Snowdonia Safari and being a bit brazen

I have recently found myself a bit reluctant to go to new places. I think my really sad discovery last year affected me more than I had allowed myself to admit.

So I thought the best way to get over this was to go to new places, but with someone else! I had come across Snowdonia Safaris on Facebook and they promised a tour around the undiscovered parts of Snowdonia.

So a day was booked with the delightful Bernard as my tour guide who promised to take me to places I had never been before!

First place was the Celtic Burial Ground at Capel Garmon. You have to go across fields and through gates to get to it and if you didn't know it was there, you wouldn't know it was there, if you see what I mean! Apparently it was only discovered quite recently, as it was underneath a hill. It was something to do with the military doing reconnaissance overhead and noticing something unusual.

Good start to the day.

Next onto Beaver Pool, Betws-y-coed. Scene of the demise of the last wild beaver in Wales. Wild? He was furious! ...Sorry.

Onto Cwmpennaman, a 15th C settlement completely in the middle of nowhere. No chance of ever finding that one again!

After a couple more stops, we headed to my favourite place of the day. Cwmorthin Quarry. I do love a bit of derelict industrial and this did not disappoint!

Bernard was an absolute fount of knowledge and really interesting. I had explained that I wanted to take plenty of photos and so there might be a lot of hanging around for him, but that didn't seem to be a problem. One of the major reasons I usually go out on photo trips solo, I hate making people wait while I faff and so I often tend to not bother with a shot if I know it is going to take time to set up.

Point me towards a ruined building, and I am a happy bunny! The more in decline, the better!

Lunch at the Ffestiniog Railway, Tan-y-Bwlch.

Then the final call of the day to the 11thC Eglwys Llanrychwyn, the oldest surviving church in Wales, complete with original beams.

Again, about 5 miles the other side of the Back of Beyond! It is an amazingly tranquil and spiritual place and does make you wonder how many of today's buildings will still be standing in a thousand years!

So a fabulous day was had and I think it got me over my nervousness of new places. I can't recommend Snowdonia Safaris highly enough! Bernard takes up to 4 people for either a half or full day and he makes the trip interesting and fun. Good times!

I do have something else to share with you, but those of a sensitive or prudish disposition should probably stop reading now!

I have recently been feeling my age and, I am ashamed to admit, got a bit frumpy. (Well there is something very comfy about jogging bottoms and baggy fleeces!) But determined not to slip back into old ways, I thought I needed to glam up a bit and just prove to myself that I hadn't lost the plot altogether.

So what better way than to take a couple of selfies. So I applied some slap, dressed in some really delicate girly stuff and played! 

Not my usual mountain top hiking attire admittedly, but did quite enjoy dressing up. Never done anything like this before but it was actually quite liberating. Wasn't going to show anyone originally, but when they came out really well, considering I took them on my phone, I decided to share. On Facebook, on Instagram, on Blip, on Flickr and now on here! (becoming a bit of an exhibitionist!)

And I must admit it did me the world of good. Starting to feel again like the amazing and sexy woman I know myself to be 😉

Lessons Learned: I am probably going to Hell. Was taking the selfies, wearing my little black lace dress, and let's be honest here, very little else, when there was a ring and a knock at the bell. I was expecting a parcel and so couldn't ignore it and you would never have seen such a frantic panicked coverup. Dragged on jogging bottoms and grabbed a zip up top, which wouldn't zip up. So I am rushing downstairs almost tripping over the bottom of my trousers and holding the fleece across me to protect any remaining modicum of modesty.

I open the door and there is an elderly gentleman standing there, clutching a pamphlet, who then proceeds to ask me if I ever feel I am doing too much!! Wait... what?!

Apparently most of us are cramming so much into our lives that we miss out on the world around us. But it was only when he mentioned those immortal words "Jehovah's Witness" that I became less witless, said thank you very much, but I really couldn't talk at that precise time. And he left, smiling!

So I don't know whether that particular Witness actually witnessed more than he was expecting to or he just smiled a lot anyway!

Diet Diary: Going for Voluptuous (no, the diet is not going well!)

