There were so many heart-full moments on this trip but this one was right up there with the best – arriving just as the sun rose, an unplanned walk up to the halfway point of Pen Yr Ole Wen (just because the path looked so inviting), a view of Tryfan (which has totally stolen a piece of my heart!), and the most glorious walk ahead of me, around Llyn Ogwen and Llyn Idwal. Days do not come much better than this!!
I was really anxious about this trip. After a challenging year my confidence was low and I had no idea where I really wanted to be, but I set off with all the maps (literally everywhere from North Wales, Mid-Wales, the Brecons, the Wales coast path, the Lake District…) but it turns out I landed right where I was meant to be! I had only booked a campsite for the first week, and even though I did move to another site, I only moved about 3 miles down the road so I think I have found my place!
I had a goal to walk lots of mountains so that I could log them for a Mountain Leader training course at a later date, but after a few days I realised that I’m much happier in the upland & moorland areas around the mountains, and so the goal shifted, and I just followed my heart and had some fun. Meeting up with a couple of people I knew made it extra special and it reminded me that it’s good to not always walk alone #whoknew?!
I could write the longest post about how much I loved this time, but in the interests of not being too much of a holiday bore, I’ll narrow it down to a few highlights:
- this island church (above) near Aberffraw was a pure delight – cut off by the tide, it is only accessible at certain times. I arrived just as the tide was ebbing and had the place to myself for a good 15 minutes – the joy of sitting there, buffeted by the wind & warmed by the sun, looking out to the mountains of Snowdonia and the coast of the Llyn Peninsula, will stay with me for a very long time – I felt like I had died and gone to heaven!
- a friend suggested a route for me, which I would never have been able to do were it not for the fact that he told me I would be able to, and luckily I believed him because it took me to the very limit of my scrambling skills and severely tested my head for heights, but it was the MOST magnificent hike I have ever done – I’m still smiling at the memory of it! The route started by Llyn Ogwen, went up to Llyn Bochlwyd, and all the way around Tryfan so I got to see that stunning lump of rock from every angle. I very nearly went up to the summit but decided that the earlier scramble was enough excitement for one day!
- a visit to Llanddwyn gave me an unusually flat walking day, but the views and the beauty of the place more than made up for the lack of mountains. This is another headland which is cut off by the tide, and there’s something about that (perhaps the fact that I have always dreamed of living on a tiny remote island?!) which stirs my soul. Such a gem of a place, also with amazing views of the mountains and coastline.
- there was a walk I really wanted to do having visited nearby twice before, but it was an hour away from me and I wasn’t sure I could do it alone, so it was pure coincidence that a friend was leading a walk there during my stay, and invited me along! The three Yr Eifl peaks include an incredible Iron Age hillfort, Tre’r Ceiri, and it was great to go up and see it. The walking was tough, on uneven shale and boulders, but it was such a good adventure with views forever!
- for my last big hike, I met a friend in Rowen & we headed up to the top of Tal Y Fan, an unexpectedly beautiful, rugged but very accessible mountain. From there we walked to the stone circles above Penmaenmawr, and picked up the North Wales Pilgrims Way to visit St Celynnin’s old church at Llangelynnin, and headed back to Rowen for hugs goodbye. Such a beautiful day.
North Wales is my place. I love the way that the mountains wrap you up & embrace you from the moment you arrive. I love the huge views. I love sitting by an island church looking across the sea to a mountain I summited a few days ago. I love the people. I love the sound of the Welsh language, even though I don’t speak it. I love the challenge of pronouncing place names. I love the weather – apparently it rains sometimes but I haven’t seen much evidence of that!! I love the vibrancy of the place. It feels like home…
A few take-aways from time away:
- watch less TV – I didn’t miss it at all while I was away, and really enjoyed reading instead
- I can do scary things
- time with people is important – do more of that!
- having no plan is sometimes the best plan
- I don’t need product in my hair – I’m loving the feral approach much more!
- it’s good to have a washing machine & dishwasher again…
- walking is SO good – I averaged nearly 10 miles a day (not intentionally) and feel stronger and fitter, with a bit less belly fat as a bonus
- it’s okay to eat chicken or turkey sometimes – can’t quite call myself a vegetarian any more but who needs labels anyway?!
- spend more time sitting still & being – less doing
- Mr Kipling’s Bakewell tarts are an excellent walking snack! On my first day, slogging up Moel Siabod, I saw someone pull out a whole box of Mr K’s apple pies and thought how weird it was…four hours later when I reached the summit I would have given my right kidney for an apple pie or six!!! I bought a box of Bakewell tarts the next day and haven’t looked back since…
- even when a trig point is swarming with flying ants (top right above), you still have to run up and tap it, or it doesn’t count!
And then I drove home…
It always takes a few days to settle after I’ve been camping – I feel shut-in by the walls and doors – so when I got home, I unloaded the van, loaded the washing machine, had a cup of tea, and headed straight out to the beach!! As luck would have it, a friend from South Wales was visiting Rye, and we met up for a brief but joyful walk on the pebbles, which was the perfect way to land back.
And now I’m ready to get back to work next week, feeling rested and refreshed, energised & looking forward to new things on the horizon.
It’s odd to think that three weeks ago I wasn’t sure if I even wanted to go away, and yet here I am refuelled by some wonderful adventures & I think that’s the ultimate goal of taking some time away…