An Old Friend revisited

I have missed writing the blog. The unfortunate loss of all my photos was heartbreaking but I know why it happened and it was basically because of me not understanding how these things work. Most of the pics are still on the pc somewhere and I will try to add a few back in every now and then. There are hundreds missing so it may take a while!

Anyway, onwards. Decided, with some encouragement, so start sharing my nonsense again to anyone daft enough to want to read it.

It has been an absolute age since I have had a proper day out, for a whole host of reasons, so Tuesday saw me suited and booted and ready for the off.

Beddgelert was my destination this trip. It's a lovely little town with an amazing walk following the river cascading through the Aberglaslyn Gorge.

Firstly you walk through a bit of parkland dotted with sheep via the alleged burial place of Gelert, misunderstood dog of Prince Llewellyn.

Then a gentle stroll by the river.

Leading to the Aberglaslyn Gorge which is incredibly beautiful. A series of tumbling waterfalls leading away from the town which you follow on a rough and stony path.

It's really quite challenging underfoot and I would certainly advise wearing more than the pair of flipflops I saw one young lady wearing! Don't be mislead by the bridge, it's only a tiny part of the journey!

At the end of the Gorge you can follow the woodland quite steeply up to Cwm Bychan to get some breathtaking views of Snowdon and the surrounding area.

It is probably worth pointing out now that both my fitness levels and my weight have gone in the opposite direction that they should have. It's been a while since i have done any serious hiking and I will admit to struggling a fair bit with this trek. It's a steep climb and a very uneven sort of path but I thought that as long as I take my time, I should be ok. Best thing about being a photographer, whenever you need to catch your breath you can pretend you are taking a photo. 

So onwards and very much upwards, past the old rope pulley system.

And the beautifully romantic bench.

I have only been here once before and I got hopelessly and completely lost on the way down. This time I was more prepared. I waited for a couple of dog walkers and then followed them. Yes, I know it probably wasn't the best idea, especially as it turned out they were headed somewhere else, but I didn't know that at the time.

Started off fine. Picked up the sign for the National Trust Pathway. Followed soon after by a sign back to Beddgelert which was apparently not where the dogwalkers were aiming for. So, on my own then.

But the views were completely breathtaking, looking across to Snowdon. Not the best of photos as it was quite a hazy day with one of those undefined grey skies, but it was like looking at a bleak otherworldly landscape. Well worth the hard climb. Was it worth the even harder descent? I will let you know when I stop hurting!

So I am following the sort of path back to Beddgelert when it sneaks off and hides under some bracken. I think I see it a little way off so I very carefully pick my way through the gorse and catch up with it. But it's toying with me. It leads me up a steep rocky incline, checks I am following it and then darts off into a swamp leaving me with wet and muddy boots only to reappear in the middle of a large patch of charred hillside, challenging me to keep up.

We played this game of cat and mouse for what seemed like miles. Climbing up, scrambling down, the path never staying with me for more than a few metres at a time. No signposts to keep it in check and me with absolutely no sense of direction to do anything about it.

Having not hiked for ages, my knees and legs just don't have the strength in them for this type of activity. Although I had plenty of water, I was hungry as it is very difficult to eat your healthy and sustaining overnight oats off the end of a biro because you have left your spoon at home.

But then, finally, I see Beddgelert. A long way down and a long way off and I figure that if I just keep heading downwards, I can't go too far wrong so I scramble over the charred remains of trees, slip and slide down small wannabe waterfalls, stab myself repeatedly on needles of bracken, tumble over loose rocks and spend an inordinate and unladylike amount of time shuffling along on my bottom.

The path, maybe sensing that I was now in no mood to play, came to rejoin me but was determined not to make it too easy for me. The descent was really steep, uneven with the occasional 6ft drop to navigate. My knees were shrieking at me to stop for heavens sake with my legs joining in quite vociferously. Even my beloved camera in the backpack was trying to topple me over as I lost my balance several times and nearly came a cropper.

But I didn't. I got there and I got home, and only had to stop 3 times on the way to walk and stretch off the excrutiating cramp that seemed to be my body's way of telling me not to be so stupid next time! I think I will listen to it. Perhaps.

Lessons Learned: Pack a spoon. And a map. Oh and don't follow people if you don't know where they are going. 

Diet Diary: I guess it wouldn't be my blog if I didn't document the struggle with weight I have. I lost a lot before, put some back on but not all, so need to keep myself in check. We are off to Florida in the Autumn so I have a few months to shed the extra bulk and I won't do that by going on a hike so strenuous that I have to lie down for the next 3 days!