Episode 1/22

@ British Isles
Verde begins her tour of "Wales" by downloading a map of specially chosen locations!
Map of Wales
Croeso i Gymru! Welcome to Wales! The pets' journey of the British Isles begins in the home of castles, choirs and Celtic myth; of legends, the longbow and language of the Welsh; of rain, rugby and racing; of dragons, daffodils and deer. With three National Parks and five Areas of Outstanding Beauty to explore, your pet will find that scenic Wales, with its mild climate, is the perfect place for a spring holiday! So—as our pets disembark on the north coast, clutching passpets and perhaps a Welsh phrasebook to try out the local lingo, let's see what sights they will enjoy on their tour! They will visit attractions ranging from a tiny house to large castles, and enjoy rambling through wide open spaces and waterfalls with picnic lunches of local cheeses and bara brith and evening meals of leek and potato soup and Welsh rarebit. On the last evening, in a mediaeval town near the border with England, the pets will enjoy traditional meal popular throughout Britain before retiring to their hotel for the night.
British Isles
Our adventure begins in Wales! Wales is a country in southwest Great Britain known for its rugged coastline, mountainous national parks, distinctive Welsh language and Celtic culture. Cardiff, the capital, is a refined coastal city with a nightlife scene and a mediaeval castle with ornate Gothic Revival interiors. In the northwest, Snowdonia National Park has lakes, glacial landforms, hiking trails and a railway up to the peak of Snowdon.

Episode 2/22

@ Passepartout
"Os gwelwch yn dda," said Archie.
"Bless you," responded Verde absently.
"That was Welsh for 'Thank you', Verde!" said Archie indignantly.
Passepartout
The British passport bears the royal coat of arms of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland as used by Queen Elizabeth II, depicting a lion and a unicorn. No passpets will be required for our tour!

Episode 3/22

@ Small, Smaller, Smallest House
"Alright or what?" said Heleena on encountering Verde.
"What?" responded Verde, baffled.
"That's one way the Welsh say 'Hello', Verde!" explained Heleena.
Small, Smaller, Smallest House
Located in Conwy, on the north coast of Wales, the Smallest House in Great Britain is just 72 inches wide by 122 inches high (183cm x 310cm). It was occupied until May 1900. The last person to live in the house was a local fisherman called Robert Jones, who happened to be 6 foot 3 inches! (190.5cm) The inscription is also in Welsh on the sign: "Y Ty Lleiaf ym Mhrydain Fawr".

Episode 4/22

@ Golden Dawn
“I don't know how to pronounce half of these placenames, Verde!” said Sheba ruefully.
"Never mind," said Verde. "We'll look them up when we get back!"
Golden Dawn
Deganwy, Conwy. Historically part of Caernarfonshire, the peninsula is in a region of north Wales where as many as 1 in 3 of residents are able to speak Welsh, and is home to some of the most expensive streets in Wales!

Episode 5/22

@ Day Trip to Bangor
"Ms Stinkerbelle! Chef said he's making Welsh rabbit for tea!" whispered Verde in agitation. "I can't eat rabbit!"
"Relax, Verde!" said Ms Stinkerbelle soothingly. "It's Welsh rarebit, which is sourdough toast with a thick cheese and leek sauce on top!"
Day Trip to Bangor
Bangor is the oldest city in Wales and is well worth a week's visit, let alone a day trip! The North Wales Path (Llwybr y Gogledd) is a long-distance walk of some 60 miles (97 km) that runs close to the coast of northern Wales between Prestatyn in the east and Bangor in the west.

Episode 6/22

@ Hill Track
"We've been invited to the rugby match tomorrow evening, ceefa," said Verde.
"Gosh, that's a high honour, Verde! It's the Welsh national game, you know."
Hill Track
When you cross this flint covered bridge in Pen y Benglog, Bangor, you must wonder what adventure lies in store as you approach the dark hills. Will you perhaps encounter a creature from Brythonic mythology lurking in the mist?

Episode 7/22

@ Miners' Track
“You know, I'd like to spend a whole week here, Verde!” said Julian.
"It's very nice indeed—but you never know, the next leg of the tour might be even better!" said Verde.
Miners' Track
The Romans mined Wales extensively for copper, lead and gold. From the 19th century Wales was a major exporter of coal and this contributed significantly to the Welsh economy. This old miners' track is in Caernarfon, Gwynedd.

