A small holiday scrapbook.

[seth]

A short break in mid-Wales.

 

We arrived on the campsite in Caersws last Thursday eve after a slightly protracted journey since we diverted round the M25 and up the M40 rather than using the M1 up to the M6 due to lorries crahing or something.  Just about got set up before the rain started coming down.  Tok this photo later on in the holiday but in case you've missed what camp_Seth looks like, this is it.

 

 

What was amazing was that around eight, the rain stopped and we were greeted by this quite amazing sunset view behind the tent.  It only lasted about five mins as the sun must have gone below the hilltops.

 

 

It rained more that night but fortunatly that was pretty much the only rain for the whole six days we were in the area.

 

Up to Machynlleth the next day for a return visit to the Centre for Alternative Technology that we last went to in '03 I think.  I first went in the mid '80s I expect.  Water balance powered railway to get to the top.

 

 

Great to see in big letters what I reckon is the best modern word / translation ever used into an old language.

 

 

We avoided bottom trumps.

 

 

Shopping in Newtown I parked between an Audi and a massive new Jag 4x4.  Came back to find the Jag had gone and I seemed to have attracted a local scenester.

 

 

Sunday saw us drive back into England for the RR Gathering. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Lots of photos available by other people on the blue forum)

 

Aberwystwth was reached on bank holiday Monday by a combination of driving and then cycling the last 9 miles mostly along a disused railway line.  Eventually found cycle parking on the station platform and chanced the right time to see the steam train come in and swap ends.

 

 

It was sunny at the seaside.  We saw a cool MGA cruise by and thought nothing of it.

 

 

You probably can't see anything interesting in that picture but Mrs_Seth thought she could see oddly coloured cars in the distance so we walked that way to come across a local charity car get together.  They were mostly pulling away as we got to it so I just started snapping at stuff.

 

 

 

A later Google showed it to be organised by the local motor club and there were naturally quite a few rallyists in attendance, not all in Escorts!

 

 

Escorts were popular though.

 

 

 

 

 

 

MGB looking fab on steel wheels.

 

 

 

Imp van on Cosmics was signwritten for a Rootes dealer in Macynlleth.

 

 

'Nother Fiat.

 

 

 

Crossing the road once I got a chance meant I avoided that pesky lamp post shadow and got some great lighting as a result of the sun reflecting off the white painted hotel.

 

More Escorts.

 

 

 

 

Not an Escort!

 

 

 

Once the cars had stopped leaving this was left there with its cheery owners.  Looked properly cool in well worn condition and we had a great chat.  They got fed up with the reliability of the Lotus engine so its now MR2 powered.  Best car.

 

 

Anyway, rest of the holiday was less automotive but obviously included a train that we did actually ride on.

 

 

 

And a fabulous view which I think might be close to DollyWobbler country?

 

 

Here's the same view ruined by a car.

 

 

All packed up and ready to set of home yesterday morning.

 

 

M54 services spot.

 

 

And finally, in the caravan parking area three ways of 'doing' cars.  Using it for holiday transport, using it for going racing and using it as a cynical way of selling coffee when actually a corrugated iron shed on casters would work just as well... (owners of that one were seen inside the serviced supping on Starbucks).

 

 

 

[garethj]

I didn't realise there were so many Fiats left in the UK, although they were very popular in mainland Europe for rallying because nobody cared about Escorts.

 

Good post, loving the photos.

[Cavcraft]

It is very nice round there. Did you take the road between Mach and the Clywedog reservoir? Well worth it if you visit again, the backdrop is something else.

[Spottedlaurel]

Good post, loving the photos.

 

Ditto. Scenery like that makes me a feel a bit guilty for holidaying abroad. More mini-breaks, that’s the answer.

 

Good accidental find on the charity car show. I particularly like the green BMW, and the Toyota-powered Lotus sounds like an interesting thing (though obviously a 1.5-litre BMC diesel would be the ultimate transplant).

[oldcars]

I was confused by the first photo. Thought it was a camper trailer but could see no towbar. Does the plate come off to fit a towbar? 

[seth]

It is very nice round there. Did you take the road between Mach and the Clywedog reservoir? Well worth it if you visit again, the backdrop is something else.

 

No we took the B road down from Llanbrynmair which was still pretty good.

 

Ditto. Scenery like that makes me a feel a bit guilty for holidaying abroad. More mini-breaks, that’s the answer.

 

 

Yes, know what you mean.  Having done abroad as well I think each option has good things about it.  The sense of adventure of being in a foreign country is definitely greater.  This was our only time away camping this year and the six days was about as short as we'd want to do for a 200 mile distance/5 hour journey.  Hoping to get away for more weekends again next year.

 

I was confused by the first photo. Thought it was a camper trailer but could see no towbar. Does the plate come off to fit a towbar? 

 

There's a permanently fixed bar across the back of the car just below the valance (would have hidden it if I could but the spare wheel is in the way) and then I've a seperate section that slots over that with the tow ball on the end and its all bolted through.  The car's towing wiring ends in an 'in-line' socket which normally lives chucked over into the spare wheel but when in use is attached to one of the towball bolts with a second nut.  Its all pretty quick and easy to fit on/take off.   Have to take it off when not towing as the ball obscures most of the number plate.

[dollywobbler]

I completely missed the rally. I took part in it a good few years ago. The 2CV fitted right in...

 

The Commer Imp van isn't legit, but it is very nice. His dad owns the white Clan Crusader. 

 

Didn't realise you were going to be so close. The steam train you saw goes right past my window at the other end of the line!

[Ghosty]

It's nice to see that Elan +2 getting used properly.

[Split_Pin]

Good to see you posting again. That water balance railway has got me Googling!!

[barrett]

Good stuff. Aberystwyth looks much sunnier in these pictures than when I visited in a silly old car a few months back.

[seth]

Didn't realise you were going to be so close. The steam train you saw goes right past my window at the other end of the line!

 

We must have been closer then as we drove via Devil's Bridge to Trascoed from where we cycled in to Aberystwyth.

[mercrocker]

Top reportage and photo-ing!    This is pretty much how I like to do holidaying - you can stuff cruises, Lands-a-grotty and most of that there abroad.    So much nice stuff to do on this admittedly rather moist little set of islands.....

[chodweaver]

Great pics of some great cars. Thanks for sharing!

 

Sent from my GT-S5830i using Tapatalk 2

[worldofceri]

Dream holiday.  Thanks for sharin'.

[brickwall]

Great stuff. The microwave Vitamin thing is mostly a myth though....apparently. Anyway, great pics.

[anonymous user]

Good stuff. Aberystwyth looks much sunnier in these pictures than when I visited in a silly old car a few months back.

They're great photos, but I reckon Seth must have got some of that special sunshine that The Doctor uses on his ebay adverts. I have been to Aberystwyth many, many times but never seen it that sunny.