Day One: Cadair Idris - Chair of Idris
Penegoes is a village in Powys, Wales, between Cemmaes Road and Machynlleth, on the A489 road, in the community of Cadfarch. The Afon Crewi, one of several streams feeding into Afon Dulas, itself a tributary of the Afon Dyfi, has created a fairly broad and flat valley
First outing for the day and Michael made an executive decision and opted to climb a mountain, that is what one does when in Wales. Not just a little hill, this is Cadair Idris. How long will it take to walk up Cadair Idris? Most of the shorter routes should take around 3 hours, obviously depending on your fitness. This is a climb, 893 metres in height and when you have young children? Michael did a good job of herding the cats into the cars and after only an hour and a half we set off.
Well, not for the faint-hearted but we all set off with enthusiasm, bravado and a little apprehensive. I did make it to nearly the top and then decided to turn back, stout effort but onwards and upwards the rest strides on. Next to drop out was Claudia, it’s her knees you know. Susan decided Claudia needed some moral support on the way down and I found them in the cafe drinking some much-needed tea. The nice, welsh man behind the counter told Claudia she had only another 20 minutes to go and she would have seen the lake, small consolation when your legs refuse to carry you any longer.
First, down the mountain was Jenson followed by Lily, Michael, Robert, Kate and Daniel. They did look like people who had conquered Everest but for the fragile Kate Yards, fresh from Australia. In all fairness, she did lose her footing and fall on her bottom, not pretty.
The most logical next destination was, of course, the White Lion. A most respectable pub in its day, today was not one of those. We did get cheap ales and everyone enjoyed their food, the service was quite firm, for want of a better word.
This cosy atmosphere brought out all the stories of heroes. Alex climbing the whole way and when he finally was down, he sat down on the path and just said his legs could go no further, brave boy. Robert carrying Lilly when things got tough, all those days in the gym counted. Dan, Benjamin and Jenson leading from the front and Michael encouraging all the family to give that little bit more.
Those are the times when stories will be remembered and those stories will become legends.
Day Two: Aberdovey
It seems to take longer and longer to rally the troops in the morning, I suppose that mountain climb was a climb too far. Left at 11:30 for Aberdovey to play beach cricket. The wind was a little fresh but everyone was up for a little it. As there were 11 players I decided to take a walk around the town, Susan, Kate, Claudia, Lilly and Alex joined me and we started off with befriending the local pet shop owner and at the same time buying some poop bags and a new collar for Jenson. Next, well I did consider ice cream but opted for a double espresso.
A quaint little seaside town with the holiday flats all facing the bay painted in a large variety of colour scheme.
Beach cricket? Well, England beat Australia in a super over by 1 run. Pity about the ball-tampering, David used some of his lolly that Susan gave him to make the ball sticky and Mika got attached to the ball while bowling. Sort of went to bowl and the ball stayed in her hand. These things happen.
We all seemed reluctant to want to leave the next morning but after a leisurely breakfast, everyone packed up and we set off for home. The highlight to me was the evenings around the big table enjoying quality time, good food and an enormous amount of wine. This was one time when we were all together and even with 15 people, the two days were the best of times. Some families complain that over Christmas there is always some family fallout, well not our family.
We have a new year ahead of us and when we will all be together again, I do not know but will remember this time forever.
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