Another great video Ian. I thoroughly enjoyed it. The childhood memories must have come flooding back. I want a Classic 350 more than ever but as I’ve now got two bikes it will have to wait👍🤪
Brilliant area, TAYM stated this morning where you parked the by the bridge was where your dad proposed to your mum ! Great memories 😊 Look forward to the 3rd video
Quite clearly your lady had taste choosing the Lake District over wales to say yes ! 😉 lovely Welsh scenery Ian, I kept trying to get a glimpse of your gloves to see what sort they are.
Evening Adrian. The gloves are these … th-cam.com/video/UKPt95S3ZsA/w-d-xo.htmlsi=LKjtwIuoj2tAk73K .As for Ann choosing to keep me waiting, we’ll, it was a good choice of location’s 😎 She was forgiven 😂
That bike looks incomplete with out a kick start. Yet the domestic market motorcycles have them. I love Kick-starting a motorcycle. My URAL 1999 is the first year with a electric starter. I prefer to kickstart it especially if I am being recorded.
Great video and story Ian, very spooky though, I have the same colour Classic 350 as you and I had a Mk1 Ford Escort 4 door 1.3 back in 1975. Quite a rarety then - 4 doors, have happy memories of all the places me and the lads visited in that car. Roll on part 3.🙂👍
Thanks Jonathan. Unfortunately my Escort was written off a few months after this photo, when a van pulled out. I did make some of my money back selling the parts off it. That GT dash was quite desirable. Happy days.
That was magic Ian, luved it. It was all that you said it would be and more. I had a Mk1 Escort too, a 1969 1300GT. With oblong headlights like yours and the 6 dial instrument cluster; wish I still had it. Sounds like you could have easily become a shepherd or stockman if you’d wanted to. It’s really nice to hear and see someone else’s reminiscers, their tales from the past. Especially your mam and that long walk twice a day and sleeping on the landing. Again, great work my friend; and we still have another vid to go yet, marvellous! Ha, when you were coming back down the bank you said you hate cattle grids, Ann was listening whilst she got ready for work and said I (she) does too. Mind how you go bud.
Thanks Neil. My Escort was the 1300 GT too, and after it was written off (a van pulled out), I got a fair bit of cash for that dash 😊. When I was at senior school, I took agricultural biology as one of my subjects, as I was considering farming. Sadly, that never happened. Cattle grids make me shudder 😂, oh and you have another two vids to go now 😎 Cheers
This video has been a joy to watch Ian, I have driven the road through Bontddu hundreds of times, and would never have known things like there being an orchard there. Thank you for sharing your experiences and reminisces with us. My dad left is home village (Carno) in the late 1950’s when he was in his 20’s, drawn to the cities for work and never really went back. Rural Wales draws me to it like a magnet, I’m only ever really at peace with the world when I’m there. By the way I ended up on a speed awareness course back in 2017 got caught by a mobile camera van in Bontddu 😂 suffice to say I’ve been very wary passing through there ever since! Cheers
😂 Even harder to stick to the “new limit” there now. Try holding 20mph pulling a caravan up hill, bonkers bloody rule 😳🙄. Yes, there just wasn’t the work available in Wales then, so many crossed the border for a better wage/life. The land of myths and legends has and always will hold a special place in my heart. As for the orchard, that big fence didn’t used to be there, just a low wall. Pleased you enjoyed the vid. Cheers
What a lovely video Ian! So lovely to hear you tell about you and your family, what a beautiful area❤ I could watch and listen for hours. Say hi to your wife! Hugs
😂 Thanks James. I did try my hand at panning for gold in that river, with limited success, but I do have a lump of rock with a few gold bits on, which was found in the mining waste heap. 😎. Cheers
Nice area Ian Clogau gold is a new one on me interesting had to check that one out , you wouldn't want to walk them areas at night then very dodgy .I am guessing this area is were you originate then a fantastic place to grow up and at least your other have said yes better late than not at all 😂👌👍
Morning Mal. Gold from these hills was actually used in the rings for when Charles married Diana. Unfortunately, when mum and dad got married, they moved to Nantwich, so I was born and bred there, but spent most of my childhood in these hills, and also in Dolgellau (which is featured in the next episode). Yes, I really enjoyed my time there. I remember an occasion when I was 13/14 in the school holidays, where I really wanted to go to the farm, but dad was working, and mum couldn’t take me. So she dropped me and my suitcase off at Nantwich bus station ; I caught the bus from Nantwich to Chester, then Chester to Wrexham, and Wrexham to Dolgellau, where my mum’s uncle was supposed to be there to take me to the farm. Obviously he bloody forgot, so I dragged my case to my grans (dad’s mum), and Uncle Gwyn eventually collected me from there, in the Moggy Thou van, with a couple of ewe’s in the back 😂 Happy Days
I know, crazy. There is actually a private short cut, which mum would have taken, past the gold mine, but at nighttime it was treacherous,and not that much shorter. Thank you.
