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!)

Week 2 Mountain hikes and minimalism

Determined this week to get out as much as possible before the threatened wintery weather appears. I am quite happy to hike in all sorts of conditions, but I do hate it when its icy. I have absolutely no sense of balance and it only takes the smallest patch of something slippy to send me head over heels. One of my life's regrets is that I have never been able to ice skate or roller skate, and that surfing will always only ever be a spectator sport. (Although if I am honest, that might be more to do with the thought of trying to squeeze myself into a wetsuit!)

So, with this in mind I head into the mountains. I knew there was snow on the higher ground but I thought I'd be ok. It is the most amazing approach, you turn a corner and suddenly the snow capped mountains are spread out in front of you. It is really completely breathtaking.

My photo doesn't do it justice at all, but if you want to see one that does, follow this link to see one of Stewart's. I can only aspire!

The weather was ok so I thought I would head to Llyn Idwal and walk around the lake to get some miles in, plus some wonderful photo opportunities. I had one of those brainwaves you have when it seems like such a good idea at the time. I parked at the very far end of Llyn Ogwen and walked a mile or so to the visitor centre at Llyn Idwal and then up to the bridge over the waterfall.

I love this bridge and the walk to Idwal is beautiful and quite forgiving to the lapsed hiker! In the dull light, the colours were very dramatic. I have tweaked a bit in Lightroom just to enhance the clarity, but haven't done a lot. Continued up to the lake which was looking fabulous.

However at this point the wind came up and it started to rain, as you can see from the splodges on the lens! Raindrops on roses, fine. Raindrops on lenses, not so much. So decision to make. Take a chance and walk round the lake or wimp out and head back to a flask of soup in the car. Wimped out.

Actually it was a good thing I did as the weather got steadily worse and I walked most of it in hail and horizontal wind. Now this is going to surprise regular readers, but I actually had a complete change of clothes in the car, all the way from ladies "unmentionables", to another coat (the one I bought last time I forgot a coat). So after a certain amount of undignified wriggling in a confined space (well you try changing trousers in a car!) I sat there warm and dry sipping on piping hot soup. Smug doesn't even come close!

On the way home I even managed to take a photo ready for Derelict Sunday on Blip. One of the disused farm buildings on the road from Capel Curig.

All in all a pretty fabulous day with well over 5 miles walked.

In the 52 in 2016 challenge, this week's theme is minimalism. I've never really had a go at this and not sure if I really understand the brief, but here is my effort.

It's hard enough trying to take a good photo with what's in front of you, but to have to put it there yourself in the first place is a whole new challenge. I had a go at a few different things but nothing worked until I found my bottles. It's the positive side effect of being a crafter and hoarder, there is all sorts of junk treasure in the house to shoot!

Lessons Learned: Remember to put the clean dry clothes back in the car for next time!
Never throw anything away as you never know when you might need to photograph it!

Diet Diary: Still feeling determined, so its going well. The trouble is that the hiking makes me hungry, so it's hard trying to find the balance.

Rambling Record: At the end of week 2 I have done nearly 47 miles, with a target of just 40, so well ahead. Gives me a bit of wobble room.

Dinorwig

So the day dawned cold and drizzly. Needed to get out for a small hike somewhere to top up the zen. Thought I would head to Snowdonia. Haven't been to the Dinorwig Slate Quarry for ages, and if the weather didn't improve I had the Slate Museum to visit.

So decided to get prepared for any weather eventuality, so checked waterproof trousers, snood, scarf, gloves, hat, spare boots and socks. All set.

It was only when I was almost at Betws-y-coed that I suddenly thought that I didn't remember picking up my coat. Parked up and ransacked the car, no coat. Its the middle of December and I am hiking up a hillside and I have no coat! I really am a danger to myself.

So 3 choices:
a) Go home and get coat - would waste the whole day, so not an option
b) Put up with the cold - really don't like being cold and it would spoil the day
c) Go buy another coat - any excuse to shop!

So helped by a very nice and rather handsome young man in one of the shops (I do seem to find them on my travels!) with the brief of "warm and cheap" I was finally suitably attired. (Would you like a bag? No thank you, I'll wear it, can you cut the tags out please)

So first stop Dinorwig Quarry. You can either walk up from the bottom, which is a very steep climb, or park up halfway and walk the rest. Afraid I wimped out. Fitness levels still not where they should be, so will work up to that one. Its amazing how quickly they drop. Climbed Snowdon in May, don't think I could do it now!

