Speaking of Wales - that was the destination for our weeks camping this year. A weekend in Bala, followed by 6 days on the Llyn pennisula. sounds idyllic? far from it!
Bala was awesome - On the Saturday we took ourselves and our Dogs off to walk around Alwen reservoir which was a 7 mile glorious path around the reservoir. It reminded me of Canada so much, but more to the point it reminded me of why I miss living in Wales.
On the Sunday, it was less serene. Our Sisters and partners, as well as us, had hired a white water raft at the national white water center in Bala for a 3 hour delve into the world of river rafting. I can not describe how awesome it was! we were all wet suited and booted, Mum n johnny had camera's at the ready and we were in/on the water for about 3 hours in all. Photos' were brilliant, but video is better for this...
After the hectic weekend we packed up the tent, and the kids, and the dogs and headed west, to our second campsite near Cricceth. As we drove through snowdonia we discussed that we might take the kids for a walk up Snowdon, and would they like that? 'yey' came the replies. After a day at the beach and the best sandcastle building known to man, we packed a pack lunch for everyone and head off to Pen-y-pass to 'climb Snowdon' with the kids and dogs. we didn't think for a minute we would get any where near the top so Anna and I didn't even pack our walking boots.
Oh, how little did we underestimate the mountain climbing prowess of 3 kids in wellies and a pack-a-mac! they were knocking blocks off the people with hundreds of pounds worth of gear, and strode to the top in just under 4 hours on the miners track. The dogs did brilliantly too! When we did get to the top the view wasn't great - well actually it was non existent as we were above the cloud line, but we still managed to bag the highest Geocache in all of England and Wales. After a cup of coffee (or hot chocolate) we started our way back down as the sun came out! the kids were amazing, and have now got the mountain climbing bug!
 |
| it was a bit chilly at the Summit point - but we made it! |
the rest of the Camping trip was a disaster! the next day we went to llechwydd slate mines in the driving rain. we had a fun day out but by the time we have 2 damp dogs, 3 wet kids and 2 soaked adults in the tent the wind had picked up and we were fearing for the tents safety! after noticing a few others packing away their tents and bailing out before it go too rough, we decided to do the same. a mercy call to my mum saved the day and we threw everything in the car, left the tent and few incidentals and ran! the weather was that bad, the rivers burst their banks all along the journey to mums making the driving along welsh country roads an adventure as well!
we rescued the tent the next day but went back to Mums considering the amount of water in it! much discussion was then had about the benefits of a caravan...
No comments:
Post a Comment