Last night we arrived into Brisbane after switching planes in Singapore and then went to the hotel and to bed. Today we explore Brisbane! Alex and I take a walk and find coffee and bagels which we take back to the hotel and then eat with the girls. Afterwards we hunt down a Target, which Bella wants to experience and buy water bottles and umbrellas. Target doesn’t quite live up to expectations, but it has what we need! ...
It’s been 13 years since we’ve been to Australia for the Boshier’s wedding, and it felt like a great time to go back and explore some parts we haven’t been to before. The Boshier’s are also keen to catch up and join us on the camping trip too. The plan is to fly to Brisbane and explore the area for a few days before flying down to Adelaide for the camping trip in the Flinders Ranges before flying back to Sydney and then home. ...
It’s been a few weeks since our 3 peaks holiday, and it’s time to complete Snowdon, the unfinished business. We’d been monitoring the weather and this weekend looked perfect. So we’d found a hotel at the last minute and drove to Wales on Friday night, arriving pretty late. The hotel room has 5 bunk beds which is fun and dog friendly so that Einy can stay with us too. After a hearty full Welsh breakfast we take the Sherpa bus to Lanberis Pass and start walking. ...
The motor home remained safe overnight, and I get going early in order to return it at the 8am opening time. Driving across London isn’t that fun in a large vehicle, but I make it to the rental shop without issue. I’d emailed ahead, so the rental company is expecting the damaged motor home. They seem relaxed about it, so it’s probably a common occurrence! After the inspection and some research I leave £762 lighter and thankful I bought the extra insurance! ...
Last night was much better, without the storm we all slept a little easier. Our usual early start and baconators whilst we checked the weather and discussed the plan. With the weather being calmer today, I’m keen to finish the job and climb, but that would mean driving back to London after a day in the mountains. We eventually decide that climbing Snowdon would be a mistake and decide to drive home, resolving to come back another weekend to finish the job. ...
It’s been a rough night, gale force winds have been battering the motor home, and it was boiling hot due to the closed windows. I’m awake at 6 and the camp site has taken some pummeling. I check the mountain forecast, and it’s not looking good. Storm Betty passed through last night, which explains the wind overnight. However the forecast on Snowdon today expects 70 mile an hour gale force winds with no visibility! ...
We wake at the usual time, breakfast and pack up. While we wait for the rubbish lorry to empty the 20 or so wheelie bins the kids nip off to reception to buy patches for their Backpacks. Setting off following the satnav takes us over a pass past Hesk Fell. It was hairy driving with one set of really tight switchbacks at the end which was crazy in a motor home. We finally get back to a main road after about an hour, and I resolve to do a better job of checking the route before setting off! ...
The usual 8am start with Baconators for breakfast. The weather’s looking great, so it’s promising to be a good day. We have a long way to go today and get moving by 9:30. 5 minutes along the road from the camp site we realise we’d forgotten Einy’s harness, which would make the climb down a nightmare, so I ran back to get it. We pass the park and ride for the shuttle to Wastdale Head, hoping there might be some activity, but unfortunately not! ...
Our usual 8am start. We packed and serviced the camper, much quicker now we know how to do everything! Whilst I’m servicing the camper, the kids nip to the shop and buy 3 peaks patches for their backpacks. On wards to England! We had a few unscheduled stops along the way, first because toilet door catch has stuck, and the door keeps flapping about when we go around corners, very distracting. Next I hit and smashed the case for the wing mirror along the tight stretch of road next to Loch Lomond - rather unfortunate. Glad I bought the extra insurance! ...
8am start again with fried egg and bacon rolls with the last of the homemade sourdough. Alex has coined them Baconaters. We made sandwiches and the customary soup and tea to take with us. It was raining first thing, but the forecast is good, so we carried on. The route started at the footbridge over the river progressing to the stone path upwards. There are quite a few others on the path, and it’s slippy due to the drizzle. ...