[RBR] Wales, in a day and a half. (Long)

Set off at seven-thirty (in the morning!) and was through London in a
trice. It would have been quicker, but for the pita MX5 driver who
kept trying to barge their way through, along the embankment.

M4 was duly dispatched, with a fill-up at one of the services ( I
forget which), then over one of them bridges into Taffyland. By 9
thirty.

Runston chapel is hidden away, in woods, behind the back end of an
archery Butts (or is it butt?). Luckily, no Prawns of Sherwood were
about.

From Runston it was onto the M4 to head for SteveH's stomping ground.
The "wheel of drams" is very easily spotted as you enter the town. A
cup of coffee later, and it was under the viaduct towards Brecon.

A long windy country lane, following a canal, led me the canal basin
(surprise!) in Brecon, where I had lunch. Three landmarks already, and
it was just gone noon. Lots of bikes on the road.

From Brecon, it was off down some more empty roads towards LLandybie.

There was some confusion here, as it says "Limekiln; Llandybie" and my
research picked up three separate kilns. The RBR forum suggested going
for the big ones, but the organiser can be tricky at times, so I
plumped for visiting all three. Mistake.

The first was easy. Park up, then a few hundred yards down a leafy
lane on foot. The second was easier - big complex at the back of a
quarry. The third ... was tricky.

First attempt took me down a cobbled side road, that crossed a stream
then began to climb a muddy bridleway. The Wing was having none of it,
so I parked up and walked. No joy. Luckily a couple of equestrian
types happened by, and directed my up the other side of the valley. By
road. From there it was a 300 yard slog through boggy puddles and
nettles, but I found it.

Easy going from here to Pembroke Dock. Another tank of fuel, then a
snap of the Chieftain tank and Sunderland propeller down by the docks.

The ride from here to the Museum of Internal Fire at Tan--Groes was
very picturesque, as it went along the coast of Cardigan Bay.
Gloriously sunny, and empty roads. Marvellous. The museum was due to
close in thirty minutes, so I settled for a quick picture, and resumed
my journey.

Back on the coast road, my next stop was at Corris, near Cader Idris.
A monument to a doctor chap, whose name I forget.

The next landmark was on Anglesey, so I set off through Snowdonia,
into low clouds and light drizzle. After a while, the fuel light came
on. The rain got heavier. Still no fuel. Aha. GPS! "find fuel". It
did, too. Luckily, in the direction was going. I arrived in the
outskirts of Carmarthen with 312km on the trip meter, and about a
litre of fuel remaining. Also, the cheapest petrol, I'd see all
weekend. 93.9p.

I'd been followed for the last 8 miles by a Heddlau Focus, but as I
had the cruise set to 40mph on a NSL road, I felt safe enough from his
attention. When I pulled in, he went straight on.

Onto Ynys Mon, I went straight to LLangaffo, and asked in the local
shop (=8-0) where to find the "preaching cross". "Edward" directed me
to an old lady's house, and she told me where to look. All very
intriguing, and I would not have found it without her help. Thanks,
Winnie! (it was indoors - luckily the church was unlocked).

As it was now getting a bit late, I decided to find lodging for the
night. As the next landmark on the list was the Ugly House, at capel
Curig, I resolved to find somewhere up the A5. Mistake. As I climbed
into Snowdonia, the rain got heavier. It also got darker, as it often
does in the evening.

I rode past the Ugly House - it was too dark for photos - and resolved
to return in the morning.

There were *no* rooms anywhere in Betws-y-Coed. Thinking about it, I'm
not surprised - Bank Holiday weekend, and all.

So, I doubled back into Bangor, tried the Travelodge, who phoned
through and booked me the last single room in a B&B down by the
harbour. £25 - bargain.

Dinner consisted of two pints of Brains bitter and a bag of crisps.

I fell asleep as my head hit the pillow. 504 miles today.

It pissed it down during the night, waking me twice.

A hearty breakfast, and I was on my way by 9:30.

Back up the A5 in clearing skies, I got my picture of the Ugly house,
and set off for the next landmark.

If you ever get the chance - give the A543 a go - it's a *cracking*
road. The only building on it is the Sportsman's Arms -the highest inn
in Wales. Signs for cameras every other mile, though no cameras - I
hope.

Down to the coast, I then took the A55 to Flint. There's an odd
sculpture of a foot, in metal, at the station. another tick in the
box.

Back on the A55, past Wrexham, to Holt, to see the castle. Well, I
suppose it might have been a castle, once upon a time.

Onto the A41 towards Whitchurch for the next landmark. The GPS got a
bit confused here, as there's a new bypass around Nomans Heath - it's
not even on streetmap. Still, I found the waymark commemoration Celia
Fiennes great journey of 1698, despite looking for a livestock
enclosure until I stopped and read my list again. I'd ridden past the
bloody thing twice, too.