Morning Ian , interesting bit of your life history there , and great roads , your Ford Escort what a beauty, they're worth a fortune now! And as for our older generation relatives definitely a sterner generation 👍 Great Video again, cheers 🍻 Mel
Thank you. Sadly the Ford Escort was written off a few months later when a Leyland Sherpa Luton van, pulled out of his drive while I was doing 60mph 🙄😢
That's a very lovely part of the country, Ian - and a rather nice Montgomeryshire-registered Escort, too. Back in the early '70's, after a quick dinner on a Friday evening, I used to shake the dust of Melbourne off my feet and, to clear my head, drive up to a little town called Finley, in NSW, simply for relaxation. I'd have a coffee there, then drive back home. Total distance around 375 miles. Memories, eh? 👍
Yes, I did, 'coz rego letters 'EP' were issued to that county from 1903 to 1974, after which they were transferred to Swansea. Perhaps some of the unused numbers were simply transferred to Crewe in the local government reforms of 1974. Dunno; it's a mystery... 😉
At least there's not an almost permanent queue of traffic going in each direction convinced that they have right of way what ever the situation like the south east of England. At least it seems so to me most of the time. Very nice scenery and interesting story of your family.
Thanks Simon, fortunately that lane is little used, but the timing, with tourist season behind, was the key. I do know what you mean though. No one wanting to give way, or reverse (mainly because they can’t), can be very frustrating to say the least. I remember on one occasion (in Cornwall), there was a woman in a mini who just sat there, the vehicle in front was towing a huge trailer. I actually reversed her car, so the other vehicle could get through. Crazy how some people are permitted to hold a license.
Lovely memories Ian. We stayed on the other side of that estuary about 10 years ago in a house that was converted from army barracks i think. Beautiful area, you must have enjoyed your family visits there. Looking forward to the next instalment. Cheers 👍
Thanks Simon, hopefully the fond memories I have came across quite well. My childhood there was fantastic, and even now, I get goosebumps when turning into the lane from the main road. We try to visit my uncle and aunt at least once a year, usually in January. I can’t say that I am familiar with the house which was converted from army barracks. We are off to Nantwich next week, so will ask my dad, and come back to you on here.
Haha yes that's it. Those houses must have been for the Captains and Colonels etc. Looks like they built the barracks on the land near there. Yes it was very a interesting video thanks Ian. I do like Wales it's stunning 👍
Hi Ian, just realised I didn't leave a comment first time round, I'm back doing my research before I finish off the video of my own ride up the very special road. I enjoyed watching this again, the weather was much better, what a difference a few weeks makes, as you'll see 😊 I had a beaten up Mk1 Escort van about the same time when I couldn't afford the insurance for my bike after being a naughty boy, it took me up and down the road between The Wirral and The Highlands quite a few times. Cheap to run, easy to fix and big enough to carry all my worldly goods with me, including my bike after taking the wheels off 👍
Thanks Mick, unfortunately there are more miserable days up there, than nice 🫣😂, I was lucky to get a nice day like that. Like you say, old Escorts were easy to fix, but they were also buggers for rusting …… badly. Mine had more welds than bodywork by the time it was written off by a Sherpa Luton Van 😂. As it was a 1300GT, I sold some of the salvageable parts off it, like all the interior, including the 6 clock instruments, got a few quid for that. Cheers
Nice one Ian, fantastic landscape and great tales from your youth...😊
Thanks Henry.
