Hotel du "Van"

Thursday 23rd July 2015..

Today a significant “Tick box” was marked off my personal check-list..

Mt Snowdon was conquered !!! Ive wanted to climb the mountain with my surname for as many years as I can remember..

We pulled into the Victoria Hotel car park and were greeted by a very happy chap with a somewhat “military” approach.. We were directed to park down with a few other camper vans at the far end of the car park.. We were already thinking that this would make a “canny” spot to “Overnight”  The parking  was £7 so we thought if we could squeeze a sleep-over as well then that would be pretty good value.. As we walked back to the entrance, the attendant called us over and asked if we were climbing and by which route..He checked we had the appropriate gear and clothing for the approx 6hr trip.. He then enquired if we would be stopping over in the car park ? We said yes with a smirk as it  was as if he was already aware of our intentions.. He sent us off in the right direction, and we started the accent through the village..

It was Bloody Hot when we set off !!!

The climb was fantastic.. Every few minutes we would “marvel” at the views that were unfolding before us..  It was absolutely stunning and got better the higher we went.. That was until approx just over 2/3 of the way up, and the clouds and mizzle, decended upon us.. It made the last hour or so quite challenging as the various layers were applied to keep warm and dry.. Every now and then the sun would break through and rays of light would illuminate the valley below.. The views are etched on our memories for ever.. Occasionally the trains of the Snowdon Mountain Railway came past, almost teasing us with what was an easier way to the top.. But we persevered and finally reached the cafe at the top.. Only another few feet to go and we would be at the summit.. We scrambled up the last mound of rocks that form the actual peak, and stood and marvelled at the views.. It was truly breathtaking and Euphoric at the same time.. We were finally The Snowdons at the top of Mt Snowdon !!

At the very second I scrambled up the last few feet and reached the summit, my phone beeped to say I had a voicemail.. We had had no service most of the way up, so after descending to the warmth of the busy cafe, and tucking into our lunch and a hot drink, I checked to see who had called.. It was Ben the guy who had taken over my patch at work, saying he had had a call from the Mother of my best friend to say he had passed away.. This sent me into a bit of a panic as there were several of my friends who considered me to be their best Freind.. So as well as hearing I had lost one of them, I wasn’t even sure who it was ! Texts sent out to the likely lads, we started the decent down the mountain.. It became apparent  as the replies came in that it was Paul Grounsel who had left us.. Paul was born in the same hospital as me, 1 day earlier than me and our mothers had shared the same ward.. We had been mates for as long as I can remember and I could hardly believe that he was gone at such an early age.. Tears flowed all the way down the mountain, and I was comforted all the way by Angie.. I can’t write this now without wiping away fresh tears.. He was a lovely bloke and a true friend.. A true Battle Hill Diamond.. I remembered the last time I had seen him whilst visiting my Mam in hospital.. He was in hospital himself having a blood disorder treated.. His face would light up when he saw me and he hugged me as tight as I had ever been hugged.. He was a man of simple pleasures, who enjoyed life..

It seems poignant that i received the news as I finally reached the top of Mt Snowdon.. My Euphoria will always be tinged with sadness but Ill always remember Paul with significance and happiness..

We reached the car park and told the attendant of our day.. We swapped first names and it was fitting that he was also called Paul, and that his friends called him squirrel, which was quite amusing for me as Paul and I had shared a hilarious exchange with our friend Robbie about a his password which was squirrel :))  .. He told us to pull over closer to the hotel where we could make use of the hotel wifi, and directed us to a fresh water tap around the side of the hotel where we could fill our tank.. I could see Paul locking up for the evening, so I grabbed a couple of beers from our fridge and walked over.. We shared a beer and a bit of chat and shook hands, then off he went..

Its a day ill always treasure and never forget..

RIP paul mate……..

