So Lewis and I are in the back of Ben's car on our way to Wales and I pull out a brochure to check out what we can do in Cardiff. Ben says, "Cardiff, we're not going to Cardiff mate." Turns out Lewis never asked his work mates where in Wales we were going. He just assumed Cardiff was our destination. Useless I tell ya! As it turned out we were heading to northern Wales and staying in Caernarfon, a beautiful town surrounded by stone walls and towered by Caernarfon castle which was built by the English to show their dominance and power over the subdued Welsh almost a millennium ago. The drive there took over 8 hours. Lewis kept us all entertained with his pre-programmed music compilations and constant sheep sexual innuendo. We were a bit worried about him (or maybe the sheep) so by the time we got there we had made a sheep jar for Lewis. Any time he spoke of his unnatural affection for sheep he had to add a pound to the jar. He never spoke of them again. Oh, and please note the Ministry Of Sound car picture with the grandma in the passenger seat. We drove past them on the way there. I was in hysterics. I'm a bit disappointed because she did look over and I missed the photo. After that I think she was trying to avoid eye contact. Could we have looked a little scary all staring and laughing whilst pointing a camera? Nah, she was probably just a little paranoid after partying too hard the night before. :) The four of us (Ben, Darren, Lewis & I) shared a room in a place called Totters, which had a homely feel about it, which was surprising for a hostel. I was told that Caernarfon is the Welsh speaking capital of Wales which became obvious soon after we arrived. Everywhere you went there were signs with English and Welsh translations below. Of course everyone speaks English fluently, but most people spoke all the time. Although a couple of times I swear I heard people speaking in English and then quickly switch to Welsh as soon as we came near. Generally people were nice to you but occasionally, mainly when we were out at night, the locals would be quite rude until you told them that you were Australian. Their first assumption was that we were English, which didn't go down well. The English aren't so popular up there, but it's more of a disdain or dislike than hatred. Australian's on the other hand... they love us! Met a few of the locals who taught me a bit of Welsh, but I was a slow learner and didn't pick up much. I learnt "Iechid da" (Cheers) and "Diolch" (Thank you) and of course the essential "Dos i chwarae fo da fam" (Go play with your mother) for those times when you really want to be beat up by the Welsh. One girl taught me say "Teen stunner" to her friend which is an English/Welsh hybrid for "you're a stunner", which came in rather useful, hehehe. Although the same girl told me to say "Dwi Newyudd ddad" to strangers, which she said meant "How are you". Although after several locals responded with raucous laughter I realised I'd been had. Later I was informed it meant "I just came". Hmmm, guess that will teach me to leave my European translation book behind! We spent a day in Beaumaris which is on the isle of Angelsey and has it's own English built castle. As someone who'd never seen real medi-evil castles before, this was all a bit of thrill (probably evident from the number of photos I took). We did a tour of Caernarfon castle, which was built primary as a royal palace for the king when staying in Wales but also as part of three main castles used as a strong hold to the sea and to cut off Angelsey (known the Mother of Wales because it fed Wales) from the Welsh. The day we were at Beauraris castle there was a special Welsh vs Saxon battle re-enactment. Well, to be honest it was more like a bunch of old, over weight geeks living out their childhood fantasies by wearing armour and wielding medi-evil weapons. However I must admit it was extremely funny and entertaining. Besides I have my own website so I probably shouldn't be pointing fingers here. All in all a great weekend, so thanks Lew for taking me along. One little pointer mate - next time find out exactly where you're going before you ask me, cos we might not be so lucky in the future. :) Now I'm back in good old Dollis Hill, London. More adventures soon I hope. Cheers! Zane