Herself and I try and do something every 5 years on our anniversary and have done on every one since our "Tin" (10th) when we did a mini tour of Ireland. Our "Crystal" was spent in the Lake District, our "China" in the Cotswolds and our "Silver" on a tour of Cornwall. Strangely for us none of those in our caravan.
Immediately after our Silver a plan was hatched for our "Pearl" to hire a campervan and do the NC 500. Various spokes in the wheel have derailed that idea. We were only expecting to have one dog by now, but have three!! The pandemic ensures that campervans to hire are as rare as rocking horse shit (especially with 3 dogs) and we were looking at £1500 for the hire cost alone!!
A second plan was hatched to take our own caravan up to the north Yorkshire moors, a 660 mile return tow. Then Putin decides he wants a scrap and fuel prices soar. Extinction Rebellion's unwashed decide they're going to glue themselves to the roads outside refineries causing shortages and distribution issues, so a third plan is hatched for a week away, with three dogs, somewhere a little closer to home, but still with a wow factor.
Our departure was delayed by 24hrs due to Roids playing in a cup final at Parc y Scarlets. They won, picking up the silverware, and at the end Beastie was keen to run down the steps in the stand to have a cwtch with her uncle.
Sunday 24 April
The Captain had seen me pop out to top up Toyah's tank, and by the time I'm back he's moved his passion wagon out of the way for me to get the van out and hitched up. 09:40hrs sees me shouting "Wagons Roll" and we're on our way.
In bright sunshine we take in the lush scenery of the Towy valley before heading north through Lampeter and hitting the coast at Aberaeron. Cardigan Bay looks splendid under blue skies as we head north through Aberystwyth and onto Machynlleth.
The other side of Mach and we start looking for somewhere to stop to let the dogs stretch their legs and splash their boots. It was with some difficulty that we eventually found a pull in set off the road a little, just 25 miles from out destination.
All too soon the haunting vision of the Trawsfynnydd nuclear power station comes into view, and we know there's not far left. Herself distracts me by asking about something trivial and I almost overshoot the sharp left. I really should have missed it as the M3 that had been tailgating me was none too impressed with me slamming on the brakes and yanking the wheel in a similar fashion to Sandra Bullock in Speed.
Timing was superb though. It's a 120 mile tow from home, following narrow and twisty roads from south to north Wales, and we're pulling up outside reception of the club's site at Coed y Llwyn at 13:03hrs.
Check in took an age. The old git in front of me had a10 min convo with the wardens, I was losing my cool with him, but was then subjected to the very same extended check in myself!!
I hate pitching on gravel. The van isn't too bad, but when you're the wrong side of 20 stone, kneeling on chippings to peg out is torture. Never the less, it wasn't too long, and just two smashed knuckles later that I am able to announce that "We is arrived".
Below is a 360 view of our pitch (if your reading this on your phone you may not see it)
Herself and I could have just flopped into our chairs then, but the dogs need a walk. They've been in the boot for over 3 hours and tethered while we set up.
We lake the short trip back to near the power station where they get to let off a bit of steam on a woodland trail, far enough from the lake that they wont be glowing yellow when it gets dark tonight.
Back on site we blow the froth off a few cold ones until we can be arsed to put tea in the oven for our evening meal.
Won't be a late one tonight, we're both on our chin straps.
Monday 25 April
Big day today. 30 years ago today Herself made the monumental error of saying "I do" as we stood in front of Reverend Meets in the Holy Trinity Church, Felinfoel. It being our Pearl Anniversary I gave Herself a "Pearl Necklace" to mark the occasion. Not that type you dirty mochyns, a real one.
Breakfast was bacon rolls washed down with gallons of tea in the awning, before Herself curled up on the front bench with the sun streaming through the front window for some personal contemplation time. I dragged a Brunner outside to soak up some rays and enjoy the tranquillity. The quiet didn't last long though, just long enough for Herself to drop off, then the RAF announced their arrival with a deafening roar as two pairs of Typhoon came in off the Mach Loop swooping low over the adjacent reservoir before climbing vertically over the site. It was some show they put on, and I'm only sorry my camera skills weren't good enough to catch them.
