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Travel StoriesCamping At Bala Lake 2015
Sharon Leads To Bala
By Ren Withnell
My friend SL has invited the gf and I to join himself and a couple of friends on a night's camping in Bala, North Wales. SL and friends all ride big manly motorcycles at big manly speeds, the gf and I prefer to meander gently on our 125s. It makes sense then for the gf and I to meet them at the campsite on Bala Lake rather than slowing them down and trying to keep up. As a little twist in the tale I advise the gf SHE will lead ME to Bala for a change. She's not happy, not happy at all.
I spoil her and it's got to stop. She loves nothing more than gently rolling along behind me on her bike with not a care in the world. Ren will show her where to go, Ren will know where to stop or get fuel and Ren will sort out the nasty traffic. Well she's a big girl now! 13,000 miles, she knows how to ride just fine, she needs to learn to navigate a little too, pfffft. To calm her down I reassure her it's fine to make mistakes and if it all goes horribly wrong I will advise her before we end up in Scotland rather than Wales. She's still not thrilled with the idea.
Right, that's the bikes loaded. I wonder where we're going to end up?
She leads us both to Frodsham, a route she knows already. I warn her there is a turning coming up ahead, we need to turn left but the sign for "A56 Chester" is in fact missing. She sails past the turning. I absolutely cannot be cross with her, how can she follow the signs for Chester when the blooming sign is absent? I pass her and lead her to Helsby services just a couple of miles along. I explain the error and we take advantage of the toilet facilities. She finds the junction on the way back as the signs on this side are clear and present.
"A56 Chester, at the BIG roundabout follow signs for A55 North Wales." As we approach the roundabout she duly indicates left to follow the A55 North Wales sign. She then passes the junction, instead she goes straight ahead. Damn! Not to worry we can go through Chester instead. Maybe she'll spot other A55 signs. After a mile as we come into town her body language is indicating confusion and perhaps some fear. Rather than flap though she sensibly turns into a side street to seek further guidance.
I can tell she's cross with herself for missing the turn and me for making her do this, even though she's laughing. We head back to try again but she turns right at the wrong roundabout, ARGH! I pass her again and lead her onto the A55. Something inside her head clicks and she passes me with confidence and proceeds to head off at speed into the distance. Being somewhat more mechanically sympathetic to the 125cc engines screaming beneath us I keep to a steady 50mph, she pulls away until she notices she's leaving me far behind. She slows enough for me to catch up. Just because a 125 can do 60 or even more in a 70 zone doesn't mean you have to thrash it mercilessly you know.
Something's definitely come together in her head now. We pull off the A55 following signs for Mold, perfect. We ride into Wales and she has no issues following the A494 through Mold and Ruthin. I'm about ready for a break now but she's continuing without stopping through the countryside, around the bends and through the junctions. The scenery has improved but my backside could do with a rest and I think a cup of tea would be lovely. She carries on regardless.
It is very good to be passing through the hills and now the mountains. I notice the lambs are already bigger and fatter than they were 2 weeks ago when we last passed through this area. The gf's handling the bends and the traffic just fine. She manages to follow the signs now clearly showing "Bala" even through the section where the A494 becomes the A5 for a mile or so. I...I just wish she'd blooming well stop for a moment! I want to take some pictures, I want to stretch my legs, I need a pee and I'd like a drink, maybe even some cake! No, hell no, she just carries on and on and on and on. Is this some cruel punishment for making her lead?
This...this would have been a nice picture of Wales if Sharon had stopped somewhere, anywhere.
It's times like this I wish I had a 500, I'd just pass her and get her to pull in somewhere. I can catch her in the bends just a little but on the straights I've no chance. Dammit!
Eventually, finally, blessedly Bala town comes into view and she mercifully pulls in. I'm struggling to get off the bike, my legs have seized. I pass a comment that perhaps we weren't really in a rush and you know, well, maybe she could have considered stopping somewhere? Hmmmm. In the meantime we grab a pasty from a bakery and sit on a bench while stuffing our faces. It is but a mere few miles to the campsite now, I'll make a brew there.
SL and his friends are already there and pitched up. The campsite is set right against the shore of the lake and even on this grey late afternoon it is a pretty place to be. We pitch and I rustle up the long overdue cuppa to finally wet my whistle. Ooooooohhh that's better, I feel almost human again now there's some tea in my veins.
Eeeee, put kettle on will ya!
The lads take the rip out of each other relentlessly. SL's Triumph is made in India by children paid 1 rupee a day not in some suave factory on Hinckley. CH is in touch with his feminine side apparently and does peculiar things to his bottom. The other two fart and snore too much, can't handle their beer and have never kissed a woman even though they're all married. Just the usual kind of general chit chat between lads who've known each other far far too long. They're heading into Bala by taxi for a curry. The gf and I decide to make the most of the evening and take a ride around the lake.
The main road runs down one side of the lake then a small narrow lane runs up the other. The narrow lane is a delight. While the sun is hiding behind the clouds and getting low in the sky the scenery pleasing. The gf's on the back of my 125 so she can take in the views rather than focus on riding. I'm going so slowly it doesn't require much concentration anyhow. As ever sheep bleat in the fields, the Welsh hills and mountains rise from the lake yet the best part is seeing our campsite from the opposite shore. I wrap myself in thoughts of "here and there" as we come back into town.
It's a bit grey tonight but the views are relaxingly pleasant.
After an acceptable meal at an acceptable price in an average pub we rejoin the lads for another round of relentless teasing and generally rude conversation. The drinks are flowing and the voices are getting a little louder so after an hour the gf and I hop back onto my 125 and back to the site to settle in for the night.
I'm expecting the lads to be back very late, very drunk and very noisy. In fact they're back at the site by 2230, they are tipsy and still rude but not noisy or rambunctious. After 20 minutes of threatening to do unspeakable sexual acts to each other in the middle of the night they settle in and the snoring indicates it's time for me to find my ear plugs. I'm remarkably comfortable tonight even though I'm on my thin ground mat and sleep should come soon come. It would but now I'm all settled, warm and comfortable I need a pee. Damn!
Sharon Leads To Bala
Sharon leads Ren (sort of) through North Wales and to Bala. We meet with the cheeky chappies for an evening of nonsense.
Wandering Home
Sharon and Ren's ride back home from Bala includes tea at Dolgellau, going to places we've already been and an unsuccessful attack on Harlech Castle.
Reader's Comments
SL said :-
Mmmm after accusing us of snoring too much, it was C K who was the guilty one, but a good weekend was had by all Ren
01/01/2000 00:00:00 UTC
Ren - The Ed said :-
I"m sure CK would accuse you or Martin of being the snoring party. I don't care as long as I have my earplugs.
01/01/2000 00:00:00 UTC
Monk said :-
How would you hear your 05.30am back on the road alarm though?
01/01/2000 00:00:00 UTC
Ren - The Ed said :-
0530?!?! What do you reckon the chances of getting the gf outta bed and on the road at that time of the day are? I'd stand more chance of winning the lottery...and I don't even buy a ticket.
01/01/2000 00:00:00 UTC
Kath Brooks said :-
Another good read, well done Sharon
01/01/2000 00:00:00 UTC
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Travel StoriesCamping At Bala Lake 2015