Fossil Hunting at the Kilve Coast

Decided to take a walk along the north Somerset coast to get some fresh air and walk off some of the excesses of the weekend. It was really windy and cold, but not raining as forecast. What happened to summer!?

The cliffs are amazing here and although dreadful in terms of rock climbing, provide some fascinating geological sights, with all sorts of layers of rock types.

We spent some time hunting for fossils as we walked. This was our best find, but we decided that it was a bit too big to take away!

And on the back of yesterday's skittling excitement, we made our own 'beach' version.

After leaving the beach, we made an attempt to start driving north, but it soon became clear that we were both way too tired to be driving. We broke out the 'Mason Reseach Machine' and soon had ourselves checked into a reduced rate nearby luxury spa hotel! Result! Sleep, sauna, steam room and further sleep soon follwed as well as a (light) meal in the bar, overlooking the countryside. Sunday night was clearly a good time to be staying the Hotel, as we were practically the only guests!

Celebrations in Somerset

It could have seemed like a long drive down to Somerset, but the majority of the guests at this weekends 70th celebrations had come from much further than North Wales. We broke the journey by having a night with other siblings in Taunton, (and the 'traditional' cooked breakfast at Neil's), before carrying on. It was a real international select team that came together in the south-west to celebrate Pat's 70th Birthday. With flights landing from France, Newfoundland in Canada, Frankfurt and Seattle, we all assembled on Saturday morning at the beautiful old hall of Blackmoor Farm in deepest darkest Somerset.

We had the quirkiest room ever, with some serious antique features, including our own 'upstairs' suite! It was like going back in time, with everything beautifully preserved.

But before we could get too comfy, we made our way down to the local pub, for what was to be my induction into the crazy world of 'Somerset Skittling'. In the pub (and many in this area, I'm told), was a skittles alley. Nine, insanely heavy skittles were evenly laid out at the far end of an uphill, slightly bumpy alley

And we each had three equally heavy, round(ish) wooden balls to bowl. I've no idea what kind of hardwood it was, but they were heavy as lead.

As far as I could establish, one has to try and knock down as many skittles (or pins perhaps?) as possible, after bouncing the ball off the wooden centre-board and without hitting the sides of the alley. Sounds easy right!?...

After a few practice throws/bowls/bounces, the assembled cast was split into two teams for the main tournament.

Scores were kept on the pub's official scoreboard, which provided a thrilling commentary as well as some good mental arithmetic practice. 

After a strong start, my team's form took a slow and steady dive (possibly due to being unused to the effects of afternoon cider consumption) and took a convincing beating, with Bob getting the top score, followed by Andy and Clare in silver and bronze position). However, I should point out that Clare was the only person to get all the skittles down in one round. It was a brilliant activity, with everyone getting involved. A 'time-out' was called at around 4:30pm, and we returned to the manor house to relax before dinner. A nap would probably have been prudent at this point, but we spent the time relaxing with a drink or two at Andy and Jonelle's luxurious 'house', in one of the beautifully converted barns, before getting changed for dinner. The evening meal, after a prosecco starter, was served in the great hall on a twenty-foot banquet table (made from single lengths of wood!), which Anna had decorated.

The food was excellent and we all felt like royalty as it was brought to the table and served to us. I had to make sure I didn't over eat on the starter and main course, as there looked to be some serious deserts to contend with afterward! (not served by the knight). I managed some of each, only to discover that there was still a cheese course and coffee and mints to come!

And of course, there was 'The Birthday Cake'....

After the meal, (I could barely move, I was so full), we were all invited to walk round to 'The Cider Press', where Bob and Pat were staying, for nightcaps, then 'the siblings' retired to the drawing room for some late night chatter. 

We got a bit of sleep but were back down in the Great Hall before we knew it, for a long and sociable breakfast. Then all too soon, it was time for people to start to begin their homeward (or in some cases onward) journeys. It had been a marvelous event, with family, friendships and a whole lot of fun. It had been a real 'occasion', especially with the fantastically unusual venue and everyone having traveled from so far around the globe to be there. We left utterly full and completely exhausted. Thanks, Pat - you sure know how to throw a party!

Mountain Skills on the 'Other' Tyrfan

Did you know that there is more than one 'Tryfan' mountain in Snowdonia? At the end of the Llanberis Pass, there is a smaller peak with the famous name, that provided us with some great terrain for today's mountain skills session. 

I was working with my expedition group, practicing some of the scrambling and mountaineering techniques that we'll need while away on expedition in June. This 'other' Tryfan, (as well as having some great views of Llyn Peris and the Slate Quarries, has lots of steep, scrambling terrain, where we looked at route choices and how to make the exposed bits as safe as possible.

From the summit (a modest 600m or so), the view south, into the Llanberis Pass was great, although the strong, cold wind, had us wearing gloves.

From the summit, an easy descent can be taken to the west to join the main trail up Snowdon, which we followed back down to the village. Great circuit.

Fresh Air, 6a - Llanberis Slate Quarry

Up and out early my first slate route of the year this morning! It was surprisingly nippy as we walked around towards the Never Never Land area, but beautifully peaceful. Monday mornings eh...

We've probably climbed this route more than any other in the quarry, but still enjoy doing it. I suspect we've made an ascent of it at the start of each summer season as our warm-up climb. It still provides enjoyable moves and good, well-bolted climbing after a nice walk in. Perfect.

