Llanfendigaid Day 1

The hill doesn't get any easier. I still had to get off and walk the last 50 yards. We are staying at Llanfendigaid,  a large house near Aberdovey in the south of Eryri or the Snowdonia National Park.. Heather and I had a good start yesterday and the journey went well despite having to do battle with the torrential rain of storm Antoni. We drove out of the rain as we entered Wales and as we crested the shoulder of Cadair Idris we enjoyed spectacular views down to Tal-y-llyn and the coast beyond. As we approached our destination there were fabulous views up the valley to Bird Rock and the summit of Cadair. 

Driving past the gate to The Cowshed where we wrinklies normally stay was strange but, as we pulled up in front of the big house, we were enveloped by the famille NOG as they all came out to greet us.

This morning Bekki and myself set out to tackle the traditional 6 mile run, Bekki running while I opted for the mountain bike. Hence I came to be walking the final slopes of the big hill. The views from this route are expansive and captivating - down to the Dysynni estuary and Broadwater, full on the big spring tide, and up the valley past Bird Rock and up to the summit of Cadair. A magnificent start to the week.

After an early lunch, the party divided each to follow their own plan. Heather and I opted to walk down to the estuary birding and butterflying. It was like being back home - our second one at least. We did well on the butterfly and bird front, although the best sighting was the flock of fieldfares earlier on the bike. As we walked down the hill from the house the jade sea sparkled ahead of us and to the south we could see St David's head in the far distance while to the north west were the hills of the Llyn peninsular with Bardsey Island at the end. The tide was in when we arrived at the estuary preventing us walking under the railway bridge to reach the short coast path so we contented ourselves with walking out onto the Broadwater saltmarsh to sit watching birds and drawing (Heather). Wandering back up the road we were soon sitting in the sun with a cup of tea. Once the other parties returned it was time for tea and then 'les jeunes' organised us to go up the the headland firepit to watch the sunset and toast marshmallows around the campfire. A perfect end to a perfect day.