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Published: June 21st 2006
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The northernly latitude in Wales means that dawn breaks very early in the summer and the sunlight becomes the best wake up call. If one desires to remain undiscovered they have to be up before they're clearly visible. Normally such an early start would be appreciated as the roads would be virtually traffic free, but its a nusance when waiting to buy a new tire tube at 5am. Within a couple of hours the main Bangor university castle like structure opens, and it seems like a good place to explore and consume time. Inside the bathrooms I lather up some soap in my hand and try and wash my hair and face a bit in the sink while carefully listening to make sure noone walks in on my hobo bath. The toilets are virtually unchanged from the original design as they have a pull rope hanging from the ceiling. Its not exactly something you would find in Tim Hortons. Upon leaving a gentlemen who would probably consider himself an authority figure inquires to what i'm doing. Without a second of hesitation i lie and tell him that i'm waiting for the library to open. There was probably no need to lie, but it becomes almost second nature when your exploring.
The 'Morrison's' nearby has opened and I soon realize my suspicions were right and that it is in fact a grocery store and there are definetely no bike parts. A walk through the town center is in order, so i chain my bike in front of the university and walk down the steep hill to the shops below. Some european cities are designed that most of the shopping areas are clumped together outside the general flow of traffic. It makes shopping downtown almost enjoyable. A bike shop opens at 9 and I retrieve my bike from up the hill and bring it down before buying anything. The shopkeep sells me a tire and tube for 4 quid a piece. The pound is almost exclusively known as "quid" in these parts. Sounds like Squid but without the 's'. Its probably one of my favourite slang words I've ever come across. After borrowing an adjustable wrench from the keep i swap some tires in the middle of the street and in the midst of many stares. The keep tells me that there are some fine bikes built in Canada, but I ensure him there are far more poor CCM bikes being made than he would care to know about.
Before leaving I do in fact visit the university library in hopes of finding some free internet access. The computers need an access code but the visit is not in vain as a room on the third floor has a collection of very interesting books written in Welsh that are more than a couple hundred years old.
Once again several hours behind schedule I start biking along the A5 and eventually to London. I had every intention of making up ground fast but to my dissapointment i'm confined to pushing my bike along the roads edge as cars drive by a few inches away. A few porn magazines are haphazardly strewn along the road, but pre-used magazines like this are probably not a good thing to touch. This section of the A5 is the mountain pass and it weaves right through the whimsically named Snowdonia Mountains. It is actually the original road used by the Romans to conquer Wales and probably one of the most peaceful places to drive in the country. The roads once again are lined with stone walls, but just over the edge is a sheer drop of up to 30 feet into the wide valley that runs between the two mountain ranges. I ride and mostly push my bike uphill for the better part of the day but considering the scenery its awe inspiring. Eventually there's a mountain climbing camp where tourists camp and trek up these little mountain paths to hang out with goats and what not. A stunning waterfall is nearby and I eat my stale sandwich while other tourists do the same. A few attractive girls are taking pictures but since they're with their parents they could possibly be younger then they look. After a short rest i began riding again, but this time at a slight decline. If a decline is too steep then its a wasted downhill at times because you have to use your brakes. If it is only slightly down then you can bike as fast as you want with unbridled enthusiasm. This particular downhill lasts for about and hour and is the most satisfying biking I have ever done. Every time you expect it to be over it keeps going. Along the way i pass my first youth hostel, but one this secluded would probably have a inflated price so i continue riding until i reach the town of Betws-y-coed. A small tourist town that is enjoyable to bike through, but not appealing enough to stop for the night. The signs are fairly straightforward and I estimate that Corwen can be reached by nightfall. Its anotyher 30 kilometers of spectacular mountains and small towns that are virtually unchanged in appearance from when they were first built many years ago. The town i decide to stay the night is the small town of Corwen and probably no more than 2000 people call it home. For some reason a small island in the middle of a river interests me as a place to sleep, but thoughts of waking up to a flash flood change my increasingly strange mind. My next choice is very safe but ridiculous in concept. I figure that the tree beside the police station is very safe and fairly concealed. It only becomes dark enough after 10pm to safely pull out my sleeping bag and after various attempts at sneaking into the area from behind i simply walk in the open and nonchalently hide in the darkness beneath the tree. I put my glasses which i haven't worn yet beside me just incase i need to see something in a hurry at night. A cruiser soon flashes its headlights illuminating my 'secret' place, but i'm not seen and soon fall asleep exhausted. A fairly succesful day, london's closer and calling.
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Nicole
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Lovin it...
Phil, im soo intrested in your trip... so glad u posted these last two journals.... cant wait to her more!!