Jaki made me wait thirteen years!
Aren’t they cruel 🤔😂
Very nice video enjoyed that immensely
Thanks Phil, appreciated.
Get on the RE Classic!
Another great video Ian. I thoroughly enjoyed it. The childhood memories must have come flooding back. I want a Classic 350 more than ever but as I’ve now got two bikes it will have to wait👍🤪
Afternoon Mark. Yes, happy memories. Don’t worry about the Classic 350, enjoy those you have got, the Classic will happen one day 😉😊 Cheers
Wonderful place, and wonderful stories of your family! Marvellous!
Thanks Steven.
Brilliant area, TAYM stated this morning where you parked the by the bridge was where your dad proposed to your mum ! Great memories 😊 Look forward to the 3rd video
Thanks Peter. Me being the dozy bugger I am, forgot to mention it on the video 😂, so mentioned it when I sent TAYM the photo 🙄.
Quite clearly your lady had taste choosing the Lake District over wales to say yes ! 😉 lovely Welsh scenery Ian, I kept trying to get a glimpse of your gloves to see what sort they are.
Evening Adrian. The gloves are these … th-cam.com/video/UKPt95S3ZsA/w-d-xo.htmlsi=LKjtwIuoj2tAk73K .As for Ann choosing to keep me waiting, we’ll, it was a good choice of location’s 😎 She was forgiven 😂
Perfect lunchtime viewing, loved the colours of the countryside and your reminiscences as you went along. Cheers 👍
Thanks Nick, glad you enjoyed it. In part 3 we go to my dad’s home town. Cheers
That bike looks incomplete with out a kick start. Yet the domestic market motorcycles have them. I love Kick-starting a motorcycle. My URAL 1999 is the first year with a electric starter. I prefer to kickstart it especially if I am being recorded.
Gorgeous scenery and winding lanes, can see the lifelong appeal even without the connection
Thank you 😊
Great video and story Ian, very spooky though, I have the same colour Classic 350 as you and I had a Mk1 Ford Escort 4 door 1.3 back in 1975. Quite a rarety then - 4 doors, have happy memories of all the places me and the lads visited in that car. Roll on part 3.🙂👍
Thanks Jonathan. Unfortunately my Escort was written off a few months after this photo, when a van pulled out. I did make some of my money back selling the parts off it. That GT dash was quite desirable. Happy days.
Beautiful area and some nice memories Ian. 👍🙏🏍️
Thanks Derek.
That was magic Ian, luved it. It was all that you said it would be and more.
I had a Mk1 Escort too, a 1969 1300GT. With oblong headlights like yours and the 6 dial instrument cluster; wish I still had it.
Sounds like you could have easily become a shepherd or stockman if you’d wanted to.
It’s really nice to hear and see someone else’s reminiscers, their tales from the past. Especially your mam and that long walk twice a day and sleeping on the landing.
Again, great work my friend; and we still have another vid to go yet, marvellous!
Ha, when you were coming back down the bank you said you hate cattle grids, Ann was listening whilst she got ready for work and said I (she) does too.
Mind how you go bud.
