We had signed up for the AAC autumn gathering in Plas y Brenin (the national outdoor centre in Capel Curig, Snowdonia (Eryri)). However to make this a more rounded trip, and take away any of the travel frustrations, we included stops off with both children. This made the trip into a circle starting off going to Nottingham, then over to North Wales, before returning via Newbridge.
We had a calm drive up to Nottingham and stayed with Katie & Lloyd for a couple of days, that included a trip over to Denby for a day walk whist others were engaging with retail therapy.
On Wednesday we left Nottingham and crossed over above Birmingham to North Wales, stopping at Trevor to revisit the Pontcysyllte aqueduct. Arriving at Plas y Brenin slightly ahead of schedule, however we were allowed to check in to our room - this was at the very west end of the complex and, as we would find out during our stay, bore the brunt of the wind coming up the valley. parking was already a little constrained, however we managed to get parked in the overflow area and were soon joined by a number of other vans.
The centre was like a cross between a hotel and a low level mountain hut - we had a comfortable twin room with facilities, meals were in the dining room and fixed menu, and a bar with plenty of seating. As there were a large number of people there we had to work out the best timings for meals etc. since the tables were laid out refectory style with chairs back to back and the food self service, so constant movement. Breakfast was the worst, but we soon found a way around the crush by coming down slightly later than the start of serving and sitting in the bar.
We did our own thing for the first three days and made some gradual increases in distance and height gain as well as complexity of underfoot conditions, so we could rehabilitate Sue's knee without too many constraints or pressures from other walkers. On the final day we joined a group walk that would end up at the Ogwen Valley Mountain Rescue centre for a brief tour. Since the weather had turned this was a suitably short, but challenging walk.
After the final day we drove down along the Welsh/ English border to Steph's house in Newbridge - she was away for the weekend, so we had instructions to let ourselves in and she would catch up the next day.
A final day on the trip helping pout around the house, before driving back home (via checking the storage unit in Presteigne).
Trip Summary