We have decided this year to go to Pembrokeshire, a part of Wales which has a wide variety of countryside and attractions. We are using the services of Group Travel again and we are booked into the 3* Fourcroft Hotel in Tenby. On the cliffs above Tenby’s sheltered, sunny North Beach, Fourcroft looks spectacularly over the old fishing harbour and across Carmarthen Bay.

Itinerary
The sightseeing itinerary will hopefully include some or all of the following:-

• The Harbour Town and seaside resort of Tenby
• A visit to Pembroke and Pembroke Castle (birthplace of Henry VII)
• A trip along the coast from St Davids to Cardigan
• Visit to Cwm Deri vineyard

Provisional cost
Depending on the number of people who wish to go on this trip, the approximate cost for members and first guests will be £360, and £450 for 2nd guests. This cost includes 4 nights half-board accommodation (DBB), executive coach travel to & from IBM Warwick and for excursions during the trip.

Finally…
If anyone has any further suggestions for sightseeing trips, please let me know. (no promises, mind you!!) and I will do my best to include them in the final itinerary.

Alan Bridgman
Sightseeing Organiser

I am pleased to announce a very different type of event. Pete’s Place is a beautiful 20 acre private park with a lake, a small wood, and a ride-on miniature railway. There is an “African Queen” type of steam boat giving rides around the lake and the small island. The miniature railway is almost a mile long and is considered to be one of the best private ones in the country. All rides are totally free. Pete, the owner, provides all this totally free of charge; all the Retirees Club asks is that you make a donation of £10 per car to Pete’s favourite charity — the Air Ambulance. There is ample parking for all cars, and donations will be collected as you pass through the gate. This event is not restricted to Retiree Club members — tell your friends and the rest of your family, get as many people as you like in your car, it’s still only £10 per car.

We are hoping to get 20 seats on this Johnsons trip. The cost, with the club subsidy, will be around £479 per person for members (about £600 for second guests, subject to availability). The 3 Star Bulkeley Hotel, Beaumaris, is the most prestigious hotel in Anglesey, offering style, elegance and a warm welcome. In a prime position on the shores of the Menai Strait, overlooking the Snowdonia mountain range. Restaurant, Cosy Bar, Cocktail Lounge.
Mobility Grade: 5 – Resort: Level. Hotel: Level with a few steps. Lift to all floors.

An overview of the itinerary is as follows:

Monday 26th June
We head for North Wales, with an included stop for lunch en-route, arriving at our hotel in the afternoon.

Tuesday 27th
We travel via Caernarfon, famous for its impressive castle, built by Edward I and scene of the investiture of Prince Charles in 1969. We continue to Portmeirion. Designed and built by Sir Clough Williams-Ellis between 1925 and 1975, Portmeirion recreates an Italian village, with a truly Mediterranean feel and was the backdrop for the 1960s TV series ‘The Prisoner’.

Wednesday 28th
A free morning to relax and enjoy our hotel’s location. Perhaps visit the superb castle which is a well preserved example of medieval military architecture, or the gaol which will give you a fascinating insight into the world of the prisoner in Victorian times. This afternoon, we take a Puffin Island Cruise which has spectacular views of Snowdonia. See the Seal colony and up to 12 different species of sea birds in their natural habitat.

Thursday 29th
Today we visit the delightful village of Llanberis, situated at the foot of Mt Snowdon. Here, we include a ride on the Llanberis Lake Railway enjoying a leisurely journey along the northerly shore of Llyn Padarn.

Friday 30th
Our return journey takes us through more glorious Snowdonian scenery and following a stop for our included lunch en-route we arrive home during the early evening.

Full details of the trip can be found on Johnson’s website (see onlinebookings.johnsonscoaches.co.uk/Tour/relaxed-splenders-of-snowdonia-2

We need expressions of interest now as we will need to act quickly.