From there it was down the A495 to Oswestry, and a prospective cuppa
with Scraggy. Having arrived at the landmark, I reached into my pocket
to retrieve his phone number, only to find that the piece of paper had
succumbed to the ravages of last night's rain, and a pocket full of
mint humbugs. I couldn't read a thing. Bollocks.

I did consider 118-118, but thought "Scraggy, big-bloke, used to drive
a tank" might not give them enough to go on.

Disheartened, but refreshed by mine own thermos, I set off down the
A483 towards Montgomery. The limekiln here is in the back garden of a
pub. At least, I hope that's the one they want. Bloke in the pub said
I wasn't the first loony to take a picture of it this summer.

From there it was a lengthy run - the only individual one over an hour
in length to Eardisley, to get the animal pen that I was looking for
earlier.

The journey home was easily dispatched, and her ladyship excelled
herself with a roast lamb homecoming dinner. 376 miles.

All in all, a top weekend.

Wing is desperate for some TLC before we depart for the Pyrenees, but
I've got all next weekend for that. Scotland and Oop North can wait
till I'm back from France.

--
| ___ Salad Dodger
|/ \
_/_____\_ GL1500SEV/CBR1100XXX/CBX1000Z
|_\_____/_| ..83466../..22358.../..31893.
(>|_|_|<) TPPFATUICG#7 DIAABTCOD#9 WG*
|__|_|__| BOTAFOT #70 BOTAFOF #09 PM#5
\ |^| / IbW#0 & KotIbW# BotTOS#6 GP#4
\|^|/ ANORAK#17 IbB#4 YTC#4 two#11
'^' RBR Clues: 52 Pts:1005 Miles:3416

 

Good point. Make that Caernarvon.
--
| ___ Salad Dodger
|/ \
_/_____\_ GL1500SEV/CBR1100XXX/CBX1000Z
|_\_____/_| ..83466../..22358.../..31893.
(>|_|_|<) TPPFATUICG#7 DIAABTCOD#9 WG*
|__|_|__| BOTAFOT #70 BOTAFOF #09 PM#5
\ |^| / IbW#0 & KotIbW# BotTOS#6 GP#4
\|^|/ ANORAK#17 IbB#4 YTC#4 two#11
'^' RBR Clues: 52 Pts:1005 Miles:3416

 

I love these stories SD. Looking forward to the piccies.

 

Round Britain Rally ITYF


--
Catman MIB#14 SKoGA#6 TEAR#4 BOTAFOF#38 Apostle#21 COSOC#3
Tyger, Tyger Burning Bright (Remove rust to reply)
Alfa 116 Giulietta 3.0l (Really) Sprint 1.7 75 TS 156 TS S2
Triumph Speed Triple: Black with extra black bits
www.cuore-sportivo.co.uk

 

In this instance, a killfile helper.
--
| ___ Salad Dodger
|/ \
_/_____\_ GL1500SEV/CBR1100XXX/CBX1000Z
|_\_____/_| ..83466../..22358.../..31893.
(>|_|_|<) TPPFATUICG#7 DIAABTCOD#9 WG*
|__|_|__| BOTAFOT #70 BOTAFOF #09 PM#5
\ |^| / IbW#0 & KotIbW# BotTOS#6 GP#4
\|^|/ ANORAK#17 IbB#4 YTC#4 two#11
'^' RBR Clues: 52 Pts:1005 Miles:3416

 

SD wrote:
[snip]

I'm sure it was! A great write up too.

 

Caernarfon

--
Steve Parry
K100RS SE & F650
and a 520i SE Touring for comfort

http://www.gwynfryn.co.uk

 

But will you stop mentioning those 3 characters on here so that SD
doesn't get accused of posting spoilers and cheats on the interwebnet?
Else he'll have to cease his tales...

;o)

 

<snip excellent tale of fun>

Cheers SD, a fine read.

I wish I had the time to do any of that.

I'm sure you'll be in the top 3 again.

BTW, I can't collect the jumper you kindly transported home for me as bike
is off the road SORN and awaiting sale.
Last ride back from EOSM caused some more detachment of little lumps inside
left eye from the vibration from the helmet and bike which may affect my
riding for a while.
Eye test shows *more* floaters causing spots in left eye and occasional
white flashes so I'm reducing the risk of losing sight in one eye by giving
up riding for quite a while.

Will collect jumper at some point in near future when passing.

Cheers

 

Excellent write up as usual. Keep 'em coming.

