Aberystwyth revisited

I can't believe its been a month since I posted. Seems that there has been such a lot going on that I have lost track of time a bit. 

So to catch up, had a couple of quite interesting outings recently. First one started off in Criccieth, as most of these excursions do! And I thought, "wouldn't it be a good idea to follow the Welsh Coastal Path and walk to Pwllheli!"

The right answer is "no it wouldn't". The path starts off fabulous, following the cliff edge along the shore. Then it takes you off through fields to join up with the main road and you are walking pavements with traffic whizzing past. Eventually get back closer to the sea only to find myself walking on the outskirts of the Hafan y Mor caravan park. Somewhere I am quite familiar with, and knowing they have a Starbucks, I am not one to miss out on the opportunity for a quick iced capuccino and a comfort stop!

Along the coastal path, you do get to see some beautiful beaches, many completely deserted, but too much of this part of the path is along main roads.
I found a sign showing Pwllheli 2miles, so the plan was to get there and catch a bus back to Criccieth and the car. After walking for about 30mins, and reaching a sign which also said Pwllheli 2 miles, I decided enough was enough and caught a bus at the first stop I found! However, 15 miles added to the total that day. Not bad at all!

Most recent excursion was a revisit to Aberystwyth. Glorious weather and the Graduation Day at the University, so the town and prom was filled with girls in beautiful summer dresses and the boys in suits. It was really charming and so lovely to see.

Walked the length of the front and climbed up to the cable car again to get the most fabulous view.

Decided to have a go at following the coastal path again and this time it was amazing. Followed about 3 miles and the whole thing was along the cliff edge so the scenery was stunning. It undulated somewhat, so very little was flat, which made for a challenging walk, but I'm a hiker now, I can do challenging! It may be accompanied by a certain amount of wheezing and a dangerously puce face, but I get there!
Apparently you can walk the whole of the Wales Coastline on the path, so maybe that it a challenge for next year.

Talking of Challenges, realised I hadn't done anything daft since the kayaking, so Beth and I had a go at archery!

At Lea Marston Events just outside Sutton Coldfield, and it was amazing! Both of us seemed to have a knack for it and no innocent passers by were injured, which has got to be a bonus.

I have postponed further antics until after our hols, because the last thing I want to do is injure myself before we go away, and we all know the likelihood of that is quite high! But on the list are abseiling, rock climbing and one of those high ropes courses. Going to be fun.

Lessons Learned: There's a bit of a parallel universe thing going on between Criccieth and Pwllheli, otherwise how on earth can you walk for half an hour and still be as far from your destination as when you started!
I now remember why I don't like buses. The one I caught was expensive and about 20mins late!

Diet Diary: Seem to have stuck a bit. Trying really hard but its not shifting. Still lower than I have been in years, but just getting a bit frustrated. Only 4 weeks to the hols, so got to keep at it.

Rambling Record: Currently 660 miles. About 100 miles ahead of schedule and feeling really good!

Another Adventure

Whenever I have a chance of a few days away, I do seem to head into Snowdonia. I have my favourite places there and at the moment I am taking comfort in familiar surroundings. However, I do still have the need to do some stuff outside of my comfort zone, more on that later.
I booked to stay in the converted Shepherd's huts overlooking Moel Siabod again as the welcome is always warm and the setting just glorious. The weather was a bit unpredictable with thunderstorms forecast, but the thing about getting wet is that you'll dry out eventually!
Visited many places over the 3 days, but will just pick out the highlights or else we will be here all day!

First day involved a visit to Bodnant Gardens and a stroll through the Laburnum arch. It is amazing to walk through it with thousands of yellow blossoms cascading above you. 
At this time of year most of the colour elsewhere in the gardens is fading, waiting for the summer flowers, but it is still a fabulous place to wander, even in the rain.

Next stop on the itinerary is Surf Snowdonia. I may have mentioned previously that I love it there but this time have arranged a catch up with my favourite photographer!. Took loads of pics, but this is my favourite, of 4 times Welsh Champion Jo Dennison performing a ballet on the waves. Glorious to watch.

I am enjoying the surf photography and getting some cool actions shots, but the quality of the picture isn't brilliant. I may need to look at upgrading my lens to get cleaner detail. Looking into that one, its not going to be cheap!

Day 2 started off with a walk part way up Snowdon. No intention of getting to the summit, just as far as the top lake. I had seen recently on Countryfile a floating art installation on one of the lakes and was intrigued to see it in person. 

It is about 3 miles to the top lake and the walk to it was just gorgeous. Some very low clouds, but it was warm and dry along the Miner's Path.

