Another Anglesey Adventure

I was lucky enough to be able to organise another mini trip away this week. Thought it ideal to get away while I still can, before this arctic winter they keep promising us arrives!
Timing seemed perfect as it coincided with the Super Moon, so I thought I could position myself perfectly to get a cracking shot. Funny how things never work out how you want them to, but more on that later!
I decided to head to Anglesey again, and explore some bits I had never been to before as well as some favourites too.
I have downloaded the Photographers Ephemeris App which shows you the direction and times of sunrises and sunsets, plus moonrises and moonsets from anywhere in the world so you can be assured of getting a good view. (At least that is the theory.)
I figured that Amlwch would be a good place to set up but had all day to explore before then.

So I headed to Penmon.

I just love the lighthouse here, looking over Puffin Island. Never managed to get there in the right season for the boat trips across, maybe next year.
With this picture, I wanted to get some of the pebble shore to add a bit of depth, hence getting down flat on the ground to get the shot, but don't worry, I am used to the quizzical looks by now!

After then exploring the countryside a bit (OK, I got lost again) I eventually ended up in Amlwch and realised that I had left my tripod at home! Not ideal for night time shots, still, I took it as a test to my creativity. On a recent night photography workshop, at one point I was balancing the camera on a borrowed hat, so I am nothing if not flexible!

It was a very cloudy evening and although I had views across the sea, couldn't actually see the moon. Also, it wasn't a very interesting location so I wasn't confident the pictures would be any good anyway. As the trip wasn't originally about the moon, I decided to explore further and head to South Stack where I was staying.

However, en route, the most amazing sunset swept across the sky, turning everything in it's path either a deep pink or fiery red.

I accidentally stumbled across Cemaes Bay which was just incredible.

Yet again, there wasn't a soul around and I could just wander along the beach and across the cliff edges surrounding it. Just a wonderful experience. Bearing in mind I was tripodless, I was pleased with how the pics came out. High ISO and a wide open aperture meant I could get some fast enough shutter speeds.

I headed to the Potting Shed where I was to stay overnight, stopping off at Morrisons to get tea. Although I am much braver with many things, I still don't feel comfortable going out for an evening meal by myself. So wandered around the shelves and it occurred to me that I could have whatever I wanted, however unconventional and not have to justify its nutritional benefits to anyone. Therefore, the evening found me in my pj's, sitting crosslegged on the bed watching Tom Hanks in Big munching on a peperoni wrap, doritos, a cherry scone and a double decker! Yum!

The next morning, there was exploring to be done and calories to be walked off!

South Stack Lighthouse. An amazing sight and with some fabulous cliff edges to scamper across.

A view down to Holyhead Marina and one of the longest breakwaters in Europe snaking towards Ireland. A closer look is pencilled in for the next trip!

 Overlooking the marina was the burnt out shell of a beautiful hotel. I could get up to the walls, but not really any further safely. Need to be braver if I am going to have a go at Urbex photography!

Then onto the part of the trip I was most looking forward to. Sunset on Llandwyn. I had this urge to take a picture of the Lighthouse silhouetted against a beautiful sky, and nature didn't disappoint!
Firstly, before the sun set, it cast a golden glow across the island. 

Before erupting into a thousand shades of gold across the sky. Just mesmerising.

So a very happy soul then began the weary trek home. I didn't get to see the supermoon, but with 2 glorious sunsets, I couldn't complain.

Until driving through Betws-y-Coed. Turned a corner and there is was in front of me, huge, golden, unobscured and beautiful. I decided against trying to get a photo as was difficult to stop in the right place and I knew there would be 100's of much better offerings on-line anyway. So I just enjoyed seeing it and having the memory.

Lessons Learned: Tattoos hurt. And "how do you know this" I hear you ask. Because I have one!!!

Never had one before, but I have been thinking about it for a while. The swan is significant for many reasons. Partly the whole Ugly Ducking thing as I feel I have transformed myself over the past couple of years, also the flying aspect, feeling I am soaring through life at the moment and have never felt so free. Also it signifies where I live as there are always swans on the Mere and they have provided me with many photo opportunities.

