Tuesday 11 September 2018
Disappearing photos
Not sure why, but all my pictures have disappeared from the blog. I will try to get to the bottom of this and also try and replace a few beforehand. Please bear with me on this.
Wednesday 11 April 2018
Criccieth
Yes, I know what you are thinking. Doesn't she know how to get to anywhere else!? Well you may have a point, the blog is called Navigationally Challenged for a reason! However, on this occasion it was because I wanted to take the new kit there for the first time and the weather conditions made it just perfect.
This is taken from the Castle. Me and a solitary blackbird looking down over the beach. I am finding the new kit brings so much more life to my photos and I am loving that.
The crazy thing was that although it was the hottest day of the year so far, gloriously sunny with only a balmy breeze, there was still hardly anyone around. I am making the most of that because we all know how much I dislike crowds on my hikes!
The chap above was having a great time skimming stones and he was actually quite good at it too.
I joined Cadw last year so i get to go in an assortment of Welsh Heritage sites as often as I want and I have been into the Castle a couple of times. There isn't actually a lot left of it, just a few walls, but it is worth it for the views.
This side of the town tends to get a bit neglected, but the beach is fabulous and you can walk for miles along the coastal path, but I do love the parade of beautifully colourful houses.
Now I do know that there are regular readers who only want to know about one thing on my trips to Criccieth. Nice views? Whatever. Sandy beaches? Yada yada yada. Important Welsh Heritage? Yawn! Cadwaladers? Finally, now we're getting somewhere!
Of course I had to stop for breakfast and because I haven't been for ages, a simple toasted tea cake wasn't going to cut it. So Breakfast waffle with fresh fruit and a drizzle of maple syrup. Not too bad and got to be at least 2 of my 5 a day! And by heck it was lovely, and sitting in Cadwaladers looking out over the sea with the sun streaming in and warming my face, it was simply idyllic.
Only criticism of Cadwaladers is that they have stopped doing the rhubarb and cherry cake and I do really miss that!
So, suitably refreshed, on with the walk.
There were quite a few people with dogs playing on the beach. I believe dogs are not permitted after the 1st of May so they were all probably making the most of the time they had left, and there is little else that is as joyful to watch as a dog playing in the sea, chasing a stick.
Its a fair trek to the end of the beach, and being mostly stone is a good work out for the legs, but you are rewarded with a beautifully sweeping view and if you are brave and clamber up the rocks you have just walked to, you are rewarded with a peek at somewhere very special. Black rock sands. Seen this view many times and it still takes my breath away.
Something else that takes my breath away, but for completely different reasons is this...
And this..
Marine debris is still a terrible problem at Criccieth and although groups like The Plastic Project and "2 minute beach clean" are doing a fabulous job of raising awareness, there is still an awful long way to go.
And this gentleman, standing at the end of the jetty, watching the mist rising over the sea is certainly giving this matter some thought!
Lessons Learned: If I seriously want to get back on track with my diet, don't go anywhere near a Cadwaladers!
Diet Diary: See above!
This is taken from the Castle. Me and a solitary blackbird looking down over the beach. I am finding the new kit brings so much more life to my photos and I am loving that.
The crazy thing was that although it was the hottest day of the year so far, gloriously sunny with only a balmy breeze, there was still hardly anyone around. I am making the most of that because we all know how much I dislike crowds on my hikes!
The chap above was having a great time skimming stones and he was actually quite good at it too.
I joined Cadw last year so i get to go in an assortment of Welsh Heritage sites as often as I want and I have been into the Castle a couple of times. There isn't actually a lot left of it, just a few walls, but it is worth it for the views.
This side of the town tends to get a bit neglected, but the beach is fabulous and you can walk for miles along the coastal path, but I do love the parade of beautifully colourful houses.
Now I do know that there are regular readers who only want to know about one thing on my trips to Criccieth. Nice views? Whatever. Sandy beaches? Yada yada yada. Important Welsh Heritage? Yawn! Cadwaladers? Finally, now we're getting somewhere!
Of course I had to stop for breakfast and because I haven't been for ages, a simple toasted tea cake wasn't going to cut it. So Breakfast waffle with fresh fruit and a drizzle of maple syrup. Not too bad and got to be at least 2 of my 5 a day! And by heck it was lovely, and sitting in Cadwaladers looking out over the sea with the sun streaming in and warming my face, it was simply idyllic.
Only criticism of Cadwaladers is that they have stopped doing the rhubarb and cherry cake and I do really miss that!
So, suitably refreshed, on with the walk.
There were quite a few people with dogs playing on the beach. I believe dogs are not permitted after the 1st of May so they were all probably making the most of the time they had left, and there is little else that is as joyful to watch as a dog playing in the sea, chasing a stick.
Its a fair trek to the end of the beach, and being mostly stone is a good work out for the legs, but you are rewarded with a beautifully sweeping view and if you are brave and clamber up the rocks you have just walked to, you are rewarded with a peek at somewhere very special. Black rock sands. Seen this view many times and it still takes my breath away.
