North Wales - Day 9

It was cloudy in the morning but the forecast was for better weather later, so we decided to go up Mount Snowdon (1085m). We drove to the Pen-y-Pass car park, getting there about 8.20am, only to find it was full already.

We had to drive 3 miles down the valley to the Park and Ride and get the bus back up again. We hadn't yet had breakfast, so we ate it in the lower car park.

By the time we caught the bus back up, it was 9.30am before we started walking. There were a lot of people around, and it was raining a bit when we set off.

We went up the Pyg path, which starts steeply from the car park then levels off a bit.

The rain had stopped by now, and it was occasionally very warm when the sun came out.

The path got steeper again later, and when we climbed up to the summit ridge we met the train just setting off down.

At the summit it was very busy, and we had occasional views around when the cloud cleared.

We then went down again, taking the Miners' path this time, which was steep down to the lake then quite gentle.

By the time we got to the bottom, then caught the bus back to the car park, it was about 3pm. Nevertheless we decided we could drive all the way home.

There was a traffic jam on the M56 due to an accident which delayed us over an hour, so it was slow going. We stopped at Lancaster services for a sandwich then eventually arrived home about 10.30pm.

North Wales - Day 8

We left the site in the morning and drove to the old mining village of Croesor. Our plan was to walk up Cnicht, at 689m. The path goes steeply up to a ridge then more gently for a while.

Cnicht is known as the Welsh Matterhorn as from the south it looks a bit like it.

Towards the top the path gets much steeper again. The views were good, though it was very cloudy for most of the day.

We could could see back down towards the estuary at Porthmadog.

We could also see Snowdon to the north.

A rescue helicopter was below us and did a lot of hovering about, we never found out whether it was just training or actually looking for someone.

From the top we decided to go down to the head of the valley where the deserted Rhosydd slate quarry is, with heaps of slate waste and abandoned houses and industrial buildings.

We carried on round the head of the valley and up the mountain on the other side, Moelwyn Mawr at 770m. From near the top we could see down to Blaenau Ffestniog.

After a long walk down we drove to the same wild camping spot we'd used the previous week, Dolwydellan Castle car park. For dinner we had fish fingers, beans and fried potatoes which was great!

North Wales - Day 7

The Bristol lot were leaving today, but first we were going for a relatively short walk. We packed up and left the site and drove about 10 miles north to the Coed-Y-Brenin forestry centre car park.

We did the Waterfall Walk, which was very nice, through forests and some steep uphill and downhill stretches.

We reached the impressive waterfalls, and had a stop for a snack there.

We went along a narrow path into a gorge to see another waterfall.

We had lunch at the centre, and said goodbye to the others who were travelling back to Bristol.

We then decided to drive north a little and stay in the Cae Du campsite just outside Beddgelert.

We had tuna, tomato and pasta for dinner and had an early night.

North Wales - Day 6

Today's walk was along the Mawddach Trail, an old railway track that goes between Dolgallau and Barmouth.

First we drove in cars and parked in Dolgellau. We had a walk round town and a coffee in a cafe. We then caught the 11.20 bus to Barmouth, which was free!

At Barmouth we started walking, first crossing beside the current railway bridge at the mouth of the estuary.

We then sat and had lunch overlooking the water.

It was a flat walk, in total about nine miles. Two miles from the end is the George the Third pub, where we stopped for a drink.

A toll bridge crosses the estuary at this point.

When we got back into Dolgellau we went to the Torrent Walk Hotel for a drink with Neil, Pete and Jenny. We then got our lifts back to the campsite.

After getting ready to go out, we arranged taxis for us all to go to the Cross Foxes for dinner. Scott had roast pork loin and Shirley had roast beef.

We gave Liz and Toby presents for organising the weekend.

After dinner we got taxis back to the site and had guests round to our picnic table again.

North Wales - Day 5

Today Toby was leading us on a walk up Cader Idris. The 15 of us left the campsite about 9am and drove to the car park.

It was a bit overcast when we started but the forecast was for it to clear up later.

The path we took was quite a long gentle slope. As we got higher up, gaps in the clouds started to appear.

We had our lunch at the top at 893m high, and stayed there for a while.

On the way down the sun came out properly and it was very warm.

After congregating at the car park we drove to the Pen-y-Bont Hotel for a drink and a meal. It was a lovely setting by Llyn Mwyngil, and some went in for a swim!

Scott had steak and ale pie with chips, Shirley had shepherd's pie.

On returning to the campsite, we again socialised around our picnic table.

North Wales - Day 4

Our plan today was to meet up with the Bristol walking group the Shakey Strollers in Dolgellau in the afternoon, so we had time for a walk in the morning.

We did the Precipice Walk, which goes along a steep escarpment above the Afon Mawddach down in the valley below, and with views out to the estuary.

The path then goes round to Llyn Cynwch, a peaceful lake.

The deciduous forest near the lake has lots of moss, lichen and fungus.

We had our lunch then went to check in to the Torrent Walk campsite just outside Dolgellau. Our pitch had a picnic table on it, which was to come in useful over the weekend.

By 3pm none of the Bristol friends had arrived, so we decided to walk the Torrent Walk ourselves. This is a 3 mile walk directly from the campsite, up the side of a stream with waterfalls and back down again.

By the time we got back the others had started to arrive. Some were camping and some were staying in the bunkhouse. Our original plan had been to eat and socialise in the bunkhouse area, but as it was a Bank Holiday weekend the whole place was busy and we were told non-bunkhouse people couldn't use the bunkhouse facilities.

As it turned out we were able to eat our dinner, tagine provided by Liz and Toby, at the bunkhouse then a few of us went to our picnic table for a chat and a drink.

North Wales - Day 3

We decided to do a coastal walk at the end of the Llŷn Peninsula today, so drove to the car park in the village of Aberdaron. On leaving the village we walked up to the coastal path. It was fairly sunny.

At the next bay along a lobster boat was just going out to sea.

As we reached the end of the peninsula we started to get views of Bardsey Island. The cliffs were quite spectacular.

We saw quite a few interesting toadstools.

We had our lunch next to the watch station at the top of a hill.

The heather was in full bloom as we walked along the north coast, ending up at Porthor beach.

We had an ice cream back at Aberdaron, then drove home to the campsite. Dinner that night was pasta and sauce.