Paul Grounsel 1964 – 2015 RIP Mate…

North Wales …

Our introduction to Wales was not that of the “Green Valleys”, but mile after mile of static caravan sites !!
Prestatyn and Rhyl are not what you would call “Easy on the Eye” … A destination for thousands of holiday makers to enjoy a seaside holiday, but not what we were looking for..
Llandudno soon put things back on an even keel tho..
A picturesque Victorian seaside village located between the Orme and Great Orme..
We parked up and took ourselves to the Pier which juts out into the Irish Sea.. Following that we decided to venture up the Great Orme.. We took the Tramway up, which was great value for the money, and spent an hour looking out over the stunning views.. We walked back down and stopped at a pub near the bottom and enjoyed another delicious meal, before jumping back into the “Hotel du Van” and heading off in search of our first campsite of the adventure..
We decided that we liked the look of the Caravan Club site at Betws-y-coed, so we set the sat nav and off we went..

Bit of a problem… The site was full, and the town is not what you would call “Motorhome Friendly” well not to lets say “wild or free campers”.. It was getting late by this time and searching for an alternative, was not an option.. Were not that big a unit at 5.4m , and many have said “quite a sexy looking camper van” so we probably get away with more than a larger van would, so we settled in overlooking the green and went in search of a pub meal..
Our walk around left us a bit gobsmacked at the amazing little village we had stumbled upon.. A rocky waterfall and twisting river runs through what is what must be one of the prettiest villages we have ever been to (Well done Wales) ..
We shopped at the local store for provisions and had a lesson of the shop assistant in how to pronounce the name of the village.. A quick call to “Pops on the way back to the van confirmed that he had been here many times as well..
We settled in for the night waiting for a polite knock on the door to ask us to move on, but we slept sound and left early the next morning..
We headed back up to Conwy, which is another great town, with a castle and lots of streets to wander around.. There was an advertisement for a concert by the local Welsh Male Voice Choir, which is one of the stranger things to do on my lifelong tick-list … Unfortunately it was sold out 😦

WE decided on a bit of a pub Crawl for the evenings entertainment and by the third pub we had made friends with a lovely local couple called Greg and Lisa.. I mentioned my disappointment about missing the choir and they said if we hung around a while we may be in for a treat..
About an hour later the pub was filled with men wearing matching green blazers.. We were treated to several songs as they downed a pint or three and it was indeed a truly MAGNIFICENT experience..
New friends and another life experience ticked off the list, ended a great intro to Wales :)))

Heading South..

We bid farewell to Bonnie Scotland and looked back on what was a Fantastic start to our journey..
If you could give a TripAdvisor style rating, Scotland would definitely achieve 5*****

Heading south down the M6 we glanced right towards The Lake District and reminisced on yet another of the UKs “Gems”
As we have been there on many occasions before, we carried on in search of new adventures..

We overnighted at a Brit Stop just south of Kendal.. A pub called The Strickland Arms.. A Lovely Olde Worldy pub with delicious food, and with a couple of drinks each the bill came to £40.. The car park was on a bit of a slope but the setting was tranquil..
We dipped back into Kendal and did some laundry and gathered a few bits and bobs at Halfords and then headed for our next destination, Wales…

We parked up in Chester at a large city car park which was well used by the Motorholming fraternity..
It was there that our plans took a change of direction when we received a message from my cousin Elizabeth.. We were only 20 miles from where her and Alex lived, so we up’ed chocks and set off for Whitchurch..

We had last seen Elizabeth & Alex at Mams funeral back in March, where they had given Geordie, Geoff and myself a beautiful framed picture of mam winning a “Miss Lovely Legs competition, back in the 70s at Pontins..
It was agreed that we should stay for 2 nights so we unpacked our overnight bags and enjoyed a “proper” bed and shower for a couple of days..

The following day we were treated to a day out at Blist Hill which is like stepping back in time.. An open air Victorian museum, set in the Ironbridge Gorge.. A fabulous few hours later we pulled up in Ironbridge itself, which is a stunning little village, set on the river Severn.. It takes its name from the 30m cast iron bridge built in 1779.. Its a must for Bridge Enthusiasts..
Another sumptuous meal out that evening and lots more reminiscing, followed by another night in a proper bed lol and we bid our lovely hosts farewell.. An open invitation to join them in their winter retreat in Tenerife accepted, and we were on our way once more..