Although our table wasn't booked until 2pm, by 1pm we'd got fed up of getting soaked so headed back to the Castle Deudraeth and, not knowing in COVID days whether you're allowed to turn up early, we sat in the car for about 20 mins people watching.
We then decided it would be acceptable to go in and we were ushered to the (empty) bar area where we could have a drink whilst our table was prepared. It was quite funny; the waiting area was just a few meters from the entrance, however because of the one way system in place we had to walk through the dining area and past virtually everyone sitting down eating. Maybe there is some logic there, but I couldn't see it.
The gardens at the back of the castle looked beautiful (taken through glass).
Our lunches were delicious; I had probably the best Caesar Salad ever for my starter followed by Haddock and Chips and Ian had Whitebait then Steak and Ale Pie - neither of us had room for dessert.
There was a tiny break in the clouds as we were leaving so we had a quick dash around the lovely gardens.
The tree ferns and hydrangeas were clearly loving the damp weather.
I'd never seen Wisteria seed pods before but I recognised the leaf and so looked them up to confirm.
Suitably fortified we headed off for the 6 hour drive home, choosing a slower, but more picturesque, route than the A5 we'd taken on the way up. The scenery was beautiful but it was one of those roads which was almost impossible to stop safely on for photos.
The journey was very good and the further south we got the better the weather and the browner the grass.
We were so pleased we decided to make the trip and widen our exposure to other people and quite honestly we had no problems whatsoever. The Crown Hotel left much to be desired but given what's happened since the new owners took over, we'll make allowances.
PS: A couple of days after we got home a £70 parking ticket popped through the door for parking overnight in Asda (actually two for the same date, but one was in Welsh). We'd been told there was an "arrangement" but as the first person to tell us was a council homeless person and the second the restaurant's chef, we were rather concerned that more would arrive for the other nights. I spoke with the sister hotel and the young lady said to give her the details and she'd pass them on to the owner to sort out, but as I already had his number I messaged him directly and he apologised and promised to get it cancelled. So far so good!
