Welsh Birthday Tour Day 3

The following morning after an unpleasant night on rubber mattresses we had cold showers, dried on our bed sheets and left without breakfast. The canteen looked dismal, a cross between a comprehensive school and a forced labour camp. See you next year Pontins!! 

Conwy castle and village was voted best town in Europe in 2019 by the Japanese (so i read on the internet, so it must be true) and it's easy to see why. The castle stands proud on the bank of a river, the village crouching within the walls looks incredible. A monument that has stood the test of time, tiny roads, picturesque shops, giant castle, a beautiful salute to the past. 

Next up was the Snowdonia national park. Since doing the north coast 500 we compare everything to Scotland in the UK. The '500' and Scotland are the yard stick that everything is measured by and generally nothing comes close.  However, the Wales we experienced over these two days was right up there, mind-blowing natural beauty, wonderful roads, easily the most beautiful and accessible part of the country next to Scotland. 

 We travelled through canyons where the rocks started at the edge of the tarmac and hurtled skyward like a scene from middle earth, we were only missing a Hobbit and Gandalf! I wish I had taken more photos.

Stopping for a break in another postcard location I had a Rocky Road that a child had made. Her mother giving it to me arms outstretched attempting to keeping a COVID safe 2m distance, obviously torn between pleasing a child and keeping away from a dirty biker. I hope they didn't make the cake with their hands. 

Shortly after the rocky road we hit the road and promptly lost Ken. Paul and I stopped to wait, but when Ken didn't show up we followed Top Gear rules and left the man behind. We eventually met up at our destination for the night in Rhayader.  It a lovely little place that we were familiar with after our off-road Strata Florida trip a couple of years ago. 

It was whilst enjoying a beer in the sun that this chap turn up.  His panier reads 'A Blind Woman, Two Wheels and 25,000 miles'

His name is Bernard Smith and he actually did a round the world trip with his blind wife before she passed away. She became the first blind woman to circumnavigate the world on a bike. His stories of the travel were engrossing and i enjoyed talking with him. The bike has now done 185,000miles!  One of the things he said struck a chord with me,  'i just wanted to see if it could be done, to know if I was as capable as others that had gone before'.  He did it and wrote book which i will read. I have his details and will catch up this week. 

Our accommodation this evening was first class compared to the night before. The apartment, for £24 each, was complete with bedding, towels and soap. Happy Days. Time to grab a beer and some dinner.