Once Christmas is over and done with it time to take proper advantage of the seasonal holidays and head for the hills. Following a pleasant walk in the
Longdendale valley in the Peak District, Ian and I headed off to North Wales to meet up with a few others. On the way to our bolt hole in the heart of the
Snowdonia National Park we stopped off in the Vale of
Clwyd for a spot of white water kayaking on the river
Elwy. This is a scenic river unburdened by the stresses of many of the classic whitewater runs in the national park. It is still sad to see all of the "No
Canoeing" signs. One would have thought the in this day and age of forward thinking and tolerance that mankind could find a way that our beautiful countryside could be shared for the many, not just kept for the
privileged few. The weather was foul and nobody came to challenge our 'trespass'.
With kayaks well secured to the roof of the car we moved on to
Capel Curig where we made our temporary home in the
Siabod Longhouse. A solid evening of re-
acquaintance fed by a large pot of polish
Bigos all washed down with a beer or two
preceeded a good nights sleep.
The next morning's weather
forecast promised clear skies. This
prompted an assault on the north ridge of
Tryfan and Bristly Ridge.
Alas, the weatherman had it quite wrong and
halfway up
Tryfan mist came in and it began to rain. Rock became so slippery we may as well have been climbing with roller skates!
The prospect of scrambling up Bristly Ridge no longer seemed fun so we drove to
Anglesey in search of better weather and a possible sunset.
The Siabod Longhouse is a short walk from the
Tyn y Coed Inn, which serves fine ales has a pool table and a Jukebox. What more do you need for evening of entertainment?
Following the previous day's washout
Chris and I made for the coast of the
Lleyn Peninsula and enjoyed a pleasant walk along part of the newly opened
Lleyn Peninsula Coastal Path. while others went mountain biking.
New Year's Eve seemed
quieter than last year in the
Tyn y Coed Inn but the celebrations were rounded off nicely with a terrific firework display, closely followed by another display from the near by
Cobdens Hotel.
Before the New Year's Day hangover could kick in
Chris and I scurried off the climb
Snowdon in the mist and drizzle. Without
rucksacks and associated clobber we made a quick job of it.
With only the inside of a big cloud for a view we made swift our descent. Before long we were heading back to Manchester along the A55 listening to football commentary on the radio. The next day would see me back in the office, back down to earth with a bump.
A welcome window in the recent unsettled spell of weather prompted me to meet up with Barry and go for a paddle in what is effectively his back yard. Hilbre Island lies at the mouth of the Dee Estuary close to West Kirby. Hilbre seems to get invaded by anything, anyone in spite of tide and weather. Below half tide it is possible to get to Hilbre on foot. It is possible to get there by kayak only 2 hours either side of high water, and even then you need a spring tide for extra depth over the many sandbanks.
We landed briefly on the island before setting off to return to West Kirby leaving plenty of time before the tide went out. As we arrived at the marine lake it seemed like a typical Sunday afternoon for the local folk out for a walk along the promenade and lake wall.