It is on the top of my left arm, about 10cm across and is just beautiful, I am so pleased with it, but it is and will always be the one and only!

Diet Diary: Not going well. One day it will happen, I have faith!

Rambling Record: Going to stop this now having reached the 1000. Still walking a lot, but that's not the most important thing. Will restart it with next year's challenge!

Finally out again!

Many apologies for the long wait for a new post. There seems to have been a lot going on recently.
First and foremost, I have a new job! I am now working for Mountain Warehouse and so far am loving it. I have been a regular customer for ages and love the products so am really pleased that I am getting a chance to work with them. They have a huge concession shop within our local garden centre and because I am only working 2 days a week, I will have plenty of time for some more crazy outings!

Haven't had much chance recently to get out for a full day, but yesterday the forecast was brilliant, the kids were amusing themselves and so out I went.

I often have this internal battle where part of me wants to go somewhere new, but the rest of me wants to go somewhere that I know I love. The rest of me won this time and I headed to Llandwyn Island on Anglesey.

It's a fairly long trek from home, just under 2 1/2hrs but the drive is beautiful, through Llangollen, Betws-y-coed and the Ogwen valley. But it is so worth it. How many other beaches can boast miles of soft sand, a forest, views of Snowdonia, 2 lighthouses and a ruined monastery!

Plenty of people around today, but the beach is so wide and long, it would be churlish to object as we all had plenty of space. Some people even had a very innovative mode of travel to get to the beach.

Because I have been here many times, the challenge again today is to take photos different from the one's I have taken every other trip. Not so easy, as I tend to go for my favourite shots! Still had a bit of a play around with different angles and hope I have achieved a difference.

That picture somehow makes it all look very stormy, but most of the time the skies were brilliant blue and the sun was bright and warming. This is more of an illustration of what it actually was like.

There were about 6 ponies just wandering around the island, ignoring the people, but just keeping far enough away. Thank heavens for telephoto lenses!

On the island there are many sheltered bays overlooked by small cliffs. I climbed to the top of one to sit and admire the view, where I came across a kindred spirit who was watching out for sea lions. We sat and chatted a while about the spirituality of Llandwyn, the beauty that is Hell's Mouth (although he goes there to catch a possible glimpse of dolphins rather than surfers!) and the joys of being out on the Welsh Coast. We did see sea lions, but unfortunately too far out to photograph.

So a bit more exploration of the island and I found that I had covered about 6 miles!

I recently posted a question to female hikers on my blipfoto page (Maisiebeth's blips) about how they avoid needing "comfort breaks" on a hike. The answer generally came back as you don't, you just find a large bush in a secluded area. (But if anyone out there knows anything different, would be glad to hear) Not too many secluded areas yesterday, so I headed back to the car park to "freshen up"

From the car park, there are many forest trails of differing lengths. I decided to go on the fitness trail, 1.7 miles with various instruments of torture pieces of fitness equipment that you can have a go on. Passed the first one, then didn't see another. Must have somehow missed the big green signs highlighting the path. I know, completely hopeless! But I thought its a fabulous day for a walk and I can always retrace my steps. It was just gorgeous, all I could hear were the birds singing in the trees. Past just one jogger with dogs and then saw no one as I went deeper into the forest. Had a bit of a Hansel and Gretel thought, but clean out of breadcrumbs! Finally ended up back on the beach but an awful long way away from where I started, completely the other side of the island in fact so a longer hike than expected, but a glorious one. 

I am not a religious person but I do find a spirituality in Llandwyn. It's a bit hard to describe but it feels like being at peace. Not sure if it is the beauty of the surroundings or the feeling of insignificance when you look across Snowdonia, but there is something about it that tops the zen levels way up!

