Benllech and back again

Went back up to Benllech on Thursday morning, taking Andy our pastor to see the camp in action. 4 and a half hours from 7.30am to 12 noon seemed to breeze by with no traffic to speak of, only a small hold up near Wolverhampton at the M6 motorway repairs, and of course the A55 North Wales Coast road being dual carriageway all the way to Bangor - not like it was back in my day!
Had lunch with the girls and enjoyed the afternoon activities trying to identify tent leaders dressed up on the beach in the annual Officer Hunt. Beth was Mrs Incredible so she stood out quite clearly but Jess was dressed as a jellyfish and was half buried in sand. She was nearly trodden on a few times. One of the lads was in combat gear and lay next to the grass a stone's throw from Jess and he wasn't spotted till near the end. Quite funny watching a jellyfish, Buzz Lightyear, Father Christmas, Mrs Incredible and many other running about on the beach trying not to be caught by the kids who were all supposed to be collecting their autographs. Nice evening activities followed in one of the big tents, including an entertaining talent show and then it was an early night for all and some well deserved rest.
We had a wild night with the wind pushing the tents almost flat. If we hadn't been sleeping in them they might have ended up in the Irish Sea. I lost a support pole to the wind. It just buckled and split while I was taking the tent down in the morning.
Set off for home shortly after a hearty breakfast but it was nose to tail all the way from Bangor to south of Birmingham. I can't remember such busy roads. I don't think we got over 60 mph for more than a few miles. There were queues even to get off to visit the service stations! Won't be doing that again! And it rained most of the way back, in contrast to the journey up. I was pancaked by the end of the day but it was a worthwhile trip all the same.
I guess I should be glad I was doing the journey in a modern efficient diesel, but the romance of the Landy journey still appeals, though perhaps not the mackerel....