After a relatively non active day yesterday the dogs need a good run today, and to that end, with a picnic in a day sack we headed off towards Black Rock Sands at Morfa Bychan. In the next hour I was to make a complete tit of myself.
Herself suggests satnav, but I declared I knew where I was going. We rolled through Porthmadoc, and out the other side. It's a little bit further than I remember, but I'm still keeping my eyes peeled for the turning. I start having doubts as we roll through Cricieth and Herself is throwing doubting looks my way. We get to Pwllhelli and I've no option than to fessing up that I may have missed a turn somewhere.
Herself punches a few things into her phone, and the satnav, and my heart sinks as it appears our destination is some 16 miles away ....... back the other side of Porthmadoc FFS.
Still, the scenery was nice and we enjoyed it in a stony silence!!
We arrived at Morfa Bychan, and just before the mahoosive Haven site we hang a left onto Beach. Cars are allowed on the beach here, and we've loaded up our chairs with a view to walking the dogs along the expanse of sand before enjoying a picnic.
The air turned blue as we meet the closed set of gates blocking off beach access!!!!
No option now, the idea of a beach picnic is abandoned and we clip the dogs on for a walk. Throwing a ball as we go sees to it that they're knackered as we soak in the dramatic view of the sea and mountains.
In the distance we see a red car on the sands, then another one appears, meaning there must be another access! We found it, and before too long we're parked up on the sand, chairs are set out and we're tucking into luke warm pork pies!!
By now Herself's knackered knees are giving her some serious gip and it's a long way to the water where we intend to let the dogs have a splash. I walk down to the water and Herself follows in Toyah, where she parked up close to the tide.
Below is a video, if you're reading on your phone you may not see it.
Tali, Gwawr and Gwen are all now done in and collapse on the boot floor as we head back towards home. We're delayed slightly in Portmadoc, but to be honest we timed it brilliantly as a steam locomotive traversed the road crossing directly in front of us.
Again, video below you may not see on your phone
We stopped off at The Oakley Arms Hotel for a frankly rank pint in their lovely beer garden with a superb view under the hot sun.
Both of us are starving when we get back and clip the dogs on to head over to The Bryn Arms opposite the site entrance. The food was superb.
Back at the van we're keen to catch the last sun of the day and sit out watching the lambs play in the adjacent field, feeling just a little twinge of guilt that not an hour ago I'd had one of their buttys for my tea!!
Won't be a late one again tonight.
Tuesday 26 April
Apparently it was cold overnight in the van. I was just right with the window 2ft from my head wide open, but Herself was cold, even if I did get up at 6am to put the heating up ready for her rising. We get up to another fine morning in the National Park.
Breakfast was just the one mug of splosh and a few biscuits, and we didn't prepare a packed lunch, promising ourselves a pub meal instead. All loaded up we make tracks for Beddgelert where upon parking I join the back of a queue at the Pay & Display machine. I'm mildly amused by Gwynedd CC and their pro Welsh language policy and the difficulty the Anglo Saxon monglots in front of me are having with a machine only offering instructions and directions in Welsh.
We cross the Afon Colwyn and follow the path along the banks of Afon Glasyn to Gelert's Grave. As predicted Gwawr was spooked and was very reluctant to enter the remains of the small cottage.
Back in the village we seek out somewhere for lunch, fist passing the rammed garden of a tea room (tea rooms really aren't our thing) towards the welcoming doors of the Prince Llewellyn Hotel. They only serve food in the evenings here, and the barman regrets to inform us that this time of year the only establishment in the village that serves food in the daytime is, yep you guessed it, the tea room over the river!
We stopped for a pint that was so expensive it made my eyes water!
Making tracks on the hunt for some food we follow the A498 out of town and start climbing. Llyn Gwynant catches our eye and we pull in road side for the dogs to have a swim.