Uncharted Territory

Regular readers may remember that earlier in the year I made a very sad discovery when trying a new walk and this had put me off finding unfamiliar places to hike.

However, I decided that I can't let it stop me exploring, so armed with my trusty "Walks Around Betws-y-Coed" guidebook, I set out.

The walk I chose was a 6 mile easy/moderate circular hike leading through forestry and up to a secluded lake called Llyn Elsi. Two points need to be made here. Firstly Easy/moderate were their words and certainly not mine. Secondly, how could anyone not want to visit a lake called Elsi!

So started off in Betws. First major setback of the day. Cadwaladers is closed for refurbishment! Had to find an alternative catering establishment. Luckily, there are plenty there!

The walk starts off climbing a hill behind the church and up to a forest. The path then zig zags very steeply through the forest until you eventually come to the lake.

I must admit that having conquered Snowdon the previous week, I was feeling very confident in my fitness. But this long steep path nearly did for me! I was more puffed in places than at any time during my mountain hike and had to stop a few times just to stop wheezing!

However, as usually happens, it was well worth the climb. To find this beautiful secluded lake with not a sound in the air apart from an occasional bird, was wonderful.

Llyn Elsi was actually designated a reservoir in 1914 and there is a monument commemorating that event with one of the most wonderfully placed benches for admiring the view.

Further around the lake is the Dam. Not the most elegant I have seen, but quite imposing in its own way.

The weather wasn't brilliant for taking photos. It was dry which was the main thing, but really quite dull. There were some gorgeous autumn colours out there, but I just couldn't get it to work in the photos. Trying to bump it up in Lightroom just made it all look very false, so I decided to leave it alone. Some things you just have to.

Anyway, according to the map and directions the plan was to walk around the lake then carry on through forest and farmland to complete the full 6 miles. Simples!

However. I am not sure whether the instructions weren't clear enough, or I just have a mental blockage when it comes to directions, but I lost the path. Again. Ended up wading through some very swampy ground. There seemed to be junctions where I wasn't expecting them and no paths where I was. I think I maybe need my own team of Sherpas when I go out.

I worked on the basic assumption that I had climbed a long way up to get to the lake, so as long as I headed downwards, I shouldn't go to far wrong. I did actually see some wonderful scenery on this mystery tour and apologies to all those farmers upon whose land I may inadvertently have trespassed!

Got down eventually as I always knew I would, but unfortunately my knee really started hurting again and I guess I am going to have to get it checked, and soon, before it becomes a real problem.

A fabulous day and an interesting hike, finished beautifully by the sun breaking through the clouds on the way home.

It hasn't put me off trying new walks, in fact, I really enjoyed the uncertainty of not knowing what I was going to see around every corner. The strange thing is that when I looked back at the map, I managed to cut a whole chunk out, but still did the same amount of miles. Bizarre!

I haven't tried anything new for a while so maybe this will encourage me to get my act together again!

Lessons Learned: I have absolutely no sense of direction, and as I may have mentioned previously, the Navigationally Challenged is there for a reason. However, it does open me up to the excitement of not knowing where the heck I am or where I am going!

I need to carry wellies with me at all times for the inevitable unexpected swamp!

Diet Diary: Struggled. Back on track now. Almost back down to the weight I was when returning from holiday. Then just got to lose the 6lb I put on when actually on holiday! It's so hard!!

Rambling Record: Can't quite believe it, but 967 miles so far! Should get the 1000 finished in the next couple of weeks. Unbelievable!

A change of Plan

I have attempted to walk around Llyn Idwal 4 times so far, and its either been too icy or too windy so today was going to be the day. It was a bit cloudy when I left home, but ok. However, the closer I got and the higher the road went, the lower the clouds were until when I got there, visibility was extremely poor and I had to admit that there was no way I was going to safely negotiate the walk. It had also started drizzling which was no fun.

So plan B, head for lower ground, so Betws-y-coed beckoned. I had done the 5 bridges walk before and enjoyed it, so thought to pay a return visit.

