Nadolig Llawen

That's Welsh for Merry Christmas. I decided to help out my friend Father Christmas this year. We have quite a few things in common :- red, jolly, like Christmas and can fly, well he can with a bit of help from my friend in the picture. In the dark my flames give off more light than a red nose, Santa's usual way of seeing where he is going.

St Davids III

A couple more photographs from St.Davids. Here I am still in the ruins of the bishops palace. It's been a ruin for a few hundred years now.

This is St Davids Cathedral. They started building it in the 1100's. It was badly damaged in the 1600's and badly restored in the 1790's. Hasn't been a lucky building! It looks very nice now, as does the city. You can see the mountains in the background.

St Davids II

I'm in the ruins of the bishops palace here. Behind me you can see St. David's Cathedral and the hill that leads up to the city itself. There are quite a few steps on the hill and they were quite large for my little legs so I flew up.

St Davids

I'm now in St Davids, Tyddewi in Welsh. It is in Pembrokeshire and is the smallest city in Britain. Here I am standing on a bridge over the river Alun. You can just see a bit of the ruins of the Bishops Palace behind me. It's lovely and sunny at the moment, wish it had been like this at the Carreg Cennen.

Carreg Cennen Castle II

Here's a couple more photo's from my visit to Carreg Cennen Castle. This is a view from the back of the castle where the sheer drop is. Its a very nice view and it looks like a gap in the rain showers here.

Some of the areas in the castle have a plaques describing what the room was. This one is for the Lord's Chamber on the second floor.

Family Visit

When I was at Carreg Cennen Castle I decided to visit my family as they live near-by. It's a nice cosy cave, especially welcome when there is such heavy rain outside. I put the self timer on the camera so we could have a family portrait. I've noted which is me as we look quite similar.

Carreg Cennen Castle

I'm visiting Carreg Cennen Castle. It's in Carmarthenshire just on the edge of the Brecon Beacons. It sits on top of a steep hill, one side is a sheer drop - I just flew up, it's easier. It isn't in great condition but there are still plenty of things to see. Unfortunately the day I was here the weather was terrible, I suppose it added to the dramatic view of it on its hill top.

Swansea

Having had a wander around the Gower Peninsular it's back to Swansea. Going to stay here a couple of days as a base for touring. Will have a look round the city as well. First though off to visit my hotel. It has a rather nice statue of me above the door.

Worms Head

Still at Rhossili, this is Worms Head. Worm in this case from the old word for dragon. Don't think I'd like being called a worm. The walk over is very hard going, lots of sharp rocks. When the tide comes in it becomes an island. There are warning signs about it because people can be stranded. I could just fly though.

Rhossili Bay

This is Rhossili Bay on the Gower Peninsular. Its a very popular area as it is so nice. Not so popular or nice on a day like today though. There are the remains of a ship wreck sticking out of the sand. The ship is The Helvetia and its been there since 1887.

Cardiff Hotel

Last day in Cardiff. Quick look out the window. Good view of John Lewis, so a short fly to the shops. Can see a bit of the Millennium Stadium and in the distance mountains. Next stop Swansea.

Wales Millenium Centre

Here I am in front of the Wales Millennium Centre. It has writing in English and Welsh on the front, English behind me on the right Welsh on the left. They are lines from poems by a Welsh poet. The letters are windows in the upstairs bar. I would like to visit the bar to look out those windows, must be fun.

Quick Refreshments

It's warm and sunny in Cardiff and that boat trip has left me exhausted. So I've nipped in here to have a bite to eat and a drop of water. Taking the opportunity to catch up with friends on the phone as well. Once I'm refreshed I'll have a wander round the harbour.

Cardiff

I'm back in Wales. It's a nice day in Cardiff so I thought I'd go down to Cardiff Bay by boat. It used to be called Tiger Bay, pity I would like to have met some tigers. Behind me the copper coloured building is the Millennium Centre, which is an arts centre.

I got on the boat near the Millennium Stadium in the centre of Cardiff. The boat goes along the River Taff and takes you to Cardiff Bay where you can get off. It's much better than walking from the town centre to the bay.

Kastrup Airport

On the way back home now. Sitting in the lounge at Kastrup Airport. I've got a nice coffee here. No sign of champagne, but after a search I did find the wine, looks like they were hiding it . Expect the nice people on the plane will rustle up a drop or two though. It's been a nice few days in Copenhagen, fun to meet up with lots of dragons.

Rosenborg Slot

Off to the Rosenborg Slot, or Rosenborg Castle. It's a royal castle in the middle of Copenhagen. The Danish Crown Jewels are on display in the basement. Around the walls on the outside were a number of people. There weren't any name plates. I had a chat with this one, it seemed rude to ask his name. He has lovely views across the park apparently, but it gets a bit cold in winter.

Hans Christian Anderson

The dragon ride finishes back in Copenhagen's City Hall Square. I hopped off and looked for something else to do. On the side of the square by Tivoli Gardens I found Hans Christian Anderson. He was sitting there looking at the rides, maybe struggling for ideas for new stories. So I sat on his lap and tried to help him. He didn't seem keen on my ideas, mostly around adventures of small cute Welsh dragons. He was more interested in short sighted ducks and mermaids with legs. Silly ideas to me, besides there's no such thing as mermaids. Dragons are much more interesting.

Flying Over Copenhagen

Here I am on the dragon ride. We're flying towards The Royal Danish Playhouse, which is on the harbour front. It's a new building, built in 2008. One of the other dragons from the square follows to take the photos. It was a fun ride, you get to see more than on the boat ride.

