Llyn Elsi

After what's felt like an eternity, of illness and injury at The Cottage, we've both been back out into the big wide world again. Storm Arwen passed us by pretty much un-noticed and the snow that has followed didn't make it here either. Up in the woods above Betws y Coed, there were plenty of signs that they'd had a tough time of things a few days ago. 

It's a steep trail up into the forest from Betws, but it's lined with signs of encouragement and plenty of benches to sit and rest on the way up! We took a steady pace and were soon up at Llyn Elsi.

There were broken and battered trees all over the place and a few times we had to forge a new path through the undergrowth to maintain progress.

Other times, we just tip toed underneath without making a noise, in case they weren't yet settled.

There wasn't much in the way of blue skies, but it was just about dry. The damp mist threatened to spoil the picnic, but it passed by quickly. Neither of us was tempted for a swim!

It was mostly just great to be out and moving again after our enforced period of rest and as we'd not been up to this lake in ages, it felt like a completely new view. And a much needed one too! 

The First Frost

Finally after a pretty dull and showery week, we woke today to find the skies clear. Standing in the sunlight, feeling the warmth on my cheeks felt like a real treat,  even though there was a frost on the ground. A cheeky squirrel seems to have chewed through some important cables under the van, so it's been taken to the garage. I rode back home on the ebike, taking in a few of the hills and delighting in the crisp air.

It's been a different kind of a week for me, with far more computer and meeting based time than I'm used to. I've still taken a few groups out on some low level hikes, but going solo and stretching the legs in the sunshine felt great.

There was a very cool cobweb on the side of the shed when I got home that was catching the sunshine much better than in this photo shows! At this time of year, the sun only just gets high enough to clear the hill tops behind The Cottage!

Canoe Sailing through the Menai Straits

A new activity for me today! While I've done plenty of traditional canoeing, I've never tried the assistance of a mast and sail. I've only the scantiest experience when it comes to sailing, so was leaning heavily on John's experience and enthusiasm as we put together the new rigs on the empty, wind swept beach of Y Foryd at the western end of the Straits.

We've adapted the canoes to take the miniature masts and soon had them looking relatively sea worthy.

Getting going was a rather gripping affair in the end. The wind was blowing against the last of the out going tide creating un-unnervingly large waves that occasionally breached the gunnels of our small craft and threatened to end the whole enterprise before it had really begun. We tacked over the the edge of the flow, where it was much calmer and regained our composure. I remembered Wally's advice to never turn your back on the ocean and remained vigilant.

Caernarfon Castle shot by as the tide began to turn, giving us the advantage of both wind and tide to aid our progress. It was an impressive way to view the castle and the surrounding wall - we felt like we were getting a glimpse of what invaders from years gone by would have been greeted with.

We pulled ashore at Y Felinheli to stretch our legs, but the cafe was closed and the pub was only serving cold beers, where as we were hoping for something a little more warming. 

We pressed on, towards Plas Newydd.

The winds dropped a bit as we passed under the mammoth span of Britannia Bridge. As we did, the sun dropped out from below the clouds giving us a spectacular finale to our nearly 18km odyssey. 

Navigation was a bit more critical here as we weaved our way through the rapids the were forming in the ever shifting tidal race. A one point, we dropped down what felt like a ramp of water which suddenly appeared in front of us. Even though the wind had dropped, we had our fastest speeds as the water was squeezed though the narrowing between Anglesey and the mainland.

Our old house at Manadwyn and Menai Bridge came into view we both breathed a little sigh of relief. We were going to make it - and before darkness too! Phew!

What a way to finish. Spectacular....

We pulled up at the slipway feeling very pleased and surprisingly exhausted. Perhaps we've been working a lot of mental energy, even though the wind was putting in all the physical effort. It look a bit of time to shuttle vehicles and boats, but eventually, we arrived back at The Cottage, with a great day logged in the memory banks.

On the Little Orme

Very strong westerlies meant that the summit of the Little Orme was an exciting place to be taking in the views from today. Rather than get soaked and blown around, I opted to take my students to a much drier location and even though a few squalls blew through, we just about stayed dry. 

Facing into the wind, we could lean over to a severe angle, without falling and lost a couple of hats in the process!

Dropping down onto the sheltered side, we went to see if there were many seals on the beach - I counted 112! And there were plenty form in the water. We could hear them barking and wailing - it must had been an eerie sound if you didn't know they were down there and you arrived after dark or in the mist.

On the final section of our nearly 9km hike, the rains caught up with us. We barely got wet, but were treated to several amazing rainbow.

