Welsh Colleges Families Tour 2007

The Tent was packed, beer and wine was cooling nicely in the fridge, and methods had been learnt. I was ready for the 2007 Welsh Colleges families’ tour to . As I placed the final essentials into the car on Friday afternoon, I noticed just how much it was raining in Cardiff. Never mind we thought as we set off on the short Journey to Brecon. We arrived, set up and slowly started to realise that it looked like no one else was coming. A few phone calls later we discovered quite how wet the country was and that many of the group (including a certain family carrying my dinner) were stranded on various Motorways leading to the heart of . A valiant effort by a few families meant that we had enough ringers for our first two towers of the tour (Cwmdu & Llanbedr Ystrad Yw) on Saturday afternoon.

As more reinforcements started to arrive on the Sunday some good ringing was had at Llanfeugan, Blaenavon and Llanelly, with a lunch break that included a ride in a caboose on the Brecon Mountain Railway. Monday saw the group travel to Brecon ringing at both the Cathedral and Llanfaes. There was time for a quick stop at Llangasty Talyllyn on the way for those that fancied the chance to grab the anti clockwise four. After some very enjoyable ringing at the cathedral and a spot of lunch and ice cream in Brecon it was on to Defynnog before returning to the soggy campsite for the evening.

We awoke on Tuesday morning to sunshine and blue skies. This inspired a certain pair to ready a tandem and cycle to the towers while another group prepared their ‘moggy’! Once again an enjoyable days ringing was had starting at then moving to then onto before lunch. While the majority of the group spent the lunch break wandering around the never ending book shops in Hay-on-Wye it is reported that the tandem was seen climbing a nearby mountain pass before descending to meet the rest of the group at before returning to the drying campsite. Some of the keener members of the group headed off to the local Cwmdu practice night while others enjoyed a relaxing evening in the open (dry) air!

Wednesday morning saw a return of the rain as we travelled to Llantilio Pertholey before sampling the delights of Abergavenny. A long lunch break presented an opportunity for many of the group to venture underground at Big Pit coal museum. Afternoon towers of Llanover and Llangattock made me realise just how much many of the younger ringers had improved since last year.

As we travelled back to the campsite the weather improved and a very enjoyable evening BBQ was had by all. A short cricket game followed which came to a sudden close when the ball was hit into a nearby garden guarded by a rather ferocious dog! After a few drinks and a walk down memory lane (for some of the older members) it was time for our last night under canvas.

We awoke to another wet and miserable morning and many of the group decided a speedy packing up session was the order of the day, while some of the braver members took their time and rang at Grosmont & Skenfrith on the way home. Thanks must go to John Elley and all his helpers for organising a brilliant Families tour, although we ask Pat & Karen if they can arrange the weather to be slightly kinder in Bristol next year!

Paul Parker