Went to Wales again!

[Dalto123]

Hello all,

I started a thread last year about our first trip to Wales in the new to us 986 Boxster S. Well, nearly a year later we couldn’t resist the draw of empty Welsh roads and had to go again! This time though we were equipped with a better camera, and a friend to go with!

However, things didn’t get off to a good start. Our friend (a fellow PH’er) due to come with us in his new M3 wasn’t too well during the week and had to drop out, gutted (though I’m not nearly as upset as him ).

This unfortunately was the first of a few ‘issues’ we had on our otherwise faultless drive round Wales.
Our journey started at Burgess Hill where Dad works on a Friday afternoon. Our first overnight stop was at Bridgend– and the journey was faultless, until, on the motorway we discovered a lovely large chip/crack in the windscreen. bks! - ( I should say my family haven’t had the best of luck this year regarding chips/ cracks. Including the Boxster, 3 of the 4 cars have had to have replacement windscreen’s this year and the Micra had a nasty chip.

Nethertheless, we made it to our stop in Bridgend, and enjoyed the luxurious accommodation that Premiere inn has to offer

Saturday: https://maps.google.co.uk/maps?saddr=Premier+Inn+-...


Above is a link to Google Maps of our route on Saturday (organised or what!) The weather, sadly, wasn’t on our side and we endured heavy showers one minute and nice sunny weather the next! The roof stayed down no matter what I’m sure you’ll be pleased to hear! The Black Mountains was excellent fun, beautiful surroundings and empty roads, a brilliant combination.

We made our way north through Rhayader and Machynlleth and through Snowdonia, again great fun – stopping at Conwy. Some photo’s below from where we got slightly lost, but in a nice place!








Sunday:https://maps.google.co.uk/maps?saddr=Premier+Inn+Llandudno+%28Glan-+Conwy%29,+Llansanffraid+Glan+Conwy&daddr=Shell+Station+%4053.085461,-3.796822+to:Unknown+road+to:B4501+to:A5+to:52.9844715,-3.8135507+to:Waypoint+3+%4052.857127,-3.557416+to:Waypoint4+%4052.660123,-3.158229&hl=en&sll=52.970167,-3.51271&sspn=0.642605,1.783905&geocode=FeD8LAMdhi3G_yH_C_xIwYBdMylVVVVV6h5lSDH_C_xIwYBdMw%3BFRUFKgMdqhDG_w%3BFfmnKgMd0LHI_w%3BFctxKgMd5rfJ_w%3BFVBNKQMdPNrI_w%3BFZd6KAMdUs_F_ykfO-BYqhRlSDF9bK3gwqlKVA%3BFSeJJgMd2LfJ_w%3BFZuHIwMdK8_P_w&oq=rh4+2dr&mra=ls&via=5&t=m&z=10


Sunday’s route takes us to the Evo Triangle, then down to Bala then Welshpool. I got some really nice pictures which you will be able to see later.

Again, bad luck struck. Annoyingly the weather was pretty diabolical, and to top things off the first part of the Triangle had been resurfaced. Little bits of debris had been left and it sounded like the car was being pelted with little stones! It was awful – I didn’t want to know what the paintwork was going through! – The rain got heavier; the road was somewhat unenjoyable. We decided we would only do one lap this time.

We went a bit off route between Bala and Welshpool. In place of following the B431 we took a minor road near Lake Vrnwy. All along this road is where most the pictures were taken (same location as last year). It’s not a fast road, but fast pace isn’t what it’s about. The surroundings were even better than the Black Mountains – just stunning.









The car behaved perfectly (of course!) Even in some frankly crappy weather it apparently still felt solid, planted and unaltered by the conditions. As I said in my last trip’s summary the ride is firm, but it’s bearable.

I also said earlier that we had some bad luck. Well having parked the car up we discovered some damage on the bonnet of the car. Our first reaction was pretty much the line of ‘Oh for fks sake!’, then ‘how the hell did that happen?’. We’re still asking the question now. There is a little dent in the paint as well as paint damage. Pissed off is an understatement (pic below). Having thought about the journey to Wales though we have possibly worked out what it was.



Friday afternoon on the way there we were in the outside lane with other traffic. The in front suddenly swerved from L3 to L2. As it turned out it was to avoid a builders bag in the middle of the lane. We couldn’t avoid it due to a car we were overtaking at the time and run over the bag. What we reckon happen is part of the bag hit the top of the bonnet causing the damage.

Oh and another small issue, the exhaust heat shield is making is rattling again (only at low speed/ RPM) – Car will be going into OPC soon to be sorted (they may be able to sort out the bonnet too).
Anyway, back on topic - In 2.5 days of driving we did 771 miles. I have to admit I was knackered! I hope you enjoyed this write up. I really recommend this route – It’s great fun and you get to explore some of the best roads Wales has to offer – if only the weather was better!



For some better photos, you can follow the link through to my Flickr set: http://www.flickr.com/photos/89976054@N03/sets/721...

Thanks for reading.

Phil