Regular readers will know that I can't go to Betws without calling in for coffee and cake at Cadwaladers, but last night I had my first Slimming World Meeting and weigh in, which was a bit of a shock! So will power is fully charged and I sat there with my black coffee. I decided rather than avoid Cadwaladers, I would go in and look temptation in the eye and prove just how strong I have become! No one was more surprised than me when it worked! I think this whole believing in myself nonsense is starting to sink in!

The walk takes you along the river and beside the golf course where there were quite a few players, despite the poor weather. Its quite a gentle walk, most of it suitable for all abilities and is quite pretty.

Because the conditions were dull, the sky was characterless, so I have had to do a fair bit of editing just to get something in there. I took the exposure right down and then highlighted detail with the adjustment brush, which I think worked.

Actually, the best part of the walk is the White Bridge. This is a suspension bridge across the river and as you walk across it, it bounces. It is the weirdest feeling!

I had intended to have a full day hiking, but the weather was poor and I was worried about the camera, so headed back to the car. 

It is obviously a very old tree and was cut down and just left, which seemed very sad, but I am sure there must have been a good reason for doing it.

I thought on the way home I would detour to Llechwedd to have a look at the zip wire and see if I really fancied it, but unfortunately the clouds were still very low so couldn't see a thing. I think I have convinced myself to go for it tho.

Time for home along a much travelled road, except that I ended up in Dolgellau. I have absolutely no idea how I managed that, as its not as if the roads are unfamiliar to me now. I think I get so caught up in planning my next adventure, I forget to pay attention to the road and miss turnings. Not safe to be let out. 

Going to try somewhere new for my next adventure. Might have the opportunity for a night away so am going south, possibly the Pembrokeshire Coast. Should be exciting.

Lessons Learned:  I am trying to do at least one completely out of character and outrageous thing every month. So watch this space, I am either going to have the time of my life, kill myself or get myself arrested!

I do possess will power, if I can go into Cadwaladers and not eat cake, I am better than I give myself credit for.

Diet Diary: Only Day 1, but feeling good, strong and hopeful.

A couple of trips

We have had some gorgeous sunny, if a trifle windy weather so I have just had to go out. Although that might just be an excuse because I have actually been out in rain, snow, gale force winds and freezing conditions. Nothing if not hardy!

Headed for Betws-y-coed for coffee and cake at Cadwaladers, to plan my trip. I may have mentioned that I rather like Cadwaladers. 

While I was sitting there I decided not to go anywhere else, but to explore the river and woodlands a bit more. It is a beautiful place to walk around if you stay away from the giftshops and the coachloads of elderly tourists.

Much of the path is on wooden walkways which makes it very accessible for every fitness level. Bearing in mind that the town centre was packed, I barely met a soul on my walk. It was very quiet, all you could hear were the birds and the river. The sun was bright but the woods were cool and the light made very interesting dappled patterns.

I  have been struggling to take good photos with my telephoto lens. I haven't been able to get clear shots, there is always a bit of blur and a lack of crispness in the focussing. I decided to spend the day practicing with it and I think I have discovered the problem, well 2 problems actually. Firstly I found myself holding the lens to steady the camera and thereby turning it slightly out of focus. 2nd problem was that I had left on an ND filter which took away much of the light and so I wasn't getting fast shutter speeds! I might be quite good at this photography lark if I ever work out how to use the equipment properly! So hopefully next time out will be better. Watch this space.

After my stroll through the woods I had a browse in some of the outdoor gear shops. Its amazing what you can buy and staggering how much you can pay for it too! Anyone who says hiking is cheap is misinformed! Managed to get away with just a new fleece and a lightweight jacket and that had absolutely nothing to do with the helpful and handsome young man who assisted me! Might have to go back.

Todays trip was slightly less adventurous but still enjoyable. My Mother is starting to get quite interested in my explorations so I decided to take her for a stroll around Moreton Corbet Castle. I have blogged about it before, but basically it is a ruined Elizabethan Manor House and it has such an absorbing atmosphere. 

My Mother has always had a love of history so it was interesting going around with her, chatting about how the house would have been built and lived in. Bearing in mind I usually go on trips by myself, it made a nice change.