Thanks Neil. My Escort was the 1300 GT too, and after it was written off (a van pulled out), I got a fair bit of cash for that dash 😊. When I was at senior school, I took agricultural biology as one of my subjects, as I was considering farming. Sadly, that never happened. Cattle grids make me shudder 😂, oh and you have another two vids to go now 😎 Cheers
This video has been a joy to watch Ian, I have driven the road through Bontddu hundreds of times, and would never have known things like there being an orchard there. Thank you for sharing your experiences and reminisces with us. My dad left is home village (Carno) in the late 1950’s when he was in his 20’s, drawn to the cities for work and never really went back. Rural Wales draws me to it like a magnet, I’m only ever really at peace with the world when I’m there. By the way I ended up on a speed awareness course back in 2017 got caught by a mobile camera van in Bontddu 😂 suffice to say I’ve been very wary passing through there ever since! Cheers
😂 Even harder to stick to the “new limit” there now. Try holding 20mph pulling a caravan up hill, bonkers bloody rule 😳🙄. Yes, there just wasn’t the work available in Wales then, so many crossed the border for a better wage/life. The land of myths and legends has and always will hold a special place in my heart. As for the orchard, that big fence didn’t used to be there, just a low wall. Pleased you enjoyed the vid. Cheers
What a lovely video Ian! So lovely to hear you tell about you and your family, what a beautiful area❤ I could watch and listen for hours. Say hi to your wife! Hugs
Aww thanks Lilian, so pleased you enjoyed it. In part 3 I will take you to my dad’s home town. Ann says hi too x
@@ianhughesroyalenfield Looking forward to part 3!! Really enjoying the videos
@TheMiniLilian thank you.
What a great series this is turning out to be farmer, Shepherd you have done the lot 😊 Slate miner in the next episode ? Looking forward to it Ian 😀 👍
😂 Thanks James. I did try my hand at panning for gold in that river, with limited success, but I do have a lump of rock with a few gold bits on, which was found in the mining waste heap. 😎. Cheers
Nice area Ian Clogau gold is a new one on me interesting had to check that one out , you wouldn't want to walk them areas at night then very dodgy .I am guessing this area is were you originate then a fantastic place to grow up and at least your other have said yes better late than not at all 😂👌👍
Morning Mal. Gold from these hills was actually used in the rings for when Charles married Diana. Unfortunately, when mum and dad got married, they moved to Nantwich, so I was born and bred there, but spent most of my childhood in these hills, and also in Dolgellau (which is featured in the next episode). Yes, I really enjoyed my time there. I remember an occasion when I was 13/14 in the school holidays, where I really wanted to go to the farm, but dad was working, and mum couldn’t take me. So she dropped me and my suitcase off at Nantwich bus station ; I caught the bus from Nantwich to Chester, then Chester to Wrexham, and Wrexham to Dolgellau, where my mum’s uncle was supposed to be there to take me to the farm. Obviously he bloody forgot, so I dragged my case to my grans (dad’s mum), and Uncle Gwyn eventually collected me from there, in the Moggy Thou van, with a couple of ewe’s in the back 😂 Happy Days
Gorgeous views. And love old time stories too..
Thanks Rachel.
What a ride today with a lot of learning about you and your family. Thank you! Great video
Thank you. Yes, I poured my heart out a bit on this one 😂
Some good rural roads it's obvious why you enjoy the area so much with so many great childhood memories, looking forward to part 3 👍
Thank you. Fun times 😊
A lovely video👍👍. It was fascinating to see that less travelled route and to hear the stories. Imagine doing that walk twice every school day!
I know, crazy. There is actually a private short cut, which mum would have taken, past the gold mine, but at nighttime it was treacherous,and not that much shorter. Thank you.
Morning Ian , interesting bit of your life history there , and great roads , your Ford Escort what a beauty, they're worth a fortune now!
