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Published: June 21st 2010
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29/5/2010
Dolleglau
With the rain bucketing down we made a slow start. Anticipating the worst of British roads with a wet start to the bank holiday weekend. We set off under the guidance of our sat nav along the motor way but with less traffic then expected. We cruised along the beautiful lush welsh countryside, along the narrow roads lined with cobblestone fences making it to Dollgelau with glimpses of sunshine.
Unbeknown to us today was the Annual Dolleglau fun run a 5km run up Ras y Fordd so we grabbed some fish and chips and watched the predominately male crowd set off to the subzero peak.
Following the main event start we wandered around the small village amongst the stone buildings and watched the under 12's set off for their mini run. We layed a few bets selected our favourites and retreated to the warmth of the pub for a coffee and paper break.
As the runners began returning , we realised how quickly the hours had skipped away from us. We made our way to Kings Hostel a ten minutes drive for the centre of Dollgelau set in picteresque forest along side a small river. No internet or
mobile receptions just the sound of the river rapids crashing just a few meters from our dorm which we ended with having to ourselves.
We headed back into town back to the pub to try and decifer the Welsh stories of the days run. Baffled we headed for dinner feasting on a delicious lamb shank and rack washed down with some red wine.
Caernarfon
We made a slower start then planned but the blue skies and bright sunshine soon kicked us into gear as we headed back into Dollegaleu with plans to hire bires and ride along the former traintracks to Bournmouth. Unfortunately everyone else seemed to have the same idea and by the time we made it to the bike hire they were all sold out. Disappointed we grabbed some breaky from the bakery and returned to our car and took the scenic route to Bournmouth.
We cruised through the lush countryside arriving at the coastal town of Bournmouth which was pumping with people determined to enjoy their Bank holiday weekend dressed in singlets and skirts on the beach despite the wind being freezing. We continued on to the small village of Portmerion designed by a famous
artist (who's name escapes me!).
The village is somethere between fairytale pastals and slightly tacky. We wandered through the village which no one actually lives in but has two operating hotels where you can get a room for a mere 200 quid a night. We continued along the beach route to the lighthouse (utterly disappointing... for some reason I thought it would be a real light house!) back to the village square for a water and some people watching in the sun.
We continued on our way to Caernafon to its famous castle located on the waters edge. We arrived in time for the knights dual! And they weren't holding back! We checked out the three towers and views of the quaint town before calling it a day and returning to the car in search of our hostel.
We eventually realised we were just around the corner from it despite where our sat nav insisted on sending us and were pleasently surprised we we arrived at our private room to find we had the top floor of the hostel including our own lounge, tv and bathroom. The difference the small thing make after two months in hospital (prison like) accomodation.
We headed out for some local Chinese and then settled back for some traditional British viewing of Topgear and Little Britain.
Snowdon
With the weather forcast looking promising for the Monday of the bank holiday weekend, we'd held all our hopes on climbing Mount Snowdon on our last day in Wales. Fortunately we woke to glorious sunshine and hit the road early hoping to beat the crowds.
All seemed to be going too smoothly seeing very few cars on the road, surely we couldn't have beaten everyone and we hadn't! The nearest car park was full before 8.30am. We retreated snaring a free part on the side of the road and catching the bus up to the Pen Y pass. We set off up the Miners track just after nine bundled up expecting it to be bitterly cold on top. With the sun beating down and path well protected from any breeze we were soon shedding our layers and carrying them. We scrambled up the track, losing it at one time realising we'd taken the steeper but obviously shorter route and making it to the peak in under two hours, just as the clouds began to roll in... the
weather man was spot on!
We fired off a few rounds and refueled with a coffee and pasty before making the steep descent back down.
Glad we'd left early as we passed hoards of people struggling up the mountain. We made it back to base and
walked back to our car keen to beat the traffic home. In the hands of our SatNav we returned along the motorway which proved to be a brilliant choice and we arrive home by four to prepare for our final week of work in the UK!
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