23 to 25 January 2024 - Pen y Bont

We were privileged to be invited by Paul and Jeanette to spend a couple of nights, along with Andy, at a lovely holiday cottage in the Ceiriog Valley in North Wales. Pen y Bont has been a holiday refuge for Paul and Jeanette for many years. It's a great spot.

We arrived on Tuesday lunchtime and after a leisurely lunch we set off along the high road to Llanarmon Dyffryn Ceiriog, in the pouring rain of Storm Joselyn. The views along the valley were glazed by a dense sheen of mist and rain.
 

The Upper Ceiriog Way was joined briefly by the five adults and Rufus, the reluctant dog, when it comes to walking in the rain.

An information board describes a defeated threat to the valley in 1923 when a proposal to create two reservoirs for the benefit of the residents of Warrington was defeated, thanks partly to David Lloyd George, whose roots were nearby.

Click on the image to view all the text, and click on any image for a slideshow

Here's a view from the information board on this rainy afternoon.

Paul and Jeanette had already enjoyed a superb lunch at 'The Hand', which appears to be a culinary destination. We spent some time there, drying out, enjoying afternoon tea and beer, before heading back past the church.

A move to follow the road was defeated, so we stumbled along a path laced with descending streams as far as Tregeiriog.

Luckily there was a bridge to cross the river before a final trot along the road, reaching Pen y Bont at dusk.

Here's our route - 9 km with 230 metres ascent, during which we spent 2 hours in the rain.

Sue and I had brought some provisions with us, and we enjoyed a 'one pot spatchcock chicken' meal.

Rufus ensured there was no need for any washing up, while the rest of us tucked in to a lemon cheesecake tart.

The weather was better on Wednesday. We drove to the Trevor basin, next to the Pont-Cysyllte Aqueduct on the Llangollen Canal.

 

Paul and Jeanette were soon installed in their sea kayaks, whilst the rest of us strolled along the scenic towpath.

About half way to Llangollen, we enjoyed some coffee and cake, and Paul swapped places with Sue.

From our bench, the Bryn Howel hotel looked to be in a sorry state. Built in 1896, it was owned by the same family for many years and was a prized destination with over 30 rooms. After being sold to a hotel chain that later went into administration, it was sold in 2012, but the new owner seems to have lost interest. All rather sad.

The 46 mile Llangollen Canal dates from the late 18th century, and unlike the aforementioned hotel, is still going strong as a magnet for tourists. We met numerous dog walkers and several kayakers on a training course in preparation for a kayaking holiday

We enjoyed views down to the River Dee, which beyond Llangollen rises higher than the canal which it feeds.

The kayakers called it a day in the centre of Llangollen, where after some faffing we found a good cafe in which to enjoy some bowls of soup with chunky slabs of brown bread.

The river was frothing with fury as it passed through Llangollen. Not seen in the next picture, a couple of kayakers were expertly navigating the rapids.

We returned to the towpath, with Paul and Jeanette installed in their kayaks, and Sue eagerly anticipating another go in one of them.

We approached Bryn Howel and I took my place on the bench whilst Paul and Jeanette got out of their boats. This didn't quite go to plan (assuming Andy didn't plan what follows!).

Paul was out of his kayak and just about to help Jeanette get out of hers, when helpful Andy decided to assist by pulling on Jeanette's kayak. He succeeded in removing her from the kayak... directly into the canal! I decided that the taking of any pictures might be regarded as unacceptable voyeurism, so I stayed put whilst the theatre played out. (Non existent pictures are now in high demand, not least from Jeanette!)

So Sue never did get to have another go, as after emptying her kayak of 'flood' water, Jeanette wisely chose to strike for home (the Trevor basin) and the change of clothes that had wisely been left there.

By the time the rest of us arrived, the boarding platform was empty and Paul and Jeanette were gone. The view here takes you past the boarding / disembarking point and along the aqueduct, which at this time of year is closed for maintenance.

