Dear Mr Dulates,
Thank you for the very imformative pamphlet. I have studied it deeply and now am looking forward to this spectacular adventure with renewed vim and vigour, I can tell you.
If I may be so bold, there is just one tiny gripe I have about the route: it does seem t be littered with strange placenames, some completely unpronounceable. For example, what hope does one have of asking if one is near 'Penrhyndeudraeth' or is there a cobbler to mend a shoe at 'Llansantffraid-Ym-Mechain Lake Vyrnwy' . By time you've mangaged to get the name understood, there is a good chance the control will either be closed or the person you are talking jsut gives you any old answer just to get rid of you. I don't mind telling you that I still struggle with the placename 'Machynlleth' and have more than once caused offence to Directory Enquiry staff, pronoucing it (until I was corrected) as Mac**tluv.
What I feel would be helpful would be an audio version of the route sheet, ideally narrated by Sir Anthony Hopkins, that I could listen to as part of my preparation. I realise it is too late now but perhaps you can sort this out for next year?
One other issue: while I am on the subject of place names, why are so many prefixed with called with 'Llan as in Llansomethingorother'? If I cast my mind back to the series 'How Green is My Brevet', trying to say these placenames causes one to make that dreadful guttural noise. I fear that should one need to speak to a native of Wales, it could all prove very embarrassing as they try to work out if you are asking directions to the next control or merely just trying to clear your throat. So my suggestion is that in future, these place names are abbreviated (and therefore simplified) on the route sheet with the frankly superfluos 'Llan' dropped off. For example; Llangower becomes 'Gower, Llanberis becomes 'Beris and Llandildoes becomes 'Dildoes. I am sure you will agree that this is far less confusing and something to think of next time, perhaps?
On the subject of sleeping arrangments, Postie and I have worked out a system that means should one of us arrive at Llansleepy before the other, we will identify the bunk we are sleeping in by draping our Portsmouth CTC riding caps off the bedpost. This will allow us to cuddle up together thus saving sleeping resources and pool bodily warmth. Sadly, on LEL, some wag decided to move the aforementioned cap to an Itallian rider's bed, nearly causing an international incident; thank God John Spooner was there, that's all I say. I trust you will keep a watchful eye to ensure no such skullduggery happens on this event.
H