Episode 8/22

@ Foggy Foggy Dew
“I don't know how to pronounce half of these placenames, Verde!” said Welsh ruefully.
"Never mind," said Verde. "We'll look them up when we get back!"
Foggy Foggy Dew
In misty weather exploring the hills can be eerie and disorientating. Even the best-known trails can take on a whole new persona during foggy walks. However, when you can’t see into the distance, when the path is unclear, the ground unstable, suddenly your immediate surroundings are thrown into sharper focus as you figure out your route through to safe and familiar ground.

Episode 9/22

@ Silver Lake Tree
"Alright or what?" said Scaredy Cat on encountering Verde.
"What?" responded Verde, baffled.
"That's one way the Welsh say 'Hello', Verde!" explained Scaredy Cat.
Silver Lake Tree
The still conditions in this scene in the Snowdonia National Park and the luminous glow in the background make this lake look like it's made of molten silver.

Episode 10/22

@ Devil's Punchbowl
"These Crempog aren't like our usual pancakes, are they, Verde?" asked Choco.
"Not quite, but I'm loving them!" responded Verde. "I'm having this one with butter and jam, and the next one with lemon juice and sugar!"
Devil's Punchbowl
This body of water was formed in a hollow in the volcanic rock. Some rocks of Snowdonia are ancient. The fossil shell fragments on the summit of Snowdon are a memory of life on the seabed over 500 million years ago.

Episode 11/22

@ Dapple Grey Neigh
"Did you know all bus drivers in Wales are called 'Drive', Seth?" asked Verde. "So whereas in the rest of the UK you just say 'Thank you,' or 'Thank you, driver,' when alighting from the bus, in Wales it's de rigueur to say 'Thank you, Drive."
"We'll practise on the tour bus tomorrow, Verde!" announced Seth.
Dapple Grey Neigh
Wild horses roam in many places in the UK. In Wales you will find them trotting in Snowdonia. This breed of ponies is known as Carneddau, after the name of the area they are found.

Episode 12/22

@ Snowdonia
Firefly was distracted by the sounds of loud rustling as Verde unfolded a very large tourist map, in the course of which she succeeded in knocking Firefly’s hat off.
“Put that away, do!” urged Firefly in exasperation. “We’re about to pose on either side of this amazing scene—the picture will be of your map if you don’t fold it up pronto!”
Snowdonia
Here we see part of the Snowdonia National Park, an area of 823 square miles. Mount Snowdon (Yr Wyddfa in Welsh) is the highest mountain in Wales and is one of the trio of peaks comprising the Three Peaks Challenge. It is 1,085 m or 3,560 ft high. The Snowdonia National Park is designated as a national nature reserve for its rare flora and fauna.

Episode 13/22

@ Cilan Uchaf
"We mustn't be late back from the sightseeing today, Jaylee," said Verde. "It's the harp concert in the village hall. The harp is Wales' national instrument, you know."
"Looking forward to it already!" replied Jaylee.
Cilan Uchaf
If you want to get away from it all, this really is the place to be. Think extensive beach of golden sand and back of beyond countryside where you can revel in solitude.

Episode 14/22

@ River Curve
"Alright or what?" said Sylvantra on encountering Verde.
"What?" responded Verde, baffled.
"That's one way the Welsh say 'Hello', Verde!" explained Sylvantra.
River Curve
This idyllic scene is the perfect spot for a picnic in the sun in lush green surroundings, with the stream gently lapping against its banks and the sound of contended sheep pulling grass.

Episode 15/22

@ Long and Winding Roads
"Did you know all bus drivers in Wales are called 'Drive', Scaredy Cat?" asked Verde. "So whereas in the rest of the UK you just say 'Thank you,' or 'Thank you, driver,' when alighting from the bus, in Wales it's de rigueur to say 'Thank you, Drive."
"We'll practise on the tour bus tomorrow, Verde!" announced Scaredy Cat.
Long and Winding Roads
This gem of a landscape in Ceredigion goes up hill and down dale, with the road meandering amongst hilly country and across streams. Time to get your hiking boots on and enjoy the rural scene!