And we'll never get tired of the views over towards Snowdon from the top. The air vent goes down into the mountain to provide ventilation to the power station hidden below us in 'Electric Mountain'.

Never Never Land - Llanberis Slate:

- Fresh Air, 6a***

Back Under Canvas

The Welsh heat wave has given us a nice gentle introduction to the start of this year's camping season. A barmy twenty-two degrees made for some very pleasant conditions for Will and I, as Duke of Edinburgh's Award expedition trainers, but tough conditions for the students we were working with. We both felt for them as they laboured past the various checkpoints, sweating under the weight of their expedition rucksacks!

After a busy time getting packed and shopping for supplies, they set off from near Aberfalls to hike a section of the North Wales footpath.

While the guys were working hard, we found a few minutes to take in the views of the North Wales coastline while waiting to meet the groups - Gotta get the 'down time' in while you can!

My first camp of the year was a very civilised affair. It was good to have 'Terry Nova' back up, and to have the camp gear back out of the stores. Of course, it helps to have a lovely warm evening!

Day two of the expedition was not quite as summery, with thick mist and a temperature drop right down to single figures! We managed to get the tents down before the rain started, feeling glad that we'd be back under a solid roof by evening.

Out and about - making the most of the sunshine.

Waking up at The Cottage on a blue sky morning is always a treat. Today, after breakfast, I sat in the garden for the first time this year to read before getting ready for a day of Mountain Walking on what was looking and feeling like a summers day.

The day also ended in the sun as we basked in the sunshine on top of Tryfan Bach, having squeezed in time for a climb.

We had to climb fast to get up and out of the shadows, but once on top, we were reluctant to descend into the shade! The rock was warm to touch. We found a good ledge and lay back to soak up the warmth with the sunset in our eyes.

The evening was as much about the views as it was the climbing.

I'd already been down to the seaside at Penmeanmawr with my group of DofE students to cool down after their training hike, that I'd been helping them with.

Up on the hills, there were plenty of wild ponies wandering around...

As we made our way along the North Wales path. A gentle breeze kept the temperatures sensible as we worked on some navigation skills. And we moved unhurried, taking our time to appreciate the views...

Tryfan Bach:

- Route 2, V.Diff

Slate Quarry Life

Before the Llanberis slate quarry became popular as a rock climbing destination, it was one of the biggest quarries of its type in the county (reputed at one time to be the largest man-made hole in the world).  I spent the day with a group of young students, looking at what it might have been like to work in the quarry when it was still in operation.

No need for helmets and harnesses back then - Health and Safety still yet to be invented. We had a good giggle comparing current practices with the old ways in the museum by Llanberis.

It turned into the hottest day of the year so far, with temperatures reaching an astonishing 25 degrees in the afternoon, while we had a go at splitting slates with a chisel and lump hammer up in the main quarry. 

The views over to Snowdon and Llanberis were at their best today. Summer feel indeed...

Pannier Practice

Decided to go out for lunch today, via some peddle power. Left The Cottage and got straight onto the cycle track in the direction of Bangor.

Flowers were just coming into bloom in the verges - including the first Blue Bells that I've seen this year.

And a more than a few Wood Anenomies as well - they were carpeting the forest floor. 

Soon enough we were down by the Menai Straits, enjoying a bit of a summer holiday feel! The colour of the sea looked tropical.

While we were down by the sea, we went onto the pier. It's a great viewing point.

You can look back and get a full view of the mountains from the end.

The ride was also a bit of a test run for Clare's new touring gear - panniers, handlebar bag and GPS holder. We've no fixed plans yet, but we're both quite keen for a big expedition by bike before too long, so it's been good to be able to give things a test run close to home.

We arrived at our destination - a pub called The Slate, ready for a big feed at 14:20. Unfortunately, they'd stopped serving food at 2pm! Nooooo!... We spent a few minutes discussing whether to try and make it back to The Cottage on an empty tank, or maybe getting some crisps to tide us over. We must have looked really tired and disappointed as the barmaid came back over to us (after telling us that the kitchen was closed) and said that the chef was waiting for a lift home but would rustle us up a quick sandwich if we wanted! What a result! What hero! We didn't decline!

Fully fueled up on tea and baguettes, we made our way back up the hill to The Cottage, stopping briefly to chat to two friends who were walking down to Port Penrhyn. It was uphill and into the wind, but we felt good and arrived back buzzing... Very lucky to be able to do a 26km ride, via the seaside and a nice pub, almost entirely on cycle tracks from our front door!

Orienteering Organising

A different kind of Sunday for me - organising an orienteering event! Left the house with shorts on for the first time this year as it felt pretty warm and I knew that it would be an energetic day! Setting out the course was great - all was quiet, fresh and peaceful as I jogged around the woods with a pack full of markers. There was a great view over Llandudno and the bay from the highest point on the course.

I had 44 students taking part in the event - They had a set amount of time to collect stamps from as many markers as they could find. Easy ones were worth five points, hard ones, or further away ones, were worth more so it was quite a strategic race!

The event went really well, with everyone chasing around like mad and getting into the friendly competition vibe. Afterwards, I had to run the course a second time to collect the markers back in - my GPS said that I'd covered 16km - Certainly the longest I've run in a while!! 

You can barely see it in the photo below, but when I got home, there was a really vibrant rainbow over The Cottage. A nice day indeed....