I was looking for a picture for the Derelict Sunday challenge I am hosting on blip for the next 4 weeks, and had a scene in mind.

I love the ruined state of the building with Snowdonia in the background. A dark and dramatic reminder of Snowdonia's industrial past. I tweaked a bit in Lightroom to add a bit more drama and hopefully make it a more powerful shot.

This is one of the Slate Pools that you come across when wandering through the quarry. The scenery is just incredible. You are surrounded by slate mountains on one side, and real ones on the other, it is very imposing and quite humbling when you think of the conditions men had to work and live in.

Much of it is fenced off which is a shame, but I think it would be foolhardy to climb over those fences because it is obviously a very dangerous place to lose your way in.

It was starting to drizzle again by this time so I headed to the Museum which amazingly, is free entry.

There is a very informative short film when you first get there telling you about the history of the quarry and then you are free to just wander around among the bits of machinery left as if the workers had just popped out for lunch.

On this visit, they were well into the Christmas Spirit, so there was more tinsel than you could wave a stick at, and an assortment of Snowmen, Santas and Reindeer, which kind of changed the ambience a tad, especially as I was the only person in there!

Been here many times and I just love it. I seem to find something new to see every time I visit. This time there was a whole new room open with some very interesting dials! 

The main piece of advice for any photographer visiting here is to remember your tripod. The light is very dim throughout and you will probably need some long exposures. It really is worth the inconvenience of lugging it around!

Last stop of the day was at Llyn Padarn. It truly is beautiful, a large lake with views towards Snowdon. 

The dying sun cast some interesting shadows and gave the light a beautifully dramatic feel. 

So I have hiked over slate, clambered up hillsides, photographed lakes and derelict buildings and also got the chance to do some shopping. Zen levels well and truly topped up!

Lessons learned: Leave the new coat in the car for all the other occasions when I am daft enough to forget one.

Diet Diary: You'd think all this hiking would help with the weight loss wouldn't you. It has been suggested that if I stopped visiting all the coffee shops and having slabs of cake, that it might make a difference, but I can't see that myself. What do you mean "denial"?

The Watkin's Path

So, today, first major hike to a new place in ages. After brief stop at Misty Mere (see previous post) I headed for Snowdonia. 
After the obligatory coffee, but no cake:-( at Cadwaladers headed for the Watkin's Path. This is supposedly the hardest walk to the summit of Snowdon but I have been told (thank you Adrian) about a beautiful waterfall there, long before it starts to get really hard going. Plus, it's been ages since I have been anywhere new on my Snowdonia App!
After the Summer, my fitness levels have dropped, so will work up to the top another time.
On the way there I pass Llyn Gwynant, and as ever distracted by something pretty, I stop to take a couple of shots.

I took a few of just the lake, the reflection and the hills, but felt that they were lacking something, so gingerly crossed some swampy ground to get a different angle and something in the foreground and I think it works so much better. The water was quite still and the sunshine just lifted all the colours so I am really pleased with this shot.

Headed then to the Watkin's Path. The walk starts off gently through some beautiful light dappled woodlands and over a small waterfall. 

The sun was out and quite strong by this time, so it was lovely and cool in the woods. However, at the end of this part of the walk, the vista opened up and the scenery was breathtaking. To one side of you the waterfall, to the other valleys and mountains. With the sun shining and a beautiful blue sky, it was heavenly. 

Something I have found with my photographs is that they can't capture a magnificent landscape adequately. You don't get the true feeling of distance and depth, so I am not happy with most. This one is actually near the top of the path, after the water fall, but gives an idea of the view.

As I approached the waterfall, the path seemed to veer away from it, which was not good. So I jumped a wall and headed down through the undergrowth to get closer. OK, maybe not jumped, more inelegantly clambered over. But it was worth it.

It was so beautiful. The water cascaded down into beautiful crystal clear pools and the noise was deafening. I decided to forego the path and follow the waterfall to the top, crossing over the "bridge" pictured above. Being a bit accident prone of late, it was with some nervous trepidation that I slowly walked across it, but luckily emerged unscathed and more importantly, dry!

As I climbed further up, more waterfall appeared, there were layers upon layers of beautiful pools and wild flowing water. It was a sight to behold.

