Sunset Club

I think everyone in North Wales has been heaving a huge sigh of  relief over the last few days. There have been no gales, no floods and not even a drop of rain. Instead all the chaos has been replaced with calm, settled weather and cloudless skies. It's been like medicine for the soul.

After repairing the roof of the shed, which got blown off last week, we had planned to have another night out in the tent to enjoy another sunset. However, having woken up this morning to find a thick frost on the ground, we decided that perhaps, we'd just hike up, enjoy the light show and then return to the warmth of The Cottage instead!

We went prepared with hot drinks, food, blanket and sleeping bags for warmth, aiming for a spot on the side of Elidir Fach where we were pretty sure there would be a good viewing gallery.

We timed it perfectly and got nestled in. Leaning against an old wall provided a really comfy position.

In the last of the light, we walked back down the mountain and arrived back at The Cottage just as the full moon was rising in the east. Spectacular. On the walk down, before the moon rose, the stars were really bright and I saw a shooting one as well as several satellites. 

Back home, the fire was still glowing and a hot, if a little late, dinner was soon rustled up. A fine finish to February.

North Coast Cycling

A perfect morning for a ride along the North Wales cycle route. It was nippy at first when I left The Cottage at 7am, but soon warmed up into a stunner of a morning. Despite the temptation to keep pausing for photos, I only stopped once, on the bridge over to Conwy and committed the rest to memory.

I had planned on having breakfast here and had a tub of cereals, with blueberries and banana ready to go, but had unfortunately, not brought the milk with me, that I had prepared in a small bottle last night. I carried on instead to Llandudno where I was able to get some and still enjoy a breakfast outdoors in the sunshine! The sun remained all day.

Sunset and Moonrise

I've been working over in Llandudno today, so rather than rush home, I stayed an extra few minutes to enjoy the sunset from the hill. Here's a few pics.

Then as I was about to leave, behind me the sky had turned pink and the moon was rising. It doesn't look it in this photo, but it seemed enormous! Needed to get fireside to warm up once I'd got back to The Cottage - it was frosty this morning and looks like it will be tonight as well...

Moonlit Mountain Walking

Finally, calm has returned to the mountains, the skies have cleared and as the sunset, a huge moon rose into the evening sky. Walking out along the track was a real breath of fresh air.

As it got dark, the moon rose higher and it soon became clear that it was going to be a special kind of night. The kind of night where you can walk along the mountain ridges without a torch and with a strong shadow from the light of the moon.

I was pretty tired, but when Dave suggested a the idea of a little nocturnal jaunt, I couldn't turn it down. For once the full moon conditions had coincided with a clear night and no wind. It was not to be missed and I was so glad that we went for it. The visibility was excellent and from the summit we could see all the peaks in the range.

Without a proper camera, the photos were never going to be that good, but maybe these give a little impression. 

Storm Damage

A wild few days followed the blue sky time spent in the mountains the day before. The wild howled, the rain poured and the lake returned to the fields in the valley. The felt was ripped from the shed roof, the re-cycling bins made a bid for freedom and slates chippings from the drive were scattered on the grass. The daffodils really took a hit!

Moel Elio (726m)

 It's been a while since we've slept under canvas, so woke a few times in the night to the sound of rain or flapping canvas, but when the sun rose, we both felt rested and it was exciting to zip open the door from our sleeping bags and see where we were.

The skies were clearing to revel a beautiful day, although there wasn't much warmth in the sun yet. We didn't hang around and instead of getting the stove on, choosing to walk back and have breakfast at The Cottage.

It was clearly going to be a stunner of a day. Keen for a different view, we rode over the hill to Llanberis, then set out on foot up the deserted hillside of Moel Elio.

Despite having been up there many times before, it felt like an age since my last visit, which is well over a year ago now. The views of Snowdon are incredible, as well as looking out to sea.

While we were sat on top, some fighter jets flew past - below us!

It's the first time in a while that I've set out with sunglasses on and I was glad to have them. The wind was still cold, but where it was sheltered, it was lovely and warm.

It turned into quite a long day, by the time we made our way back down and home. Fireside now. Fed and with a big pot of tea. Our cheeks are burning red from the warmth after all day in the mountains.

 

A Night Out

And finally! The storm passes, blue skies return and the restorative feeling of sun on skin can be basked in. 

There's even a few traces of Spring in the trees too.

To celebrate the feeling, we dug out the chairs and spent a bit of time soaking up the feeling of summer over a warm pastry. It felt like a real holiday.

Later on, to keep the holiday vibe going, we hiked onto the hillside on the other side of the valley.

We came across no other people, but plenty of wild Carneddau Ponies, who were very friendly.

It's been ages since we had the tent out and found a very nice secluded, flat and sheltered spot to pitch up for the night. (a bit of local knowledge helped!).

There was no wind, so it felt much warmer than in recent weeks. We sat outside on the blanket and cooked a big dinner on the camp stove along with endless cups of tea. 

We sat out watching the sunset and the colours reflecting across the clouds which was a real treat. Absolutely stunning. 

The moonlight was bright enough to be able to see our way back into the tent, when we retreated inside at about 19:30 - not back for February!

Inside 'Terry Nova', a tent where we've spent many many nights over the years, all was warm and cozy and we got comfy while listening to a really funny book.

It felt like we were a million miles away from home and so novel to be doing something that would usually be so normal for us! We fell asleep to the sound of light rain, as another weather front passed overhead.

Seventeen Years Later

A wild few days with 95mm falling into The Cottage rain gauge in under 48 hours. In a very brief lull, we took a wild ride down to Memory Lane in Menai Bridge, where we first got together seventeen years ago.

The river was absolutely raging and the valley in places has turned to a lake!

On the North Wales Coastal Path

In an attempt to keep active, while the mountains are plagued by wind and rain, we've had a few days out along some sections of the North Wales Coastal Path. Not our usual level of excitement, but you've got to grab what you can these days! It was looking to be slightly drier than anywhere in Snowdonia, and close enough to get on from the house, so worth an explore. 

Although I've sent hundreds of students along this path over the years on various expeditions, it's probably been about ten years or more since I actually walked along it, so it did provide a bit of novelty as well as exercise. 

The views heading east were brilliant on both days, but the return journey into the wind, was a different story.

We made it as far as Aberfall, before the afternoon and got there just in time, before the incoming weather stole the views. Unbelievable to think that these cascades had been all but frozen a few days back.

The rain signaled that it was time to turn around. We'd come prepared and with ski goggles on, we battled the long and weary trail back west. The gusts often stopped us in our tracks and we took turns being 'up front' so the other could hide in the slipstream. Although ski goggles did seem a bit extreme, we might not have made it back without them! So tired when we got home, but worth the outing before the forecast two days of storms arrive... 

eBikes on the Island

The prospect of a few hours of sunshine was enough to convince me to take a ride over to the coast. It was windy, but thanks to a bit of electric assistance, it was a very enjoyable outing. The tide was high as I passed Malltreath. 

And the undisturbed woodlands were packed with Snowdrops.

In fact the tide was so high, that I almost didn't make it over to Aberfraw on the old bridge.

A sneaky surfer was catching waves at Cable Bay, but a few miles down the road a Policeman was fining another surfer for having driven to the beach.

I kept myself moving, taking in the views where I could.

Things took a turn for the worse weatherwise in the afternoon and after sheltering in this barn, it rained all the way home!