Skins in the Sea

A fine finish to a day, with a birthday party on the beach for Bex. After a rather longer than expected hike through the sand dunes, we found the crew in a sheltered little alcove, with fire, BBQ and even some complimentary drinks, to say thanks for some recent work we'd done. 

It was overcast, but atmospheric, with clouds rolling down off the distant mountains. Before it got dark, I was persuaded to take a quick dip! 

We'd left surfboards and wetsuits in the van, so it had to be skins! My first swim of the year without a wetsuit and I was pleasantly surprised to find it much warmer than anticipated. Hot exactly hot, but not painful either!

It's always good to get in, even when unprepared!

A good social, good food and amazingly, we both have the bank holiday weekend free! A good start to some rest and relaxation!

Orienteering in Conwy

A super day teaching orienteering in the woods above Conwy. Great views of the river and a keen team meant that the day really flew by as we hunted the markers of the permeant course. 

Bluebells are starting to carpet the forest floor too. Just need some warmer temperatures now!

Rope Technician

A different kind of days work today, supporting a group event. As part of an adventure day for a big team of students, I had to set up some abseil challenges at the end of the lake.

We just got things rigged in time for the arriving groups.

Then enjoyed a sunny morning on the ropes, with this as the backdrop!

In the afternoon, we switched to canoes, and I was tasked with putting out markers for an canoe orienteering event. It was hectic, but fun to be working with other instructors, in the background, as the technician, rather than with the group.

Then finally, I finished the day with a trip to Prestatyn, to visit a friend from Australia, while he was staying with family in Wales! A full day!

 

A rest of sorts

A blissful Monday was spent at The Cottage, trying to catch up on some rest, relaxation and a bit of life admin. All was calm and there was no urgency to get out and about.

Since arriving home from Serbia, Clare has been travelling for work and it feels a bit like we've not had time to process our adventures. Today was just the day for that. Late pancake brunch, lots of coffee and slow movements. Even the little lake by The Cottage was keeping still.

Of course, it didn't last! We'd anticipated a second day of rest, by this was inturupted by the chance to catch a wave with a group of friends. Literally had to drag ourselves there, but it was fun. 

We we back at The Cottage by late afternoon and so tired we could barely stay awake! My arms (and whole body!) had had a very physical workout surfing the standing wave. Happily, champagne was being served in the sunset boulevard to celebrate some Goldcrest success! 

A Whirlwind Weekend

It's been a social, busy and logistically challenging weekend! After arriving back from the Reef gig, I was straight out to help at a camp, then spent the day on Paddleboards on Llyn Padarn with some visiting students. From there I travelled to Plas y Brenin for the AGM of the Association of Mountaineering Instructors, where it was good to see some friendly faces who had gathered from around the country. Then early on Sunday, I was back on the slopes of Tryfan with another group!

We'd left early to make sure we got somewhere to park, but also to beat the incoming rain tha was forecast for the afternoon. We managed both.

There wasn't a great deal to see at the top this time, but the rain held off.

We were back at the bus before 14:00 and didn't hang around for celebratory drinks. Instead I returned the group then went back to help strike camp with the group that I'd started out with on Saturday!

Exhausting stuff, but all very rewarding. Happy to be relaxing at home tomorrow though!

Reef - Live in Chester

Of all the bands I've seen live, I think Reef are the one that I've seen the most over the years. I've been following their progress ever since being introduced to them by Wally when I was at school and seeing them play when they were starting out. 

This gig was actually booked for last year but had been re-scheduled. It was not convenient timing as I had busy days either side of the gig, but it was more than worth the effort of getting there.

I somehow managed to get up on to a balcony area which had front row views for most of the performance, then I went down to the front for the encore. There was some really positive energy in the venue and the band looked really stoked to be playing. Good times!

The singer took a photo of the crowd near the end - you can just make me out to the right of the glitterball in a white t-shirt!

Coastal Hiking

A beautiful blue sky day for hiking a section of the Welsh Coastal Path from Llanfairfechan to Bangor. What the photos don't show are the freezing cold easterly that was whipping in some big waves on the high tide. 