Something else that takes my breath away, but for completely different reasons is this...
Marine debris is still a terrible problem at Criccieth and although groups like The Plastic Project and "2 minute beach clean" are doing a fabulous job of raising awareness, there is still an awful long way to go.
And this gentleman, standing at the end of the jetty, watching the mist rising over the sea is certainly giving this matter some thought!
Lessons Learned: If I seriously want to get back on track with my diet, don't go anywhere near a Cadwaladers!
Diet Diary: See above!
Tuesday 10 April 2018
No excuses
Yes, I know, it's been ages and I really have no defence. This poor excuse for a blog has been woefully neglected and I need to make amends.
So firstly, quick catch up. Still working at Mountain Warehouse, still getting out as much as horrendous weather will allow and still battling, currently unsuccessfully, with my weight! Same Old.
Major change however is that I now have a shiny new camera. Upgraded the trusty Canon 700D to a lovely new 6D mark 2. Taken the plunge and gone full frame! Eek! And the difference to the quality of the photos is just staggering. I am loving it.
Got a chance to take it out for a full days outing yesterday taking advantage of the most glorious day we have had this year. Headed to Bala in crisp sunlight but with occasional low mists.
The mist dropped over Llyn Tegid just as I stopped there, and I just loved the washed out ethereal look it gave.
But I am getting such clarity and depth of colour with the new kit, I am having to do very little editing which is fabulous.
On then to Llyn Celyn. The small settlement of Celyn was flooded in the early 1960's to create a reservoir to supply Merseyside with water. It's a beautiful place with a very quiet and slightly haunting atmosphere, knowing that people's homes are now buried below 140ft of water.
And it would appear that the ghost of someone's pet bunny has come back as a cloud to watch over it's former home. Or is that just me?
The water was like a mirror and the reflections just gorgeous. There wasn't a sound in the air apart from birdsong and I was standing in warm sunlight with a beautiful tranquil lake in front of me, backed by forests and mountains and I asked myself is there a better place on earth to be. Of course the answer came back yes, so I then went to Criccieth. Will show you those pics shortly.
So I am driving around the lake and for most of the journey, this is my view. Blue skies, wispy clouds and a very definite landscape. Go round the next bend and then...
..the mist drops and is reflected in the lake, shrouding the hills in a delicate floaty robe. Just gorgeous. I almost expected a hand to rise from the centre of the lake holding a sword! (I should here be making a Game of Thrones reference, but I am one of the 5 people in the UK who have never watched it!)
Lessons Learned: I must not leave it so long between outings and blogs. On my trip I remembered just why I love getting out there. It's all too easy to get stuck back in the rut of not doing anything and I don't want that. And now I have some fabulous new kit, there really is no excuse. The hair is a bit tame at the moment too, so that needs pinking up a bit and then there is no stopping me!
Diet Diary: I have worked out that my downfall is actually weighing myself. If i don't see dramatic weight loss then I tend to get downhearted and console myself in Cadwaladers. So new plan is not to weigh but just go on how my clothes feel. Wish me luck!
So firstly, quick catch up. Still working at Mountain Warehouse, still getting out as much as horrendous weather will allow and still battling, currently unsuccessfully, with my weight! Same Old.
Major change however is that I now have a shiny new camera. Upgraded the trusty Canon 700D to a lovely new 6D mark 2. Taken the plunge and gone full frame! Eek! And the difference to the quality of the photos is just staggering. I am loving it.
Got a chance to take it out for a full days outing yesterday taking advantage of the most glorious day we have had this year. Headed to Bala in crisp sunlight but with occasional low mists.
But I am getting such clarity and depth of colour with the new kit, I am having to do very little editing which is fabulous.
On then to Llyn Celyn. The small settlement of Celyn was flooded in the early 1960's to create a reservoir to supply Merseyside with water. It's a beautiful place with a very quiet and slightly haunting atmosphere, knowing that people's homes are now buried below 140ft of water.
And it would appear that the ghost of someone's pet bunny has come back as a cloud to watch over it's former home. Or is that just me?
The water was like a mirror and the reflections just gorgeous. There wasn't a sound in the air apart from birdsong and I was standing in warm sunlight with a beautiful tranquil lake in front of me, backed by forests and mountains and I asked myself is there a better place on earth to be. Of course the answer came back yes, so I then went to Criccieth. Will show you those pics shortly.
So I am driving around the lake and for most of the journey, this is my view. Blue skies, wispy clouds and a very definite landscape. Go round the next bend and then...
Lessons Learned: I must not leave it so long between outings and blogs. On my trip I remembered just why I love getting out there. It's all too easy to get stuck back in the rut of not doing anything and I don't want that. And now I have some fabulous new kit, there really is no excuse. The hair is a bit tame at the moment too, so that needs pinking up a bit and then there is no stopping me!
Diet Diary: I have worked out that my downfall is actually weighing myself. If i don't see dramatic weight loss then I tend to get downhearted and console myself in Cadwaladers. So new plan is not to weigh but just go on how my clothes feel. Wish me luck!
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