We pottered around the World Heritage Site while Jeanette sorted out her appareil and Paul stashed the kayaks. Meanwhile the nearby cafe closed spot on at 4pm, just as we arrived, when the staff wanted to go home. Never mind, it was an easy journey back to Pen y Bont and our own plentiful supplies of tea and cake.

I got a shot of the aqueduct as the car flew past it.

Here's today's there and back route - we did about 16 km, with 150 metres ascent.

While Andy was creating a tasty sausage casserole, the owner of Pen y Bont was enjoying a stroll out, and a couple of snaps of the cottage. 

On Thursday, Andy went home after breakfast and the rest of us walked to Glyn Ceiriog and back on a dull and slightly drizzly day.

Walks from Pen y Bont seem to start up a never ending hill!

Having gained the height, we found ourselves in a cloud.

Elevenses were on a breezy corner by a virtually traffic free road. Rufus wasn't impressed!

Down in Glyn Ceiriog the cafes were closed but the snowdrops were in bloom.

After lunch - we'd sensibly brought sandwiches - in the village centre, we walked up the road towards Pandy and joined an old tram track leading from a quarry near to Pen y Bont.

The infant River Ceiriog rushed on as we progressed serenely along the tramway.

Judging by the huge amounts of mosses and lichens, the air should be pretty pure around here.

Is this the old gunpowder works?

This is definitely the disused quarry.

Here's today's route - 13.5 km, 300 metres ascent, taking around 4 hours.

Well, that was an excellent walk, and an excellent trip altogether. Thanks go to Paul and Jeanette for inviting us along, and to Andy for his good company.

We look forward to visiting Pen y Bont again. It's a great spot, and we only touched the surface of all that can be done from that cosy base.

19 to 22 January 2024 - Another Visit to Center Parcs (Sherwood Forest)

There's a full list of our Center Parcs visits since 2007 here.

This trip was the usual format, with five of the seven of us exercising madly, Lyn suffering from bad knees caused by a failed operation over twenty years ago, and disabled Louise now on a mobility scooter.

The lake was frozen. Canada Geese and a variety of gulls were slipping and sliding on the ice, which many preferred to sitting in the cold water. (Wouldn't you?)

Sue and I went for a swim in the pool. Others arrived at chalet 868 a bit later.

A prawn and squash curry went down well.

Saturday morning, and Sue and I went along to Sherwood Pines parkrun for the fourth time. Robert joined us for his first ever parkrun. (The first of many?)

Full results are here.

Then, after Gerry and Chris had enjoyed a bit of archery, and coffee and cake had been consumed, the active five went off to play badminton. Four of them enjoyed that. I can't hit the slow moving object that is supposed to be sent over the net. 

After lunch, bowls. Everyone could manage that as long as we played from the same end.

The family ball wall on a squash court followed. I failed to record the mayhem, but I did get this picture of Sue trying to play the piano before we left.

Robert and Lyn provided an excellent beef meatloaf for dinner.

Sunday started with table tennis - one of several visits to a table that five of us could enjoy without getting too knackered.

Nearby, the game of Pickleball was in progress. Here are the rules. We hadn't come across this game before.

Squash followed. Sue tried to play against Chris.

Outdoors tennis was booked, but was cancelled because of windy conditions. It was deemed too dangerous to play on the courts away from the trees, but quite safe for children to play in a playground under overhanging trees! (Health and Safety gone bizarre?)

Later, after an entertaining and successful game of pickleball, a walk back to the chalet through the Winter Forest Lights. 

Dinner was Chicken and Chorizo Jambalaya, provided by Gerry and Chris, who also supplied a tasty 'Mystery Dessert'. (Summer pudding.)

Monday morning was spent playing table tennis, pickleball and bowls, whilst watching a crane recovering a large tree that had fallen overnight into the Winter Forest Lights.

Then an easy hour and a half drive home.

Another most enjoyable Center Parcs visit. Thanks everyone for your company.