The pools were deep and clear and thought they would be ideal for this "wild swimming" I have heard about. It was so hot, I was tempted myself. Even got so far as taking off a boot and sock and dangling my foot in the flow. It was really, and I mean really, cold. So I went no further as blue isn't a good look for me!

As you climb higher, there are the ruins of slate quarry buildings, including the quarry managers house. Apparently, during the war, the fighter pilots used to use this house as shooting practice, and you can see the bullet holes along the walls. The quarry manager had moved out by this time of course.

It was one of those days and places where I had to keep stopping and looking around and just let it all sink it. The weather was perfect, the scenery staggering, the waterfalls so powerful and best of all practically no one else around! 

The waterfall seemed to flow from a small windy stream and it was hard to see how such a small amount of water could turn into the raging torrent I had followed.

Now the walk turned serious. I climbed up to the slate workers barracks and followed a very steep path towards Snowdon. It was hard going and very hot. I had filled my water bottle a couple of times from the waterfall, so at least I had plenty to drink. There is something very special about drinking fresh mountain water at source!

I paced myself and got quite high, with the top of Snowdon tantalisingly close, on the left of the following picture.

Wasn't the sky amazing! However, it got to the stage where I was having to rest and recover for longer than I was walking, so decided that was probably enough for one day. 

This is now my favourite walk ever, it has replaced the Precipice Walk in my affections, I'm afraid that I am fickle like that! Always looking for something new to tempt me!

This will be revisited often, and now that I have the replacement adaptor for my tripod (£9.99 for something the size of a pound coin!) I will go again soon and play around with some silky water shots.

I now have a companion on all my hikes who will be featuring in their own page. Look out soon for the Chronicles of Bert.

Lessons Learned: Know when to stop. Don't want to risk causing damage or injury to myself or the poor soul who is sent out to rescue me!

Diet Diary: Not been brilliant. Had a good week, bad, bad weekend. Hope the hike has helped.

Llechwedd Slate Caverns and Zip Wire

Monday
As part of the Brand New Dynamic Me, I had decided to have a go at Zip Wiring. Zipworld in Snowdonia is the home of Velocity, the Longest Zip Wire in Europe and the fastest in the World! Also Titan, the largest zip zone in Europe where you can reach speeds of up to 70mph. I decided to start with Titan, which is 3 separate zips and, enlisting the help and moral support of Beth, booked the trip for Monday.
Monday dawned and it rained. It rained all the way to Llechwedd, it rained all the while we had coffee and it rained half an hour before we were due to zip. We were both soaked just from walking to the buildings from the car and thought that zipping was not going to be much fun. So throwing ourselves on the mercy of the organisers asked for a postponement which they very generously gave us. Booked for Wednesday.
So there we were having travelled to Llechwedd, not sure what to do. At the same site are the Llechwedd Slate Caverns which I had heard good things about, so nothing ventured and all that!

They take you in a little cable car sort of thing down to the caverns and you are escorted through the separate caves by a guide with an audio commentary at each one.

The story was fascinating. Boys would start an apprenticeship at 12 years old and then spend years working in almost pitch black excavating slate. The conditions were horrendous and the life expectancy of the workers was between 40 and 45 years. It must have been an unimaginably hard life for very little reward.

The caverns were well lit for us although it was still extremely dark down there.

My main criticism of the visit was that we were rushed. The audio presentations were on timers set at the start so we had a set amount of time to get to each one. There was no way I was able to use a tripod and set up a shot so they are all hand held with the ISO up to 12800 and fingers crossed for focussing. The lighting wasn't continuous so again it was a bit pot luck how they came out.

All through the tour you could see on the walls long thin grooves. When we got to the last cavern the guide explained that these were where the miners drilled to make holes for the gunpowder. 

Each hole took many hours to drill and were then filled with explosives and lit using a twine fuse. These were extremely unpredictable and many people were seriously injured or killed. In this over cautious Health and Safety ruled world we live in, it is so hard to imagine the way people were forced to work.