 

Don't you start, Taffy.
--
| ___ Salad Dodger
|/ \
_/_____\_ GL1500SEV/CBR1100XXX/CBX1000Z
|_\_____/_| ..83466../..22358.../..31893.
(>|_|_|<) TPPFATUICG#7 DIAABTCOD#9 WG*
|__|_|__| BOTAFOT #70 BOTAFOF #09 PM#5
\ |^| / IbW#0 & KotIbW# BotTOS#6 GP#4
\|^|/ ANORAK#17 IbB#4 YTC#4 two#11
'^' RBR Clues: 52 Pts:1005 Miles:3416

 

Sheds'r'us ?

Good thinking, Batman.

I'd cut down a bit on the wanking, too, iiwy.

I'll pop it round when I get a free moment.
--
| ___ Salad Dodger
|/ \
_/_____\_ GL1500SEV/CBR1100XXX/CBX1000Z
|_\_____/_| ..83466../..22358.../..31893.
(>|_|_|<) TPPFATUICG#7 DIAABTCOD#9 WG*
|__|_|__| BOTAFOT #70 BOTAFOF #09 PM#5
\ |^| / IbW#0 & KotIbW# BotTOS#6 GP#4
\|^|/ ANORAK#17 IbB#4 YTC#4 two#11
'^' RBR Clues: 52 Pts:1005 Miles:3416

 

Actually, scrap that and have an apology - I just noticed the sirry
irriot put it in the subject line.

He hasn't read his email either.

--
Dnc

B1200 - +30bhp ~|~ ZZR1100 - faster when upright
V2300 - flat cap and rug ~|~ A6 2.5TDi V6 Quattro Sport

MIB#26 two#54(soiled) UKRMMA#26 BOTAFOT#153 X-FOT#003

 

He has - he hasn't seen anything, though.
--
| ___ Salad Dodger
|/ \
_/_____\_ GL1500SEV/CBR1100XXX/CBX1000Z
|_\_____/_| ..83466../..22358.../..31893.
(>|_|_|<) TPPFATUICG#7 DIAABTCOD#9 WG*
|__|_|__| BOTAFOT #70 BOTAFOF #09 PM#5
\ |^| / IbW#0 & KotIbW# BotTOS#6 GP#4
\|^|/ ANORAK#17 IbB#4 YTC#4 two#11
'^' RBR Clues: 52 Pts:1005 Miles:3416

 

Oh. to the salad.dodger pipex address it went.

--
Dnc

B1200 - +30bhp ~|~ ZZR1100 - faster when upright
V2300 - flat cap and rug ~|~ A6 2.5TDi V6 Quattro Sport

MIB#26 two#54(soiled) UKRMMA#26 BOTAFOT#153 X-FOT#003

 

I may have been overzealous in MailWasher.

Can I 'ave another go, mistah?
--
| ___ Salad Dodger
|/ \
_/_____\_ GL1500SEV/CBR1100XXX/CBX1000Z
|_\_____/_| ..83466../..22358.../..31893.
(>|_|_|<) TPPFATUICG#7 DIAABTCOD#9 WG*
|__|_|__| BOTAFOT #70 BOTAFOF #09 PM#5
\ |^| / IbW#0 & KotIbW# BotTOS#6 GP#4
\|^|/ ANORAK#17 IbB#4 YTC#4 two#11
'^' RBR Clues: 52 Pts:1005 Miles:3416

 

Sure. The subject line is obvious enough.


--
Dnc

B1200 - +30bhp ~|~ ZZR1100 - faster when upright
V2300 - flat cap and rug ~|~ A6 2.5TDi V6 Quattro Sport

MIB#26 two#54(soiled) UKRMMA#26 BOTAFOT#153 X-FOT#003

 

Ta. Marked as "Friend" now, rather than "known spam"
--
| ___ Salad Dodger
|/ \
_/_____\_ GL1500SEV/CBR1100XXX/CBX1000Z
|_\_____/_| ..83466../..22358.../..31893.
(>|_|_|<) TPPFATUICG#7 DIAABTCOD#9 WG*
|__|_|__| BOTAFOT #70 BOTAFOF #09 PM#5
\ |^| / IbW#0 & KotIbW# BotTOS#6 GP#4
\|^|/ ANORAK#17 IbB#4 YTC#4 two#11
'^' RBR Clues: 52 Pts:1005 Miles:3416

 

<proud>

--
Dnc

B1200 - +30bhp ~|~ ZZR1100 - faster when upright
V2300 - flat cap and rug ~|~ A6 2.5TDi V6 Quattro Sport

MIB#26 two#54(soiled) UKRMMA#26 BOTAFOT#153 X-FOT#003

 

Yeah, the buffetting on the Trophy is a bit fierce. You want to try a nice
little VFR, you do.