On foot around Llyn Padarn

Completed a full circumnavigation of Llyn Padarn today, taking in plenty of sights and points of interest along the way. Starting off with Dolbadarn Castle.

A little drizzle threatened to damped us, but there was a bit of a view from the top of the castle.

As a squall reached us, we descended to the slate quarry and took shelter in the museum while it passed.

It's an incredible place - and free to enter as well. The workshops were really interesting and pretty much unchanged from when they were last used.

Back out in the dry, we followed the railway to a delicious lunch in the Caban, before completing the 9.9km circuit feeling suitable exercised. 

Camp Cooking with Canoes

Took a small team of students for a little journey in the canoes today.  

It was a little dark and stormy, but we made it back to base before the rain and gales arrived.

To add a little extra sparkle to the usual packed lunches, we took the new portable pizza oven with us in the canoe and found a sheltered(ish) little beach to set up a brief camp near the old railway.

Our first attempt at 'warming' the sausage rolls gave us a good indication of the oven temperature! They had flames licking out of each end when they came out!! Ha ha!

Once we'd tamed the beast a bit, we had a go with a pizza, which had much better results! What a treat on a cold and windswept beach! (especially for the student who had fallen in the lake!).

The return journey was rather more exciting as the wind had picked up and was threatening to prevent us from crossing back over to the minibus! A solid team effort, lots of coaxing and some strong paddling was needed to reach the shelter of the bay on the far side.

On Expedition across Holy Island

Back on a genuine expedition journey with students for the first time in quite a while. Not that far from home still, but a rewarding journey up and over Holyhead Mountain on Holy Island with some intrepid explorers in tow. A journey with an unknown outcome but with a super group of people.

Not the best views from the 220m high point and very windy too. 'Atmospheric' would be a good description.

Plenty of gnarly old rocks along the way.

We stayed in a bunkhouse overnight and after a night hike to the beach, returned the next morning to see the view properly.

Then we carried on our journey along the coastal path in great weather.

On one little beach, we spent a good hour 'treasure hunting' and all came away with plenty of souviners.

Made it back to The Cottage on Saturday night where the first Snowdrops were waiting for me along with Clare and Neil, ready for a night out in Bangor!

Woodland Explorers

There's been some cook outdoor cooking been going on over the last few days - beginning on Wednesday with a test run with the new portable pizza oven!

Today, my cafe was set up at the top of the woods, with hot water provided by the 'kelly kettles'.

Lunch was cooked on the open fire...

On a special 'hot plate' that was placed on top of the embers, in order to fry up the veggies!

All this fuelled some explorations of the forests of the Conwy Valley as part of a John Muir Award project that I am organizing with some students.

Looking closely was one of the themes. There's a lot of detail once you get your eye in.

Glorious January conditions - double-figure temps too!

Finished the day with some hard grafting, moving logs about.

Party at The Fort

A few days of teaching climbing and a residential activity weekend here in Wales and suddenly a week has flown by! The highlight has been a quick visit to the Fort for some birthday antics and a meet up with the whole family team - a rare event indeed these days to all sit down together for a big meal. A fine way to celebrate Pappa Martin's 75th birthday.

As well as family time, we also had a few strolls around the village too and saw a few friendly faces from years ago...

As well as plenty of fine dining and cake as well. Naturally.

On Monday, I got a bit more tuition on the Lathe and have made a start on another bowl, using a fine block of wood that we uncovered on a dusty shelf.

The grain came up really well.

I'm going to need to do some hoovering and dusting next time I think though!

Cold temperatures stopped play in the end, before we could attach the chuck for the second phase of turning. It's all ready for the next visit!... 

On the way back to The Cottage a trip to the Roaches for a quick climb was thwarted by temperatures only reaching 2 degrees and a light drizzle falling.

Moel Faban

There was another stunning sunrise this morning, but this time, I enjoyed it from the warmth of The Cottage kitchen. The colours of the clouds were stunning, but unlike yesterday, there was  a wind blowing now.

After a morning of working online, we set out for a hike up nearby Moel Faban. I was pretty tired after yesterdays excitement, so although the weather was still good, I didn't really have the energy for a big hike. This objective fitted the bill nicely. An easy to reach summit, fine views and some steady exercise.

Once we reached the top, we sunbathed for a bit by the shelter of some rocks, just chatting and taking in the views.

Sunrise to Moonrise in Snowdonia

Wow. What a day. I was up in the mountains before the sun had risen to enjoy a cloudless and windless start to the day wandering around watching the colours change. It was magic. Here are a few of the scenes as I scrambled up the Minus East butress of Y Garn. 

It was about 08:20 when the sun came over the horizon and all the peaks were illuminated.

I made my way down via a few of the small lake to see the reflections.

They were icing up in front of me!

I was back at The Cottage for brunch and a shower, then Clare and I spent the day climbing in the sunny slate quarry.

Once the sun hit the horizon, the temperature plummeted again, so we retreated to Pete's Eats for a warm up and re-fuel before the next mini adventure.

We met some friends by the lake after dark and set off until a brilliantly bright full moon. It was completely flat calm and without a breath of wind. Amazing conditions.

As we paddled up the river at the end of the lake, a spooky mist blew through making it even more atmospheric.

Then we turned around and made our way slowly towards the bright lights of the village, spotting stars along the way. A fine day out!