Bloke from Llanelli Posted July 6, 2009 Report Share Posted July 6, 2009 Hi folks, Great to hear so many of you will be making the trip down to Wales this week, so I thought I’d jot down some information to help you on your way. Hope it’s useful and interesting. Llanelli is arguably the most famous rugby town in the UK. The Scarlets were the last Welsh team, including the national team, to beat the All Blacks, and have been the most successful club in Wales over the last 30-40 years. Over the years, many famous players have worn the Scarlet shirt including Barry John, Phil Bennett, Ray Gravell, JJ Williams, Jonathan Davies, Ieuan Evans and the Quinnell family. The current star player is Wales and British Lions number 10 Stephen Jones. When you’re in Parc y Scarlets, it’s well worth having a look in the club shop which doubles up as a museum for a general gander and to pick up a souvenir from your visit. Llanelli is also known as the Gateway to West Wales where culturally it is a lot more traditionally Welsh than the anglicized areas of South Wales stretching from Swansea to Newport. For instance, you may hear the Welsh language being spoken. A lot of street names, place names, pubs etc will be in the Welsh language. Have a go at pronunciation yourself – the locals will be only too pleased to give you some tips. The closest you will get to pronouncing Llanelli is “Thanethli” (th in “thing” rather than th in “then”) because the “Ll” sound is very hard to annunciate by non-Welsh people. A Welsh word to greet/say hello would be “sh’mae”, which is pronounced shu-my. The Welsh word for thank-you is “diolch”, which is pronounced dee-olch, the ch as you would pronounce clachan, rather than chocolate. It’s worth bearing in mind that Llanelli AFC is only followed by a few hundred locals ordinarily – moreso as a pastime rather than passionate following like you will have in the top professional leagues in Scotland and England. The numbers are likely to be swelled by rugby supporters who will go along to their stadium as it’s the off-season and this match being high profile. The atmosphere will be very friendly and people will be looking forward to some shared Welsh/Scots ‘craic’, so let’s not get too hung up on the score. Obviously Llanelli isn’t used to having 1,500- 2,000 football supporters visit, and it is a ‘school-day’ so bear that in mind and exercise some patience and understanding if necessary. Llanelli is a medium sized town with plenty of small pubs that are likely to be pretty quiet on a weekday/weeknight so there’ll be no problems getting a drink. The town centre has a number of ‘bars’ that may be more suitable for the traveling support. There is a fairly large Wetherspoons pub that has now been converted to a Lloyds Bar and a Goscombe chain bar called The Bidding. These would be good choices pre match and post match. There is also a cheesey music bar called The Met Bar, one called Barnums, a bar/club called Le Caprice and a medium sized nightclub called Tom Peppers. All of these are within a maximum 5-10 minutes’ walk from each other. Given it’s a Thursday night, there won’t be many locals out for a party so you’ll have to make your own fun, but I’m sure that won’t be a problem. It’s worth knowing all this, because I can’t imagine the Fanzone at the football ground will have the capacity for each and every one of you. Llanelli is also home to a well-known brewery called Felinfoel, which was the first brewery to can bitter in the world. Felinfoel is the name of a local village and is pronounced ‘Velin-vole’. One ‘f’ in the Welsh language makes a ‘v’ sound, two consecutive ‘f’s make a ‘f’ sound. Felinfoel is an ale beer, and the brewery owns most of the community pubs in the town. You may also come across Brains beer. Brains is Wales’ most famous beer. It’s known for its range of ales, but also has a lager brand. The ales are excellent. As with the rest of England and Wales, unfortunately the lagers you will most commonly come across will be Carling, Fosters, Carlsberg and Stella Artois. Everywhere will have Guinness and Strongbow. If you want some beer garden action, then the Sandpiper in Sandy Water Park is a good choice in picturesque surroundings. It’s near the old rugby ground and probably better served by a small taxi ride than by foot. It’s Beefeater style and plenty of room outside by the lake. There is an excellent pub near Parc y Scarlets called The Halfway. Llanelli also has an unusually high number of Indian restaurants, one of which won the Welsh Curry House of the Year in 2008. All of them are of a good standard. For any golfers planning on staying down for a couple of days, Llanelli has a fantastic new Jack Nicklaus Golf and Country Club, which is well worth a look. Ten minutes out of town you have Pembrey Country Park, which has a range of attractions including one of the best beaches in the UK. Some local taxi numbers: 01554 777111, 01554 777888, 01554 777999. Hope you all enjoy yourself and have a sociable time down here. If anyone has any more questions, feel free to ask and I’ll reply when I can. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
