Party in the City - Remembering Uni Days

With the mountain forecast looking a bit iffy, we made a spur of the moment decision to take ourselves off to Liverpool for some city fun and a bit of University reminiscing. It didn't disappoint! 

After a bit of shopping en-route, we found ourselves at the Albert Docks by nightfall and ready to party!

Despite only being a few hours from the mountains of Wales, we felt a million miles away, as we picked our way across the docks, via a variety of dance floors and bars. 

With Halloween only a matter of hours away, the city was gearing up to party and we were only too happy to join in!

The inevitable late night, necessitated a slow start this morning. We stayed next door to 'The Beatles Experience' and our deep slumber was broken a little too early by them belting out 'its been a hard days night' from loud speakers outside the hotel. Seemed rather apt.

Had a chilled day soaking up the sights of the city. Since I lived here (way back at the start of the century!), they've really 'done the place up'! The buildings are really impressive!

And the docks are much smarter (although, sadly, Fred weather map seems to have gone!)

Was less impressed with the Tate Art Gallery. Well, this exhibit entitled 'Four Folded Blankets', failed to fire my imagination or artistic appreciation very much...

Then, to crown off the mini-break, we went to visit what is widely regarded as 'the cradle of Outdoor Education excellence' - our old university house in Bennison Drive. A place filled with history and great memories for many a JMU graduate.

Struggling to stay awake, we were spurred on by a fabulous sunset on the drive back west.

Surfing at Cable Bay

Super high, high tide today! You couldn't even get down to the beach at our usual spot as the water was right in at the houses, with only a tiny bit of sand on show! As we crossed the Menai Straits, the old house that we lived in as students, under the Menai Bridge, looked half submerged!

It was windier than we expected, so ended up using the shelter of Cable Bay. The waves here were great fun. Big lumps of water, that had a very low angle face. It was easy to ride down then and cut back up again and again. Brilliant fun and pretty warm too with my new fleece lined wetsuit mitts on!!

Climbing by Moonlight - A Mini Adventure

Full moon this eve, gave the inspiration for some nocturnal antics! It's been another summer day, with great views and warm temperatures - Perfect for a hike with Neil around Mnyndd Llandegai.

The evening clouds threatened to blot out the idea of a moon light climb, but at least it gave a good sunset and we walked down by the river.

We decided to go with the plan anyway, despite the overcast sky. With only a short amount of time available, we walked upto Tryfan Bach, keeping our fingers crossed that the skies would clear. At the base of the crag, we geared up as a few stars began to make an appearance.

We had a torch each, but one was as bright as a cigarette lighter; the other brighter than the bat signal! We decided that it would be prudent for the leader to have the best headtorch, so as Tim led off into the dark, I was left alone peering into the darkness!

The climbing was fun and without any sense of exposure given the dark expanse below! We were rewarded for our efforts though as we arrived at the summit ridge. Here we found the full moon bathing the ridge in light! We scampered up the last little pitch without need for torches, lit by the eerie moon that was hanging low in the sky below a band of clouds! A magic moment!

Sometimes it's worth taking a gamble and going for something a little unusual. Although we were back home in time for a late dinner, we felt like we'd been on an great adventure! And that's what counts!

Bangor - The City of Learning

Before heading out to the beach, we had a very enjoyable and interesting morning in Bangor at the University. I'd never been up to the main arts centre or many of the science buildings, so Neil and Clare led the way on the unofficial tour.

First off, we managed to blag our way into a somewhat historic biology museum! Amazing! Full of unbelievable artefacts!

Including a two headed lamb from Bethesda! Bonkers!

And this guy from 1911 from the plains of Africa...

The next great discovery was a very funky little coffee spot on the terrace overlooking the 'City of Learning'. Believe it or not, it was almost too hot to sit directly in the sun! Bangor Tropicana!

We also took a look around the new developments, which are huge, but less grandly built. 

Compared to the original stuff. 

In an attempt to beat the approaching bad weather, we left the sunny terrace and headed west to Rhosnigr for a walk along the beach. The incoming clouds by now were blocking the sun. There were a few surfers out, but we headed for some afternoon lunching instead.

A short excursion through the sandunes found us at the Osyter Catcher where we spent a good portion of the afternoon eating and drinking on the terrace, sheltered from the wind in a little beach hut. 

We made it back to The Cottage at dusk, for tea and cake by the fireside, which led into a short snooze session before returning to Menai Bridge for more food! It's great being a local tourist!

