Bala & Vyrnwy

Stewart and I had this great idea to drive to Wales and run the circumference of Lake Vyrnwy then drive to Bala Lake and run that one too on the same day. Unfortunately we were heavily delayed getting to Vyrnwy so we headed straight to Bala. We had booked our B&B (magic Bala) in Bala village and was met by a

very friendly couple Mary and Mike who made us most welcome. Stewart and I got into character and headed straight for the lake. The weather was atrocious. Britain had been hit by major storms and

there were several areas under water. When we got to the lake side we could see it was almost up to the barrier wall to the village. The footpath that follows much of the edge of the lake was also under water. We settled for running along the road that skirts the lake but with the bad weather and failing light we turned back at mile five. We headed back to the B&B to thaw out, have a shower and change of clothes then had a short pub crawl in the village before settling down for some pub food.

The next morning we ate at eight. We had a full English breakfast and while we were saying our good byes to Mike and Mary they pointed out that the photographs on the stairway of the chap completing an Ironman Challenge is their son. Looking around the Bala area I can see he had the ideal training ground.

Stewart and I drove the fifteen miles to Lake Vyrnwy (Efyrnwy in Welsh). Along the way we passed some great scenery. We stopped high up in a valley to take photographs and I think we both had the same idea at the same time when we saw the view. We'll come back for another pleasure run from Vyrnwy to Bala.

We parked the car at the visitors centre, got back into character and started the run by crossing the dam. With the amount of water entering the reservoir over the last few days the lake had risen enough to give us a view of a spectacular water cascade over-flowing the top of the dam.

The weather was now a mixture of light showers and occasional sunshine which made for several rainbows across the lake. We made several stops along the way to take in the views and to take photographs. On the return trip along the other side of the lake we passed several waterfalls which I can only imagine would probably be only half their size if it wasn't for the all the rain. We made it back to the visitor centre in good time where we washed and changed out of our soaking wet clothing then settled down for a cup of tea in the cafeteria.

I think someone was looking out for us over these two days. If our trip went to plan and we ran both lakes on the same day then we wouldn't have seen Vyrnwy in the light that we did. Maybe we wouldn't have the same memories and possibly, we wouldn't be planning a return trip. I, by the way, came down with a terrifically bad cold and sore throat. So bad that I didn't turn up for work this weekend. My first days off sick in six years! I don't know what it is about 2009. I have had more colds and more injuries this year than any other I care to remember. Next year will be better.

There are more photographs to be found here: My Flickr Photos

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