In the Somerset Sunshine

Seems like ages ago now, but we fantastic May bank holiday weekend in Somerset with the family. An alpine start from North Wales wasn't enough to beat the crowds on the motorway and the usual 5 hour drive turned into an 11 hour oddessy! Without air-con, we slowly melted into the seats of the van as the sun beat down. Saviour came in the form of a two hour break at Portishead Quarry, where we pulled off the M5 and enjoyed the solitude of the brilliant slab climb there. We could see the traffic from the cliff top, so waited until it started moving before carrying on!

We were last to arrive at Ilton, but the hugs, greetings and delightful fodder were worth the drive. It was like summer had arrived overnight and we stayed out in the garden until dark, before the real treat of actually being allowing inside someone else's house! (a forbidden thing, still in Wales!)

During the weekend, we were treated to all sorts of activities and treats. Bob and I spent Saturday morning, turning heads along the country lanes in 'the babe magnet' as the Wolseley is affectionately known.

It was also good conditions for some BBQ and Badminton action!

At Clare's Birthday celebrations continued as well!

A few nice walks were had...

And we got to try something new as well!

Under some expert guidance of course...

Portishead Quarry Climb:

- Brink of Solarity, HVS (5a)*** (Ogwen VS!!)

Ogwen Classic Climbs Expedition

Two more days of classic rock climbing in the Ogwen Valley with some great students have given two more memorable days out. We started up at Llyn Idwal for a team ascent of Idwal Slabs.

We climbed as two teams, pretty much side by side, to allow for and enjoyable and social ascent. Some of the top sections were still a bit wet, but generally, it was in good condition.

Great views from the ledges as always...

By evening things had really cleared up, so we went for a sun set journey down the lake to finish off a great day.

On Thursday, the request from the students was for something a bit steeper, so we walked over to Bochlwyd Buttress, for some long, vertical pitches.

Again, this allowed us to climb several lines pretty much side by side.

The climbs were at just the right level of difficulty - hard, but achievable and by taking up an abseil rope, we all had an easy (and for some, rather exhilarating) 40m ride back to the base of the cliff!

Bochlwyd Buttress Climbs:

- Five Pitch Route, S**

- Marble Slab, HS**

- Arete and Slab, V.Diff

- Two Pitch Climb, S*

Rock Climbing at Holyhead Mountain

Usually at this time of year, I'd be away on a rock climbing expedition somewhere in Europe. Sardinia, Switzerland, Italy, France were pretty regular venues, but this year my students and I are on a rock tour of North Wales! We might not be getting the excitement of the travel and overnight experience, but we have lucked out with the weather. Holyhead mountain was breezy, but cloud free all day.

I was working with our great staff team of Leo, John and Bex which meant that all of the students got plenty of time on the rock and at a level of challenge to suit them. A brilliant start to our three day classic rock tour...

Holyhead Mountain Climbs:

- Teenage kicks, S

- Stairs, S

- New Boots and Panties, S

- Tension, HS

- Birthday Climb, S

A Day at the Beach

After a wet weekend of Gorge Walking, it was a relief to get back into the sunshine. Over on the coast, Clare had spotted a good surf forecast so we set off early to catch some waves while the tide was right. We had no fixed plan after that, but had a feeling that the beach would provide...

There were a few other surfers out, including a couple of friends who we'd not seen in ages, so after catching some great waves, we parked up by their camper van to share a coffee and some stories. They had the perfect parking spot, with views of the river, sea and with plenty of warming sunshine. Cake follow coffee and soon enough lunch was served as well as we swapped tales of adventures and ideas for future ones. Fabulous. A real holiday day.

A walk along the beach to digest was suggested, so we all set off barefoot to see what we would find. Hermit crabs were in the rock pools...

And we invented a good game using various bit of flotsam and jetsome, including a golf ball, a fish jawbone and a surfboard fin... All good wholesome fun with some lovely people. I ached more from the laughter than the surfing later.

 

Aberfraw Treasure Hunting

Another wet and wind day where we could have justifiably cancelled all activities, but instead, we got wrapped up and went exploring on the Anglesey coast. There was 'treasure everywhere' as someone exclaimed and we were so busy looking for it, that we barley noticed the drizzle. Here's some of the things we found...

A quality day of embracing the conditions...

Rock Skills Training

We were due to be running some staff coasteering training and development on Anglesesy, but wild winds and a big swell, changed the plans to going somewhere more sheltered. A day of exploration and rock climbing rescues ensued with lots of new crags and areas of the Great Orme visited. 

Conditions, although we were mostly sheltered from the wind, remained sub-par all day and were testament to the teams psych!

Stuck climbers, hoist and all sort of rope trickery was trained, refreshed or learnt, with everyone pitching in constructive opinions and ideas.

We went up ropes and down ropes and made use of this big cave area to stay out of the rain!

Arrived back soaked but educated and with good review in the cafe, now that we are allowed in such places!

 

Birthday Adventures

Our escape to the Lake District started off at the base of Windemere, where rain forced us inside the Swan Hotel rather than sitting on the lake side terrace. We were their first indoor customers of the year! We continued up past Broomriggs, to Ambleside, where we found more sustenance, before walking around Rydal Lake in search of a swim spot as the sun came out.

The northerly wind persuaded us to stay out of the water, so the views and bluebell woodlands (and a little snooze on the beach) were all we needed.

At the head of Lake Windmere, we checked into our hotel and enjoyed some chilled bubbles as the sun put some heat into the evening terrace.

After dinner we walked down to the waters edge, where the sky was glowing red in anticipation of approaching fine weather.

As promised, things looked much warmer and drier in the morning!

We drove into Langdale and after finding the last parking spot in the entire valley, were able to go climbing in the sun shine all day!

The conditions and views could hardly have been better. And on the way back to the car later that evening, we stopped in the Old Dyngon Ghyll Hotel.

There are not many crags that have a sunny pub garden at the bottom of them, so we made use of the facilities with a cold drink and a hot dinner before leaving for the drive back to The Cottage.

On 'the big day' after a gentle start, we went over to the lake for a swim.

This time with wet suits, which was far more fun and enjoyable - although it was still cold to start with!

Lunch was taken on the new terrace, with views of Snowdon at the lake side cafe, before we both had to return to work for the afternoon. Afterwards, we were able to enjoy presents in the warmth of The Cottage gardens, before the real treat of meeting friends for a celebratory meal (indoors!) on the banks of the Menai Straits. 

Raven Crag Climbs, Langdales, Lake District:

- Evening Wall, S (4a)**

- Oak Tree Wall, S (4a)**

- Original Route (P1), S (4a)**