Satisfied that they've made enough ripples on the previous glass sheet like surface, and Tali's barking had ruined everyone else's peace we jump back in Toyah to climb a little more as far as Snowdon View Point. I'm after a photo opportunity here, so endure the pain in my gout ridden ankle to clamber up onto the rock for a photo with Yr Wyddfa itself in the background. Herself did the duties and I clamber back down to take a look at the shot.
She'd only gone and taken a shot with the wrong peak in the back ground, and I'm presented with a pic of me in front of Crib Goch!
I didn't moan, honest, as I pointed out the peak of Yr Wyddfa once more before clambering back up the rock.
Below is a 360 view of the stunning scenery (sorry once again if you're reading on a phone)
Herself is getting hungry now so we make tracks for Pen y Pass and then down the Llanberis pass into Lanberis itself. I'll let the video below do the talking.
In Llanberis we do a circuit before pulling into the car park of The Heights and lunching in their Guinness shelter.
The dogs need a good run, but around here it's mile sand miles of sheep, and eff all else, so the dogs need to be leaded, so we make tracks again to Morfa Bychan (now I know where it is), and drive onto the beach, where there was a bit of a commotion at the water's edge. (again, apologies, but all the videos can be viewed here https://www.youtube.com/user/wannabepikey/videos)
It appeared a motor home was stuck and being enveloped by the incoming tide. A rope was attached and a Nissan 4x4 was about his first attempt to pull it free. This guy was well equipped, his 4x4 had a snorkel fitted and each corner has a BF Goodridge all terrain tyre. He was just digging himself in, and my offer of help was withdrawn, as what chance would Toyah have with a set of half worn road tyres!
With the incoming tide fast enveloping the motor home a tractor raced across the sand and was soon hooked up to the ropes and slings. His first attempt failed when the lot snapped under extreme tension and all around groaned as the female owner started to sob uncontrollably. Farmer boy was not to be beaten as he reached for his chains, and as his tractor belched thick black smoke the stricken vehicle was pulled free of the wet sand.
Turns out the couple and their dog had fallen asleep after lunch and were woken by people knocking as the sea water enveloped them.
While we've been up here locals have remarked how much military activity there has been in the skies since Putin started to mess about, but today a Royal Navy support ship is also anchored off shore in Cardigan Bay as well.
Back on site we raid the coolbox for beer and wine and have salmon for tea. Lots of fresh air today so won't be a late ne again, though I'm under strict instruction that I'm not allowed to open the bedroom window tonight.
Wednesday 27 April
Slow start to the day today. I was up early enough, 6.30am to be precise, having been greeted with the bog full warning light. Surprisingly not feeling like climbing back under the duvet having traipsed over to the service point in PJs and flip flops, that and Gwawr now occupying my spot on the bed!
By the time Herself peels herself off the sheets I'm 3 mugs of tea and a bacon sandwich into my morning.
Bit of a spin today as we head north through the national park towards the coast. When we left site it was warm, very warm, and I'm in shorts. It was a delightful spin and we soaked in the scenery under bright blue skies. As we rolled into Llandudno we're still under blue skies but all does not appear well, everyone is wrapped up in puffa jackets and beanie hats.
We're heading to The Great Orme and dutifully pay the cheery assistant on the gate to the scenic drive before setting off to climb up to the summit (again, video below of you can see it).
Reaching the car park at the top tram station it looks like a summer's day, except all are dressed like sir Edmund Hillary. I'm desperate for a pee and run (waddle quickly) towards the information centre, risking frostbite in just shorts and a teeshirt!
Gwynedd Council are in full on extortion mode here. We paid £3.90 to drive up here and now they want another £3.70 to let the wheels stop turning!!
The views are spectacular though, but not a lot up here. The cafe was rammed, the bar was shut due to staffing shortages, and the gift shop overpriced!
Before the ink has dried properly on the parking ticket we're in Toyah and losing altitude back onto the scenic drive and rolling down into Llandudno West side. Having driven in through the other side I can confirm that "East Side is da best" as this side feels just a little desperate.
