Happily, on arrival back on British soil, bikes got priority at the passport desk and the van was still parked where we’d left it – and most importantly, it started first time! As it was still early, we packed the bikes and kit away, then walked across the road to a place that was already serving breakfast.

Next stop was a few hours drive west, where Fort Martin was preparing for a family get together. We pitched in with the little dudes, who’d already been set to work, tidying the place up.

A brief shower sent everyone undercover for about half an hour, but otherwise, the weather was kind to the twenty three members of the Martin family who assembled together on Sunday. It felt like a bit of an international meet, with John and Emma arriving from Malta, Rachel from Croatia, and Henry and Holly returning from holiday over 3000km away in Crete! We also had a facetime appearance live from the North Sea, from Mark who was working on a rig, and sent a passable rendition of Happy Birthday to Uncle David, who was marking his 88th year in Colchester.

Even without the ‘full ensemble’, we still managed to get a few photos for the family archives, including a full set of ‘Mrs Martins’ (I’m not sure what the collective noun for that is? – Suggestions in the comments perhaps?!).

Great Uncle Ken was there in spirit too, with his bow and arrows providing some good after lunch sport, which was only moderately competitive, with Daniel coming out with the high scores.

And Aunty Susan, provided a potted family history lecture, complete with family tree and photos of a young looking Grandad Martin, his parents, and even a photo from the 1800s, of my Great Great Great Grandad, sporting a fabulous beard.

Before everyone left, we congratulated Patrick, for his recent win, racing at Silverstone and gave thanks to Dad for his hard work and vision, to build the venue for such a lovely get together. Thanks everyone for making the effort (and the delicious food and drinks!).

We left early the next morning and arrived back in the mountains as the skies were beginning to clear. There must have been a huge amount of rain, as the rain gauge at The Cottage was over flowing – as was the river. There’s a boulder near the Ogwen that acts as a rough gauge for kayaking river levels – If the water has reached the boulder, the river is high enough to paddle. As we drove past, I noticed the boulder was almost submerged!