Moel Isallt and the River Crossing

Getting up early can have its advantages. The morning sunlight was stunning. I had an early start from The Cottage to meet a group of walkers on the west side of Snowdonia. Pink and purple clouds were hanging over the hills and all the crags on in the Llanberis pass were glowing. It was quite a drive back over to Cwm Pennant and if I'd not had to meet a team them so early, I'd have stopped to enjoy it!

We hiked off again into the Pennant Valley, but this time into a beautiful day. It was perfect conditions to show off the mountains of Snowdonia to my group!

The days hike involved a theme of 'living with the consequences' as part of the challenge of navigating through the valley and it's peaks. The group I was working with had to choose their route, with decisions being made at each path junction. At one point, we found ourselves in a situation where we were down by the river. The 'stepping stones' as advised on the map were nowhere to be seen, so it was a case of retrace our steps or roll up our trousers! We chose the latter and forded the river bare foot, carrying our boots! I had to admire their enthusiasm as it was numbingly cold!

Later in the day, we summited the little mountain peak of Moel Isallt and enjoyed the views out to sea as well as those of the famous Nantle Ridge. On the way down, we stopped off to watch an amazing bit of sheep herding! Very skilled indeed!

There was no point trying to catch the moonrise in a photo, but as I left the valley at dusk, the full moon was just rising over the mountains. It was huge and a deep orange colour. I had to pull over the van a couple of times to watch it on the drive home. Totally spectacular!

Hiking around Cwm Pennant

It's rare that we venture round into the remote little valley of Cwm Pennant. Although geographically quite close, the long drive around the mountains is usually enough for us not to bother. Today, for a nice change I was leading a walk for a group of students there.

The intention had been for an ascent of Moel Hebog, but the weather had other ideas. It was only four degrees when I arrived and from what we could see between the showers, the whole valley was shrouded in mist. It wasn't until later in the day that the clouds finally lifted and things dried up.

Instead of bagging the big peak, we opted for a lower subsidiary, which was cloud free and with great views over the Nantle Ridge and down the coast. 

Even though the weather hadn't been that stunning, the views and the experience were still very much enjoyed by us all. 

Conwy Festival

A fabulous firework finish to what was mostly a very wet and windy day, spent reading by the fireside!

It's been a very chilled and pleasant day. Eventually the rain eased off and we were able to get some fresh air with a stroll down to the Ogwen River, past some new funky looking sheep.

Perfect kayaking levels now, but energy levels weren't matching...

With the skies clearing and a nearly full moon in the sky, we drove down to Conwy for their annual food festival. Dusk is the best time as all the lights come on and then there is a light show projected onto the castle walls.

Between our little team, we sampled the not so obvious mixture of burritos, curry and prosecco and hot chocolate! All nice though. Individually. The evening finished off with some fireworks off the battlements.

Moel y Ci

Our closest peak for a quick get out of the house and blow the cobwebs away kind of walk. Just the required amount of excersie, views and fresh air.

All managed between some pretty heavy downpours! 

Water under bridge...

All psyched up, with no where to go this morning! Was up early, kayak in the van, dry suit on and met Aled at the top of the Ogwen River, only to find that all the water had gone! Yesterday's big water had all flowed out to sea and amazingly, the classic white water run had been reduced to a bump and scrape!

We decided there and then to abort the mission, and return to base. (No big deal at least, as it's only two minutes from The Cottage!). 

Instead of kayaking, I spent most of the day working on the long over due job of sorting out our photos from this summer that we spent in the Italian Dolomites.

What a fantastic place, with such great memories to relive!

Having spent a good chunk of the day staring at a computer screen, before our friend arrived for dinner, we walked out to check out the last of the light reflecting on our local Carneddau Mountains. Beauty.

Falling Leaves

Heavy rain and strong winds marked the start of the autumn leaves falling from the trees last night! 

All plans of heading into the mountains were put on hold, as the damp weather persisted throughout the day. We headed instead for a climb indoor at Indy Climbing Wall on Anglesey, which was actually quite novel, as it's been ages since I've had to revert to climbing inside!

Afterwards, as a consolation prize of not being in the mountains, we snuck onto the balcony at Dylan's for a drink by the Menai Straits. Well timed as well, as the sun made a brief appearance while we were there!

Went for a run along the Afon Ogwen in the evening before dark - it's certainly got some white water in it at the moment!