Wednesday
Our rescheduled trip to the Zip wire. Wednesday dawned and the sun shone. It shone all the way to Llechwedd, it shone all the while we had coffee and it shone all the way up to our zip, all through it and it is shining even now as I blog! The weather has been perfect with not a cloud in the sky! Such a difference from Monday.
We started off being dressed in bright red jumpsuits with a sort of large harness contraption on us which included a seat which was extremely elegant. Not! When we had to walk between zips, there was a certain amount of waddling going on!
We were driven up to the start of the first zip. You could see the top of Snowdon so clearly as there wasn't a cloud in the sky and the views were unbelievable, you could see for miles in every direction. I must add here that I didn't take my camera with me as I didn't think it would be possible to take pictures. However, I think next time I might be able to slip my old small compact in a pocket in the jumpsuit. So the next picture isn't mine, but is taken from the Zip world website

 We were strapped onto the wires very securely and at no time did I feel unsafe. Although the first "take off" was probably the hardest. The gates in front of you opened up and you just had to lift your feet to be on your way. My first thought was "don't want to" but gave myself a very quick and stern talking to and away I went. I was expecting a drop, but there wasn't. I just glided! I went fast but it didn't feel like it because it was so smooth.


As you can see from the website pic, it ain't elegant, but I have never done anything like it. You soar over quarries and mines, down the sides of mountains and across the most dramatic and beautiful countryside. Yes, you are very high and moving fast but that feels unimportant. It feels safe, extraordinary and completely awe inspiring!

This last pic is one of mine taken from the ground. It is where we came into land and you can see the colour of the sky we had. Just perfect. 

Lessons Learned: All my life I have convinced myself that I am a coward and wouldn't do anything any more adventurous than the Peter Pan ride at Disney! I have now realised that I was wrong. I am brave, strong and have an insatiable love of life! I want to do wild things, I am going to be someone my family have to keep up with, and not the one holding the bags while they do exciting stuff!

Bright red jumpsuit with attached safety harness isn't really a good look on me! Clashes with the hair!

Diet Diary: Another 2lb down, thats 9lb in total. Just 1lb off my first camera bag! Woo Hoo!!

Llyn Ogwen and Cwm Idwal

I think I have attempted the Cwm Idwal walk about 5 times so far and due to adverse weather or unwilling companions have not managed to get all the way around.

Well today I was determined. Partly because I wasn't going to let it beat me and partly because having had a really stressful few days the diet has taken a bit of a hammering and so some serious hiking was a bit of a necessity if I'm not going to break the scales at Slimming club tomorrow!

So I parked up by Llyn Ogwen and walked to the Visitor Centre. The scenery here in the Ogwen Valley is so dramatic and although you walk along the A5 there is very little traffic.

By the Visitor Centre (where there are toilets and a cafe selling some gorgeous cake, but only to those not needing to get back on track with their diet) you follow the path up and very quickly come upon the view below. The peak in the distance is Tryfan. This is one of the most recognisable peaks because you can see a reclining facial image. Apparently some say Native American Chief with headdress, or Neolithic Man. Although the current most popular is apparently Homer Simpson!

Just along from this view is a small wooden bridge that goes over a waterfall.

This view is from the far side of the bridge, looking back to Llyn Ogwen. The gate in the centre has been designed to reflect the landscape of Cwm Idwal.

There is an obvious designated path which takes you along the side of the lake, towards Devil's Kitchen, the scooped out end of this glacial valley.

So far so good. The weather is beautiful with a cool breeze making it perfect hiking weather. At the far end of the lake the path suddenly gets very steep. In the picture above, right in the middle, you can see the slope. You follow that path to its end and then scramble up the side of a waterfall which you then have to cross. The path gets a bit vague here and I did my usual trick of waiting for a couple of hikers to pass and then follow them. 

This of course only works if they are heading the same place as you! After we had all been climbing for quite a long while over some very steep and rocky terrain I thought I had better check that this was the right way. Of course it wasn't. They were heading to the top ridge of the Glyderau mountain range and we were almost there. I had missed the path down to the lake completely. Seem to have done something similar before! Still the views were fabulous.

At least I could see the path from up there and it was a heck of a long way down! Still, undaunted, I retraced my steps and headed back down. I slipped once and have now had my first hiking injury. Caught my foot between 2 rocks and came out a bit bruised and bloody. Although to be fair, if I'd known that the hike was going to be so hard I would have worn my walking boots and not my shandals. (Shandal, cross between a shoe and a sandal apparently, who knew!)

So eventually found my way down to the banks of the Idwal. I was tempted to paddle, but unfortunately time was short as I hadn't expected to detour quite so much and I had to get back for the school run.

