I’m still on catch up, trying to write blog posts focused on my current UK trip. I was in North Wales the past eight days, visiting North Wales Recovery Communities (NWRC) in Bangor and Eternal Media in Wrexham. I am now in Burton-on-Trent, where I will shortly be visiting friends at BAC O’Connor, delivering several talks, and having lots of discussions. As some of you will know, I was very good friends with the late Noreen Oliver MBE, Founder of BAC O’Connor, so it’s going to be quite an emotional visit.
Last Saturday afternoon, Wulf took me around beautiful island of Anglesey, which was a really interesting experience. During this time, I visited St Cadwaladr’s Church in Llangadwaladr, where I believe a number of my ancestors are buried. My great-great grandfather William Hughes was born in Llangadwaladr, but moved to Crewe at some stage where he became a railway engine driver.
Sunday was so VERY special. Wulf and I drove out to Llanberis in Snowdonia and met up with Rob Havelock, who has set up the walking group Sober Snowdonia, and a number of members of NWRC. Eleven of us, plus Alex’s dog, headed off to do the Moel Eilio circular walk, which apparently to some has the best views of any of the Snowdonia peaks. And what an experience it was.
The scenery was simply stunning. The climb up was tiring at times, but the real challenge were the steep downhill parts. Whilst my calves withstood the challenges of the uphill parts, my quads (top front) suffered a bit going downhill… and are a little sore today.
The conversation I had with my walking colleagues, all in recovery from addiction but Wulf, was stimulating, enjoyable, fun (lots of laughs) and inspiring. Once again, I realised that I learn more about life from people who have come through the adversity of addiction than from ‘normies’. I even managed to film six short shares, although one suffered in part from the wind suddenly blowing.
I really want to thank (from Left in top photo): Mared, Lee, Gethin, Rob, Lianne, Auggie (I hope I spelt his name right), Alex, Mike, Gary, Barry and Wulf for helping make my day so very special. Big Hugs to you all. And one for Auggie, Alex.
I wish I could show more photos here, but I suggest that you check out the two selections of photos of the walk on my Facebook page. You can also see some Anglesey photos there as well. I’ll put up the Moel Eilio shares as soon as I have time.
Finally, I would like to emphasise the importance of being in beautiful scenery for facilitating recovery from addiction, trauma and mental health problems. This view was very clearly expressed by all my fellow walkers.
PS. This blog post was going to include details of my last full day at NWRC, and the following morning breakfast with the indomitable James Deakin, Founder of NWRC, but I’ve just run out of time. More another day.
