Leevi & Sarahs Travel Blog

Ok so here it is, the long awaited conclusion to our second adventure in Corwen, North Wales.We had big plans for the next day, quick trip to the farmers market to get some organic goods followed by a drive through Snowdonia National part and finally a hike up to the top of Pistyll Rhaeadr Falls.Waking up with a massive hangover I was a little shaky to start. In fact I actually organised for Helen and Mel to drive back to Solihull. After sacrificing my breakfast to get a couple more minutes over the toilet bowl Helen helped me strengthen my resolve.We packed up our bags left good old Owain Glyndwr Hotel ready to face the hike up to the Iron Age fort. Full of 1000mg of Paracetamol I lead the way to the top of Caer Drewyn however the rains and wind whipped through the valley and caught us off guard. We all made it far enough up the hill to experience the excellent views of Corwen.Squeezing back into the car we started the second leg of our journey to the falls via the farmers market. Once at the farmers market I regained my full appetite and polished off a bacon, egg, cheese bap in record time. Mel tried to finish her second breakfast but it seemed that the night before was finally catching up.A couple of jars of organinc chutney later with some roast veg chips to enjoy in the car we continued onto our goal Pistyll Rhaeadr Falls. Shortly into the trip through Snowdonia National Park Sarah was struck with a massive headache and Mel sobered up, hangover ensuing. We had a quick stop to enjoy the freezing cold view of the Snowdonia Mountains.Back on the road again we eventually made it to a little village at the base of Pistyll Rhaeadr Falls. With Sarah feeling very sick and Mel asleep in the car we bypassed our goal and continued home.We eventually made it back to Solihull to a welcoming shower and warm bed for a well deserved rest.Enjoy the pics! Read the rest of this entry »

Update: I just added a map showing very roughly our route to Corwen. 
After a successful and entertaining previous adventure to Corwen in North Wales we where already planning a second return trip. With the arrival of our international guests Helen (Sarahs mum) and Juile (Helens friend) we didn’t have to wait long pack the car and set off again.

Hiring a larger car (mainly for Julies luggage) we set off early Saturday morning towards Telford and the Ironbridge - the birthplace of industry. We arrived in Telford at about 11am welcomed by beautiful scenery and a chilli climate. After walking over the bridge and strolling around the river taking some photos we headed towards a small hot pastie shop that had caught my eye.

The store billed itself as having the best pork pies in the country unfortunately you can only buy them cold due to the local food service laws. Mel bit the bullet and purchased a pie, of which she only half finished while Helen, Julie and I enjoyed one of the best hot pasties I have ever tasted.

Totally satisfied with our quick lunch snack the girls indulged in a little bit of souvenir shopping. Jumping back in our car Sarah and I enjoyed our heated seats as we continued our trip to Corwen, Snowdonia and North Wales.

We arrived in Corwen at about 12:30pm and checked our bags into Owain Glyndwr Hotel or OGs as it is affectionately know as by the locals (). We quickly threw our bags into our rooms and introduced Corwen to Helen and Julie. We bumped into Eryl and organised to meet him back at a local pub called the Harp later that night for a quite nightcap. Drinks organised we jumped back into the car with a plan to see a little bit of Snowdonia National Park.

Snowdonia National Park is located in the north west of Wales covering 823 square miles. As we wound threw the bitterly cold mountains we occasionally pulled over to take some quick shots of the unspoilt welsh countryside.

As we travelled further west through Snowdonia we where getting closer and closer to the west coast of Wales. A quick decision saw us travel all the way to Porthmadog get a glimpse of the coast and turn around heading back to Corwen via Bala.

Arriving back in Corwen we headed to the Crown for a quick drink. However upon arriving we found the pub was packed due to a rugby game which recently finished. We decided to head to The Eagle where out night out really started and for most of us ultimately finished.

There is a slight blurry patch between starting and ending at the Eagle but I do know that during those hours many a pint of Kronenberg was consumed washed down by some Gin and tonics. I also recal meeting some of the weird and wonderful characters of Corwen including Brenda (who had been drinking since 12am) and her husband Carlos, Butch the amazing well trained American Bulldog and his really strange owner.

The drinking didn’t slow down when we finally met up with Eryl and his wife Fiona. I have sung the praises of Eryl and his hospitality before and this time was no exception.

Eventually our party broke up Helen and Julie leaving first closely followed by Sarah and myself. Mel held the fort for a couple of hours more and eventually had to be let into our hotel by the owner after ‘misplacing’ her keys.

The next morning.

The next moring is was reminded why drinking is oh so evil. My hangover was so great I could not get out of bed. When I eventually made my way down to breakfast I sacraficed my full english breakfast to the rest of the table in order to head back to bed.

Keep an eye out for the next post which will include te end of our adventure and all the pics.

UPDATE: Added a new video to the post.

After a false start we were finally made it to the beautiful ruggered North Wales.

It was only a short 3 hour drive with most of the driving time on the M6 making our way out of Birmingham. It also didn’t take long for us to notice the change in scenery. Maybe it was the huge rolling mountains covered in red Heather or simply the Welsh language on the road signs.

We ended up staying in a pub that dated from 1329 which was situated in a small town called Corwen. Corwen is smack bam right in the middle of the Dee Valley. Nothing beats looking out of your bedroom window right onto the Dee River.

Once we had checked in we decided to make our way to the famous Snowdonia National Park. It was only a short but beautiful drive to Snowdonia National Park but once we arrived in the town of it didn’t take long before we were greeted by mother nature and her fog. We couldn’t see 2 meters in front, on the side and behind us so driving up the Snowdonia mountains was a little bit risky. So we turned back around and headed to the world famous slate mines. We felt like we had arrived on a set of a horror movie. To turn up to these mines which were engulphed by fog, alone and to the sounds of horror music (a halloween themed show was on) Once we were set up with our helmets we then descending deep into the earth. What greeted us where huge dark cold caverns full of slate and amazing lakes. I must admit i was very keen to get back up to the top as my feet were so cold it was painful to walk.

Once we were back in town we became well aquinted with many locals - Eryl, Jim, Elvis, Phil and Jill. Who we spent all of our night sharing shouts, stories, jokes and even pickled eggs. We even embarked on a pub crawl with this wonderful people and we enjoyed there company so much we will be going back with mum and Julie in two weeks.

Our last day was spent with the under the wonderful guidance of Eryl. It started with a fantastic walk up a neighbouring hill to visit the old Iron Age Fort . Along the way we became acquainted with some horses, rabbits and sheep that looked like pigs.

After puffing, panting and enjoying the fresh Welsh air we finally made our way up to the fort. All that is now left of the fort is stones but to walk around the site really emphases what was once a huge and impressive fort. After catching our breaths our travels the went on to some organic farmers markets. Here we bought some beautiful cheese, sausages, bread, biscuits and my favourite rice crakers. Then onto the falls, one of Wales top seven wonders. So here we did some more walking up some very very step stairs, through lots of mud to see the top of the wonderful falls. Now after all of that exercise what better way to finish of then to have apple pie with pecan toping and huge scoop of ice cream was the best.

The we managed to be back home by 4pm, to get ready for work the next day… crazy. We loved Wales, for the people, scenery, food and life style. We loved it so much that are taking my mum there and the locals are actually bringing their friends and family down to meet us. Not many places do you get a response like that. Well maybe not if your English!

Don’t forget to check out the pics… theres quite a few so they might take a while to load.

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