Lessons Learned: There is just no pleasing me! I have a fabulous new job working with wonderful people and products and yet I am disappointed that practically none of the clientele are handsome, fit, young outdoorsy types! Most are the more mature on coach trips to pick up some seeds and shrubbery from the Garden Centre:-( Still, I suppose no job is perfect!

Diet Diary: Easter, chocolate, Beth home from Uni and baking. 'Nuff said I think

Rambling Record: With the 11.63 miles done at Llandwyn (I know impressive huh!) I have currently done 276 miles of the 1000 so far! Feeling really pleased.

Just a note, I have had some strange comments put on the blog. The last was a whole paragraph in an arabic language. I have deleted them, but if anyone sees any of these, I apologize for any offence caused and I will try to keep them off.

Half Term Outings - Anglesey

As you may already know, I have my definite favourite places to go and although I have shared many with the family, I have not yet dragged them to Anglesey, so half term arrived and off we went.

Started off with breakfast at that Welsh place, you know, the one with the totally unpronounceable name!

It was all rather bizarre actually. We go up to the counter and the food is all there under hot lights looking delicious. But instead of serving it out, the chap behind the counter writes down our order, puts it on a clip behind him and says it will take 20 mins! Bearing in mind that it took him longer to write it down than it would have to put it on plates, I can not understand the system! And 20 mins we waited. Need that one explained to me!

Still, undeterred, we then head off to Llandwyn. It's quite a wild day, although not raining, it is very windy and a tad on the chilly side. The clouds are low which makes the visibility over Snowdonia unclear and colours a little hazy, not the best photography conditions.

I am pleased to report that the family loved it almost as much as I do. There was plenty of clambering to be done and some fabulous scenery to peruse. Sometimes at the same time.

Although I do really enjoy going out on my treks by myself, it is sometimes nice to have other people with you. I think for new places, I need to go alone and be able to explore properly and take ages over taking photos, then when I have done that, share with family or friends.

Because this is a much visited place, I was able to share all the little nooks and crannies that I love, and to position myself to get the best views. However, the challenge again is to make sure that the photos don't look the same as they did last time I visited! The above photo I have taken a couple of times but on checking, realised I have never shared it on the blog, so I guess it's your lucky day!

This next photo is a bit different. I am standing by the Lighthouse pictured above, shooting through one window to the other, with the wall and the sea reflected in the window in front of me! A bit weird at first, but I really like it. The little flash of jade in the corner is my coat, couldn't quite get completely out of it.

The day then started to get a bit wild and the wind really picked up, at some points it actually started to feel a little unsafe on a cliff edge, and if I say that, in my present dare-devil mode, you know it must have been bad!

So we head back down the beach and come across kite surfers. This was the most amazing thing!

These guys were whipping across the sea at phenomenal speeds, then the wind would change direction, whip them round and zoom them off in the opposite direction. Completely awesome, sometimes they were lifted out of the water altogether!

I am completely in two minds about this. Recklessness is saying "really need to do this" but Common Sense is coming back with a swift "don't be daft, you'll fall off" 

I do need to sort out the next challenge tho', been a while since I have done something wild and inappropriate for a woman my age. Ideas that have been floating about are hot air balloons, going up in a glider and quadbiking. No decisions made yet. Suggestions always welcome!

We are staying overnight in Holyhead and I have booked a B&B which looked nice on-line. And to be fair it was nice, but when you have to drive through an industrial area to get to it and it is situated right in the middle of a slightly dubious looking housing estate, you can experience a slight case of the "what have I done's"

Ventured out in the evening looking for tea, about 7ish, and to warn anyone else that ventures this way, Holyhead shuts on a Sunday. There was nothing open apart from one very lively pub where karaoke was in full flow and the gentleman singing very enthusiastically seemed to have been in there since lunchtime! We gave that one a miss. 

So reluctantly heading out of town towards McD's on the outskirts, we come across a very nice looking Chinese restaurant, so the evening was saved!

The next day was South Stack and Beaumaris, blog post to follow!

