The Arrowgroup

Day One: Saturday 21 June

After the previous year's trip on the south coast it was points west this year for a wander round mid-wales on the coast near to Aberwystwyth, Aberaeron to be precise. The Arrow Group gathered up the vicous members..sorry, various members from parts of the East Midlands and off they set in Matt's Audi. Naturally a breakfast stop off was had at a McDonalds in Newtown.

The journey then continued and in order of time they arrive at Morrisons Aberwystwyth for food shopping, before going on to the house in Aberaeron. However it was worth noting that, before that point, Mark suddenly realised he was 'pantless' ie hadn't brought any underpants with him due to complete inefficiency on his part. So he was deposited in the town centre to make up the shortfall. He then compounded his error further still, as when he got to an underpant-ery shop he had no money on him. So he had to call the rest of the Group, who were in the car driving round the block on his mobile telephone to meet him and give the monies. What a palaver. What a spank-trumpet..

Eventually undercrackers to the tune of 3 pairs were purchased and the Group could then get the house and deposit all the shopping and allocate billets etc. After a bit of a rest, there was then the first street walk into Aberaeron, walking round the Harbour and generally taking it easy. They liked what they saw. It was then back to the House for some good old fashioned DSA. The evening duly arrived and collective eyes were set on the pub called The Harbourmaster Hotel. A pint and a sit outside on the Harbour Wall was very convivial. Hunger set in so it was over to The Monachty where food was eaten on the veranda. Then drinks after at The Castle and the pub close to the house, The Black Lion Hotel where pints and pool finished off the evening nicely before cheese and biscuits back at the house.

Day Two: Sunday 22 June

The first full day and breakfast is duly served to start the day. It was decided to trundle down the coast and visit the fishing port of New Quay. Note, not Newquay which is in Cornwall. The Group arrived and first things first - arrange for a Dolphin Trip in the afternoon. And why not indeed. After a bit of looking about it's a coffee & a carrot cake at the Hungry Trout which all went down well.

This was followed by General Millage around New Quay - buying the Papers and sitting on the harbour wall doing the Mail Easy Crossword, sitting on some rocks by the jetty and of course playing on the beach. All that energy use meant it was then time for lunch at 'The Old Watch House' restaurant.

After there was more wasting time before finally boarding the Dolphin Watch Boat, the Sulaire. This only took 12 people. Much filming took place in the hope of catching sight of said Dolphin and the Group were rewarded with the sight of a total of 1 possibly 2 Delphinus Delphis. A good aftenoon on the high seas then, so it was back after for the usual DSA at the house.

The evening rolled round and it was out for the evening in Aberaeron and visits to The Hive Restaurant for eats, then The Castle and the Feathers Royal Hotel. It was in the Feathers and the Group were discussing the following days Rheidol rail trip; it was discovered that the Group could go first class, but the first class carriages were the same as second class, but without the glass! They paid it anyway. Back home the group are in 'second night' quietened down mood.

Day Three: Monday 23 June

The third day, and after breakfast the Group set off for Devil's Bridge via the Rheidol Valley Steam Narrow Guage Railway, not too far inland from Aberwystwyth. There's a nice waterfall there so that's always a good attraction for the Group. This is then followed by the 10 min Devils Hole trip which turns out to be..a hole. With water in it. The Group walked back to the station after for a sub main and drink. As they were eating, two old boys at the next table dressed in ties, insist on discussing the minutia of car mechanics. Chris remarks that is like sitting next to an audio book of a Haynes manual. They get up to leave and Matt is disappointed - he had laid out an engine in bits and cant put it back. Well after listening to all that car related chat the Group only just finished in time to get on the Rheidol Valley train to Aberystwyth, which took an hour. That first class carriage was hot, it had to be said.

Half an hour of milling at Aberystwyth, just enough time to find the mainline station and get an ice-cream. The journey back to Devil's Bridge was even hotter as we didn’t get first class, we got half the guards van and couldn’t spread out. Nevertheless, a worthwhile trip. Talking of the journey back, Mark has an app on his phone to tell you the speed of the train, the elevation distance etc. 'Where did you get', it comes the question.. "How fast is my steam train going.com" says Matt. There was also a reference to "too Fat to run.com". And so it was a drive back to Morrisons at Aberystwyth for essential stocks an then homeward bound and the start of DSA. Outside Morrisons, a motorist is confused by something that lands on the bonnet of her car. It’s a large piece of mustard steak dropped by a seagull.

As usual it was out for the evening in Aberaeron at The Harbourmaster for food, the ending up at the Castle and eventually back to the house. During the night, Mark goes to the bog but ends up falling down the stairs at the dogs leg section. That certainly woke people up..

Day Four: Tuesday 24 June

Today it was Aberystwyth bound and the Group park up on the promenade. Seeing how small the hill is in the distance they walk to the top because, well, why not? Morning coffees were had in the Constitution Hill café folllowed by a visit to the Camera Obscura. All rather lovely really. Stuart, Matt & Mic have missed out on seeing the upstairs museum at the camera obscura, but are still inquisitive as to what was up there. Only mark & Chris went up to explore. Mic asked if there was anything to play with up there. Both thought for a moment before Mark answered...'just your tail'.

They then take the funicular railway to the base of the hill. Coming down the funicular the group are bundled into a carriage with a couple of families. Half way down the track Chris is keen to release a forceful and audible fart. The reverberations made it difficult to ascertain who was responsibe. One of the women in the front delayed initially but then laughed out loud. After disgorging themselves from the carriage they move the car closer to the station for reasons that have been forgotten in history. It's then a walk over to Aberystwyth castle ruins for some ruination.

All that staring at old rocks and other historical artifacts (each other) meant they had developed somewhat of an apetite so to the Wetherspoons at the station they went. In short order they wave goodbye to Mic who had to catch his train home as he lived in the wild and barberous lands of the North. Heading back to the car they drive to an Hydro Electric Station. An ultra boring tour of Hydro Electric in Rheidol Valley was had, it's dullness broken up by a chance to see some trout being fed in a pool. Having had enough, the Group head home.

The evening, after DSA, consisted of food at The Harbourmaster, with drinking going on at The Castle, The Royal Feathers Hotel and the local, the Black Lion finishing off the evening. And so to bed for all on the last night. Mark, not feeling the previous night's falling down stairs vibe, decides to take a chamber pot handily found nearby, to bed with him.

Day Five: Wednesday 25 June

Time to head home, but the fun doesn't stop, oh no. They leave Aberaeron and head to the Ironbridge Victorian Museum. Much fun was had exploring the old buildings and various modes of ancient motorised transport. More walking later, stopping by the river for a walk about. It's a cream tea at the Tea Room Emporium. Then homeward bound after, completing another suceesful trip.