Eldrid OHM - Sport Climbing Safety

I've been using the little gadget on and off for a while now. The Eldrid OHM can be clipped to the first bolt on a sport climb to give a little extra friction should the leader fall unexpectedly. This help the belayed to 'catch' the fall without being given such a heavy shock. It was super handy today as I was being belayed by my students in order to put up the ropes. With it came to lowering down, there was so much friction on one climb, that I almost wasn't heavy enough to get back down! I had to pull my self down the rope, which although unusual, did make me feel much safer, with novice belayer!  

I'd certainly recommend getting one for working with groups - especially novice ones and or if the belayer is much lighter than the climber. It's getting close to the time of year, where indoor climbing walls start to become more appealing, but we managed to sneak in another outdoor session, while it was still dry and just in double figures.

The sun does dip low quickly though!

The Petzl Connect lanyard also had plenty of use today as I went up and down various ropes and climbs. Essential bit of sport climbing equipment and another very clever, yet simple bit of engineering. We climbed all day at Castle Inn and stood atop of the hill looking out to sea as an air raid siren marked the start and finish of a two minute silence.

Castle Inn Quarry:

- Tiad, 5a

- Nain, 5a

- Zunba, 5a

Back in a Wetsuit

It's been a while since I had to get into a wetsuit before diving into the sea! Last time I was at this beach, it was a shorts only affair. However, thick mist, strong winds and heavy drizzle made it obligatory for me, but I was pleased to find that the sea was still 'okay'. We've not been surfing since arriving home from Ireland and I probably would have been wrestling into my suit on a windswept coast shortly after 8am had I not got such excitable friends! Matt was keen to get in for a quick dip before work and after the initial reluctance to drag myself out of a warm bed into a dark morning, I was glad we went for it. 

The sheltered corner that we had ear marked as having the best potential, did indeed come up with a few good rides to start the day off. Not amazing, but wonderful to be 'out in the nature' with friends and 'just like to old days' as he said in a text later in the day.

The waves died off before our enthusiasm, so we got out and changed in the shelter of the van. Back home, we were showered and working away though some jobs before morning coffee break. Mega start to a grim weather day! There's been a lot of trip planning and expedition research going on, but nothing definite confirmed for the diary. Yet....

Carnedd y Filiast

Matt stayed at The Cottage last night, so the day started with a sociable breakfast of Banana Pancakes, before we set out on different paths into the day. Clare and I took a quick blast up nearby Carnedd y Filiast as the weather was set to deteriorate. It's been a while since I was striding out over a Welsh mountains and felt good to get the lungs working.  

We got to the summit while there were still some good views out to sea and wet a couple of hikers, who were as surprised as we were to see them, given the incoming forecast!

After a drink and a rest in the summit shelter, we got up to go, just as the wind arrived. We were buffeted down through the rocks and frequently lost our balance. Once onto the open slopes, we lent into the wind and rain and almost ran downhill into the shelter of the valley.

We dried out over a hot lunch at The Cottage and got prepared for a presentation that I had to give in the evening. The sunset was incredible. I watched it from my desk, looking out of the skylight as the mountainside and clouds set on fire.

We then summoned enough energy to head out after dark to meet Matt for a climb at Indy Wall on Anglesey - again for the first time in over a year. Fingers and arms could do with some extra muscle, but still felt quite flexible!

Cottage Visitors

Up until the summer, Welsh residents have not been allowed to have visitors in their home, so this week, felt a welcome change as friends and family have been coming and going. After Neil left, Nev turned up out of the blue on his 'way past' en-route to Scotland and the night after, Matt arrived from Cornwall. It's been great to catch up with friends and hear tales from around the country. 

In between the evening socials, I've been out doing a spot of orienteering on the coast. It's that time of year where you need a headtorch in your pack, as it's getting dark early!

I also had a day 'on the ropes' at Conway Slabs with some younger students.

And have given the bouldering wall a bit of love - with some new hand holds that will help with additional learning! Climbing and an English lesson all in one!

The biggest excitement of the week was a return to the Beacon Climbing Wall. Over the years I've taken groups here regularly throughout the year, but Sunday was my first time inside the place since Jan 2020! It was a lovely return and was so sociable with old faces and friends that I had to keep cutting conversations short so that I could give my group the attention! It felt great to be back and I was pleased that I could still get to the top of the main wall without too much trouble (one of the students wanted to climb it, so I had to put the rope up - no pressure!).

Local Sights and Delights

We've had Neil staying with us at The Cottage over the last few day, so took a trip down memory lane to see how things have changed at Bangor Uni since nineteen seventy something. The Main Arts Building is timeless. 

Then we took a hike up to see how the waterfalls were fairing after the recent rains.

Also hiked over Conwy Mountain to the town (and found a very nice pub to finish at!).

Good times in the local area. It's an alright place to be based!