Christmas in Cymru 2023
Wet Wet Wet feat. Santa
Wet Wet Wet feat. Santa
Thursday 7th December
With plans for our annual Christmas Weekend set to be in Snowdonia in 2020 we were all looking forward to it but with the coronavirus pandemic sweeping the UK it was postponed indefinitely. It's now December 2023 and we are finally having a long awaited Christmas weekend and our first weekend in four years. I'm currently sat on a train heading for Manchester, tinsel in hand trying to brighten my mood and the weather. Planning the weekend has taken time and patience but it's finally here. I'm staying with Jenny tonight so tomorrow we can travel together at leisure to the Hendre Isaf basecamp in the Snowdonia National Park. Hendre Isaf is a popular basecamp and with 11 people signed up it's going to be a great weekend. I'll let you know how it goes...
Before the weekend took place, Hazel let us know that unfortunately she would not be joining us as she is not well. Hazel - we hope you are feeling better soon.
Friday 8th December
Friday dawned a little damp but we headed for Snowdonia via Chirk Castle which had some of its rooms decorated for Christmas. Once we had consumed some lunch and looked at the animal-inspired decorations we headed to our basecamp for the weekend. Hendre Isaf sits just in the Snowdonia National Park, at the junction of the A5 and B4407 and so is quite easy to find. Jenny and I were first to arrive, just behind us were Mary and Neil. On his journey to Snowdonia Neil had come across a closed road at Ruthin. He handily let me know and I let as many people as I could know. After he arrived he made himself at home in the “leaders” room. He is a loud snorer!!
That evening the assembled company dined on a delicious spiced winter vegetable soup with bread and cheese. Later, Martin and Denise, upon arrival, tucked into the soup provided. We played a game of Who Am I? and we were joined by Adrian and Daniel having travelled together later in the day. Having emptied Adrian's car we sorted the shopping, swapped stories and then headed to bed.
Saturday 9th December
The day dawned wet, very wet. Whilst we were all snug in bed, Daniel went for a run, leaving at 6.30am to be back in time for 7.30am. We were breakfasted and ready to be met by the rangers at 9am. Rangers Dylan and Gwilym told us that our task would be chopping down conifers in a plantation that the Trust have recently taken over. It was a short drive over to the worksite near Penmachno then up a steep hill over to Ty Mawr Wybrnant known locally as Ty Mawr. Some parts of the worksite were a little wet underfoot but with bowsaws, loppers, pruning saws and an axe we set to work. The conifers were spaced out with some in groups and some on their own. Some were not easy to get to as they were surrounded by brambles or other plants. Morning break was called and we used the back of the rangers' pickup truck as a table to put the cake on. After break we got back to our chopping and it started to rain more. At the start of the day Dylan said if anyone found a tree they liked they could take it home to decorate. I decided I would look a bit odd on the train with a Christmas tree so declined, but Denise took up the option and managed to squeeze a tree into her car.
When lunch time came it was raining A LOT so Dylan suggested we went undercover for lunch which was gratefully received by us all. To get undercover we had to drive down to Ty Mawr. We were very thankful for the cover whilst eating lunch. Jenny and I surprised the group and Dylan too with leftover soup for lunch. It was decided that working in the afternoon would be a mistake. Dylan offered to open up Ty Mawr so we could have a look. Ty Mawr is famous for being the place were Bishop William Morgan, known as the Saviour of the Welsh language, was born in 1545. He was the person who translated the bible from Latin into the Welsh language, which is one of the reasons the Welsh language is still very much used today.
If you would like to know more about Ty Mawr then please see https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/wales/ty-mawr-
Whilst the majority of the group looked around Ty Mawr, Jenny and Denise headed back to base to get a head start on the showers as they had kindly offered to cook Christmas dinner. Before the weekend I had persuaded Daniel to make it easier for the cooks by buying pre-cut potatoes, carrots, sprouts. etc. We all agreed it would be a lot easier. Jenny and Denise were about half an hour in front of the rest of the group. As the rest of the group headed back up the steep hill from Ty Mawr, I was contacted by Jenny to tell me that the key was in the basecamp and both she and Denise were outside. Somehow the door had closed leaving them on the outside with no way to get in. One group headed to basecamp with rangers in tow and the other to Betws-y-Coed to pick up a few provisions and take some photos as it has been a while since we have been there. With a little help from Dylan and Gwilym a spare key was located and we were able to let ourselves in. Once we were all back at basecamp and had enjoyed a hot shower mince pies and mulled wine were enjoyed and Santa paid a visit. Santa's gifts included chocolates, games, a Venus fly trap and a Christmas pudding bauble. Everyone was pleased with their gifts.
After more chatting, dinner was called. It was delicious! With there being not quite so many vegetables as normal we ate up all the food. For dessert we enjoyed Mary's Christmas pudding or leftover Lemon Meringue Pie. Once the washing up was done we moved to the comfier chairs and partook in crochet chat or reading books and magazines. Bedtime was called at about 10.30pm.
Sunday 10th December
Sunday dawned wet. Daniel did his 10km run (same route as yesterday but in reverse direction). Breakfast (bacon and baked beans) was cooked expertly by Neil. Looking at the weather forecast the morning wasn't looking great. We took down the decorations, waged war with our sleeping bags and threw those boots that had been drying on the radiator into the car. Some headed straight home but others who studied the rain radar realised that the rain wasn't sticking around for very long so four of us made a trip to Bodnant Garden. Whilst in the garden although the Labernum Arch was not in flower we did enjoy some excellent colour from the Dogwood in the winter garden and we got some stunning views of the Carneddau Mountains. The sun also made a brief appearance. We gave our custom to the coffee kiosk at the bottom of the garden, of course using our volunteer cards.
The garden was very quiet. As Adrian noted, where were all the people who owned all the cars in the carpark? At about 2.30pm Jenny, Daniel, Adrian and I parted company and headed for home.
It's Monday now and I'm currently on the train home to Edinburgh. It's looking awfully grey as I head north. There look to be some flooded fields. I've asked Dylan to book Snowdonia for Christmas in Cymru in 2024 and am hoping it won't be quite as wet as this year.
Denise has also sent in a picture of her tree decorated.
My thanks must go to Jenny for her hospitality and driving before and after the weekend, Daniel for being weekend leader, Adrian and Martin for driving to and from the worksite, Denise and Jenny for cooking Christmas dinner, Neil for cooking breakfast, Dylan and Gwilym for hosting us despite the wet weather and finally for everyone else who came to the weekend. To everyone else - where were you?
Ally
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