Lessons Learned: sharing some of my favourite places can make them more special because they will have a whole new set of memories. But I do have a couple of places which I am going to keep to myself because I am not sure if anyone else will understand why they are special. Not totally sure I do myself, but sometimes things, people and places just are.

Diet Diary: Nah!

Mini Adventure Day 3 Llanddwyn

So both the Potting Shed and I survived the night, although I think it was touch and go at times!.

Last stop of the adventure, Llanddwyn Island, to visit the two lighthouses of Twr Mawr and Twr Bach. I had visited here before, at the end of last year but I feel my photography has come on a bit since then and I want to have another go at it.

Its another long walk on the beach to get to the lighthouses, but although windy, it wasn't raining and there were few people about.

There are an abundance of very beautiful shells scattered across the sands and I have to stop myself gathering handfuls. I have a "Coastal Corner" at home where I have displayed many of my nautical craft designs and the shells look lovely there, but really, I do have enough now!

The strong winds made the sea very dramatic. Because the day was bright I was able to keep my shutter speed fast and so capture the spray. I stood on the cliff edge for ages waiting for the waves to break in a suitably theatrical way and 9 times out of 10 I missed it. Still at least managed to get a couple of shots. Have a magnetic attraction to cliff edges in the wind at the moment, hope to get over that soon!

There is so much to see on the island. Not just the two lighthouses, but there are monuments, ruins, deserted houses and also the most beautiful horses, just standing around watching the tourists.

To get to the beach you drive through a beautiful deep forest and there are a number of designated walks through it for different abilities of walkers. I am ashamed to say that I took the easy 1m walk. In my defence I had already covered nearly 20m in the last 3 days and my legs were starting to send messages of complaint. Actually, it was a lovely walk through the forest, something I haven't done for a while.

I can imagine that this is a lovely place to walk when the beach gets a bit too hot. Calm and relaxing until I came to what I am sure is the way to Sleeping Beauty's Castle!

So that is the end of my trip. I had an incredible time. I was a little nervous to start off with as it was a bit of a daunting thought to go off by myself for 3 days. Been an awful long time since I have done anything like that but hopefully I am getting braver, fitter and a better photographer!

Lessons learned: I have trekked to new places, climbed cliffs in hurricanes, battled with unpleasant farmers and paddled in wellies. All with my camera around my neck. Don't let anyone ever tell you that you are too old to do something so daft! I am gradually becoming the amazing woman I always wanted to be!

Mini Adventure Day 2 Part 4, South Stack

Third and final lighthouse of the day, South Stack on Holy Island. Been there before, but not for sunset.

The weather was starting to cause a little concern as it was getting very windy but I had to give it a go. The sun was starting to sink so timing was about perfect.

This is an incredible place. You stand high on the cliff top looking down on to the sea and some spectacular scenery. You can climb very high and the only thing between you and an extremely long drop is common sense. I made sure I was always a step and a stumble away from the edge, but with the wind so strong it was a bit touch and go on occasion!

I have found now that my fitness levels are definitely improving. I am scrambling up and down steep hills with a lot less wheezing now, although some still goes on. But what I find is that it makes me explore more. Previously I had found inclines a bit too challenging so wouldn't bother, but now I will always make an attempt. Its still hard work and I still wheeze, but recovery is certainly quicker and it is usually worth the climb.

The views from the top are amazing, looking back over Snowdonia, but unfortunately my sunrise fails to materialise. The sun sinks behind the clouds and apart from a bit of pinkness to the sky, it just gets dark so I decide it would be prudent to call it a night before I misjudge just how far a step and a stumble is!

Also, I am finding it very difficult to stand upright, never mind hold a camera still, and tripods, forget it!

I have booked an overnight stay at the South Stacks Coastal Retreat and am staying in the Potting Shed. This is a gorgeous little room and when I say little, I mean there is room to swing nothing bigger than your mood! But it is completely charming, with really pretty shabby chic decor, enough cushions to rival Ikea, and my own garden area to sit in. After all the walking I am tired so settle for a good nights sleep, but the weather has other ideas. It feels and sounds like I am in the middle of a hurricane. The rain is lashing and the wind is howling and I feel that at any moment I am going to take off and land on a witch somewhere colourful!

