Sometimes it’s just nice to get away from things. Actually, (what am I on about?) at ALL times it’s GREAT to get away from things; especially when your life is suddenly so full but not entirely fulfilling. So when I found myself with two back-to-back free days for the first time in bloody ages, I decided to take a break. Snowdonia was the destination. Mount Snowdon was the target – but that would wait until tomorrow. Today was a day of exploration.
I’ve been a fair few times in my life, but never have I ever driven myself to Snowdonia. Names like Harlech, Porthmadog and Barmouth, Betws-y-Coed, Bala and Dolgellau all echo through my mind from the Chamber of Distant Memories, and I decided to see how many old roads I could retrace with my own wheels.
My first stop was Llyn Tegid – or as I know it, Bala Lake. When I was a kid, I remember stopping by on the way to Barmouth. Back then it was a glorious morning and we ate sandwiches at a picnic bench, surrounded by ducks. Today, the adjective that sprung to mind was ‘grey’. Typical. Summer 2018 in the UK had been amazing. But here, on my day off, it seemed summer had done one for another year.
I wanted to explore Bala’s town but like last time, I couldn’t stay long. The next destination was Ynys, near Harlech – the site of my first ever holiday in 2000.
On the way through the Snowdonia hills (I’ve no idea, somewhere with a Welsh name) I was smacked with a huge downpour. I actually had to stop at the side of the road because I could not see where I was going. It was like going through a carwash, and definitely the worst rain shower I’ve driven through. Scary, but amazing. Not long afterwards I arrived in Ynys.
‘Ynys’ is Welsh for ‘island’, and this little village about 3 miles outside Harlech was once a rocky outcrop, many centuries ago, until the land rose and connected it to the mainland. A few hundred years later, the Banks family visited on their first family holiday. We stayed in our uncle’s caravan at the campsite there.
One day, I joined my dad and our two dogs on a walk out across the sands to Ynys Gifftan, an island in the estuary of the River Dwyryd that’s only accessible on foot at low tide. When we reached the island, my dad realised that we couldn’t stay – as the tide was starting to come back in. We hurried back across to the shore and got there just in time. However, our dogs (being dogs) were still playing in the water, which was now dragging them down the shore. My dad had to get back into the water, grab the dogs and haul them out whilst fighting the tide that was sweeping him away. For a 7-year-old, watching your dad and your dogs being dragged away was pretty dramatic!
Yeah, you don’t need to tell me.
I received a phone call from fellow T.W.A.T.S. member. I tried to encourage Brendan to meet me in Porthmadog, but as he was driving from Barnsley and we were climbing Snowdon tomorrow, he was having none of it. I then suggested Beddgelert – a place I’ve never been but long wanted to visit. Again, I received a no. It’s like Brendan didn’t want to experience all of Snowdonia’s spectacular scenery. Unbelievable.
We decided (Brendan decided, and I just agreed) to meet in Bangor.
Bangor. A city of zero memories for me. It was time to see if it was more than just a rude sounding Uni town. I parked up at Beach Road East car park and was delighted to see it was free! As it was just past 5pm, almost every other car there had a person inside it eating a chippy tea. I turned on BBC Radio 5 Live to catch the end of the Arsenal vs Man City game. Brendan was still over an hour away.
This seagull didn’t move much. He just stood there staring at me.
The game ended and I was bored so I went for a wander in the direction of the pier. I was expecting to see lots of bars (as this was a Uni town) but all I walked past was a Kwik Fit and a few pubs. The pier was still open but pretty much empty. The rain clouds that had blighted my entire day had finally drifted away, and blue sky was peeking out. Everything was closed. It was kinda lonely as I walked out into the Menai Straight. The tide was out and I stopped to look over the railings at the seabirds searching the mud for food. Tranquil, it was.
A cute old couple were there, and they sat on the bench opposite me. I imagined this was where they used to come when they were much younger. Meanwhile on my bench, I was on my phone.
Suddenly my phone started ringing! I headed back to the car park to collect Brendan.
We walked back to Garth Pier and Brendan took photos of the sky. The sun was dipping and he was hoping to catch a cracking sunset. But we were hungry so we left.
We drove into Bangor centre. We found a car park and wandered around. Still, no signs of students. Yes, it is the summer holidays, but it was like walking through a student ghost town. Just houses and shops. Where were the bars? Where was the student sector? Where did Bangor Uni students go on a night out?
I searched ‘Revolution’ on Google maps (cos everywhere has a Revs) – nothing within 60 miles. I looked for “nightclubs” on Google maps and it directed us up to a couple on a road near a hill. Then Brendan had a genius idea. I honestly don’t know why it took us so long to think of it, like seriously I am ashamed of myself for being so stupid.
SPOONS.
We ordered Empire State Burgers and talked about how Bangor was a rubbish student town. We also decided on our route up Snowdon tomorrow, and that we would sleep in our cars tonight and save money on a hostel. Money’s tight nowadays.
We drove out towards Llanberis. It was late. We drove through the town and found a layby as we entered the Pen-y-Pass. It was full of campervans, but there was space for two small cars. We parked up at around midnight and prepared for an uncomfortable sleep. In 7 hours time, we would be climbing Wales’ highest peak…
Here’s a short video of the day, if you’re interested.
#VidOnTour 