The art is actually on the middle lake, Llyn Llydaw and was quite surreal to see a painting just floating there. A fabulous concept.

The climb was made complete by a Mountain Rescue helicopter on manoeuvres, swooping in over the lake and then just hovering, really low and making the water dance.

I made it up to the top lake and the heavens opened and it poured! Had waterproofs with me, but in my backpack, so by the time I got them out and put them on I was already soaked. It then rained heavily for the whole 3 miles back down again. There was so much water in my boots that it was actually frothing through the breathable liner! And lets not even mention the state of my socks! But the crazy thing was it was exhilarating! The rain was relentless and there was thunder in the clouds but I think there is something very special about battling through the elements! No? Just me then!

The afternoon called for a long hot shower at the hut and a curl up with a book for a couple of hours. Yes, I know, hardly Dramatic and Dangerous, but sometimes a girl needs to chill!

The evening was spent in Conwy. Firstly just wandering the streets and the harbour taking a few snaps. Its a beautiful place, well worth a visit if you've not been there. A gorgeous harbour and a fabulous castle. 

The second part of the evening was sitting having a drink with a really good friend, watching the sunset and letting the conversation flow. A perfect end to a wonderful day.

The third day was the challenge. As part of my desire to do something daft or dangerous every month, I had booked a Kayaking lesson on Llyn Padarn. 

I haven't been in a kayak since Girl Guides and the event traumatised me so much I had no wish to do it again. Until now. All about conquering fears at the moment. 

I had got myself quite a bit stressed about this activity, so with much trepidation, I turned up at Surf-lines at Llyn Padarn and checked in. Explained that I was working through a bucket list, had never done this before and really wasn't sure why I was doing it anyway! My instructor Dan was brilliant (and incredibly handsome which always helps). He put me at my ease straight away and said we wouldn't be doing anything I felt uncomfortable with. 

Although the first thing I felt uncomfortable with was putting on a wetsuit. Never worn one before and there is definitely an art to getting into it. Then had to get kitted out with all the flotation devices, avoiding any mirrors that may have been around!

We choose a wide bottomed boat for me to paddle, not, you understand because I am wide bottomed myself, but because they are more steady for a beginner. And I am launched.
And it is the most incredible and amazing thing I have done for ages. I seemed to take to it really quickly and before long I was skimming across the water. I could turn, reverse, stop and loved every second of it. Dan was fascinating too and we spent most of the 2hrs paddling and chatting. The weather was gorgeous and the scenery completely breathtaking.
It was the perfect way to end what had been a completely fabulous trip and it all was just what I needed.

Lessons Learned: I am fearless, I am unstoppable and I am unbelievably awesome! But I still don't want to see my reflection in a wetsuit!

Diet Diary: I have lost my 2nd camera bag! Meaning I have lost 20lb. I am now the lightest I have been for years and am now not officially overweight! Still got a little way to go to be really happy, but completely on track and dedicated. Personally I think the abject terror of the impending kayaking dropped a few pounds on its own!

Rambling Record: Standing at 554 miles, 74 miles ahead of schedule. Like I said, unbelievably awesome!

A day of two halves

I have decided that it is time that I explored some new places. I keep returning to my favourites, but have to remember that my favourites were once new places, and so other new places might become my favourites. If you see what I mean!

I have recently bought a great book of walks around Betws-y-coed and found one that looked intriguing. It takes you through the disused Hafna Lead mine which sounded fascinating.

It is based just outside Llanwrst on the side of a valley amidst a dense forest. You park halfway up the valley then walk practically to the bottom which was steep and very uneven, then complete a circle going back up the valley, over the top of the derelict buildings, back to the car park.

The views were incredible and the buildings fascinating. The following is a bat capped mine shaft!

 It is very sad to see what was once a major industry in such ruin, but there is an awful lot of this around in Snowdonia.
However, although the hike was very strenuous in places, the peace and tranquility were perfect.

 The chimney had to be kept away from the smelting buildings because of the noxious gases it emitted! Not overly environmentally friendly.

The day really was one of two halves, the second half I will deal with briefly. On my way from the carpark, I was flagged down by a lad obviously in distress. He had found what he believed to be a suicide and did not know what to do. I followed him to the location where there was a car with the engine running and the exhaust leading into the car where a gentleman sat. I opened all doors and turned off the engine but there was unfortunately nothing I could do for the gentleman. The next 2 hrs were spent waiting for ambulance and police.
When they had finished with me, I felt I was in no fit state to drive home, so as I was only about 10mins from Surf Snowdonia, I headed there. I felt the need to go somewhere happy where people were having fun. I also knew that there was a chance I would see a friendly face there.

