16c Mostly Cloudy
Barmouth Viaduct at Sunset 
Llanberis from Penllyn 
Morfa Bychan beach near Porthmadog 
North Wales Calendar 
THE youngsters sit spell-bound as Santa's mechanical alter ego relates a magical Christmas story to them in a corner of his impressive grotto, all done in their native Welsh, at their age probably the kids' only language.
Such has been the development of garden centres from the early days when they were strictly the preserve of the wellington-booted green fingered fraternity, where they could buy their potting plants or chat about their prize cucumbers in flapping poly-tunnels to their heart's content.
And they still are all of those things, of course. However the advent of the Sunday afternoon jaunt brought about a sea change in how many of these establishments view themselves.
Not every gardening aficionado's partner, after all, is always a fellow horticultural fanatic. And, popular though gardening has become, not everybody delights in getting compost beneath their finger nails.
I'm an in-between. I don't mind watching TV programmes about gardening, and appreciate a well-tended garden. It's just that I can't stomach all the elbow grease that goes with the territory.
Nonetheless I'm one of a burgeoning army of non-gardeners increasingly finding themselves dragged into garden centres.
Today I find myself in the Fron Goch Garden Centre just south of Caernarfon, within earshot of the Welsh Highland Railway as it cheerily chugs its way towards the heart of Snowdonia.
Set in three acres of garden and with ample parking, it prides itself on the range and variety of plants it stocks, many grown on site in the Centre's own nursery. They include rhododendrons, ferns, exotic conifers, herbaceous perennials, vegetable plants, shrubs and trees.
This time of year the place abounds with bedding, patio and container plants.
But it has so much more to offer. Even those who usually wouldn't know their dahlias from their dandelions should find plenty to amuse themselves with here, as their dearly beloveds trowel excitedly through racks of seed packets.
It stocks a range of books in Welsh and English, local foodstuffs, CDs, ornaments, and classy furniture, enough to keep the serial browser occupied for eons.
Since October the magical Christmas Wonderland has attracted the crowds with its eclectic collection of decorations and gifts. Not to mention Santa nattering away in the corner with that affectionate twinkle in his eye, of course.
This coming weekend offers the final opportunity this year to enjoy breakfast with Santa, or Siôn Corn as he's called in these parts, with the kids receiving a gift from the great man himself as you tuck into a hot cooked breakfast in the centre's 98-seat café. Prior booking is essential.
Caffi Fron Goch has developed into a popular and relaxing eatery in its own right, and it's hardly surprising. It's miles removed from the draughty holes with rickety furniture that some garden centres used to laughingly pass off as cafés, and is open seven days a week throughout the year.
It offers comfy sofas and low coffee tables for that quick cappuccino as you peruse the paper - the Daily Post is for sale here - while those looking for a tuck-in meal settle down around the more traditional tables.
The menu is varied and interesting, ranging from toasted tea cakes (£1.20) and locally-baked luxury cakes (£1.70) to quiche and salad (£4.95), toasted paninis (£4.65) or something off the daily specials board that could include cottage pie (£5.95) or home made soup and a roll (£3.50).
