The Porker and the Pugs Welsh Weekender

[GTiFrank]

Thought I would post a few pics (and vid) up of the weekend frip in Wales a mate and I did the other week, mostly in the rain but that didn't stop the fun. I took my 206 GTi, and my mate was in his (Tiptronic 986 Boxster S).

Day 1

Bristol - Betws-y-coed. Initial slog up the M5 until we find the M54 to Shrewsbury and found the A5 until we unearthed the cliche of all Welsh road trips; the evo triangle.



I imaging the triangle is excellent in something fast and wide like a Nobel M600, with some pretty fast bits, but in a warm hatch, there are better roads in the area. Largely overatted IMO although some very decent views to be had. And a nice lake!

We then carried up and over to Denbigh and took in the rest of the B4501, before heading West towards Snowdon and the Llanbernis Pass. This has to be (on the ascent) by favourite road in all of Wales.



It can all be taken in 3rd (in the pug, 1st and 2nd in the Boxster) all the way up to Snowdon "base camp" and still great back down the hill towards Capel Curig.

[GTiFrank]

Day 2

Mandatory fuel stop the next day at a fuel station I recall seeing in Evo a few times:



We then zig zagged all over North Wales. Taking the very pretty A470 south to Ffestiniog and gawp at the largely derelict mining infrastructure littering the countryside and valley walls. This is a route was a total surprise and very much recommended.

1st planned good road of the day was the B4407, heading North West towards Pentrefoelas on the A5 (just West of the start of the triangle). This was a good warm up road, but the Boxster struggled here as it's very narrow and bottoming out in some of the dips was a real danger.

Eventually (via the last of the B4501)we hit Bala, literally moist in anticipation for the much raved about on PH - B4391.



It is certainly the longest good strech of road in Wales, but personally I prefer them a bit shorter and more intense.

Having had a terrific laugh dicking around with the Go Pro, getting some external rearward facing shots by putting it on a sucktion cup behind the Boxsters gurney flap we head South West for a delicious Ploughmans Lunch in Aberystwyth. The heavens then open just as we head East on the excellent A44. This was another of my highlights of the trip, as part of the challenge is to get past the slower traffic to enjoy the road properly, some good cross views on the mountainous stretches. I had a great time keeping up with a very well driven F10 320d.

A boring A road schlep southbound to Budith Wells then ensues and we finally unlock the last truley epic road of the day. Matt (the Porsche pilot) states this road was his hands down favorite, and there are a couple of crests that'll easily have you airborne at legal speeds. I can't recommend the B4520 from Buith Wells to Brecon (great in both directions) enough. It does take some time to find though, and isn't signposted.


Just keep an eye out for the sheep!

Then over to LLandovery for a stop of in the Castle Hotel in town. I would recommend this Hotel to anyone. We shared a twin room with en-suite and breakfast for £54. Brilliant. I had a view of a very tidy yellow EK9 CTR in a dealership over the road whilst munching on my bacon also

Day 3

We only had one road on the agenda today; the now ubiquitous A4069.





Nothing has been left unsaid about this brilliant ribbon of asphalt so I'll just post my first attempt at a "Cetait un Rendevous"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sGmIPI1Aquw

After that all that remained was to join the M4 drool back over the (free outbound! Severn Bridge) and into Bristol. Overall we covered 719 miles, and considered it a good effort as our first ever road trip. A good warm up for our planned Alps adventure next summer...