Do you ever find that sometimes life gets in the way of the fun stuff! Been doing a lot of extra shifts at work recently, and with some rather dismal weather just haven't been able to get out. So first available opportunity, I am there!
Big day planned! Well, not exactly planned, had a starting direction and I decided to just go where the whim took me.
So I scurried on down to Trefor to photograph a bit of decay.
I have never been able to shoot it from this angle before, as the tide this time was way, way out. How it is still standing is a mystery as it looks like one strong gust of wind would topple it, but it is magnificent in its dereliction.
Normally the sea is a lot further in and I would be up to my waist where I was standing for these pictures, so it was fabulous to be able to wander among the boats.
Not done with my day out, I fancied revisiting Caenarfon which as it turns out, was not perhaps my wisest move bearing in mind the unpredictable weather and an encounter with the surliest lady in Morrison's cafe. It takes a lot to get me angry, but with not being in the best frame of mind anyway, I am ashamed to say I may have scowled!
Wandered along the harbour and loved this line of boats just standing there like a chorus line with pointed toes waiting for the tide to come in.
And of course you can't go to Caenarfon without taking a photo of the castle! Although I have taken many, it was interesting to have a view with such a low tide.
Shortly after taking this photo, that gorgeous bit of blue in the sky disappeared to be replaced by dark and ominous grey. This heralded the arrival of the worst hailstorm I have ever had the misfortune to be caught out in! It felt like being surrounded by 100 angry warriors firing darts at me through 100 blowpipes. And me wearing my only coat without a hood! Walking along in near darkness, wearing sunglasses so that I don't get blinded and holding my poor weatherbeaten hands over my head so i don't get concussion! Not my finest hour!
Of course once I get to the car, it stops and the sun comes out. Typical! So I head homeward, but not before stopping at Llyn Padarn, Llanberis and taking a shot of the most photographed tree in Wales!
Lessons Learned: Always wear a coat with a hood!
Sometimes a long and tiring day out with plenty of thinking room is the best way to get to grips with life, make all those decisions that you've been putting off and grab back control of your life. Which neatly brings me on to...
Diet Diary: I am ashamed to say that I have really let things slide. The mindset just hasn't been there recently and my "little behind" (see earlier posts for those thinking "wait, what?") is just getting bigger and bigger and is in danger of getting stuck in doorways!
However, control of life grabbed, stern talking to given to self, summer clothes tried on amidst horrified shrieks and new determination has resurfaced! So onwards and inwards!
Have you ever had one of those days, or let's face it, years where you just can't seem to get your act together! I am having one of those and to quote the old Bing Crosby song "busy doing nothing, working the whole day through, trying to find lots of things not to do" And doing it pretty well it would appear!
So a stern talking to was given to myself and a trip planned.
First stop Borth. I had been there once before and it appeared to be shut! Although to be honest it had been a very dull day and the tide was in so I couldn't see much beach. In fairness to those friends of mine who sing its praises, I felt I needed to revisit.
I will admit that the beach is gorgeous. Miles of sand and plenty of rock pools to explore, but that is all that can be said for it. The town itself is very shabby and seems to take a very complacent attitude of "we have a fantastic beach, what more do you want".
I am not for a moment suggesting they bring in arcades and Starbucks, but would a bit of a tidy up and a lick of paint hurt?! I am sure many people will disagree with me, but that is how I found it so I am sure others will too!
Although I did find the most gorgeous tea rooms, beautifully decorated with fabulous sofas to lounge on. And the fact that I forgot where I parked the car and spent a not insignificant amount of time wandering the streets looking for it in no way affected my judgement!
It would be ungenerous of me to say that the best way to see Borth is from a distance, so I won't!
On to the main ingredient in this cornucopia of delights that is my trip. Aberystwyth! Do you have places where you feel you belong and so you return to time and time again and each time feel more comfortable there. This is one place, along with Criccieth and Llandwyn. Don't know why or what it is about these places, but there is something there.
I arrived Monday late afternoon to unseasonal temperatures and glorious blue skies.
It was like a glorious summer's day, the sun was shining and the skies were blue and the beaches were full of happy people playing, paddling and later on having picnics. It was quite simply fabulous.
However, the best part was the evening. A really good friend had told me that Starlings roost in the pier and they can be seen flying around at dusk. So later found me sitting on the prom by the pier, eating chips out of a bag, watching the birds perform their beautiful and natural dance in front of the setting sun, reflected in the calm sea.
It was such a perfect moment and I will admit to getting a little emotional! A mini break doesn't get much better than this!
The next day dawned dull and a lot chillier, but fine for another explore.
Whilst the sky was mostly completely flat and uninteresting, it did throw up a couple of images to play with when it covered the sun. I am very into black and white photos at the moment, enjoying the completely different approach to light and texture that you have to use.
However, I still am one for the neglected and derelict image and this is one of my favourites.
Do love a bit of rust!
So final stop of the day, Aberdyfi. Another gorgeous beach to stroll along, but the town is bright and cheerful and a joy to wander through. However, a very stormy sky approached and I knew the time was limited!
OK, so I may have tweaked the clouds just a tad in Lightroom to bring out the drama, but we're all about being creative here, so a bit of artistic licence is allowed!
And talking of tweaking, OK maybe not tweaking, more full blown fartnarkling, but this is one of my favourite images from the day.
I am trying to get a bit more adventurous in my editing. I see so many really creative shots, but have been scared to take that next step.
Bearing in mind that I have taken steps and crossed lines quite a bit recently in my life, it seems daft that I am scared of a little bit of editing. No more! Look out for some wild and extreme photography from some more wild and extreme places!
Lessons Learned: How easy is it to slip back into a safe and unchallenging way of life. Very! But no more. The extreme and adventurous me has just broken out of hibernation. I have got daft things to do and many lines to cross! So watch this space and I will let you know where to send the bail money!
Diet Diary: Hah! No.
Rambling Record: Made a decision not to do the 1000 miles this year. With work, weather and other commitments I haven't been able to get out too much so far this year so my little behind has got an awful lot bigger! So am still going to hike as much as I can, but because I love it and not because I have to clock up some numbers!
