Being invited up to for a weekend of adventure in North Wales at the spectacular Snowdonia National Park and jaw dropping location that is Bala was an opportunity not to miss.
After all what could be better than a road trip followed by lots of fun activities including walks, open water swimming, cycling, packracting and kayaking, with a visit to the National white water centre, and with amazing company to boot.
After a six hour drive through some breathtaking scenery and truly jaw dropping views, we emerged from within the clouds to descend upon the campsite situated beside the four mile long stretch of water, Wales largest and natural lake.
Within minutes of setting up camp our friend John had grabbed the packrafts and us to venture onto the lake. Time to swap craft for John’s first outing on a Sup and ours in a packraft. Over the next couple of hours we laughed, mainly at John’s unplanned dip ;-) while talking and comparing the differences.
By early evening everyone had arrived and following Introductions and lots of water based chatter, it was time to light the fire, cook up some food before kicking back for a night of paddle talk learning all about our hosts, our now newly found friends and the passions we all share.
Day one was soon over and though we had only been here for a matter of hours, it felt like we had spent a lot longer. Fully acquainted with everyone and with day two’s itinerary including a visit to the local white water centre (more about that in our next blog) it was time to retire for the night.
Our early start and long drive coupled with the fresh country air, exercise, food and wine with great company had seen to that, has to be the first time in a long while we found ourselves bedded down and barely even nine o’clock, we certainly know how to live the dream ;-)
