Today had been a long time coming due to family circumstances that prevented a long trip to Wales that we could all attend. But it was imperative that my Dad could be accompanied by both myself and my Brother Chris and none of us had any issue with leaving it until this day.
My brother and myself managed to book the day off and plans were made for the journey and plans to stop for a meal on the return journey in Betws-Y-Coed, a place Mum and Dad often visited as Mum was a big fan of Swallow Falls.
Believe it or not Betws-Y-Coed is also the start and finish of my Ultra event in Sept that I will be doing in memory of my Mum as a fundraiser. Yet another sign to me that it is the thing to do.
My Brother picked me up first and then my Dad and we were off to Wales on what was the first road trip we had all made together since the funeral itself. All of Mums boys together for the day as she would of wanted.
My Brother asked my Dad if he had all his medication for the day as we didn't want him to be unwell without at any point and my Dad joked that he had it all, but 'Oh,no!' he exclaimed 'I've forgotten your Mum!' I laughed and admitted that I had indeed already had a sneaky peek inside the bags next to me in the back seat just to makes sure he hadn't.
It was a pleasant journey and as we travelled along the familiar route to Wales that we all took as children and young adults we reminisced on previous happy trips, and places we would normally stop off at like cafes, picnic spots etc..etc..
We passed through Betws-Y-Coed on the way and stopped to visit the loo in the hotel we were going to for lunch and as I looked at the hotel I started to hatch my accomodation plans for both my Dad and myself for Sept when we return for the ultra.
The journey continued and after a short while we were nearly there and the looming mountains of the area looked menacing with the tops in the clouds at points, and I myself especially was making mental notes of which ones I would be going up or down on my ultra event. Needless to say the enormity of the task was sinking in, but I have every confidence that with my Mum looking on I will complete it.
As we passed through Llanberis I pointed out the hotel we will be staying at as a treat on the 1st June as we prepare to visit Mum on the 2nd June. I have the little matter of a 20 mile recce run and climb of Snowdon to do first on the morning and early aternoon of June 2nd, but I will be looking forward to returning to the spot where we spread Mums ashes later in the day.
As we started up the road up the chosen hillside we passed the caravan park we stayed at on many an occasion as children and it became clear that we had chosen the right place to spread Mums ashes as so many happy memories are from this area.
We found the spot we had pre chosen and scouted out an exact spot that gave Mum a great view and a spot that was accessible by us all in future years, especially Dad.
From the spot we could see the opposite hillside where we often stayed in a holiday cottage, and we could see the spot we would walk up to in the evenings with Mum as kids so we could admire the views. It was also the spot were Mum would go in later years to meditate and say her prayers.
The chosen spot gave views right down the valley from along Lyn Padarn and towards Llanberis, as well as all the way to the majestic Mt Snowdon sat with it's peak in the clouds. A spot we know my Mum and ourselves will love forevermore.
We each took turns to return Mum to the place she belonged by each spreading some of her ashes and I'm sure noone will mind me saying we did need to check the beloved Welsh country air ( the wind direction) to ensure everything went right first time.
Dad laid flowers, and Chris spread a selection of seeds that would hopefully grow on the hillside in future years inc ones that would attract 'butterflies', something my Mum was always concerned about. I in the meantime took some photo's of the views from the spot and photo's of the spot itself.
After a while we returned to the car and took a brief excursion to a farm that Mum and Dad used to stay at in the later years, and also the one that I will be staying at with Dad in June for the week so we can return to the area for the 1st anniversary and so I can do my recce runs.
Next we headed back to the lovely Betws-Y-Coed for a delightful Lunch to mark the occasion and to give us some sustanence for the return journey. It was a nice hotel, The Royal Oak. I was now convinced that when I got home later that this was the place I want to stay in Sept for the ultra.
I will add it was good to see they had a good selection of meals that suit Vegetarians, Vegans and Plant Based advocates like myself, very nice food indeed.
Finally it was time to head home, and just the three of us this time. Four of us headed out on this journey, and only three returned. But the most important one that we left behind will remain in our hearts forevermore......