Dragon Ride in Copenhagen

Another 'dragons only ride'. This time a ride on a large dragon for dragons. Here we are getting ready for lift off. Hope the crowds get out of the way for take-off.

Dragons in Radhuspladsen

I'm in Copenhagen's Rådhuspladsen - City Hall Square. I found quite a few dragons. This was one of three watching another dragon fighting a bull. They weren't doing much to help their dragon friend, just spraying water about. I can tell you that's not the best way to help a dragon. I didn't find out why the dragon and bull were fighting.

I met three other dragons closer to the City Hall. They were larger than the other three but weren't spraying water, so I preferred them. It's easier to have a nice long chat when nobody is shooting water all over the place.

British Pub in Copenhagen

The boat trip has left me thirsty. I found a nice British pub round the corner from the end of the boat trip. A nice handy place to warm up and have a water before continuing looking around Copenhagen. I'm here for a few days so don't have to rush.

Still on the Boat Trip

The boat ride is going well. Seen lots sights - historic buildings, modern buildings, churches, boats and, erm, blocks of flats and cars.

It's getting a bit cold on the water now. Decided to wrap up warm.

Boat Ride in Copenhagen

I decided a good way to see Copenhagen was by boat. This trip goes round the canals and a short way into the open waters. It's quite a long boat (am I allowed to say that about a boat here??). It's also open so hope it doesn't rain. It isn't a dragons only ride so quite a few people on here as well.

Heathrow - Again

Going to Copenhagen for a long weekend. Means another visit to Heathrow. As normal I start with a glass of champagne in the lounge. Its only a short flight but should have time for a drink or two.

Boudica in Brecon

I bumped into Boudica and her two daughters in Brecon. We had a nice long chat. She was very pleasant and charming, just so long as I didn't mention the Romans. Then she would start wailing and waving her sword around. I wasn't happy when that happened, it looked a bit sharp.

Brecon

I've flown the short distance to Brecon. A nice market town in mid Wales. Popular with people visiting the Brecon Beacons, so lots of people with rucksacks. Behind me is where the rivers Honddu and Usk meet.

Cwmbran

I'm back in Wales. Seems ages since I set off from my home. I'm staying in a hotel and they very kindly left a magazine with dragons on the front and a snack. Once I've finished I'll be heading out.

Richard I Outside Parliament

This is Richard I, or The Lion Heart, outside Parliament. He's been there for 150 years. His arm must hurt by now. I couldn't go and chat as there is a fence in the way. The police don't like people, or dragons, climbing over.

Thomas Attwood in Birmingham

Back in Birmingham. Walking through Chamberlain Square I met this chap. He's Thomas Attwood, an MP among other things. He was sitting on the steps, it looked very comfortable so I sat on his knee and we had a nice long chat.

Cordwainer in The City

This is a cordwainer. I met him in The City in Cordwainer Ward near St Mary-le-Bow. A cordwainer is someone who makes soft leather shoes. I did ask him if he made shoes for dragons. He didn't though. Something to do with my claws ripping the leather. Pity. We had a nice chat though.

A Friend in Manchester

Having a look round Manchester and I bump into a long lost relative. Apparently he found a job at the court and has been on the door ever since.

Manchester

A first visit to Manchester. They were obviously expecting me and have provided this rather nice throne for me. Know how to welcome a dragon up here.

Big Cat Ride

I was wandering around London near New Scotland Yard when I saw another ride. This was run by a large cat from just in front of a hotel. He was carrying a seat, which looked like a tray. It wasn't the most comfortable seat, but at least cats move quite smoothly.

St Jame's Park

The dragons in London are strange looking. They are grey with funny tails. They don't have wings or pointed tongues. Odd. This one was happy to pose with me though.

Olympics

I had to take the DLR from Canary Wharf. On the way into Stratford you can see the Olympic Park. Here I am with the stadium in the background. I prefer my castle. It was a cold damp day so it looks a bit grey out.

Little Dragons

I had a big day. The local town has named a street in my honour! Here I am posing on the sign.

Lunch

Lunchtime now. I found a nice handy pub. Very friendly. The food was very fresh. Now the photographer should have spotted that bit of lunch on my tongue.

Birmingham II

Exploring Birmingham now. Lots of shops. Found a big fountain. Now I have a ride. Yay!

This is Birminghams, well I don't really know what ride. He was very nice though. Showed me the sights. it just seemed a bit rude to ask him what he was.

Birmingham

Travelled up to Birmingham. Never been before. The hotel beds seem very small. I'll be going out later, I'm told they have bulls in the town centre and a big new shop that sells fridges. Not sure why people are excited by that one though.

Boris Bike

After the disappointment of the Oscar Wilde Bathtub Ride I have found this Boris Bike. Trouble is I have been sitting here for ages and there's still no sign of a Boris to peddle me around. With the eagle on the front I had hoped for Boris to take me round spotting eagles. Things aren't going well in London.

Back in London

Back in London now. I've been looking for interesting rides, but this Oscar Wilde Bathtub Ride (I think it's a bathtub)isn't going anywhere.

Getting to Heathrow

Getting close to landing now. Breakfast is served. Tea and croissant. Just enough for a small dragon. Oh and toast and orange juice. Though I did have some toast a couple of hours earlier.

Landed at Heathrow, after lots of going around in circles. I like the kangaroo on the back of that plane. Wonder if he bounces to help them take off.

back on the Airbus

Flying again. On the flight from Sydney, a big Airbus again. Had the getting on the plane champagne. Was a small plane from Christchurch. Sydney lounge was very busy, found some food and drink though.

Get very dry on these flights. A nice drink of water helps. A very handy cubbyhole for the bottle of water in the seat.