by Isobel Smith
Village holidays are always very special and last summer’s turned into one
of the happiest. It started, as it usually does, very early, on Thursday
22 August this year. My bags were packed and the taxi arrived early - I
was off!
The journey to Porthmeirion usually takes about eight hours and this means
a taxi to catch the first train from Norwich (about twenty miles from
where I live) to Birmingham New Street. That part of the journey was
uneventful apart from me trying to catch up with my sleep - cue very loud
snoring!! I had arranged to meet at Birmingham, Jan Davis who came from
her new home in Castleford, and Glenis McCairns from Oxford. I met Jan
first at our usual rendezvous, the ladies!! She offered to wait for Glenis
whose train was due shortly. In the meantime I made my way to the platform
to await the arrival of the train to Minffordd (in my case) and Porthmadog
(for Jan and Glenis). According to the timetable the train was made up of
four carriages which were going to split in half at Machynlleth (down the
middle? - Ed). I made sure to get a four seater, so there was room for all
of us, plus some of our luggage which included the all important food. I
was joined by my travelling companions and we were on our way. When the
guard arrived, we double checked that we were on the right part of the
train. Yes, we were! The rest of the journey went quickly as we caught up
with all the news, and even had a go at the quiz from the Shrewsbury
work-in the week prior. As usual my friends met me at Minffordd and I
waved goodbye or should that be “be seeing you” to Jan and Glenis, after
arranging a Village visit the next day.
When I awoke the next morning, the sky was deep blue and cloudless,and the
sun was shining. I thought back over the plans we had made, Jan and Glenis
were going to pick up the bus from Porthmadog which arrived at Minffordd
at 10.15am, I looked at my watch - it read 10.05, just enough time to pick
up my bag which had a raincoat (which was NOT needed during my holiday)
and my camera, freshly filled with a new 36 film and I was on my way. I
walked the couple of hundred yards to the bottom of Porthmeirion's main
drive from my friends' house to wait for the bus. As it pulled off the
main A487, I could just make out the smiling face of Jan, but no sign of
Glenis who I soon learnt had decided to walk from her campsite at the
Tiddly Widdly. Finally those well-known twin toll booths came into sight,
and I was off the bus and walking towards them with Jan by my side, A very
well-known face was there - Blodwen. She was very pleased to see us and
after a little while chatting to her, we were walking the path we have
done so many times before. After a visit to Cerys in the seconds
warehouse, Jan and I were walking under Gate House, then Bridge House and
then we were in Battery Square. In those brief few seconds we had
reaccustomed ourselves to the familiar few, and it felt as if we had never
been away.
Jan and I spent that first day just wandering and occasionally sitting to
enjoy the lovely weather. We walked out to the Lighthouse and sat atop the
cliffs watching the world go by and lapping up the now very warm weather.
We put the worlds to rights and we felt so much better. We walked slowly
back into the main Village and made a beeline for our first ice-cream of
the holidays - Cadwalladers, the best ever ice-cream in the UK. Strawberry
was my flavour of the day with an extra chocolate flake yummy!! En-route
for the bus at teatime I called into the reception in order to leave a
message for the editor of this magazine, who I was planning to meet during
the week ahead.
The Village, as regular visitors know, has a certain pull to it, and I was
back there the next day along with Jan who I had met from the bus. This
time we spotted familiar faces among the crowds that visit Porthmeirion
each day. By mid-afternoon the place was heaving as it was Bank Holiday
Weekend. As we walked past Angel Cottage I heard someone call my name - it
was that well-known editor and Chris Kellett.
For the rest of the afternoon we sat on the seat outside Angel and caught
up with all their news. Alan and I arranged a luncheon date at the Castell
for Monday along with Chris and Janet Eastwood.
Sunday afternoon was a highlight for Jan, as she had a 'phone call from
her son, Ian, who was in Manchester and could she try and get somewhere
for him to stay that night as he was going to come and see her. We
frantically telephoned the lady I was staying with and she agreed to put
him up. I had to leave The Village early that day as the bus was at a
different time as it was Sunday. I didn't mind as I spent the rest of the
day sitting in the garden of my friends’ house enjoying the now hot
sunshine.
My highlights were the next two days, as I had two of the best meals on
holiday and had the added bonus of being with some of my closest friends.
The luncheon at the Castell with Alan, Chris and Janet was a joy and very
special. I had never met Janet before but we hit it off straight away as
we have a love of opera. As we sat on the patio that afternoon sipping our
coffees (tea for Chris, of course! - Ed), we were joined by a large party
organised by Robin Llywelyn (sadly he didn't ask us to join him in his
champagne celebrations - pity). The other meal was at the main hotel the
next day and was equally enjoyable. The food was outstanding as per usual.
I felt like a Michelin man for the rest of the holiday - but I am so glad
I went.
Soon the last day came, I spent the early morning until lunchtime in Sin
City, I mean in Porthmadog, visiting my friend who helps run the Welsh
Highland Railway and having a lovely lunch in a newly discovered cafe.
Then it was back on the bus for a final Village visit, I had some shopping
to do for Andrew White and for myself. A small gift for my friends to
thank them very much for having me to stay. Then it was back to pack and
to arrange a packed lunch for the next day. After a wash and brush up I
returned to the Castell for a farewell drink with my friends and then an
early night.
Now back home there are convention matters to attend to and it will not be
long til I will be Village-bound again. I can hardly wait ... I do hope to
'be seeing you' there, won’t I??
Alan comments:
Yes, Isobel, you will be seeing many of us there. For anyone needing
further information regarding the convention, log on to:
http://freespace.virgin.net/rob.free-for-all/portmeiricon.htm
Now just keep your fingers crossed for good weather cos I don’t fancy
watching an election parade where everyone is wearing wellies!
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