Camping at Bala Lake

[notwavingjustironing]

I'm sure lots of you lovely people will have camped in or around Bala (well not literally in ) - can anyone recommend a particularly good site? I've got two adventurous small boys 7 and 5, we're not hikers or anything but I'm looking for somewhere they can run around and not be glared at by Eastenders watching caravanners, whilst appreciating a bit of lovely scenery.

I've been looking at Pen y Bont Touring park so would particularly appreciate any comments anyone might have.

well she did say she was going to work, I was leaving work, and then I'd had wine....yes it's a rubbish excuse isn't it ?

PS Still interested in the actual trip though Su - honest!!

mm [pursed lips]

I too want to hear the camping story

Thats not that funny either...

DH was adamant that he would be ok putting the fucker tent up and wouldn't let me explain how to do it in advance. When we got to the top of the hill in Criccieth it was blowing a gale, which is not conducive to novice tent erecting. It was blowing about all over the shop and one of the poles snapped . I had to cast aside my feminist principles and make a tearful plea for assistance to the site owners . They came hurtling round on an off road bike thing and put it up for us.

It was ok after that 'cept it pissed it down for the weekend and DH hated every minute of it. I spent the weekend drunk.

LOL

Oh dear. Sometimes achieving a sustained period inebriation is the best way forward for coping with a shitty camping trip

So was that it for you and camping?

We I are hoping to go for a weekend this year. BUT ONLY with my camping veteran friends. I am bribing DH with golf and beer, unfortunately sex won't really work in the circumstances.

I fear that us and camping will be infrequent friends.

If you haven't been brainwashed acclimatised to the activity as a child then I think camping can be a bit of a slow burner.

Camping with friends does help, as does sunshine and booze obv.

So I'm back (without wine) yes well see if you read all my camping threads there is a bit of a theme in that DH hates the idea of camping too! This story just reinforces my theory that it's woman power that fuels camping trips not Bear Grylls type men. I too will mostly be camping with my gung ho female friends!

you go girl

'girl' used in camaraderie-ly fashion obv

Update:-

Not only have I booked Glanllyn, but I have persuaded DH to come with us - he didn't even sulk - although I did gloss over all the nice bits, and left out any possible stuffed animals areas of concern.

Have also arranged with another friend for a weekend with all our children in June, so I just need to put another weekend in (somewhere) and I will at least feel that I made the effort in 2011!

Ooh, and I bought some hiking type boots from Aldi this weekend too although I realise that's not particularly unique to camping but it will at least aid any purposeful striding I need to undertake. I did at least resist the gaiters.....

I'm sure you will have a great time, let's hope the weather holds for your dh to become fully converted.

Aldi boots sound good, I love the camping stuff they sell, always such good value. Notwaving I have started a slow, friendly campaign to have a new 'great Outdoors' topic. I think mn needs one to compliment the camping topic. We could have talked about gaiters there.

btw the cafe in Bala with the dead animals is on the corner at the top of the main drag. There are neon lights, stuck on the outside of a very old looking building (school poosbly) which in hindsight should have been warning enough.

Yes I think I joined the original thread about The Great Outdoors and I think I touched on gaiters there! I think its a very good idea. There's a lot of crossover between camping and "being outside", but not everyone loves a tent. You can still discuss the merits of a Kelly Kettle even if you're not sleeping under canvas can't you ?

I shall be coming back to you for good weather vibes nearer the time

Speak soon!

No worries

notwaving when are you going? We have just come back from a lovely long weekend, stayed at PenyBont which was fab. Took on board the food thing - and driving through Bala I agree (kids wanted a pizza but there was no way we were going to that pizzeria!) - so on recommendation of the site owner went to Eagle Inn which was really scrummy

We are going last week in August. Have just spent the week on Anglesey, despite the dire weather forecasts we've had a fantastic time, went to South Stack, boat trip to Puffin Island, horse riding, the lot! Am going to ignore weather forecasts in future and just pack for every eventuality. It's a lot easier. Glad you had a good time, I'll store up PenyBont for the next time.....