Admire our scenery by all means, but Wales is so much more than just a pretty face. We reckon Wales is at its best when you’re scrambling over it or eating your way round it. Advice that the Darkes took to heart. It’s fair to say that they did a lot when they came here. Something brilliantly different every single day. Find out exactly what they did below, where they stayed or watch the Darkes' Journey on our Interactive Map.
A people-powered roller coaster and barefoot trails. Greenwood Forest Park is everything that neon-coloured theme parks aren’t. Without compromising the fun part. After a mammouth session on “the super bouncy jump” (technical term from Lois) Alfie and his sister were taught how to make gypsy flowers. They both had a nice sense of achievement. Until Dawn thrashed them both on the Great Green Run.
Standing sentry at the mouth of the Seiont river, Caernarfon is all about its castle. First built in 1283 it’s as mighty looking today as it must have been back then. The Darkes got the run of it one evening. “Me and Jacob climbed a really tall tower and we went through dark tunnels. Scary.” And a little bit exciting too though Alfie.
There’s one thing catching your own trout. It’s another matter gutting and cooking it. Especially if you’re eight. Trained bushcraft man Heath from Firefox Bushcraft was impressed by how the kids took his lesson in their stride. “We cut its tummy then we pulled its guts out” said Lois. Not that it put her off. “It was very nice”.
The Darkes had a lot to say about Shell Island. And not just about the shells either. “Lovely” said Richard. “Awesome” said Jacob. There was the vast expanse of beach. Walls of sand dunes. Mountains. And of course the yurt. So they got to sleep and eat there too. As can you. Burnt sausages not included.
Jacob describes Portmeirion as “a little village sort of thing”. It’s a fair summation. More put together than built, Sir Clough Williams-Ellis architectural concoction plays tribute to the Mediterranean. As well as wandering about its Mediterraneany streets, shops and gardens like the Darkes did. You can stay in its Mediterraneany buildings too.
The food went down a treat at Mawddach. As did the view. A handsome chunk of mountain against a cartoony blue sky. Dawn got adventurous and ordered red mullet. Jacob had a steak and ale pie. “Lovely” he said, “I didn’t eat it all because the portion was massive”. He’ll soon learn that’s not such a bad thing.
They couldn’t have fitted more in if they’d have tried at Llangorse Activity Center. Horse-riding, zipwires and climbing walls for all ages. “It were a bit scary cos, they were quite high” said Jacob. You’d never have known. He tackled the funny-shaped coloured grippy things like a pro.
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