On the way home we stopped at a Plant Centre (not Garden Centre, no giftshop or posh coffee shop there, just plants and gardening stuff). I didn't buy, as previously mentioned, I wouldn't inflict my gardening skills on a currently living plant, but did take a couple of photos. I do love Gerberas. Probably one of my favourite flowers.

On the way home we just stopped at a shop in Ellesmere for Mum to buy something for her garden.

No, I don't know why either!

Lessons Learned: Never think you are going to understand your Mother. Just when you think you have her figured out, she goes and buys a gold Buddha!

Diet Diary: Nope, nothing

Fairy Glen and Betws-y-coed

There are 2 very good reasons for joining some of the fabulous North Wales Photography groups on Facebook. Firstly, you will get a lot of inspiration for your photography but almost as importantly, you will get to see pictures of places you would otherwise never have known about.

This was true for me of the Fairy Glen near Betws-y-Coed, I have seen some quite enchanting photos and decided that I really needed to go. Been a bit poorly recently, so somewhere gentle and magical was just what I needed!

It was easy to find, cheap to park (£1 all day) and cheap to get into (50p per person). So far so good!

You follow a gravel path which takes you either to the Fairy Glen or along the riverside. 

The path down to the Glen is quite uneven and steep in places but it is so worth the climb down.

It is quite simply beautiful there. However, you do have to climb down over rocks to get a good position to take photos and it is a bit perilous! I had to have my tripod legs at 3 different lengths to get it even, and stand on just one of my own legs with the other strategically placed on another rock for the purpose of keeping me upright and dry! 

So set the camera up, let the lens cap drop then remembered it wasn't the one actually attached to the camera! So there was I precariously balanced over deep rushing water trying to fish a recalcitrant lens cap out of a small dark crevice in the rocks. It wasn't elegant and I don't think the language was particularly fairylike either. Luckily there were no witnesses.

You do need the tripod and not just for balance! It is very shady there as you are surrounded by rock walls and it is hard to get a quick enough shutter speed to hand hold.

You then, very carefully, retrace your steps back to the path and take the riverside walk. A beautiful peaceful scene with picnic benches and plenty of space.

The sign at the entrance reckons the whole walk takes 30 mins, but with taking many pictures and sitting, enjoying the beautiful sunshine I had that day, I was there for over 2 hours. Not bad for £1.50!

So off to Betws-y-coed for refreshments! Regular readers will know that I am just a tad addicted to Cadwaladers. They are a small localised chain of ice cream bars and coffee shops mostly in Wales and their cakes and coffee are to die(t) for. I had to have cake to help me recuperate from my recent illness so coffee frappe and carrot cake it was.

I have been to Betws many times and have discovered that it isn't all cafes and outdoor shops, but it is very pretty in its own right and there are plenty of places to explore. The park is very beautiful and if, like me, you have an uncontrollable urge to clamber over rocks, there are plenty there for you. I wonder, is there an upper age limit on clambering before it gets unseemly?

I did play around a bit with long shutter speeds, but none really came out well. It is an area that I am having trouble mastering, guess I have to keep practicing. 

But isn't this a great place to have your lunch!

Lessons Learned: Remember to put the camera in the backpack before clambering so that I have both hands for balance and I don't stumble and smack it against a rock!

If you give it half a chance, your lens cap will try to escape.

Swallow Falls 26th September part 2

I had heard about Swallow Falls and how gorgeous it is meant to be, but again never been there. So I decided it was about time.

I had originally planned to do a 4m walk I found on a website which gave scenic views on the way to the falls, but when I couldn't work out the first part of the walk, I decided it was probably safer not to. Like I said, navigationally challenged! So did the tourist visit, down the designated steps. I seem to be addicted to waterfalls at the moment, in fact most of the pictures I have taken recently have been water based. Must be the Piscean in me!

The Falls are wonderful and I took plenty of pics, again playing around with shutter speeds, but using the tripod and they work so much better. You can photograph from both the top and bottom of the falls and halfway up there is a convenient bench where those of us who are not as fit as we should be can take a well earned rest and pretend we are just sitting to admire the view.

Lesson Learned: Accept your limitations. If you can't walk to the car without getting lost, a 4m walk through uncharted territory is probably not a good idea.