Blogs from Gwynedd, Wales, United Kingdom, Europe - page 5

Although not adventures round the world sometimes it is right to look at what we have close at hand . It seems we get obsessed with travelling to far off lands without looking at what is just round the corner. Gap years here and there , long distance travel becoming the norm. In our twenties you were lucky to get a holiday in this country . Now it seems everyone must have a gap year and they overlook some of the interesting and beautiful things here. Give us the good weather and we can give as good as we get . Over the winter months the opportunity does come around to look at the lay of the land and make the decision to stop wandering far afield and visit what is on the doorstep. There are ... read more

De retour sur les sièges inconfortables d'avion (là-où-il-est-impossible-de-passer-une-nuit-réparatrice), afin d'assister à une semaine de cours des plus intéressants ( voyez par vous même ), à l'Université de Bangor, puis une semaine de découverte des environs (tant qu'à y être!) en très bonne compagnie!! :) Je suis partie hier (samedi, à l'aéroport dès 16h) et viens à peine d'arriver à la résidence de Bangor, soit autour de 10h am, dimanche (heure de Montréal). Voici, en primeur, mes tous premiers ressentis de cette (déjà) palpitante aventure...: Une nuit blanche et un total de 18 heures caractérisées par: 2 voyagements en avion (intrecoupés par une course folle dans l'aéroport), 1 en bus, 2 en train, et une petite marche santé pour fiiiinaaaalement arriver à desti... read more

We made our way out from Edinburgh down over the border to leave Scotland - but hopefully not forever. Our destination was the walled city in Northern Yorkshire, York. York & the Vikings Since an earlier visit to York a few years before, the Viking Centre had been number one on Jo's list. Alas, the first time around it was too late to visit the museum so Jo had to make do playing with the replica swords and helmets in the gift shop. Not a complete loss! This time round though she wasn't missing out and had Brett ready and waiting along with the hoards of school children at the entrance in the morning. The Jorvik Centre is built over the remains of 1000 year old houses unearthed in excavations between 1976-81 and showcases the artifacts ... read more

I have finally climbed the highest mountain in Wales and England! I admit I’ve become a little obsessed with getting this mountain out of the way. I’ve had a crack at it twice and while I’ve been to the top before, not until now, 100% under my own steam. Visit 1 was last March which was the tourist train to the snow line, a trudge to the summit in the snow then back down by foot. Visit 2 was last August when we got turned back about 2/3 of the way up by 60 mile an hour winds coming up over the ridge. Visit 3 ... Success! Snowdon at 1085m (3,650ft) isn’t the toughest mountain to climb and if you choose one of the more relaxed routes on the West Side of the mountain, like we ... read more

Grey, steely, still, eerie day. Cloud cover near 100% but cloudbase is high so circuit around and including Cadair Idris completed. A bit too busy for my liking on the way up and on the summit of Cadair Idris itself. Had to politely inform the couple who were about to follow me on my "extend the trek" circuit of the lake (Llyn) that they were going the wrong way if they were heading for the summit (which they were). Circuit of lake was wonderfully peaceful as nobody else was bothering with it. Very temped to escape up the gully track to the col from the far side of the llyn but decided it might cut the walk short so left it for another day. Completed circuit with a pause to wave back to the frantically waving ... read more