Hooray! I've been to Wales! My auntie's grandson Alfie came over today and was given the sword, shield and helmet that his aunt bought for him at Warwick Castle and he loved it. He is the cutest little button. He's three and a half (the half is very important) with blonde curly hair and very articulate. We dubbed him Sir Alfie, Dragonslayer. He checked the bathroom for dragons for me and gave it the all clear and then watched me intently as I brushed my teeth.

Tony and I went off to Chester, leaving Alfie behind trying to run his grandparents through. Chester was packed (or in the more appropriate dialect - it were absolutely heavin' it were!), because the races were on. Sadly, we weren't able to catch up with Viv and Ann (Viv was already on the golf course and I think Ann has gone to join the eurogirls). Anyway, we flnally found somewhere to park and we walked around the city walls which is a great way to see things because in most places you have the advantage of height. Chester has some lovely old buildings and there is the remains of a Roman amphitheatre that has been excavated. The other thing that was interesting was the various school excursions that we came across. They were learning about Romans and were dressed in little Roman breastplates etc marching around the city chanting the beat in Latin or having weapons demonstrations. Our kids would have killed for excursions like that.

It wasn't too late in the afternoon so we decided to carry on to Llangollen in Wales. If you try to pronounce it properly it sounds like you're gobbing on someone and I just can't get my tongue around it so to me, it's the double L place. It was so pretty. Unfortunately we really only had time for a quick wander around and a cuppa in the quaint little tea rooms there. We were really taken by seeing all the signs in Welsh but I wouldn't even have a stab at the pronunciations!

Back in the car and back to Warrington where we spent about an hour trying to find our way back to my auntie's house. Finally made it and we rewarded with a delicious gammon steak dinner. We stayed up too late playing cards and chatting so I hope we can summon up the energy for our five mile walk in the Peak district today!