Sunday, 9 November 2025

Friends

 A start before 9 today...and the first 70 miles took 2 hours.....with a couple of stops to check the route! Mostly on roads that I knew.... 48 years ago when I started to learn to drive in a Triumph Herald car!!

A morning of mountain passes, twisty roads and good scenery!...you could look at this on Street View!!

Up through Machynlleth...my first time on the new bridge over the river..raising the road above land often flooded...

Nearly to Dolgellau, but cut across by Brithdir to the road to Y Bala ( which means the place where water enters a lake) through the town then left to Fron Goch , and turn for Cerrig y Drudion. Then up and over by two reservoirs to Dinbych (Denbigh) where the high street was closed for the remembrance parade...

A quick trip to a convenient supermarket for provisions, then the road was clear....but having gone through the town, roadworks held me up for ten minutes!!

Finally on the road through Bodfari, turn left at Afonwen, up through Caerwys , over the Expressway, left at Lloc to Trelawnyd...where l headed for the home of friends that I have known since about 1990!!

Plus I had a bowl to deliver...and the nice surprise was that the recipient would be having lunch with them as well!

And this is the bowl...





And the thankyou for delivery..(specs for scale)
Some beautiful local work...

Now I'm settled in the travelodge just down the expressway a little...basic, comfortable, a good bath, a programme about Eric Ravilious on the TV..then other war artists... luxury!!

And Travelodge is 40 years old this year! 
I have stayed in the first one ever to open..a small one on the A38 North near Burton on Trent.. behind it the Trent and Mersey canal, I think...and at breakfast time you hear the gentle " dug dug dug" of a narrow boat engine going past. ...a good pub by a nearby lock, and the Barton Marina the other side.... What's not to like?!

22 comments:

Fresca said...

I saw you and your beautiful blue bowl on John’s blog—so lovely to see you together—amazing the way bloggers sometimes connect!

gz said...

I thought I'd add a full picture of it!

gz said...

It doesn't always have to be a long visit...thanks to traffic hold ups I only met Pohangina Pete for ten minutes in Palmerston North as the long distance bus stopped for a toilet stop...longer would have been nicer, but it was enough!

Susan said...

Your drive sounds very scenic.
That's a lovely photo of you, John and author/illustrator Ms. Manley on John's blog. Sharing a meal together sounds enjoyable.
Gifting John one of your exquisite blue pots is a very thoughtful.

Debra She Who Seeks said...

How lovely to meet John Gray in person -- I'm envious of you! Those are lovely gifts exchanged between you.

Linda's Relaxing Lair said...

The bowl is lovely!

Catalyst said...

Great that you had a visit with John and what a beautiful bowl. As is that wooden spoon! Blogworld can be wonderful.

Debby said...

What a pictureque journey!

gz said...

The bowl was a sale...the spoon a thanks for the delivery in person

gz said...

The bowl was a sale..the spoon a thanks for delivery in person

gz said...

I was glad of decent weather..and the car worked hard !!

Tigger's Mum said...

I love the bowl and spoon - almost a pity they aren't destined to be together. Spoon carving is a wonderful craft - but then I have some deep affinity for wood.

JayCee said...

An epic journey!

Debby said...

I was very pleased to see your bowl on another blog! What a lovely day for both of you. Question though...is that a 'wedding spoon'?

gz said...

Traditionally carved by the suitor to show his intentions!
Often now given as a friendship gift

gz said...

It is a beautiful living material.

Tom said...

...I love the blue glaze.

John Going Gently said...

Lovely to meet you xxx

gz said...

And with mutual friends too.. perfect xxx

Steve Reed said...

What a beautiful bowl -- and great that you could see John!

Elderberry-Rob said...

How lovely! You met John. I follow his blog and find him very funny. I hope you met all his pets! Betty

gz said...

No, we met at mutual friends' home