But Wales has more to offer than just the fantastic beaches and ice creams, although those did figure quite substantially in our plans. We also managed to fit in some time for castles, waterfalls, lakes, rivers, mountains, picnics and steam trains. Below are a few examples, starting with Harlech Castle.
A trip on the Llanberis Lake Railway took us along the side of Lake Padarn, with stunning views over the water to Snowdon. We stopped halfway for a picnic by the lakeside. Here is Ben with his Nan, watching the trains.
Skimming stones with Ben whilst looking up the lake towards Snowdon - the peak just peeping over the top.
Some strange sights in Snowdonia - none more so than this motorbike riding bear!
Splashing in the river after the Precipice Walk overlooking the Mawddach Estuary. 
One day we met with Debbie's cousin Rob at Caernarfon and after a gentle walk along the front to the Victoria Dock for lunch, we took in the grand towers and walls of Caernarfon Castle. Ben particularly enjoyed pushing his push chair up and down the grass inside "lawnmowing"!
Unfortunately it had to come to an end, but the sun kept on shining right up until the last minute - sunset from the road just up the hill from our cottage.
We took in some more trains in the rain on the way home at Llangollen.
Ben was on great form all week, even in the car, where we enjoyed many a family sing-song. He now knows all the words to 'Puff the Magic Dragon' and can even have a good stab at 'Gilly Gilly Ossenfeffer Katzenellen Bogen by the Sea'! Here he is on the journey home pretending to be driving a Fire Engine, with his bucket restyled as a Fireman's helmet. "Fire, Fire"!
