We started by having a more thorough look round Porthmadog. We checked the location of the Ffestiniog Railway station and discovered that the maritime museum is only open in the afternoon. There were of course many charity shops to calibrate and we found a small cafe where we had an acceptable lunch. After lunch and with it still raining we drove over to the Sygun Copper Mine on the basis that surely it wouldn’t be raining underground! We had a
Wales 2024 – Day 2
The weather remained typically Welsh, with strong winds and rain, so after doing some shopping in the morning we headed north to visit an indoor attraction, vis the National Slate Museum in Llanberis and the adjacent Dolbadarn Castle. Dolbadarn was actually the main reason that we had chosen this area of Wales after Dad saw it appear on his work computer screen saver! The drive up via Pen-y-Pass was spectacular and Dad had to concentrate hard to keep his eyes
Wales 2024 – Day 1
A long drive to our cottage near Porthmadog. We chose to take the M4 over the Severn crossing and then drive up through the middle of Wales as this looked like a more scenic route than using the M5 and was predicted to only take about another 15 minutes. Following a sign indicating services at lunchtime we ended up in Usk and after driving round in circles ended up in the car park of their Rural Life museum. We used
2024 Trip – Day 9
Distance 42.5 km Average Speed 13.9 km/h Maximum Speed 35.6 km/h I agreed with Timo that I would meet him at the road crossing just west of Harvajärvi at 12:00 and that I would send him regular texts about my progress. I was ready to leave shortly after 10:00 but had to wait for about ten minutes whilst a school group cleared the lake in front of Saija. I managed to immediately take the wrong track across the lake (there
2024 Trip – Day 8
Distance 42.7 km Average Speed 14.2 km/h Maximum Speed 28.3 km/h I consulted with Asko and his son (confusingly also called Timo) over my breakfast, which was as excellent as always. We agreed that in order to ensure that I didn’t bump into one of their groups I would head west towards the power lines and then perhaps work my way north round to Harjajärvi. This would involve using the ski trail which Saija Timo confirmed was open. After feeding
2024 Trip – Day 7
Distance 30.1 km Average Speed 16.3 km/h Maximum Speed 29.5 km/h The start of my trip to Saija and Timo had an interesting plan. We would take the dogs in the trailer and then leave it parked at Saija for them to sleep in. This meant a reduction to five dogs as the trailer only has five compartments but with a light sledge and fast trails we agreed that this would be adequate. So, Nome and Clyde were dropped and
2024 Trip – Day 6
Distance 46.0 km Average Speed 14.6 km/h Maximum Speed 27.9 km/h There is no doubt that despite its scruffy condition, Jänisvaara remains my favourite of the two Finn-Jann cabins. It’s small size makes it much more suitable for a single guest and the whole place warms up faster than Kylkeinen. I managed a reasonable night’s sleep and made good progress with preparations in the morning. I decided that I would return to the cabin for lunch so I was able
2024 Trip – Day 5
Distance 39.0 km Average Speed 14.2 km/h Maximum Speed 27.4 km/h Got up just before 07:00 and got away shortly after 11:00. Probably not too bad considering that I wasn’t rushing. It was about -20°C when I got up, but it soon warmed up with the sun out – another cloudless day – and was probably about -5°C for most of the day. I started by heading back towards Tilsa and then went from their along the snowmobile trail (now
2024 Trip – Day 4
Distance 35.9 km Average Speed 15.6 km/h Maximum Speed 27.5 km/h No-one was around when I got up so I wondered into the kitchen and made my own breakfast. A guide turned up a bit later and provided some eggs and meatballs to as well. I liaised with Timo regarding the schedule for the week. We agreed that I would go to Kylkeinen first, then Jänisvaara and then back to the kennels for one night before being driven over to
2024 Trip – Day 3
Distance 31.7 km Average Speed 12.9 km/h Maximum Speed 27.0 km/h Slept well and got up at a reasonable time. The guides were getting ready for some guests who were doing the shortest 12km trip so I busied myself locating as many of the items I would need to take as possible. Fortunately, having visited the kennels for very many years I now know where most things can be found. There was much discussion about the state of the snow