So I have finally done it, and then some! Definitely going to do it again, and maybe next time I will leave myself enough time to climb to the ridge of the Glyderau.

Lessons Learned: Next time I follow someone, make sure we are heading for the same destination!

If going mountain climbing, wear boots!

Diet Diary Had a good day today. Will find out tomorrow if it has compensated for the sins of the weekend!

Snowdon Conquered!

I did it! Got to the top of Snowdon. Can't quite believe it and if it wasn't for the fact that I can barely move this morning, I'd think I'd dreamed it!

It was a very spur of the moment decision. Woke up in the morning and decided to go for it. I have been making excuses for ages why I couldn't do it, but no more.

Got to the base about 11am and saw that there was still snow at the top which might change things, but I thought I would just see how far I could go whilst keeping safe.

The weather was perfect, bright but not hot so I set off up the Miners Path. I really like this path, I may have mentioned before that it is very forgiving of an inexperienced walker and the scenery of course is breathtaking.

I had more or less emptied my backpack of everything except food, just bringing my camera but no spare lenses or tripod as this trip was about the hike. 

I had previously got as far as Llyn Glaswyn, the top lake on the approach to the summit, which was a bit less than half way up. It seemed easier getting to it this time, which was very gratifying and I really started to think that I could do it. Although looking up at the mountain, the top seemed an awful long way off.

From here the climb started to get a lot more difficult. I soon hit snow which made the going a lot slower, but in some ways I think that might have helped because it made me take my time. I stopped quite a few times to rest and get my breath back, but I wasn't in a hurry. 

A couple of times I almost lost the path, but there were a couple of groups climbing, so I just waited, pretending to take photos, until they'd passed, then followed them!

I hope this doesn't sound mean, but it was very gratifying to see people half my age wheezing with the climb, more so than I was! I think all this time that I have been underestimating my capabilities!

Finally passed the intersection with the Pyg track, then on to where it meets the Llanberis Path.

The views are simply spectacular and from this point for the first time I could see the views of the other side of the mountain. Unfortunately before I could take a picture, the cloud dropped and I could see nothing.

Visibility was about 20ft, but I felt that it was safe enough to go on, having come so far. It was slippy underfoot and I think if I hadn't had my hiking sticks with me, I'd have ended up sitting on more than one occasion. The closer I got to the top, the stronger the winds became until it felt like they were guarding the summit and were trying to blow the intruder off her feet!

But I persevered and I got there!

The above plaque is on a plinth at the top of some steps and I clung to it for about 5 mins because the wind had got so strong that I couldn't stand and I had the feeling that I might soon be finding a very quick way to the bottom! It was the only time on any of my travels that I have felt genuinely scared. 

The wind briefly dropped and I was able to get down the steps, but I had a decision to make. I didn't think I would safely make it back down the miners track as it was pretty scary climbing up. If I followed the Llanberis track, it would be easier, but I would end up miles from the car.

But this time, for once in my life, common sense and self preservation kicked in and I followed the Llanberis Path.

It was certainly easier, but good heavens its long! About 4.5m, which might not seem too long, but when you have just climbed a mountain, its long. I had snow still until about half way down, then it got easier. However, I really started having trouble with my knees and by the time I got to the end, I was in quite a bit of pain.

Just when I thought I would struggle to go much further, I saw a sign "Taxis booked from here". Almost cried!

It was a fabulous tea house called Pen Ceunant (www.snowdoncafe.com) and I was welcomed by the owner Steve who was amazing. After sending me off to freshen up, he booked me a taxi and then made me a cup of tea free of charge! He said it would be the best cup of tea I have ever had, and after all that walking, it certainly was.

The Tea House is a gorgeous building. All roaring fires and 18th Century furnishings. He caters for walkers, which he welcomes, and if you are doing the Llanberis Path, you can park for free there and he doesn't mind if you sit and eat your own sandwiches. I can't recommend him highly enough.

So feeling refreshed, completely chuffed and amazed with myself, I got the taxi back to the car about 9 miles away!

Lessons Learned: I am generally a coffee drinker, but sometimes only a nice cup of tea will do.

I can actually do anything I set my mind to. No more believing that I can't. Now if only I can apply the same mindset to the diet!

Diet Diary
Camera bag 1 - 5 1/4lb lost 4 3/4 to go