Forthcoming Events

18/09/2020 - Snowdonia Trip
Location: Hafod Y Gwynt, Snowdonia
Contact: Rich Harding

Details

NOTE CHANGED DATES

Many years ago, in the dark mists of time (1998), a group from the club (almost none of whom still both live in the UK and fly!!) started going up to a cottage in the heart of the Snowdonia National Park for the remainder of the week that started with the Paramania Fly-In (which used to take place on the May Day Bank Holiday).

Over the years the trip has become marginally more flying and less wine-oriented, although a good time is had by all - nothing is ever guaranteed but in several recent years we have flown six, seven or even all eight days.

The house we stay in, Hafod Y Gwynt, is delightful, as are its grounds - it is the only other building next to the Pen Y Gwryd, the famous mountaineering hotel that sits at the meeting point of the roads from Llanberis, Beddgelert and Capel Curig. It even has a lake with a submerged submarine as its dam. You can walk out of the door and then direct to six take offs (that I can think of), the closest being the lower Glyders take off and the Moel Berfedd one (20 mins walk), from where you are just a house thermal from flying up Snowdon.

Grid Ref: SH 661 556

Facilities: Pub next door (meals only available at lunchtime). Bus stop outside makes retrieves easy. Lovely, spacious house. Decent cooking facilities. Payphone in house (some mobiles work outside the house) and now there's even an internet connection. Shops in Llanberis (good Spar), Capel Curig, Betws-Y-Coed.

Need to bring: towels; top and bottom sheets / duvet covers + pillowcases (or use sleeping bag).

We also have a very good knowledge of all the other sites in the area and an excellent relationship with the Snowdonia Club, which we encourage pilots coming along to join (for a pittance).

The trip dates move around depending upon availability of the house - and pandemics. This year's trip has been put back to September 18th. Newcomers should note that, as ever, the trip is Friday to Friday (we have to vacate the house on the morning of the 25th).

I pay for the house and then we work the cost out based on how many nights everyone stays. It generally costs around 15 pounds pppn, normally including some food, which we tend to cook communally. You don't have to cook but, hey, even I muck in so bring a good excuse! At least one curry, generally in Llanberis, has become customary, as has a visit to the Tyn Y Coed, in Capel Curig, and of course Pete's Eats in Llanberis is a favourite, as ever.

The flying is suitable for all skill levels - if you're new, I've twice been PG Low Airtime Contact for the club and many regulars are Club Coaches, so newbies are more than welcome.

If you are interested in coming, let me know and I'll badger you for a deposit. The house is now almost 800 quid for the week, so the deposit will again be 50 quid this year. The deposit guarantees you a bed.

I should point out to the "usual suspects" who take their chances in tents if the weekend weather is great, that as it's the Bank Holiday weekend, we will have to give parking priority to those who have paid to stay in the house.