true_steelman Posted July 6, 2009 Report Share Posted July 6, 2009 Whats the best way to get from Cardiff Airport to your fair town? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wellworn Posted July 6, 2009 Report Share Posted July 6, 2009 Whats the best way to get from Cardiff Airport to your fair town? The x91 bus runs about every hour from the airport to the central rail station. Journey time about 30 mins. £3.50 single http://www.tbicardiffairport.com/en/content/2/34/by-bus.html You can get a direct train to llanelli with a journey time of about 1hr 20 mins and they run about every hour. £10 single Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Toxteth O'Grady Posted July 6, 2009 Report Share Posted July 6, 2009 What are the transport links like between Llanelli and Swansea? Had a wee look on thetrainline and it seems there is roughly one train an hour. Is there a more frequent bus service? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GazzyB Posted July 6, 2009 Report Share Posted July 6, 2009 Can I get a bus from Cardiff to LLanelli and back again for under £20? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stuarty Posted July 6, 2009 Report Share Posted July 6, 2009 Any idea the distance from the train station in Llanelli to the Stradey Park Hotel? Will I be able to walk it or will I need a taxi journey? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wellworn Posted July 6, 2009 Report Share Posted July 6, 2009 Any idea the distance from the train station in Llanelli to the Stradey Park Hotel? Will I be able to walk it or will I need a taxi journey? About 1.5 miles mate about a half hours walk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wellworn Posted July 6, 2009 Report Share Posted July 6, 2009 Can I get a bus from Cardiff to LLanelli and back again for under £20? The train cost about a tenner each way. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alun Llanelli Fan. Posted July 6, 2009 Report Share Posted July 6, 2009 About 1.5 miles mate about a half hours walk I would advise you to take a taxi. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Special aka Posted July 6, 2009 Report Share Posted July 6, 2009 excellent post Sir .................. I always thought it was pronounced Chlanechly Hope you all enjoy it, and at least one pub in Thurso will be willing to show SC4 on Thursday night, or there will be big trouble from this guy in a Well top Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jay Posted July 6, 2009 Report Share Posted July 6, 2009 Anywhere decent for a scran at 7am on Thursday morning!? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Special aka Posted July 6, 2009 Report Share Posted July 6, 2009 Anywhere decent for a scran at 7am on Thursday morning!? Ma hoos Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stuarty Posted July 6, 2009 Report Share Posted July 6, 2009 I would advise you to take a taxi. I did think a taxi would be best, get rid of the backpack and then head to the fanzone for a pint! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deaddogman Posted July 6, 2009 Report Share Posted July 6, 2009 excellent post Sir .................. I always thought it was pronounced Chlanechly Hope you all enjoy it, and at least one pub in Thurso will be willing to show SC4 on Thursday night, or there will be big trouble from this guy in a Well top As did I, I got the pronounciation from a girlfriend who suggested that "As i am Scots, then there would be no problem with the CH sound as we use it too". She also told me that North Welsh is different from South Welsh in pronounciation and word spellings So when I used Welsh phrases I was expertly tutored ( phonetic spelling as I can't remember the Welsh spelling) .................... Royn? du garu di ( royn der gary de) cariad ................. got me everywhere as did Royt ti mor arbennig i mi ( royt? te mor arbennig ee mee ) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SuperSteelman Posted July 6, 2009 Report Share Posted July 6, 2009 A handy wee site for pronunciation of the Welsh languange. http://www.bbc.co.uk/wales/livinginwales/s...et/alphabet.swf Click the 'll' and 'test me' at the bottom. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deaddogman Posted July 6, 2009 Report Share Posted July 6, 2009 A handy wee site for pronunciation of the Welsh languange. http://www.bbc.co.uk/wales/livinginwales/s...et/alphabet.swf Click the 'll' and 'test me' at the bottom. Did that 6/6 you hear the sound on the first page Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