Having laid in through breakfast, and dismissed all the picnic spots up on The Orme for one reason or another, Herself is hungry, so we pull up outside The Lilly Restaurant and lunch outside under the warm spring sunshine. We decide on wraps, Herself had chicken and I went for falafel.
We had planned on having a mooch around the east shore, but Herself's knackered knees were screaming at her, we pile back into Toyah, abandon the plan and make tracks for home, via Iceland for provisions.
We did stop off in Betws y Coed and took a table to enjoy a beer and people watch from the comfort of the beer garden at The Royal Oak. I popped in for a pee and made the mistake of leaving Herself in charge of ordering refreshments. I've made this mistake myself before, but won't let on. Lets just say Poretti is the very poor cousin of Moretti.
Back on site I get chatting to our new neighbours, motor homers from Essex on a 3 week taster tour of Wales, before dragging Herself over to the welcoming beer garden of The Bryn Arms, where sump mode is engaged and I enjoy half a dozen or so cold ones before food.
Herself was unimpressed with my guzzling, berating my to all her friends on Facebook. Am I bovvered?
Thursday 28 April
Bit of a let down this morning, got on the blower to Coupons for a catch up and she reminded me that it's Thursday today, and not Wednesday as I thought!!
Taking no chances on the breakfast front this morning and throw some pig onto the hotplate before Herself has a chance to say "Shall we skip breakfast and ........"
After some van chores are complete we point Toyah's nose once again in the direction of Betws y Coed. Blaenau FFestiniog looks even more unwelcoming today under a thick cloudy sky, but we're not stopping so who cares. We'd planned to stop off for a walk up to Dolwyddelan Castle, but the National Trust still has it closed for COVID (and I thought Boris had said we've beat COVID) so we carry on and divert to a woodland walk near the train station to give the dogs some time off lead.
Rolling into Bettsy Cowed the first car park is full but we finds loads of space in the long stay further up the valley. Dogs get clipped on and we set off on a bit of a mooch.
Herself darts into a few shops and darts straight back out having clocked the inflated prices. She went into Clogau shop and came out unimpressed too. She had more Clogau about her person and in her box back home than they had stock!!
Refreshments are taken outside The Royal Oak once more, well it would have been rude not to, before we wander up to the top of the village towards Swallow Falls. We walk past all the "Proud to be independent" outdoor kit shops without bothering to look inside as we know they'll be charging double what they should be. The going is tough though, there's lots of people and everyone has a dog (we have 3 to control) and spent more time walking on the road than the pavement.
We're too tight to pay to see the falls, and from what we can see of the river there's not a great deal of water due to the recent dry spell, so find a riverside bench at the start of the woodland walk up stream and take the weight off our feet for a picnic lunch.
The dogs have been on a lead now for most of the time over the last 2 days and are in desperate need of a serious run. With the sun starting to break through the clouds we head straight to, yes you guessed it, Black Rock Sands where we get the opportunity to run their legs off before returning to site where we waste no time in setting up the chairs to blow the froth off a few cold ones and enjoy the sunshine.
Herself is in charge of tea tonight, and eventually prizes herself off her chair when the sun goes down to go and sort it out. She's some time in there, and at one point my belly thought my throat had been cut, but to be fair, when she emerged from the van, carrying two plates to the table in the awning, Herself had outdone herself.
Salmon in a sweet chilli sauce, served on a bed of caramelised onion rice with a side of skin on fries. Went down lovely it did.
Friday 29 April
Slept the clock round last night, and Herself is outside with the dogs by the time I peel myself off the sheets. Sun is back out today, so after a lazy few hours (involving eggy bread for breakfast) we pack a bag and head for a beach day. We had talked about a steam train trip, but to be honest with you the £56 fare for a 5 mile round trip wasn't sitting too comfortably with me.
