After a rather intense few months at work preparing for our annual conference I took myself off to North Wales for a few days. It was quite the adventure since I drove up there on my own with Amani but it was another success in challenging myself to do things that challenge me to go outside my comfort zone and not to be held back by the anxiety of what might happen if my body decides to not cooperate with me.
It was also successful in being able to raise awareness around emotional support animals and accessibility. Visiting Snowdon Mountain Railway was wonderful. Although Amani being with me was a first for them as a company, the duty manager, Vince Hughes, was amazing and spent time chatting with me and sharing their assistance animal policy which they had just put in place with in the last 4 weeks. I got to go up to Clogwyn with Amani where although it was wet we enjoyed some lovely views.
On our visit to the National Slate Museum the staff were very welcoming and friendly. When we got there they did ask that Amani be kept on her leash throughout and that she was not allowed into the houses, until I told them she is my ESA, where they said she could go inside all buildings with me. It was a lovely self guided visit and well worth a visit for anyone. The entire museum is accessible, even having a lift to go up and see the water wheel.
My final visit was to Llanberis Lake Railway for a steam train ride around part of Lake Padarn with spectacular views over the lake and of the mountains. Amani wasn’t a fan of the noise from the train whistle and hid under her cushion in her stroller. I put her snood on to help dampen the noise and that helped to calm her a little. The accessibility of the train was easy and I got chatting with a young family who were there for the half term holidays. I had lunch in the cafe at the station where I got to chat with the staff about how Amani helps me get out to visit new places.
And on my final day as I was packing up the car to head home I was seen off by a sheep in the hotel car park
All in all a wonderful relaxing few days away. And an area of the country I will definitely go back to explore more.