I've been down near Barmouth for a few days accompanying some students on an expedition journey along the Mawddach Estuary and the Welsh Coastal Path. Setting off on Friday, the weather couldn't have been better and it looked like we should be able to complete our two-day hike before the weekend storms arrived. Our team set out from Penmeanpool on the banks of the river and headed west to the sea side.
The first signs of spring were in the hedgerows...
The tide was out when we set off and it was spooky to watch the flow of the river suddenly change direction at the change of the tides. One minute water was flowing out towards the sea, the next, it was being pushed back up river.
We arrived at Arthog Outdoor Education Centre around 5pm and after dinner, we gave the students the option of hiking across the railway bridge to Barmouth. It was very windy by now and a little damp, so we got well kitted up and set off by headtorch.
Halfway across though, the moon came out and we no longer needed the torches. We made it to the chip shop with ten minutes to spare before it closed.
Day two started with a lot of uphill, but being steep meant that it was over quickly. We all agreed it was worth it for the views.
The path weaved it's was through farms, fields, and woodland, but was very well signed, so we were able to focus on the views rather than having our heads in the map the whole way.
On the high-level traverse path, we could almost see back to where we had started hiking from as well as where we were due to finish. It was a respectable distance!
As well as the big view, we also tried to notice the small stuff, like the intricacies of lichens on a gate.
As we dropped down to the coast, where our pre-placed minibus was waiting for us, it was good to watch the surf coming in neat lines. With an amber weather warning, only hours away, we were glad to get safely back to base before it all kicked off! Good work, with a good team...
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