And as for our older generation relatives definitely a sterner generation 👍
Great Video again, cheers 🍻
Mel
Thank you. Sadly the Ford Escort was written off a few months later when a Leyland Sherpa Luton van, pulled out of his drive while I was doing 60mph 🙄😢
@@ianhughesroyalenfield that's a bloody shame, at least you're still here! 👍
@melfzs yes, there is that 😃
That's a very lovely part of the country, Ian - and a rather nice Montgomeryshire-registered Escort, too. Back in the early '70's, after a quick dinner on a Friday evening, I used to shake the dust of Melbourne off my feet and, to clear my head, drive up to a little town called Finley, in NSW, simply for relaxation. I'd have a coffee there, then drive back home. Total distance around 375 miles. Memories, eh? 👍
Morning Chris. Wow, yep, that’s some mileage for a coffee and a chill. Memories need saving, before we forget, if you know what I mean. 🤔. Cheers
Hi Chris, did you add the bit about the escort being a Montgomeryshire reg ? I didn’t buy from there, I bought it in Crewe 😂
Yes, I did, 'coz rego letters 'EP' were issued to that county from 1903 to 1974, after which they were transferred to Swansea. Perhaps some of the unused numbers were simply transferred to Crewe in the local government reforms of 1974. Dunno; it's a mystery... 😉
At least there's not an almost permanent queue of traffic going in each direction convinced that they have right of way what ever the situation like the south east of England. At least it seems so to me most of the time. Very nice scenery and interesting story of your family.
Thanks Simon, fortunately that lane is little used, but the timing, with tourist season behind, was the key. I do know what you mean though. No one wanting to give way, or reverse (mainly because they can’t), can be very frustrating to say the least. I remember on one occasion (in Cornwall), there was a woman in a mini who just sat there, the vehicle in front was towing a huge trailer. I actually reversed her car, so the other vehicle could get through. Crazy how some people are permitted to hold a license.
@@ianhughesroyalenfieldBloody hell. Yet she has/had the same driving license to tow a vehicle if she wished.
@simonchilli2088 yup 😳
Lovely memories Ian. We stayed on the other side of that estuary about 10 years ago in a house that was converted from army barracks i think. Beautiful area, you must have enjoyed your family visits there. Looking forward to the next instalment. Cheers 👍
Thanks Simon, hopefully the fond memories I have came across quite well. My childhood there was fantastic, and even now, I get goosebumps when turning into the lane from the main road. We try to visit my uncle and aunt at least once a year, usually in January. I can’t say that I am familiar with the house which was converted from army barracks. We are off to Nantwich next week, so will ask my dad, and come back to you on here.
I have just googled it, came up with this, we’re these the houses ? www.graigwen.co.uk/feglafawrwalk/
Haha yes that's it. Those houses must have been for the Captains and Colonels etc. Looks like they built the barracks on the land near there. Yes it was very a interesting video thanks Ian. I do like Wales it's stunning 👍
@@simonhall5086 brilliant, when passing, we always think they must be a great place to live. Cheers
Hi Ian, just realised I didn't leave a comment first time round, I'm back doing my research before I finish off the video of my own ride up the very special road. I enjoyed watching this again, the weather was much better, what a difference a few weeks makes, as you'll see 😊
I had a beaten up Mk1 Escort van about the same time when I couldn't afford the insurance for my bike after being a naughty boy, it took me up and down the road between The Wirral and The Highlands quite a few times. Cheap to run, easy to fix and big enough to carry all my worldly goods with me, including my bike after taking the wheels off 👍
Thanks Mick, unfortunately there are more miserable days up there, than nice 🫣😂, I was lucky to get a nice day like that. Like you say, old Escorts were easy to fix, but they were also buggers for rusting …… badly. Mine had more welds than bodywork by the time it was written off by a Sherpa Luton Van 😂. As it was a 1300GT, I sold some of the salvageable parts off it, like all the interior, including the 6 clock instruments, got a few quid for that. Cheers
Don't see old phone boxes around anymore here in NZ 🇳🇿 use to be common.
What a great road a real treasure to ride I bet.
Morning RR, not many around in the UK anymore either, especially one’s with a phone and not a defibrillator 🙄😂. Yes great road. Cheers
A bad road in UK is a good road in India.
No doubt.