Article written by Patricia Kent

We had decided that we would go early and come back late so as not to hit Bank Holiday Traffic, so, Thurs. morn, Steve, Eddie, Trevor and I set off at a nice steady pace. We called at the Pub at Llangollen which has gone very up market, adding a Motel with pool, sauna, and all kinds of beauty treatments. Things weren't running so well, the computer was down, the lad serving on his own was harassed and we heard customers complaining of waiting an hour for food. Most of them left, but we weren't bothered, we got our butties, and very nice they were too!

Arriving at the camp site to our Horror, a Tent had pitched in our Spot! any way not to be deterred, we put the caravan on one side of him and Steve on the other. I can tell you he wasn't right chuffed, he said that we were crowding him, but he his wife and three kids all sharing a 5' sq. tent, all left the day after. Scouse Jon and the Liverpool lads were mostly all there, but they were on the caravan pitch.
Thursday night was "stuff yer face" night at the Oakley Arms where hear too had been a change. New management, new menus, and a clean up job, it was great! We played pool with Steamin Steve & Elusive Eddie, boy you should see those fellas play............

Friday was still misty and damp, this we'd run into around Bala on our way there, but we had a trip out. We went towards Porthmadog, over the Toll road, and passed through Harlech (only cos it was heavin an we couldn't park) Going down coast we stopped at a Lovely Cafe, just off the beach where Mr. Franks succumbed to a Bacon Butty! The weather was still drizzly but it was warm and humid.
Friday night Alan and Wyn arrived as also did Chris & Colin (older members) And Rob & Kate.We all sat in the Awning talking, and the drink seemed to be going down very well too.

Saturday we all set off for the woods at Maentwrog doing them from the other end and coming down. No problem, we didn't get lost, yippee! after, we went over the slate Quarry then carrying on further down towards Dolgellau, we went through the woods. Our next route took us past a quaint T-shop stop in someone's garden that was really set out for hanging bikes, but we went in and sampled some lovely home made bread and home grown onions. And home made Flapjack as well. Suitably refreshed we went onto our next track near Llanfachreth and on after that to the one that used to have a bad side lean to it taking you into a badly rutted mud section. Well that had been flattened and the bog filled in, so off we trundled to our next lane which was along a wooded wall and I do believe we stopped last year for the guys who like to whittle with hazel wood.Then onto the next lane where a bit of Bad Luck hit us. We had over shot the track as it was so over grown with flora, and backing up, Rob took first dive at it. Unfortunately going through the gateway his wheel slipped on a stone and his back window popped. Following him down, Trevor Slipped too and he was a fraction of an inch from a popped window. Some back end rocking helped the others through and we got down to the road. Rob fixed loads of tape to his window to hold the glass, I hope he's fixed it now!

By now the time was getting on and after our last lane over the moor to the A470 Rob and Kate had to get back home to feed the 'pussies' and we went back to camp. We ate in camp and then had a lovely camp fire.
Sunday we went North onto map 115, for those that can remember, this is where Trevor got stuck for several hours in a gateway on the old A5. Needless to say I decided NOT to go there. The two tracks that we did there were nice, all were over grown and in need of cutting back. At the end of the first one we got caught up in a bike race that was taking place with around 400 riders, what a pain! We lost communication , and Trevor lost his rag! Finally when got back on track we did the last track through the forest near Betwsy-Y-Coed. Then after a lovely day weather wise, back on the A470 we headed back to camp, and all went out to Dine, followed by the camp fire.

Monday Chris and Colin left us. So off we went, only going to do the two lanes over Barmouth Bay. But, we'd be passing a really nice lane on the way so, we turned onto it only to find the whole length was Tarmac. Bike Route No.8. We spoke to a jolly Farmer on the other side who said that he hadn't seen many Land Rovers for a while, well now we know why!!
After this Tarmac we continued in the same vein down by Tal-y-Llan Lake, (6 gates!) and onto the Cafe that wasn't open at the end, and onto the Pub at Abergynolwyn (with 2 stations) that also wasn't open till 12.00. So taking advantage of the Attic Sale in the Village Hall, me an Wyn "ad a good root round" Steve perused the Village shop and spotted a huge Jam Roly poly cake, then we got dragged into the pub for a drink.
THEN, we headed off for the longest track over the moor near Barmouth. We approached from the mountain track only to find we'd over shot it. Yet again lots of over growth. Anyway finally on it, it was a good one. Then we did the other one that over looks the Sea. We pulled off and had a butty stop where Trevor got his bins out to nosy on the beach. We decided to make our way back as Alan & Wyn were going home too. Coming off the track we bumped into 4 vehicles, one of which was one of our latest members,"Nice to see you Brian!!"

Well back at camp, us that were left had one more 'Pig-Out' and another steaming game of Pool at the Oakley. I must say that we had during the day collected Driftwood, and we had the best Camp-fire that night.
So, all that was left to do Tues was to clean up & pack up and we were on our way after a Great Week-end !!