A few days away in deepest, darkest Wales

[fairwynds]

Just had a great few days away in the camper. Was heading up from the south coast to visit my daughter in Stoke, and detoured for a few days into North Wales. Due to awful M6 traffic, I arrived at Lake Vyrnwy in the dark, but due to some recent posts here (thanks Ian iirc) knew there would be places to wild camp. My plan was to test out some new kit in the van. Winter tyres/propex/on board water tank/water boiling stove. Have been getting the van ready for some long distance European and beyond (?) travels...
I awoke the following morning to this great spot



...a spot of breakfast before a cycle ride around the lake (it's about 10 miles, and yes, there are many spots to wild camp on the way around). It was lovely and quiet, being off season.



Leaving just after lunch, I decided to venture along some very minor roads! Without owning a Syncro, I didn't venture too far off the beaten track!



As we climbed higher, on the road up towards Bala, we went up into the clouds/fog. There were some steep drops off to the side, I guess something I will have to get used to if my forthcoming trips to the mountain areas of Europe come to fruition!



Spent the next day in Snowdonia, at a favourite spot near Tryfan Met some great people who were braving the elements under canvas. I did feel a little guilty as the night drew in and I flicked the switch on the Propex!



Next day, drove back on the A5, followed a burgundy A reg T25 Westy hitop for a while (with one of Steve's Gasure stickers in the rear window), but whoever it was either had a great engine and/or knew the roads....they were fair bombing along!
All in all, a great few days, and apart from a niggly, small coolant leak from a recent new water pump fitting, all was well with the old girl

[ghost123uk]

Looks great

We know that area quite well, it's only 30(ish) miles from us and go around there often, though mostly in the summer I just wish I could get Gill to come out more when the weather is less than ideal

Even though I put the handbrake on and park it in reverse gear, I always hate leaving the van on steep roads to take pics (like your 4th one). If you look down some of those ravines near Bala and Corwen you can see the rusty remains of some cars that have gone over the edge

[fairwynds]

Looks great

If you look down some of those ravines near Bala and Corwen you can see the rusty remains of some cars that have gone over the edge

... I think, in retrospect, I was glad it was foggy!

[jed the spread]

Looked awesome

Jed

[andypandy1930]

That looks great mate wish I was out camping in mine

[jrt]

Looks good I was working in Rhosneigr yesterday, the weather was fantastic.
David

[evilnoodle]

Looks brilliant....thanks for sharing

[danmetallic]

Very nice! Some great photos.

[Dazco]

Brill, that spot near the lake looks great

[sfjbrad]

Looks proper lovely

[kathyshack]

looks great. cant wait to get out and about proper again. any more details on your sleepy spots around there? love it over that way

[fairwynds]

looks great. cant wait to get out and about proper again. any more details on your sleepy spots around there? love it over that way

Lake Vrnwy can be approached from the south east end (where the dam is) or the north west end.
My approach was via the A458 from the direction of Welshpool, then onto the B4395 and B4393 to the dam end. When I left, that was to the north west, on towards Bala.
The road around the lake is about 10 miles in circumference and there are lots of places to pull over into. That said, it is winter, I only saw one other car the following morning, and heard none overnight. Bet it's different when the sun's out! Owned by Severn Trent Water (the lake supplies, amongst others, Liverpool) there were no restrictions about 'overnighting' visible, but as always, treat with respect.
http://www.stwater.co.uk/leisure-and-le ... ab/findus/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[kathyshack]

looks great. cant wait to get out and about proper again. any more details on your sleepy spots around there? love it over that way

Lake Vrnwy can be approached from the south east end (where the dam is) or the north west end.
My approach was via the A458 from the direction of Welshpool, then onto the B4395 and B4393 to the dam end. When I left, that was to the north west, on towards Bala.
The road around the lake is about 10 miles in circumference and there are lots of places to pull over into. That said, it is winter, I only saw one other car the following morning, and heard none overnight. Bet it's different when the sun's out! Owned by Severn Trent Water (the lake supplies, amongst others, Liverpool) there were no restrictions about 'overnighting' visible, but as always, treat with respect.
http://www.stwater.co.uk/leisure-and-le ... ab/findus/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

cheers, i've made a note of it

[tforturton]

Can't get my head round the name of that lake - there is no 'V' in the Welsh language. The 'v' sound is written using by the letter 'F'.

[richnat1988]

hi, its my favourite place, i think where you went up in the clouds may have been the highest mountain pass if its the balla road if memory serves me, if you go over the dam keeping the lake on your right and turn right at the end and then follow the road for a mile or so and take a left on to some tracks( wood cutters tracks, you can get a birds eye view of vrnwy and plenty of wood for a fire for the night,we did it in a couple of cars and got stuck in some mud but it was well worth it.