The Timler Who Came For Tea

There's a time in everyone's life when they cross the threshold of adulthood and realise that they've become their parents. Unfortunately, that moment arrived for me this weekend on the drive through Wales to Shell Island. The moment came in the form of me seeing a sign for Bodnant Gardens (a National Trust kinda place) that my parents used to drag me round when I was little. My response to this slice of mopey nostalgia, you ask?

'Ooh Bodnant Gardens. It's actually really nice, we should stop off there on the way back...'

Who am I and what did I do with that 22 year-old lad called Tim?

Fortunately, being dignified and taking the time to appreciate some of the things your parents did for you when you were little (okay, partly for you) can lead you to some quite nice places. In the end, a quiet stroll under the laburnum arch at Bodnant - told you it was bad - wasn't in order but we did stop off at the picturesque little tearoom in Llanwrst; another childhood memory of mine.

The tearoom at Llanwrst is one of those timeless gems that has barely changed an inch in the last 20 years. Despite travelling through every time I go to Shell Island, I probably haven't been in since my family spent a week on holiday in the village about 10 years ago and remember the tearoom for its olde world feel and some of the best toasties and milkshakes I've ever had. Some things are just meant to stay the same and, luckily, Llanwrst is sleepy enough that it hasn't. The toasties still have the same rich cheese I remember and the ice cream milkshakes still laugh TGI Friday's out of the kitchen.

Everything about the tearoom is so unbelievably quaint that it could only fit in a shy village like Llanwrst. From it's picturesque location, right by the river, to the old tavern memorabilia on the walls, the cottage is pretty much a hipster's wet dream.

Now, before I head off to vomit up all this sunshine, it's probably worth mentioning how much this little old tea strainer reminded me (and my friends) of the intro to the old Peter Rabbit & Friends TV series intro. If you don't remember it, your homework is to give it a watch. If you can think of anything that will make you weep for your lost innocence more, I'm all ears...