I was there for about an hour, just sitting or taking pictures and then felt calm enough to drive home.

Lessons Learned: Expect the unexpected. I always imagined that if anything dramatic ever happened, it would be me falling over, down or into something. Never imagined I would come across someone who believed there was no other way out. It has affected me a lot more than I expected but the positive I can take from it is that I was able to take control of a situation that was well outside my comfort zone. I was a wreck after, but at the time I coped. 

Diet Diary: Doing incredibly well and so pleased. Currently down 1.5 camera bags, so halfway there!

Rambling Record: over 460 miles! Aimed for 500 by the end of June, and so well ahead there.

Little Adventure - Day 2

After my fabulous visit to Surf Snowdonia, I headed up into the mountains to stay overnight in a converted Shepherd's hut and you will never have seen anything so charming!

Furthest hut is the bedroom and living area, while the closest the kitchen and bathroom. It is beautifully furnished and so unbelievably out of the way. The views were gorgeous and the silence, welcome and incredible.

Shepherd huts (for more info)

Then, on with the adventure. I had found a walk that took me through Beddgelert and into the mountains in a 4.5mile circular walk which seemed perfect.

Beddgelert is a beautiful little town with plenty of individual shops and nice eateries, but no time for that now, got walking to do!

You start by following the river path which takes you past Gelert's grave (Legend of Gelert). You follow the path over a wooden railway bridge, that crosses the local steam railway tracks.

Then it meanders alongside a series of small waterfalls and the path gets very narrow and this part is called the Fisherman's Path. A bit challenging, but so beautiful.

At the end of the river, you head up into the Aberglaslyn Pass where the real hiking began. Its steep and deserted and fabulous. My leg seems to have completely healed, so I can finally do a bit more.

I do love anything derelict industrial and these are the remains of the aerial ropeway system used to transport ore from one end of the valley to the other. It was a fabulous walk up until this point. No other people, perfect hiking weather and outstanding scenery. So much so, I even took a selfie!

I hasten to point out that this is me with no make-up, looking very windswept and a bit flushed after a very steep climb, but this marks the turning point as the walk got progressively worse from here.

I followed the printed instructions I had for the walk to where the path split and I took the left fork. So far so good, until the path disappeared into a swamp! It was one of those hidden swamps that lurk beneath the long grass and you don't realise it's there until you squelch. Managed to work my way through it but my really good hiking boots were no match for liquid mud and it seeped through to my socks pretty darn quickly.

Eventually I picked up the path again, which split into two. Now according to my instructions, it shouldn't have done that, so next dilemma, which path to take. Figured that if I always took the left, the worst that could happen is I would go in a full circle. Its at times like these that I wish I'd paid attention at Girl Guides and got my navigation badge!

Left hand path led into another swamp. I was slipping and sliding all over the place and the only things to grab onto were gorse bushes, and me having left my brand new, for all emergencies, first aid kit in the car.

It followed this pattern for quite a while, swamp, path split, fall over. I was extremely muddy and getting a bit tired. I had absolutely no idea where I was and had gone so far that it was impossible to retrace my steps. So I eventually had one rational thought and decided that if climbed as high as I could, I could look down and get my bearings. I eventually did and could see a proper path way below me in the distance. At this point I didn't care where it went, as long as it went somewhere. Access was via a very undignified scramble through heather, bracken and gorse and I apologise now for all the environmental damage I did on my descent. 

When I eventually got the the path I realised that it was the path that I had been following originally and I had rejoined it just before where I turned off it the first time. So instead of walking a circle, imagine a balloon on a stick. I walked up the stick, around the balloon, and back down the stick, turning a 4.5mile walk into an 8mile one. Navigationally Challenged for a reason folks!

So into Beddgelert for a huge bowl of chips and a chocolate milkshake because I think I had earned them!

Lessons Learned: I surprisingly do seem to have a fair bit of confidence in my capabilities for although I was lost and tired, I knew I would find my way back because I always have. Lets just hope next time doesn't prove me wrong.

Hiking with mud soaked socks is not one of the most pleasurable experiences I have had.

Diet Diary: Still at one camera bag down (10lb). Had a few family events revolving around food like they do, and I think it is only the hiking keeping the weight steady.

Rambling Record: Total currently stands at 423 miles, with a target of 500 by the end of June, which should be doable. Feeling particularly chuffed with myself!

Finally, another trip

Although I have been out and about a bit recently, nothing has really seemed blogworthy, so its about time I went somewhere interesting!
Decided on a night away in Snowdonia, with the view of exploring parts I had not yet reached.

