Lake Bala 25th – 28th May 2006
On Friday the 25th May nine varying types of MG sports cars set off for a foreign climate as in previous years. This year saw us take on the Welsh. The journey started well enough with four cars leaving Preston and heading down the A59 to Liverpool. There, another two roadsters joined them. Three GT’s and three roadsters then set off through the Mersey tunnel and onto the Wirral. After driving round for what seamed like ages following Mike Newton we eventually stopped for a cup of coffee or tea depending on your taste. Whilst five couples went straight to the tearoom, Bill & Janet Bradshaw went down to the beach for a quick one!!! before joining us for a brew. Suitably refreshed we set off to find Faulty Towers sorry…."The Bala Lake Hotel". We arrived to find one other MG Midget had beaten us to the location. Initial thoughts were what a lovely hotel, nice views of Bala Lake and the Welsh mountains, rooms well equipped and smart, the bar well stocked, which is vital and all round, a good choice of venue.
Hot showers were followed by dinner and then several bedtime drinks. Bill during this time had a stiff one and had to pop out for a puff! (It’s no wonder Bill had to stay behind on Sunday feeling a little un well).
Saturday started with the sound of something vibrating coming from the next room, (wait a minute, wasn’t Bill and Janet in the next room?) anyway that was followed by a scream from the bathroom, “There’s no b*#%dy hot water and the heating isn’t on. I don’t know about you, but I like to start the day with a nice hot shower. Still, breakfast was OK. The tenth and final car joined us Saturday morning and after a photograph or two,
we set of following the days run, roofs down, sun roofs open and the sun shinning. The morning’s run, although did suffer from a mileage error and a road junction that the Welsh Tourist board had added just to confuse us, was very pleasant. We all arrived at Portmeirion in high sprits (except Dot who was a little upset with a Ford Focus. I don’t know, these youngsters always spoiling for a fight.) Lunch was indulged and a walk around the village.
Several hours past before we set off back to the Hotel. It has to be reported that at least four cars did take an alternative route to the one planned. Barmouth can only be described as Wales’s equivalent to Blackpool. Still, the girls managed a little shopping while the men folk found a public house, to discuss next years holiday. It’s at this point I would like to confess to buying a rather large water pistol with the intention of using it against my fellow MG roadster colleagues. Fortunately on Sunday, nature beat me to it. You’ve guessed it, it rained. My fault. Eventually all the cars and their occupants returned to Bala and the hotel for another cold shower and an evening meal. After plenty of alcoholic drinks the banter flowed and before long Sunday was upon us. Time for bed said Zeberdee, or was it Julie, I had had too much to drink I can’t remember. Sunday morning’s shower was unexpectedly hot, except for those staying in block B. You can guess what they had. After breakfast, all ten cars set off following Sundays route. Lunch was planned to be taken in Welshpool but due to the Royal Oak only providing large Sunday Roast, most people set off to make their own arrangements. Sundays Route was accurate and well planned. No errors were made. It was a shame that it rained for most of th3 day, as the views were almost nonexistent. Still with great company, Julie and I enjoyed the day. The Hotel staff, were very good and tried their best under the circumstances and provided us with a very good Sunday Roast for dinner. I’m pleased to report that Bill had recovered from all his excitement and joined us for dinner and a couple of drinks in the bar. As sure as day follows night, sure enough Monday follows Sunday. With bags packed and strapped onto the boot rack, we tucked into our last welsh cooked breakfast before setting off for home. The rain had past but it was a little cool, so in an effort to keep piece and harmony in the Lockwood household the roof remained up. (Don’t tell Julie, but I didn’t particularly want the roof down anyway.) The trip home was un eventful, apart from me driving too fast, we missed a junction. To conclude, I have to say this was a great weekend. Dizzy (my MG that is) behaved, never missing a beat even though she did burn a little oil, the hotel was lovely and the company irreplaceable. Perhaps a place to return to some time in the future.
As a footnote, I would like to thank Bill Ryding for all his efforts in planning the weekend. It was a great shame Bill; you weren’t able to join us. Thank you on behalf of all those who did attend. I would also like to mention Tony Sharples for all his efforts in planning the routes and producing the booklets. I can only imagine how much time it must have taken.
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