Saturday 31st January 2009, Bala

We had dinner with Nick and Liz, old acquaintances we had bumped in to over new year and who had bought a campervan since we lat met. Very nice, very amiable. As we'd arranged to visit Allan and Norma in Colwyn Bay on Sunday we decided we should take the opportunity for our first overnight in The Rosabella.

It was the coldest night of the year as we headed for North Wales. We decided to detour to Bala and found a nice layby in a lane, a few yards from the lake - our first wild-camp on our first night, setting the tone for most of our nights in Rosabella.

We were definitely in overkill mode for staying warm, with thermals, sleeping bags and a double thickness duvet. We were roasting, although the condensation was horrendous.

Brekkie before we set off (including the now-legendary 'Princess Eggs' - see the recipe section) - on the wrong road! A twenty mile detour ensued although when we did eventually turn up Allan was almost as excited as us when he saw The Rosabella!




Survived! The coldest night of the year, and no frostbite related injuries!!