While the views were glorious, I was wrapped up in full waterproofs to keep warm (as I'd left my jacket at home by mistake!).

I was working in a group who I'll be on a trekking expedition next month, so we started off the day doing some discussions about the trip and what it involves. I went through the contents of my rucsack to show what we'd be carrying and how to pack as lightweight as possible. 

Lambs in the fields and blossom on the trees made it feel very spring like.

As staff, Bex and I took turns leap-frogging the group with the bus, while the other accompanied the group as we made our way westwards, with the sea to our right and this view to our left.

Despite a worryingly slow start (we have an ambitious trek planned for May, so need to be able to cover certain distances!), we made much better progress in the afternoon, so it's looking good for the expedition.

Climbing at Tremadog

The excitement of climbing classic climbs in the Llanberis Pass was temporarily dampened due to a stubborn bank of cloud that was being held over the mountains. Having left The Cottage in full sunshine, I was disappointed to drive up past Ogwen Cottage, only to find the temperature hovering around 6 degrees and with a cold wind blowing the mists around! A quick conflab with John resulted us in re-routing to Tremadog, where eventually we broke through the cold clouds and out (thankfully!) into the sunshine! 

The first route started off a little cold, due to the breeze, but it soon turned into T-Shirt weather. 

John got us up the tricky pitches of 'The Fang', where a very hand abseil station had us back to the ground in no time. From there we traversed into 'One Step in the Clouds', which is a climb that I have done many times, but also not for many years. It felt like visiting an old friend, remembering the cracks, grooves and holds (as Tim called them, 'finger jugs'!). 

We had the luxury of abseiling almost right down to the van, and the ability to brew a coffee and enjoy a comfortable lunch!

'Merlin Direct' was our final climb of the day - again, one I'd not climbed in a couple of years. Great to be getting moving on warm rock!

After three, three star rated routes, we called it a day early, as we both had plenty to be getting on with back home. 

Tremadog Climbs:

- The Fang, HVS (5a)***

- One Step in the Clouds, VS (4c)***

- Merlin Direct, HVS (5a)***

Tryfan North Ridge

I've spent the last couple of days buried in excel sheets and making sure that plans are in place for the expeditions that I'm involved with over the next few months. It's been good to get my head into it all after being in Serbia, but really nice to be able to be based at The Cottage to do it, with fine coffee and a relaxing garden to take a break in. Once my screen based threshold had been reached, I nipped out into the valley for some 'pre-season training' - after cycling through mostly flat terrain, I needed to remind my legs how to walk uphill!

I went for the north ridge of Tryfan as it has plenty of interest as well as plenty of uphill!

I got to the top in 50 minutes, going at a steady but not excessive pace. I had the mountain to myself.

I'd hoped the clouds were lifting and I'd get a glorious sunset on the top, but the clouds were filling into the valley rather than lifting as anticipated!

I sat on the top of the summit for ten minutes, having a drink, some food and re-acquainting myself with the familiar scene, before setting off down.

I went at a steady pace, without breaking into a run. It took me 8minutes to get to the bottom of the west face and 26 to be back at the A5. I was pretty pleased with that as my 'warm up' to the hill walking season! By the time I got home, there was thick mist at The Cottage and I was happy to retreat inside to a welcome hot shower.

Coming and Goings....

After making it home from Belgrade, we managed to have a night in our own bed, before turning around and heading straight back out the door! We arrived back on a wet afternoon, but were at least treated to a good view between unpacking and washing kit the next day.

On Wednesday, we were back at Manchester Airport, where I left Clare (who went to Amsterdam for work), and carried on south to Fort Martin, where Spring was in the air.

A blustery day with the family, including a hike out to Grandad's tree in between some heavy hail showers with the little ones.

We had a cool time mucking around together and in the evening we were joined by Tracey and Chris too.

It was the early hours of Friday morning by the time I'd got home, (via the airport to collect Clare, and a stop at a salsa dancing club on the way home!). Since we'd been away, there has been fresh snow on the mountains again!