thinking it would be right up their street. So we actually set out in the afternoon with the intention of going there, led by blind optimism that the weather would somehow magically improve enough to make it a workable proposition. Sadly though, when we arrived the rain was still pouring down, and given that a visit to Portmeirion is largely an out-of-doors thing we decided to give up.

Ever resourceful, Dad managed to use the miserable weather to our advantage, and we headed over to Snowdonia. Despite the reduced visibility, the torrents of water cascading down the sides of the mountains made for quite a spectacle.

The last stop on our day out was Caernarfon, where we had a quick walk around the castle, and also gave Chie's family an opportunity to buy those all-important souvenirs.

We had a late tea when we got back to Dad's house, and then an even later supper. This time I was actually well enough to sit and join in on the meals, even if I couldn't really eat all that much. The kitchen / dining room at Dad's house always seems to produce a very convivial atmosphere (a bit like being on Bardsey, as we often say), and so despite the obvious language issues everyone seemed to get on rather well. Very gratfiying.

Post a comment