Steam trains always invoke memories of yesteryear

On a sunny day, Blaenau Ffestiniog (not to be confused with it’s older and smaller neighbour, Ffestiniog – nowadays known also as Llan Ffestiniog, just to keep you guessing) is quite lovely, and the roads to it are superb for bikes (especially the newly repaired and resurfaced Crimea Pass from Betws-y-Coed).

Wonderful lake & mountain views

On a dull day however, I always feel that Steve Goulding’s nickname for the village – ‘Blind Festering Dog’ – seems quite apt! Luckily (mainly ‘cos we’re fair-weather bikers), we were there on a nice day and the scenery at the Lakeside Cafe* was superb. The cafe sits beside a lovely lake and is surrounded by mountains (the “Moelwyns”) – one of which has its own pumped-storage electricity-generating lake nestled within (right near the top).

We're not the only bikers aware of this place!

It was mid-afternoon when we got to the cafe – just in time to witness the regular steam train pootling past its back door -  and two of the items on the specials board had sold out.

We were temporarily disappointed, but we persevered and ordered alternatives. Jan and Dave had curries – one chicken, one beef – and I can’t comment on how they were. Perhaps Dave will report himself on whether they were worth having again?

Plenty of room - and plenty of choice

Nigel was going to have the all-day breakfast (for continuity) but followed my lead and ordered the omlette and chips. We were asked what we wanted in it and so had ham, cheese, mushrooms and tomatoes.

These came with curly fries but we had one with regular chips so we could compare. Both were excellent and the omlettes were delicious.

My omelette was delicious

As a very scenic food stop at the end (or mid point) of a great ride around the North Wales’ roads, and with pretty average prices, this place is highly recommended.

*Lakeside Cafe, Tanygrisiau, Blaenau Ffestiniog, Gwynedd LL41 3TP – tel: 01766830950

A typical meeting at the Beafort Park Hotel

Our February meeting started with a nice touch – visitors included members of GoldWings North West and a representative of the formative GoldWings North Yorkshire Club. –   Looks like we have started a ball rolling here!

With the weather being a little on the damp side and the mounds of salt still visible on the roads I was quite surprised to see two GoldWings actually parked in the car-park. These Wings are obviously well cleaned and polished by their owners when they return home, as the salt on the road will soon make a meal of all the chrome if given the chance.  I sincerely hope that rain will wash the salt away over the next few days so that I can get my trike out.

Back to the meeting……

I reported favorably on the reception and breakfast we had received from GoldWings North West at their inaugural meeting, even though they served breakfast without toast!   Perhaps I can instill in them the need to ensure that a Full English is ‘settled’ with a nice lid made up of toast, (also enables the plate to be wiped clean!).

Certain members of our region did ask for the breakfast to be at a more sociable hour but for those of us who get up in the morning the time was fine.

The future events for GoldWings North Wales and GoldWings North West were discussed as well as events which are likely to fall under the Federation when it officially starts.

It was refreshing to see that already there is a fairly full calender of events and still more to be added to the events pages of both Clubs and also possibly on the Federation Website when it goes live.

There were examples of the Club patch available from 2 different sources for the members to compare and decide which one they prefer.  There was also an example of a  ‘Federation ‘ logo available to view.

I have been asked to ensure that an email is sent out a few days before the monthly meeting to remind everyone, as a few were unsure if it was this weekend or not.  I will set up a reminder on my calender to let everyone know of the next Club meeting  a few days before by email, and I will set up a further reminder to ask everyone to check their emails on a regular basis, and a yet a further reminder to everyone to check their emails. ( I am not picking on those who have email but don’t check it- honest).

At the conclusion of the meeting everyone except Jan and I descended on Joanna for coffee and muffins. this being the reason for her absence from the meeting, while she was entertaining relatives and baking.

Not being able to go for a ride due to the weather does occasionally have it’s benefits as the muffins, biscuits and cakes would have been missed otherwise.

Keep watching the events page as there a quite a few new events to be added to the list.

Dave T