Padarn Paddleboarding

Hard to beat a start to a day with a morning brew with a view like this! A little planning and a slice of good luck meant that an early start gave us some stunning paddleboarding conditions at the lake.

We'd agreed to meet our friend Beth, who is visiting the area, nice and early to beat the crowds, but also to make the most of the lull in the wind. We couldn't have timed it better. As soon as we had the boards inflated, Beth arrived and we set off onto a mirror calm lake. Even though it's holiday season, we were surprised to find ourselves alone as we paddled the length of the lake to the Slate Museum. An absolute magic morning - I'd left my camera in the van, but in the middle of the lake, with Snowdon reflecting clear in front of us like a mirror, I began to wish I had brought it along!

We saved the views into the memory banks as we paddled and nattered our way towards the Llanberis Pass. At the far end of the lake, it was like everyone else had just got up and suddenly, there were lots of other people enjoying the water. Typically, a wind picked up - in the wrong direction, so the paddle home was much harder! We could at least cool down with a swim though! By the time we got off the water, the day had properly got going and the clouds were building once again.

Once packed away, we walked over to the Caban Cafe for a celebratory coffee, feeling suitably pleased with ourselves.

From the cafe, we all went our separate ways. I'd got the bike in the van, so cycled off down to Bangor to do a few errands, then back up to The Cottage, which turned out to be a 25km ride! I was glad a a lie down and a shower when I got home!