Episode 16/22

@ Holy Cross Church
“You know, I'd like to spend a whole week here, Verde!” said Klementine.
"It's very nice indeed—but you never know, the next leg of the tour might be even better!" said Verde.
Holy Cross Church
Eglwys y Grog (Holy Cross Church), Mwnt, Cardigan. Grade I listed building dating probably from the 13th century. The interior is a single chamber with deep-set windows and an unusual roof type. The font is 13th century; the hexagonal pulpit is Victorian. Externally, the church is whitewashed rubble stone walls under a slate roof.

Episode 17/22

@ Brecon Cascade
"What are these laver cakes made with, Dustyn Water Dipper?" asked Verde, examining her breakfast plate suspiciously.
"It's fine, Verde" said Dustyn Water Dipper. "They're made with seaweed and oatmeal. Delicious, and very healthy too!"
Brecon Cascade
Why does the air smell so fresh near to waterfalls? Torrents of water often relate to a great release of emotion, rejuvenation and renewal of spirit.

Episode 18/22

@ The Brecons Beckon
"My third cousin lives in Llanfair-pwllgwyn-gyllgogerychwyrn-drobwlllantysilio-gogogoch," said Bibliophile.
"That's easy for you to say!" responded Verde.
The Brecons Beckon
If it's solitude you're after, then this Powys beach fits the bill perfectly! Pull up a rock and bask in the rising sun ...

Episode 19/22

@ Cardiff Castle
"I can't open my little packet of Welsh cheese," said Casper. "Can I borrow your scissors, Verde?"
"Yes, of course, Casper," responded Verde. "But make sure you open it Caerphilly!"
Cardiff Castle
Cardiff Castle (Castell Caerdydd) is a mediaeval castle and Victorian Gothic revival mansion located in the city centre of Cardiff. The original motte and bailey castle was built in the late 11th century by Norman invaders on top of a 3rd-century Roman fort.

Episode 20/22

@ Chepstow Castle
"The waiter said that if we'd been here in the summer we could have gone to the Ice ... Ice ... oh, what was it?" remarked Otto.
"The Eisteddfod," said Verde knowledgeably. "An arts festival, singing and poetry and so on. It's pronounced "Eye-steth-fod, with the 'th' sound as in 'the'".
Chepstow Castle
Chepstow Castle (Castell Cas-gwent) is the oldest surviving post-Roman stone fortification in Britain. Located above cliffs on the River Wye, construction began in 1067.

Episode 21/22

@ The Plaice To Be!
“Do you think we should try and learn a new language, you know, of one of the places we're visiting, Verde?” asked Allie Kat.
"Well, it's a good idea for the long winter evenings ahead, but which one would we go for?" asked Verde. "Welsh looks frightfully difficult. So does Irish, and Scots Gaelic. How about Cornish? Oh goodness, which language is the easiest to learn?"
"Esperanto," said Allie Kat, choosing another toffee from the bag.
Verde frowned and studied the route map. "I don't think we're going to E-Esperanzia—Esp-erantino—what's the country called?"
The Plaice To Be!
Pass the salt and vinegar! Fried fish and chips is the emblematic British meal and is a common take-away food in the UK, originating in the 1860s. The British government safeguarded the supply of fish and chips during the First and Second World Wars and it was one of the few foods in the UK not subject to rationing during the wars.

Episode 22/22

@ Welsh Slate House
As Verde's tour of "Wales" comes to an end, she rests under a shady tree and looks back on a perfect day.
Violet Dreams Beech Tree
Rumours tell if you fall asleep under the branches of this tree you'll have the most peaceful dreams, awakening to find yourself more alert and rested than any other sleep.
Welsh Slate House
A typical grey Welsh slate building nestles amid trees. This is the hotel for the pets' last night in Wales and they fall asleep to the sound of the river flowing past the side of the building. Welsh slate is renowned throughout the world for its stunning looks, quality, durability and general ease to work with. One typical slate quarry is at Cwt-y-Bugail above Ffestiniog in North Wales.
Verde has completed their tour of "Wales"! Please select another pet as visitor, so it can also tour part of "The British Isles"!