First port of call, Surf Snowdonia. Regular readers will know that I have a bit of an unhealthy obsession with surfers so to go somewhere where they were more or less guaranteed seemed too good an opportunity to miss. There was also the possibility I might see my photographer/surfer friend in action, but sadly this was not to be. Next time!

Surf Snowdonia is an incredible place. It is basically a constructed fresh water lagoon the size of 6 football pitches. Waves are created every 90 seconds and I really don't know how to describe how they are made so it makes sense, but imagine the front of a snow plough going through the middle stirring up the water. It is a sight to see, and even if you have no interest in the sport, it is so worth a visit just for the experience.

Surfing is something I can watch for hours, it is so graceful and very skillful, but something which I have absolutely no desire to do myself. My friend suggested I book a lesson, but no. Me in a wetsuit, I think not. Plus the combination of a dislike of being in water and a non existent sense of balance does not make surfing the ideal choice for my next challenge. I'll just stick to spectating thank you very much.

The backdrop is beautiful too, you forget you are in the heart of Snowdonia until you look up and see hills and mountains all around.

You can actually stay on site too. There are pods and also tepees which are just fabulous. 

I must have stayed at least an hour, just wandering up and down, watching the surfers and snapping away, and no one minded. There is a cafe there and outdoor seating but the best thing is that you can get really close and you can start to predict the waves, which makes taking photos a lot easier. Got a few that I am happy with, but do feel I could have done better, so will just have to go back. Soon.

I took most of the action shots using my 70 - 300mm lens so I could get closer. It was a bright day so I was able to have a fast shutter speed to capture the movement without blurring. Not quite got it yet, but getting very close.

More on the rest of the trip to follow shortly. Got so many photos to sort, its going to take a while!

Lessons Learned: I think I have found my happy place. So next time I am at the dentist or going through something unpleasant, I will cast my mind back to waves and surfers and all will be calm and good!

Diet Diary: Bit of a stop at the moment, struggling to get back into it, yet again! Why is it that the calorie content of food increases in direct relation to the tastiness of it!

Rambling Record: I am on fire!! 393 miles so far and well on track for the 1000. The tendon problem slowed it down, but I am back at full strength and raring to go

Hiking Curtailed!

I have had the misfortune to pull my achilles tendon. Luckily it's not too serious but it does cause me problems when hiking. I am not too bad on the flat, but as soon as I try to go uphill it hurts a lot.
So, although I am not having to stop walking altogether, which was my worry, I do have to be very selective and very sensible, which as you by now know, doesn't come easily to me!.

A while ago I decided to walk the length of the Llangollen and Montgomery Canals, so bearing in mind that canals are by their very nature generally flat, I thought I would make a serious effort.

This is looking down on the Chirk aqueduct with the viaduct to the right. A different view to how I normally photograph it, and I thought the mist added another dimension.

This is a more usual view of the aqueduct, but I love the beautiful spring colours.

So over the last couple of weeks I have crossed off a lot of bridges along the canal and walked several miles of it and have come to a very serious conclusion. Canals are boring. I can't imagine why anyone would voluntarily pay to float down a canal at a mindnumbing 2mph past trees, fields, cows, more trees, a few more fields, and if you are really lucky, sheep! No mountains, no lakes, no stunningly beautiful scenery, just a few pleasant views.
I think it was when I overtook a boat, and me with my bad leg, that I realised life on the open canal probably wasn't for me.
I will continue with the walking of the canals as I have now set myself the target and it suits my health status at the moment, but as soon as I am fit, Snowdon, here I come!

Trying to mix it up a bit with some town walks too. Earlier it was Chester and the first time I have been able to get a shot of this bridge with no pedestrians!

Then thought a nice gentle stroll from Betws-y-Coed to Swallow falls would be good. It was a nice even path so no trouble. Except that it was 2 miles uphill! Definitely struggled a bit with that one!.

But what an amazing place to be!

So although the emphasis may not be on "Dramatic and Dangerous" at the moment, but more on "flat", I am still very determined to Carry on Hiking! (was there ever a Carry On film about Hiking? If not, there should have been!)

Lessons Learned: Although my heart and mind are telling me that I am still in my thirties, my body is telling me "Just because you believe you have the heart and soul of a much younger person, if you don't actually start to accept your limitations and take care of me and settle nicely into middle age, I'm going to start telling people how old you really are!
I've never been one to listen to my body, and I have no intention of starting now! So 35 next birthday again, and probably quite a few after that too!

Diet Diary: Not too bad. Struggling to stick to it completely, but not putting on which is all I can hope for at the moment.

Rambling Record: Over 320 miles so far this year. Completely unbelievable! It has dropped a bit over the last couple of weeks because of my leg, but am still a bit ahead and am very determined!

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.