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!

1000 Miles!!

Well, I have finally done it! Today I walked my 1000th mile of 2016!

Decided that I needed to do it somewhere that I loved to make it special, so headed to Criccieth. The idea was to reward myself with cake once it was completed, but by the time I had driven the 2hrs to get there, I was hungry and a girl needs sustenance so I started with cake!

So suitably nourished, I headed off. 

There is something very special about Criccieth. I'm not really sure what it is. Maybe because it feels like time has forgotten it for a while so it feels peaceful. Partly perhaps because there is seldom anyone else there when I go. Maybe because when you walk along the beach, behind you are rocks and fields, no arcades or shops. Whatever it is, I love it and hope it never changes.

So here is the view from the finish line, looking over Black Rock Sands.
I must admit to feeling a bit emotional at this point. It was yet another challenge that I had set myself that I didn't really think I could do, and yet again, I had proved myself wrong and achieved it! It's not always been easy, in fact sometimes has been extremely difficult, but most of the time I have loved all the hiking and to actually have finished 2 months ahead of target is just amazing. I am amazing!

So trumpet blowing aside for a moment, there was more that had to be done today.

I have mentioned before that I am a huge fan of The Plastic Project run by the amazing Tim Nunn. Plastic is an unimaginable threat to our oceans and this affects everyone. Not just those who use our beaches and seas, but also those who ever eat anything from the sea as the amount of plastic in our food chain is frightening. Do please have a look at the information on the website, but a quick summary of what we can all do is:

Reduce your use of plastic: refill your own water bottle, don't put your bananas from Tesco in a bag, they have their own wrapper already! Just for a start!

Recycle: Wherever possible

Pick it up: I am a fan of the 2 minute beach clean and this is what I collected in just a few minutes at Criccieth

I bought a pair of bbq tongs from poundland and use those. Might want to clear it, but certainly don't want to touch it! 

Avoid micro beads in cosmetics: Banned in the US already, but still available here. 

Tell everyone else: We can't do this alone and there are a large proportion of people not even aware this problem exists. Apparently, if nothing is done, by 2020 there will be more plastic in the oceans than fish!


Today was really about the hiking, rather than the photography, so not many snaps today. 

So after the hike and the beach clean, I had built up quite an appetite and could murder a bit of cake. But then I thought that I can't go back into Cadwaladers and have more cake. Then I thought, I have just walked 1000 miles, I can do whatever the heck I want! So I did!

Lessons Learned: Anything is possible. Lesson learned from a good friend (thank you Gordon), instead of aiming for something intangible (wanting to walk more), decide on a target (1000 miles) then build yourself a strategy of exactly how you are going to achieve that (20 miles a week, 50 weeks). Simples!

When doing a beach clean and you pick up a full bottle to put in your bag, don't always assume it's full of water because when you go to empty it, sometimes you find that it isn't! I am very ashamed to admit that that bottle got flung across the beach accompanied by a shriek. People can be revolting!

Diet Diary: It's been a really good day, let's not spoil it.

Rambling Record: Did I mention that I have done 1000 miles this year!!!!!!!!!!!!

Criccieth, Morfa Nefyn and Llyn Ogwen

So now that I have a willing, if occasional, companion on my walks, I decide to share with Carl some of my favourite places. 

So we headed off to start our day. Morfa Nefyn. Carl had played golf at the club there way, way in the past and could remember there being a pub on the beach. Funny what sticks in the memory!

The day was beautifully bright and sunny so I took a chance and left the tripod in the car. I can't actually believe how glorious the weather was. The sky was pure blue and the sea a proper mediterranean sea colour.

You can follow the beach for a long way and most of it was reasonably empty, bearing in mind that it was sunny and in the holidays. All except for the tiny bit of beach around the pub which was packed. Funny that! Think of the pictures of the beach that usually accompany The Sun's "Its a Scorcher" headlines and you'd be heading in the right direction.

However, we still managed to find some pretty beautiful tranquility a bit further around. We followed the path which climbed up the cliffs to the golf course. However, there were people playing so we thought it prudent not to be in the line of fire! Although after watching a couple of people play, the safest place on the course was probably by the pin! Tho I shouldn't mock as it was never anything I was any good at, but with this new found determination, maybe I should have another go!

After Nefyn we decided to head for the mountains. Tryfan to be specific and to see the waterfall near Cwm Idwal. Quite a lot of people around again. I really do think I am going to struggle through the summer when everyone else is out and about too. 

I love this waterfall. If any of you remember my icicle picture, that was taken of the tree sticking out the middle during the winter.

I have been here many times now but never managed to get all the way around the lake. Didn't on this trip either, but got further than I had before, all the way to Devil's Kitchen. Quite impressive. Then the sun dropped below one of the peaks and lit the sides in the most beautiful way.

It was starting to get a bit darker in the shade and I didn't have my tripod, so I upped the ISO a bit but I have realised that although it may be a bit cumbersome, I really should have the tripod with me at all times. I would have liked to have a long exposure attempt on the water, maybe next time when I do finally get all the way round!

So home via Llangollen for a gorgeous curry at The Simla. Its been a long, eventful and completely fabulous day!

Lessons Learned: I must try not to get territorial as just because I have been the only person in many of these places at times, it doesn't make them mine!