Sunshine and Surf

Without a breath of wind on the forecast and the last push of swell still arriving from across the Atlantic, we set our sights on a trip to the beach this morning. With only a small but glassy swell, I took my kayak for a surf rather than the usual surf board and was glad too - I could pick up all the waves I wanted!

Aled joined us for a life affirming float about in the ocean - it was so calm that I didn't even get my hair wet, so stayed warm enough between waves. It was also mellow enough surf that on occasion we all caught the same wave and whooped all the way back into the beach together!

Afterwards, it was so nice that we decided to stay and enjoy the warmth of the November sunshine.

We'd come prepared for this option, so soon had a coffee brewing, while we sat on my upturned kayak and watched the waves.

Then to top it all off, as we were enjoying a fine 'George Boyd' drink, we saw a whole bunch of dolphins, leaping around out to sea! Amazing! A wonderful way to spend a late November day...

Hiking and Biking

Another few days fly by! I've been away again for a few days on another residential trip, but only as far as Betws y Coed. Highlight of the trip was a hike along Conwy Mountain and into Conwy. 

Wet underfoot, but some good views...

Finishing with a trip along the Castle walls and turrets of Conwy Castle.

Clare has also been away this week, working in Paris. Nice to come home to some good bakery products!

Today (Monday), we took a ride out to the Menai Straits. It was a marginal forecast, which turned out to be wetter that anticipated!

Until we got down to the dock, where it was beautifully calm.

Nice riding back towards the mountains and The Cottage, even if it was rather uphill.

A spooky mist was rising off the ground as we came through the last village.

Once the bike were cleaned up, it was great to make the most of The Cottage fireside! Toasty warm inside tonight...

Local Activities

Really made the most of the local environment today! I literally rolled out of bed and drove 4 minutes down the road to meet Aled for a kayak on the River Ogwen. We just did the short town section, to fit around each others plans for the rest of the day. Last night's rains had brought up the river to to a perfect level, and now there were blue skies and warm sun! It was a beautiful run through the rapids as the sunlight shone beams of misty light through the trees. All very alpine. I kept wanting to stop and get some photos, but at the same time, wanted to just enjoy the morning, with out the faff - I was also concentrating quite hard to negotiate the white water while staying upright!. I was back home just after 11am, with kit out on the line to dry as Clare finished her morning's work.

A quick kit change ensued and half an hour later, we were hiking up the Aber valley!

Lovely colours in the bracken at the moment and plenty of water in the river too.

We were loosely aiming for the summit of a mountain called Drum, but traversed off just before the summit as the sun set early behind the Carneddau and it was nowhere near as warm in the shade!

We followed the track that leads to the North Wales long distance path, which took us back to the van. There was still snow up on the summits...

The First Snow of Winter

Had an interesting start to the day, on my way to meeting my group of mountaineers, when we came across a cow on the loose! Did our best at herding it back towards the field then watched in surprise as it vaulted the fence! Good effort!

On up Tryfan, the weather was due to deteriorate around lunch time and that's exactly what it did! Rather than set our sights on the summit, we set out to find the Cannon Stone and get some good photos on it. Having just got the last snaps of everyone, the sleet and snow swept in stinging our faces as we beat a retreat back down the north ridge, along with a whole procession of other ill equipped walkers who tagged along. It was like a mass exodus of the mountains. I was getting cold hands through my wet gloves, the tracksuit and trainers only guys following, must have been freezing!

As we got back down into more civilized conditions, we could see a light dusting of snow laying on the Carneddau on the opposite side of the valley. More rain later probably means it won't last long though...

A Journey Down the Mawdach

I've been down in southern Snowdonia on a mini-expedition following the River Mawdach out to sea, from the old Toll Bridge at Penmeanpool.

Lots of good wildlife encounters along the way and a very friendly little Robin.

It rained the whole journey there, but as soon as we got hiking along the old railway, things began to brighten up and our waterproofs were not needed on the entire journey.

Some lovely evening light on Friday as we approached the mouth of the estuary.

The sunset was making this old iron bridge really glow!

We got to Arthog Outdoor Education Centre (our accommodation for the night), just before dark, then after dinner set back out, over the long bridge to Barmouth on a night hike.

As well as the lights of the town, we saw some fantastic shooting stars as we crossed the bridge. One when the whole way across the sky! Incredible!

Saturday greeted us with blue skies and the first frost of the winter!

My group and I hiked up on the mountain side behind the centre and joined the Welsh coastal path.

Super views and cold fingers!

From the high level coastal path, we journeyed south to Llangwril, with views all the way up the coast to the Lleyn.

Having located the pre-placed minibus, we stopped on the way home for a quick run on the beach at Fairbourne...

Where we found a sunbathing starfish!

Made it home to The Cottage in the evening and collapsed in front of the fire! A great trip, but exhausting!

Surf Therapy

It's sometimes hard to tell when to 'get back to it' after you've been unwell. The cold air was not enticing me towards getting me into a wetsuit or the ocean, but as the day brightened up, we decided we'd got enough energy to go down to the beach and at least soak up some fresh air.

'Just in case', we took our boards along! The sun felt warm again and we were both drawn to the surf, so I guess we must be a bit better. Didn't stay in long (and didn't have the energy to at any rate), but both got a couple of rides that had it worth going in for. The water still felt pleasantly warm - although I was well wrapped up in neoprene - including gloves!

Feeling much better for the buzz, we walked along the coastline and up to the viewpoint in the late afternoon sun.

A good afternoon and a sure sign that we're getting back on track. Beautiful light too.

A Parting Gift

After arriving back in Wales, I enjoyed a couple of great days of climbing work, while Clare and the others stayed on in Yorkshire.

The remainder of my weeks work came to an abrupt halt in the middle of the night on Thursday. It seemed that little Ben had given me a parting gift and very generously shared his recently acquired Norovirus with me! Clare had already called to say that everyone had fallen ill up north and I'd thought that I had got away just in time. Apparently not... The next few days seemed to simply have vanished, leaving me weak and exhausted. 

Clare arrived home on Friday, but it was Sunday before I managed to get myself vertical enough to enjoy some of the late summer weekend scenes around The Cottage.

There was even a firework display one evening which we watched from the garden.

I was a bit disappointed not to be running the planned Mountain Skills course on Sunday as the weather was incredible. It was 19 degrees Celsius at The Cottage and boiling hot on the summits according to John when reported back later! It felt good to feel the sun on my face though.

I managed a short walk down to the river and back as well as a few bits of toast!

Defiantly on the mend by Monday, but not up to much rapid movement. The weather has turned overcast but nice enough for a walk by the straits for some fresh air... 

Rest and food seem to be what my body is asking for. I'm seeing it as powering back up for the coming week!