I’ll never forget the drive over to Anglesey that Friday afternoon – sat nav insisting we were nearly there, then bam, a cheeky wrong turn down a narrow lane that had us face-to-face with a flock of sheep blocking the way. Honked the horn gently, but those woolly buggers just stared us down like we were the intruders. Laughed it off with my mate Dave, who was already cracking on about how this holiday was cursed before it started. But honestly, that little mishap just built the anticipation – by the time we rolled into Marianglas, I was buzzing to see our spot.

Pulling up, the first impressions were spot on: this first-floor apartment, all cosy and thoughtfully kitted out, with these cracking views stretching over the countryside right to the sea and those distant mountains. You could practically taste the salt air from the balcony. And Benllech beach just a mile up the road? Perfect for an easy wander. Kitchen had all the gear too – oven, hob, dishwasher, the lot – so no faffing about for scran.

We’d planned proper hikes from the off, lacing up boots for the coastal paths around here. Day one, blue skies greeted us, so off we trotted down to Marianglas beach, sand soft underfoot, then along the clifftop trail towards Benllech. That stretch is pure magic – gulls wheeling overhead, waves crashing below, wildflowers nodding in the breeze. Felt like we’d stepped into a postcard. Pushed on a couple of miles, spotting seals bobbing in the bay, proper invigorating stuff. Grabbed fish and chips from Benllech on the way back, devoured them on the balcony as the sun dipped low. Bliss.

Next morning, though? Classic British weather decided to gatecrash. Woke to lashing rain hammering the windows, wind howling like it had a grudge. Our big hike to the headland? Scrapped. Instead, we layered up and embraced the mizzle – a proper soggy stomp along the beach at low tide, puddles everywhere, but laughing as we splashed about like daft kids. Dave slipped arse-over-tit in a rockpool, which had us in stitches (he was fine, just soggy dignity). Pivoted to a sheltered loop through the dunes nearby, about three miles of undulating paths with sea views peeking through the squalls. Rain eased off by noon, sun even poked out for a rainbow over the bay. Magic how it keeps you on your toes.

By the last day, weather playing nice again, we nailed a favourite: the gentle coastal hike from Marianglas back towards Benllech, weaving through heathland alive with birdsong. Four miles round trip, legs tingling, lungs full of that crisp sea air. Sat on a bench overlooking the waves, reflecting on how these spontaneous weather tweaks made it all the more memorable. No rigid plans, just us, the paths, and whatever the skies chucked at us. Anglesey’s got that pull – raw, unpredictable, and utterly addictive. Can’t wait to go back and let the weather call the shots again.