Please contact Dave Dagley (pianosman@gmail.com) as soon as possible stating how many first (and second) guest places you may require.

A tour by train, coach and ferry which island hops from Skye to Uist and from Harris to Lewis on this magical tour of the Hebridean islands. Every day is different as each sublime, rugged and breathtaking landscape unfolds before you. A visit to the Isle of Mull and a lovely journey on the western branch of the West Highland Line.

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS

• Cruise betwixt the Isles amidst dream-like seascapes; look out for whales, dolphins & sea eagles
• Both branches of the scenic West Highland Railway
• The majestic Isle of Mull and Duart Castle, home of the Clan MacLean
• The romantic ‘rail route to the Isles’
• Stunning beaches ‘as far as the eye can see’
• Naturalist’s paradise of birds & wildlife of the BBC TV series “Islands on the Edge”
• Discover Hebrides ancient history spanning back 5000 years
• Uists’ white shell beaches & freshwater lochs
• Sample the traditional island lifestyle & local cuisine
• Magnificent Highlands scenery, Ullapool to Inverness

Please specify your required departure railway station, whether you wish to travel in first class (where provided. e.g. to Glasgow outbound and from Inverness on return) and whether you hold a Senior Railcard on the booking form.

Cost: £1000 per member/1st Guest.1st Class supplement £110 per person. Senior Railcard discount £25 per person. A deposit of £100 per person will be required when your booking is confirmed.

Please see booking form for booking options.

N.B. Attendees need to be reasonably mobile and be able to climb stairs and carry their own cases as the Hebridean hotels can be quite small.

Organizer: Phil Dalton. Email: phil_dalton@btinternet.com

Itinerary

DAY 1

Saturday - Arriving by train in Crianlarich, we spend our first two nights in the Highlands at the welcoming Crianlarich Hotel.D

DAY 2

Sunday - Lochs, glens and islands await today, as we explore the western branch of the West Highland Line, a contrast of quintessential Highland lochs and glens. Reaching Oban, we leave the mainland by ferry for the Isle of Mull, where we enjoy a visit to Duart Castle, the proud ancestral home of the Clan MacLean. Returning to Oban, we journey past Loch Etive and the appropriately named Loch Awe, before relaxing in our hotel bar with its extensive range of malts. B, D

DAY 3

Monday - One of the world’s great rail adventures - the stunningly picturesque and romantic ‘rail journey to the isles’ takes us over Rannoch Moor to Fort William. Our journey continues across ‘Harry Potter’ famed Glenfinnan Viaduct where the Highlander Monument stands at the head of lovely Loch Shiel, then around Loch Eilt before reaching the Atlantic coastline at Mallaig. Stroll around the small town and harbour, then board the Isle of Skye ferry, touring the heavenly southern peninsula, “the garden of Skye”. B, D

DAY 4

Tuesday - We travel the shores of Loch Snizort to Uig for the ferry cruise to North Uist. A tour of Benbecula and South Uist passing numerous lochans and beautiful beaches arrive at our hotel for a relaxing evening in a tranquil location. B, D

DAY 5

Wednesday - We cruise to the Isle of Harris and Lewis; a rugged landscape of moorland, deep-sea lochs, mountains and a proud history. With an expert local guide we explore Harris before continuing northwards to Lewis and the capital Stornoway. B, D

DAY 6

Thursday - Experience the dramatic landscape of Lewis on a full day tour in the company of our island guide, including the impressive standing stones of Callanish, a traditional thatched blackhouse settlement, and the ancient broch at Carloway. B, D

DAY 7

Friday - Explore Stornoway, its harbour and eclectic architecture before we depart the Hebrides, crossing to Ullapool for the spectacular journey over the Highlands to Inverness. B, D

DAY 8

Saturday - Travelling by train enjoy a glorious rail journey past the Cairngorms and southwards through Pitlochry to Edinburgh and homeward destinations. B

B=Breakfast, D=Dinner