So it is a very tired and bleary eyed unfit photographer who sets off for the final day of her adventure!

Lessons Learned: Pack earplugs!

Mini Adventure Day 2 Part 3, Point Lynas

My new kayaking friend from Penmon had suggested I visit Point Lynas if I enjoyed lighthouses, so that was my next stop. Again, not the easiest place to find but got there eventually. Sometimes I got the feeling that these were Anglesey's secret places and they wanted to keep it that way, hence no signs and in this case, no parking! Still, with a view like the following picture, I was determined to persevere.

This coastline is so rugged and dramatic. It was a calm day but I can just imagine what the sea would look like in a storm. Imagine those photos!

Its a fair trek to the Lighthouse, but I'm an explorer now, I can do treks! My fitbug was having trouble keeping up with all the steps!

One of the local residents.

The Lighthouse is actually part of a group of buildings. It forms part of a large house with 2 other houses within a walled complex. The whole thing, with loads of land, is actually for sale at the moment so if anyone feels inclined to sponsor me to the tune of £1.375m, let's talk. (If £295k is more within your budget, there is a gorgeous apartment in Criccieth overlooking the sea that I have my eye on)

This is the view from the lighthouse looking back towards mainland Wales. The day was bright so I have had to do very little photo editing to make the colours pop. Just added a little definition. I am still amazed by how much difference a few tweaks on Lightroom can make to a picture.

Many of us have garden seats, but what if this was your garden. I could live there!

Lessons Learned: If I'm going to this kind of adventure again, I might have to hire myself a live-in tour guide or risk spending the rest of my life lost on Anglesey!

Mini adventure Day 2, Part 2, Red Wharf Bay

Time to head further around the Anglesey Coast. Not too sure where I was going, but figure if I kept the sea to my right, couldn't go too far wrong. I turned a corner and came across the following view:

This is Red Wharf Bay with miles and miles of sandy beach to walk along. The road down to it is incredible. It is a 35% incline, single track road with a very few passing places. It is badly signposted and was pure chance that I found it, which is probably why there were only about 4 other people on this beautiful beach.

The weather was glorious and it was a sheer joy to walk along the shore. My aim was to get to the buildings in the distance, hopefully there being a nice cafe there, but they were not accessible from the beach. Still had a great long walk. It doesn't feel like exercise somehow on a beach because "exercise" isn't fun is it? And this certainly was!

The beach was wide, long and flat and although that made it great to walk on, it doesn't make for dramatic photos so I can't say I am really happy with many of them. Not sure what I am doing wrong yet.

Decided to try to drive to the cafe in the end, and just assumed, as you would, that if you follow the coast road it would take you to it. Wrong. The road suddenly veered off to the left, back up the 35% incline. My poor old car is not very accommodating at the best of times, but this time it truly let its feelings be known!

My only complaint about Anglesey is the scarcity of road signs and when you have issues with directions, as I do, it doesn't make life very easy. Anyway, I eventually found the buildings that I could see from the beach on a very small harbour and it was quite charming.

I had lunch at The Boathouse and it was a delightful place. Very nautical shabby chic inside. 

So feeling nourished and refreshed, set off for the next part of the adventure.

Lessons Learned: I am either going to have to lose some weight so the car doesn't struggle uphill, or replace the car. They've just opened a new Cadwaladers in Abersoch, so I guess the car has to go!

Mini Adventure Day 2, part 1 Penmon

So what is the best thing about staying in a hotel? Cooked breakfast that you don't have to shop for, cook or clear up after! So after being suitably nourished, set off for day 2!

Penmon Lighthouse was my destination. I have seen some amazing photos of it and needed to get there.

