Day 1.
The usual suspects met at Booths supermarket in Burscough. It was very hot so we set off on time (10.30am) and headed for Liverpool. We were soon through the tunnel where we met Steve who was relaxing on a sunlounger with a glass of Cote Du Rhone and a selection of canapes. The M53 was fairly quiet and we made good 50-55mph progress. After Wrexham Rob’s bike decided it needed a short rest. We waited for a while, then carried on for coffee at the Old Station at Welshpool and we met up again in Newtown. We were soon at the bunkhouse and our host showed us around and put the kettle on. Mileage about 120.
Day 2.
Still very hot, we set off from Rhayader, riding through Knighton and Clun (lovely) . Unfortunately, the tea shop I’d planned on stopping at was closed (can you see a pattern forming here!) We left civilization and rode up the Long Mynd (Long Mountain) It turned into a 1 in 4 and a car was in the middle of the narrow track. Driver seemed unaware that we were struggling to keep upright and not slide backwards. Somehow, we all made it without injury. On the top we watched the gliders taking off and landing and took in the amazing views. Dropping (literally!) into Church Stretton, we parked under some trees and headed for the café. After the tea-break we lost ourselves….ahem….in the many small lanes and villages east of the A49 before we reached Ludlow.
It was nice to be able to park up by the castle, I’d checked this out previously and no-one seems to mind bikes parking there, even on market day! After ice cream and chips we set off across the river and into the pleasantly cool lanes of Mortimer forest. After some green-laning we re-joined the real world, bi-passing Presteigne and headed back to the bunkhouse. Mileage about 120.
Day 3.
Another lovely hot day, we headed west this time to the Elan valley. Passing Elan Village we reached the 1st dam at the very impressive Caban-Coch Reservoir. Steve had stayed behind at the bunkhouse to wait for a shipment of Morris oil he ordered (we passed the lorry in the lane on our way!) John had turned back to count his cylinders as he seemed to have lost one somewhere.
We continued our tour of the reservoirs and Richard narrowly avoided being kidnapped by a coachload of grannies!. We eventually arrived at Tregaron for lunch and we chose The Talbot hotel, was a good choice as it turned out as there was already a group of Vintagents there on lovely pre-war Triumphs, Panthers, Rudge etc. We decided to cut the run short, stay a little longer then take the mountain road back to Beulah and then to Rhayader. Cracking road it was too! Mileage today about 85.
Day 4.
A change in the weather this morning, we set off in thick drizzle on very wet roads back towards Tregaron. After negotiating some ‘interesting’ hairpin bends on a very wet 1 in 4 hill we turned at Mynydd Trawsant (Welsh for Mountain stream crossing) The views over Llyn Brianne Reservoir were very impressive (‘like Norway’ Richard said). It’s hard to believe that it’s only one body of water, it has so many parts. The Towy Bridge Inn had good refreshments and we relaxed on the veranda overlooking the river and the 100 year-old bridge (sadly soon to be demolished) After much ‘bimbling’ about down lovely valleys we finally crossed the River Towey near Carmarthen and after a rest to admire the river and bridge we turned towards Llandovery and the lunch stop. We were served by the Welsh Miss Whiplash who seemed strangely attracted to our overtrousers! Obviously we made our excuses and left for the A40 towards Brecon. After a short….er…detour we turned up the Bwlch Y Groes . This turned out to be a Military area but can be used by the public when the sign permits it. The sign said road open so we carried on. It also said ‘Don’t Stop’ and it felt eerie. The pristine black tarmac stretched for miles over the mountain plateau (Mynydd Epynt). We soon saw signs of the military, army lorries and landrovers, and against a grassy bank we saw (just) some soldiers in full cammo disguise as we passed by. Mileage today about 140 miles.
Day 5.
The ride home was uneventful. It started off wet and rainy but cleared up before Newtown. We stopped at Welshpool for coffee again. Mileage today for me about 120. My total was about 585miles.
Summary.
The bunkhouse was fine , but if it had been fully occupied might not have been so comfortable for us. The breakfasts were good but Steve didn’t like the sausages (and the lack of napkins and hot milk for the coffee was just beyond the pale!) There were no Piranhas in the river but Tony, Steve and Richard found that the minnows were ferocious! Steve lost his rag while working on his bike- the dog ran off with it. Peter was King of the Horseflies in his new super-dooper campervan ensemble. Phil spent all week looking but still hasn’t found his propstand. Has anyone seen it? Also it was lucky we didn’t play for money because card-sharp Phil would have cleaned us out! Tony emptied the town of steak and Ale pies, but don’t tell Hilda!
Quote of the week has to be from a local, when asked if it was OK for us to use the annex lounge, he replied ‘ Yeah it’ll be OK, just don’t .…. on the seats!’ (Insert your chosen expletive. )
David Y was our Elder Statesman this week, (standing in for Frank who couldn’t make it).
So to sum up – a great week, super weather, great place, and the best company, and …don’t believe the rumours about John and Cliff………
Dave A