"I want to go to the Pier."
"Er, why?"
"Because it's awesome."
So that's what we did, climbed into the Mercedes and drove, fast and furious, through the winding streets of downtown Aberystwyth until we reached the wave racked seafront and its famous Pier. Gulls shrieked overhead as we skidded to a stop, loose Welsh grit flying like shrapnel.
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| Team on Target |
"Do it!" No time for hesitation, this is D Day, and the Team was out of the vehicle and making for the Pier. Open the door, walk right through the casino glow of the slots, they mean nothing, and hit the objective. That's right, our target, Aber's notorious Inn on the Pier bar.
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| Windowpanes |
It was empty. "I'd like a pint of San Miguel, please. Make that two, and a glass of red wine," I asked the lonely barman. "Right you are, sir," he replied, and there we were, on the Pier. "It's like being on the Channel Ferry," I observed, looking at the sea through the windows of the deserted bar. "I feel seasick," replied my brother. "Don't be ridiculous," said JS with characteristic common sense, "It's nothing like being on the Channel Ferry."
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| Dizzy |
We sipped our drinks, watching the seafront through windows that might have seen better days, or not. "But it is awesome," I replied at last, "It's the Pier."
We wanted to go outside, to the end of the Pier, and look out to sea and Ireland and the barman told us it was closed, but he did show us how to go through the snooker hall to an outside smoking area. We walked through the snooker tables, past young Welshmen sticking darts in their hands, and made it outside.
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| The Seafront |
The sun shone through the clouds, illuminating the seafront with a golden glow. It was a good moment and I imagined the same coast, with its now ruined castle, standing guard against Irish raiders.
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| The Aberystwyth Angel |
Then the moment passed and we left, mission accomplished. "I feel dizzy," said my brother, "I know," I replied, "It's like being on the Channel Ferry." JS wasn't playing, "It's not like a ship at all. But look at that angel!" And sure enough, off to our right was an angel, wings outspread towards the sea.
Perhaps it's the spirit of the place.
LSP
If you, Juliette and your brother had started mixing drinks - wine, beer, whiskey, cognac, wine, beer, whiskey, cognac -- repeat, it would have felt a lot more like the channel ferry as you watched the waves roll in. And you would have needed to look up to the angel for salvation to keep the pier from sinking.
ReplyDeleteNow that I know how to pronounce Aberystwyth, read the entire Wiki entry on Aberystwyth, and have looked at 150 plus pictures of the place, I have a question.
ReplyDeleteIt may seem trite and unimportant, but that pretty much describes who I am. Does anyone ever go swimming there? There seems to be several beaches - like below the promenade, but I didn't see one picture with anyone swimming or relaxing by the water. That struck me as odd. But, odd also describes who I am.
Glad you had such a wonderful time. Is your brother the chap who looks a bit like Stephen King - except better looking?
Lovely looking place. Thank you for sharing it with us. ^_^
ReplyDeleteHope you all have a wonderful, blessed weekend.
Wow, beautiful country. Glad you are back though!
ReplyDeleteAdrienne, people DO swim there. I know this because my brother has. He's the one to my left in the photo. I think swimming in Aber's bay is brave and perhaps eccentric, but that's just me.
ReplyDeleteThat's very true, LL. Somehow, and I don't know how we achieved it, drinks were kept to a safe minimum. The pressure of the pier was perhaps enough in itself.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Linda. I always have fun in Aber.
ReplyDeleteGlad to be back, Brig!
ReplyDeleteI like the fact my "Characteristic common sense" was noted!
ReplyDeleteOf course it's not like a boat. Ridiculous. :)
Yes, Juliette. Nothing like a boat.
ReplyDelete