There is a toll road charging £2.50 which leads up to it. It is worth paying as it is a fairly long walk otherwise.

I was early so again the only person there. I really am going to struggle when the day trippers start. If you see someone scowling at everybody, its probably going to be me.

Penmon is exactly my idea of a lighthouse. It is round and striped and looks like everything a lighthouse should be.

I would like to have got right up to it, but the rocks were very slippery so I wasn't able to. You can't walk far along the coast here as it is so rocky which is a shame for the walker, but very dramatic for the photographer!

Right opposite is Puffin Island which I had planned to visit, but unfortunately the boat trips don't start until April. A week too early!

I had now been joined on the beach by a very nice young man who was about to kayak across to the island. He told me that there are grey seals there as well as puffins and other birdlife. If there had been room for 2 in his kayak I'd have hitched a lift!

He did actually tell me about other places in the area to visit which was very interesting. Apparently there is a disused brickworks by the toll booth so that was where I was headed next.

The booth is situated right outside Penmon Priory where there is a sacred well. The picture shows the priory and the dovecote to the right.

This is the well and as far as sacred monuments go, it wasn't overly inspiring. It looked to be in an outhouse and was a hole about 2ft wide and about the same deep. I guess there must be some deeper meaning to it that I am missing completely as it does still seem to be visited.

So now to the brickworks. The lady in the toll booth pointed me in the right direction and I aimed for the tall chimney I could see. Unfortunately what everyone had failed to mention is that it is actually on private land and I got shouted at by a man on a tractor. (He was a handsome young man too but it doesn't count because he was mean!)

While driving away I noticed a load of derelict industrial brick buildings, all with very large Private Land Keep Out signs by them. I think it is a shame that there isn't a better balance between exploring Anglesey's heritage and trespassing!

Lessons Learned: If I am going to do these exciting trips, I really must do my research properly!

I mustn't get angry when being shouted at, after all he's not to know that I really am quite a nice law abiding person, aside from the trespassing of course!

Mini adventure - Day 1

I had been given the opportunity to have a few days away from home. Just me and the camera, so the last few weeks have involved meticulous planning and many changes of destination. I finally decided on Anglesey as there is so much to see there and my earlier visits had only just touched the surface.

However, I wanted to make the most of the journey so planned the route to involve at least one Cadwaladers (Criccieth of course) and one visit to the Llyn Peninsula.

First stop was to be Porth Ceiriad. I had been there once before on our chasing waves day so wanted to see it again when it was a bit calmer and see how different the photos would be. I remembered having to drive through a campsite so found the postcode for that. Wrong campsite of course, Navigationally Challenged in the blog title for a reason! Found it eventually, but they don't make it easy!

Last time we were here the waves were wild and so dramatic. This time is was decidedly calmer and the water seemed a much more beautiful colour.

Storm clouds were rolling in, but the rain stayed off the shore all the while I was there.

Managed to get further along the beach this time and found more caves with some beautiful rock formations. The Welsh coastline is truly dramatic and beautiful and I regret that it has taken me so long to find this out.

I don't know if it is the right or wrong thing to do, but I am trying to avoid using the tripod on the beach. The way it sinks into the sand makes it very difficult to keep steady, so I am instead upping the ISO a bit and opening the aperture to get a shorter shutter speed so I can hand hold. So far so good.

So off to Anglesey. I had booked to stay in Beaumaris for the night. Its a lovely town right on the harbour, but the storm was threatening so didn't have much chance to look around, but got a few pics.

The rain brought with it a rainbow, which hung over the water for a while and was so pretty.

I am trying to diversify with the type of pictures I take, meaning not just scenes. Going for "art". Not sure if its working yet, but will keep at it!

You can see the rain coming in on the last photo, so this was my cue to head to the hotel.

Lessons learned: I have realised that I struggle to concentrate in the presence of a pretty face. Handsome young concierge at the hotel asked for my car registration number and my mind went blank. I really am too old for that sort of nonsense!

I really do have absolutely no sense of direction.