Eryl Mor Bangor

Well today marked the end of our official tour of Wales - it all passed in such a blur!

Woke up this morning at Bala Backpackers - the place is run by a lady with some OCD issues - there are signs EVERYWHERE! things to clean, times to be quiet, lights to turn off, lights to turn on. The showers ran to a timer, of course the time was about 30 seconds - so the water wasn't even warm and the thing had shut off! I found the trick was to keep pressing the button every couple of seconds ...

... the beach and had sandwiches amongst the pidgeons - some guy left his sandwich for about 10 seconds to get something from the bar and at least 20 pesky birds were on it in seconds!

Then we visited Machynlleth - known as the spiritual capital of Wales - home of the last Welsh led parliament in the 1400s. We were lucky enough to visit on market day - Josh spoiled me with a small dragon charm for my necklace and also a Welsh ...

... I don’t mention Pwllwheli as we visited it on a day when there was no market and it was a miserable place.

All in all we have been spoilt by the Caravan Club to expect clearly laid out neat level pitches with nicely cropped grass and quiet by 10:30pm - None of which we got at either Haven site we have visited so far -- but what you do get is access to entertainment albeit at a price for most of the day and night

Our friends from Bewdley Mountaineering Club were having a weekend bash up in Llandudno at Louise's place. Some of them were planning to do a bit of climbing on Little Tryfan near Capel Curig in Snowdonia. For several reasons we couldn't manage the whole weekend, despite the offer to camp on Louise's lawn, perched on the end of Great Orme's Head, overlooking the Irish Sea. Instead we opted to travel up and meet them at Little Tryfan for the day.

We left just ...

... I'm guessing it took ~3 hrs up, and 2-2.5 hrs down. Down was actually quite bad - big impact and not the best surface to walk on = blisters galore. When we were at least halfway down, 5pm ish time, there were still people going up. I hope ...

... I have enclosed some photo's. This trip took us over the Pontcyscllte Aqueduct which is about 200 feet above ground. Following the trip I walked back over the aqueduct and took these photo’s. No way would Glenn come with me as he is not fond of heights. At a little shop on the other side of the canal I found a small recipe book to bring home of English cakes and scones. Today was a long ...

So all flights, ferrys and buses we hve to book in advance are all booked, sponge bob car ready thestart of our rally to naples, Italy - along with my durcell battery water pistol!!

Just a few preparation pictures to show what we taking.

... parading through the city and I quickly snapped this shot. I thought the parade was for us, however Gordon promptly indicated to me that it was for the town. Too bad!

Following our visit to Chester we made good time on the freeway to Conwy, Wales. This has a large castle as you enter town and you can walk all the streets in about an hours time which I proceeded to do. Glenn and Gordon set about finding photo ...

Group of 25 headed up Snowdon in celebration of Andy Duggards retirment.

Brilliant time was had by all, probably the best retirement I have been on (obviously sponsored by Carlsburg)

Congratulations Andy.

Proved to be a good last workout before we go - calves are feeling the effect though.

Well done to those that completed this mountain for the first time - Scafell next!

... Telford's suspension bridge - links Anglesey with mainland Isle of Anglesey - waterfront, quaint little houses Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwll llantyswiliogogogoch Beaumaris - pretty road right on the coast, moated castle, gaol Bangor - SHOWER at an indoor pool complex