arbroath55 Posted July 7, 2009 Report Share Posted July 7, 2009 Any of the curry houses open in the afternoon ? Which ones do you reccommend ? How far is the beach from the Stradey Hotel ? Any bars on the beachfront ? Ta Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brisbaneMFC Posted July 7, 2009 Report Share Posted July 7, 2009 That guide was genius. I've printed it off. Nae doubt I'll lose it after 15 minutes of a sniff of bevvy, but it was much appreciated. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bloke from Llanelli Posted July 7, 2009 Author Report Share Posted July 7, 2009 Any of the curry houses open in the afternoon ? Which ones do you reccommend ? How far is the beach from the Stradey Hotel ? Any bars on the beachfront ? Ta 1. I doubt it. Would imagine 5.30/6pm opening. 2. Sheesh Mahal or Bengal Lancer - town centre. They're all decent though. 3. The beach at Pembrey Country Park (Cefn Sidan Sands) is a 10 minute taxi from the Stradey Park Hotel. There is a beach in the town itself, but it's nowhere near the same class. 4. You can have a drink in pleasant lake-side surroundings at the Sandpiper Brewers Fayre pub in Sandy Water Park. Short taxi ride from anywhere in town. There's not really any beach-front drinking to be had though, unfortunately. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andybug Posted July 7, 2009 Report Share Posted July 7, 2009 One of my friends coming down with us was wondering where the lap dancing was Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
arbroath55 Posted July 7, 2009 Report Share Posted July 7, 2009 1. I doubt it. Would imagine 5.30/6pm opening.2. Sheesh Mahal or Bengal Lancer - town centre. They're all decent though. 3. The beach at Pembrey Country Park (Cefn Sidan Sands) is a 10 minute taxi from the Stradey Park Hotel. There is a beach in the town itself, but it's nowhere near the same class. 4. You can have a drink in pleasant lake-side surroundings at the Sandpiper Brewers Fayre pub in Sandy Water Park. Short taxi ride from anywhere in town. There's not really any beach-front drinking to be had though, unfortunately. cheers I found this http://www.sheeshmahal.net/ for any others who fancy a ruby. Reason I asked about the beach was looking on google earth there`s a photo of The Beach Cafe and it looked just the place to have a beer, when you spend most of the year 100 miles away from the sea it just sort of draws you to it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bloke from Llanelli Posted July 7, 2009 Author Report Share Posted July 7, 2009 Reason I asked about the beach was looking on google earth there`s a photo of The Beach Cafe and it looked just the place to have a beer, when you spend most of the year 100 miles away from the sea it just sort of draws you to it Yeah, if you fancy that then go for it. Good shout actually. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bloke from Llanelli Posted July 7, 2009 Author Report Share Posted July 7, 2009 One of my friends coming down with us was wondering where the lap dancing was No lap dancing or that kind of thing in Llanelli. Maybe Swansea - google it. Taxi to Swansea will set you back about £25. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
arbroath55 Posted July 7, 2009 Report Share Posted July 7, 2009 Yeah, if you fancy that then go for it. Good shout actually. Tried googling it but can`t find it ( The Beach Cafe not the sea ! ) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bloke from Llanelli Posted July 7, 2009 Author Report Share Posted July 7, 2009 Tried googling it but can`t find it ( The Beach Cafe not the sea ! ) Is this the Beach Cafe in Llanelli Beach or Cefn Sidan Sands? Apologies, I'm really not sure about whether you can get a beer by the beach here. The hotel reception or a taxi driver will be better informed - sorry! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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