Rolling onto Black Rock Sands we turn left onto the expanse that dogs are allowed and trundled on a while until we have a bit of space to ourselves.
Abandoning Toyah near the dunes we let the dogs loose and throw a ball for them all the way to the sea. I say all the way as we underestimated just how far out the tide had gone, and it seemed like we'd walked to Harlech by the time I'm able to get my piggies wet!
As the week is going on the dogs are getting fitter, and despite running flat out for half hour, both in and out of the water, there's still loads of life in them as we settle down for a few hours of relaxation under the hot spring sunshine.
It was Herself's idea to come here, despite not liking beaches that much. I just think it was a safer option than to try and drag Gwawr onto a steam train myself, but she won't admit it. Never the less, after a few hours I'm left in no doubt that I've tortured her enough and we run the dogs again before packing up. This time we're winning as they start to lose interest in the ball and do more sniffing around.
Back in Porthmadoc we park up in the long stay near Wilkos and head into town for a mooch, the outdoor market catching our attention first. Well, Cariad Gelato caught mine, but there were no seats available outside, and the adjacent park has a dog ban with the threat of a £1000 fine. Herself bought a big wooden "Cwtch" ornament for home but was in a hurry all of a sudden when I wanted to look at a tools stall.
Herself's knackered knee is now screaming at her and I swerve into a hippy shop to but some CBD gel before we adjourn to The Australia where they have their own micro brewery. I opt for a pint of Mwsh.
Back outside we browse a few more shops, but to be honest nothing caught our attention, and I wasn't brave enough to suggest double back to Cariad Gelato! We head back to base and sit outside for a while before showering and making tracks to the beer garden of The Bryn Arms once more.
Mind you, their bar snacks tasted a bit off!!
Saturday 30 April
Last day today, and we wake to a thick blanket of cloud overhead, can't complain though as we've been here 6 nights and not seen a drop of rain thus far, and it's been sunny for most of the time. No plans to do much today, except go gift shopping for Beastie and Bwmps.
We've done Betws y Coed, Llanberis, Beddgelert and Porthmadoc, with no luck and Llandudno is too far to go back, so we head off out through Crcieth towards Pwllheli. We strike gold, and within half an hour of feeding another fist full of pound coins into Gwynedd's Welsh only parking machines we're done and taking a table on the deck of the Venu Bar.
I go in to get drinks and am taken aback when asked to pay. I asked him to repeat and he says the same figure. I've moaned all week about bar prices up here in Gogsville, but no complaints here, just £3.80 a pint.
Refreshed we make for the promenade, where abandoning Toyah once again requires a fist full of pound coins. I had considered chancing it, but a warden was on patrol, desperate to justify the council paying his overtime this BH weekend.
We throw a ball for the dogs, but they're not as happy here as Black Rock, the beach slopes quite steeply and the waves have a bit more force. Still they get a good run before we head back to site with an important job to do.
The skies have looked a bit dodgy all day, and we wanted to drop the awning dry. That we managed ....... just ..... and as we zipped up the awning bag we feel the first drops that preluded an evening of steady drizzle.
No ingredients for an evening meal in the van so takeaway pizzas are picked up from the Bryan Arms and a cosy night in the van is had.
Sunday 1 May
It rained all night, and was still raining as we continue the task of breaking camp this morning, so relieved that we'd dropped the awning late yesterday afternoon.
With very little to do in reality we're pulling off the pitch at 08:45hrs and hitting the road south.
It's been a great week up in the welshest of welsh little corner of Wales. Where we live in Sir Gar welsh is quite prevalent, but in western Gogonia they run away with that title. Their welsh is more pure than the version we speak and even we struggled to understand the dialect of some of the locals, speaking quickly with that nasal whine with a mars bar in their mouths!
A week up here has certainly got my Welsh Nationalist juices flowing, and I nod in respect as we pass the "Cofiwch Dryweryn" slogan painted on the remains of a cottage in Llanrhystud.
Got a puncture in one of Toyah's tyres during the last mile of the tow home .... bummer!
