Conwy 5-7 October 2012

Friday

A  new experiment this time leaving Friday morning instead of in the evening. We certainly had a much better journey than the last time we visited Conwy but there would be one or two people who were unable to get time off work.

The coach dropped us at Llandudno and after a quick lunch stop we climbed the Great Orme and then dropped down to the coastal path and walked back to Conwy. The weather was dry but very windy on the top but that didn't stop us from making for the trig point....another one bagged!

We had good views all  the way down of the distant mountains and Conwy Castle and we were lucky enough to see the very hairy goats that live on the Great Orme.

We arrived  back in Conwy in plenty of time to meet the coach and collect our luggage before signing in at the YHA or in B&Bs in the town.

Saturday

The hostel is up a hill with splendid views from the roof top viewing platform.

Saturday morning and the sun was shining so Jean and Harry and I went on a little tour of the walls after breakfast to take a few photos of the castle and the town.

Conwy Castle

It was a clear blue sky and there were high hopes that those climbing Snowdon would be rewarded with views from the top but although they had good views going up the summit was shrouded in cloud. Three different groups went up and these photos were taken by Margaret who went up with Ray Wilkes group.

Snowdon summit

I opted for the B walk led by Frank that was downhill most of the way past two lakes and into Beddgelert. Sounds easy doesn't it! The path round the first lake Llyn Gwynant started off well but we soon encountered slippy slopes and rocks and tree roots so it wasn't easy going. However there were some splendid views and we didn't see any other walkers unlike the Snowdon groups who saw hundreds.

Lunch with a view

Unfortunately after this bridge I slipped on a slippy stone at the foot of a stile and hurt my shoulder rather badly. Many thanks to Jackie and Sylvia who came with me on the bus to Beddgelert and made sure I was OK. Sheila took this lovely photo of the second lake that I missed.

We had plenty of time to look around Beddgelert and visited Gelert's grave. Follow this link if you don't know the story but beware it is rather a sad one.

As well as the Snowdon groups and the Beddgelert group another group went to Betws-y-Coed and did a circular walk. These are Jean's photos from the C party.

Colin led this party as Mike Smith wasn't well and opted to go home on the train. Hope you are feeling better now Mike.

Sunday

Again the sun shone all day, we were so lucky with the weather. I couldn't do any of the walks because my arm was still hurting. We put all our bags on the coach and I waved them all off and then walked down into the town to have a look around.  This is a photo of the smallest house in Britain.

I decided to walk along the path on the edge of the estuary as far as Conwy Marina. This is also a cycle route but pedestrians have the right of way. I spent a couple of hours at the Marina sitting in the sun and chatting to a few locals before returning to Conwy Quay at lunch time.

My next trip was a river cruise on the Queen Victoria! It wasn't nearly as grand as it sounds though.

It was still a lovely day so an ice cream was in order and then I chatted to a lady from Deganwy who told me about the RSPB reserve across the river upstream. This was a lovely peaceful flat walk with splendid views across the water to the Carnedd range of mountains where some of the A walkers had gone. 

After this there was just time for tea and scones in the Tower Coffee Shop before the B walkers arrived back from their walk.

They had a lovely walk on the North Wales Coast path from Llanfairfechan. I have done this walk before and it isn't anywhere near the sea but goes up through the mountains. More than one person told me it was all up hill! Thanks to Sheila and Jean for taking photos.

So a good time was had by all and it was definitely worth going on Friday morning as the weekend seemed much longer. Thanks to everyone who helped me, Jackie and Sylvia in Beddgelert, Stuart with the bags, Margaret for keeping me out of A&E and stripping my bed and everyone for caring! Also thanks for all the photos I have been sent. 

As usual none of this would have been possible without the volunteer walks leaders and the people organising the weekend, thanks to you all. I hope I have included everything but I'm sure you will let me know if I haven't! 

Alnwick 5 -7 May 2012

Bank Holiday weekend and another weekend away with the walking club. This time to Alnwick staying in the YHA. This is a new hostel officially opened by the Queen in June 2011 and the chair she sat on is proudly displayed in the hallway. I can now say that I have sat where the Queen has sat!
But first of all a walk from Amble to Alnmouth. Some people went straight to Alnwick to look around the castle or the town

Alnwick Castle

Alnwick Castle Gardens

but the sun was shining so I opted for the walk. A bit chilly at first but it seemed to warm up as the day went on. Stuart led the walk even though he has never been to Northumberland before, well done Stuart and thank you!

Warkworth Castle

We didn't linger long in Amble and soon arrived at Warkworth Castle where we stopped for a lunch break. After lunch it was riverside, sand dunes and coastal path all the way to the River Aln.

Alnmouth

We had a look at the estuary but it was high tide and too deep for a crossing so we had to divert inland a bit before arriving in Alnmouth. The group soon dispersed to the pub or the tea shops

and even to the beach where Anita and I had a paddle in the cold North Sea.....very refreshing!

The coach picked us up in Alnmouth and delivered us to the YHA in Alnwick. Others were staying in various B&Bs. After choosing my bunk and dumping my luggage I collected Stuart and we went off to find Barter Books. This is a famous secondhand book shop situated in the old railway station and a must visit if you are in the area. We only had time for a quick look round but I'm sure I'll be back another day.

Barter Books

                                                                        SUNDAY

Alnwick Castle

Sir Henry Percy (Harry Hotspur)

As I was doing my own meals in the hostel I was able to get out early into Alnwick to take a few photos of the town and the castle before we set off for the coast. A large party went to Holy Island and then had a shorter walk into Craster. I went with the 'A' party to Bamburgh and walked to Craster and a smaller 'B' party walked from Seahouses to Craster. The weather was mostly fine and sunny apart from a few spots of icy rain at lunch time.

Bamburgh Castle

We set off along the magnificent beach at Bamburgh dominated by the huge castle overlooking the sea. The sand was firm and great to walk on and it wasn't very long before Seahouses came into view. A quick stop there for the loo and then we carried on along the beach as far as Beadnell Bay where we stopped for lunch at the lime kilns. We had a little rain there but there was a very convenient shelter!

Lime Kilns at Beadnell

                       

From here we had views of Dunstanburgh Castle in the distance on the headland.

But before reaching there we had a refreshments stop at the Ship Inn at Low Newton where we saw some of the Holy Island party and an ice cream stop just before we approached the castle from the coastal path. Anybody would think we were on our holidays!

There isn't a lot left of Dunstanburgh castle but what there is can be seen for miles in each direction. From there the path continues along a grassy cliff top all the way to Craster. You can often see seals along this stretch but they weren't playing out today. There was plenty of time in Craster for more refreshments but I sat in the sun on the side of the harbour with Carol watching the world go by.......very relaxing.

Craster Harbour

Actually I was saving myself for fish and chips in Alnwick later on with Sandra and Joan!

                                                                     MONDAY
It was Bank Holiday Monday so of course the weather forecast was for rain later in the day but we were very lucky and it managed to hold off until the last hour or so. Three walks and a trip to the National Trust house and gardens at Cragside to choose from. I chose Cragside and I wasn't disappointed. There was plenty to see in the grounds and the house and of course the NT cafe which had lovely cake as usual!

We had quite a steep climb up from Rothbury to reach Cragside and a good view of the Simonside Hills behind us where two of the walks were headed. By the end of the day having climbed up and down many steep paths in the grounds we had certainly done our fair share of walking.

We went round the grounds first on the Armstrong Trail taking in the pumping station and finding out how the water got pumped up to the house and then through the pinetum and up and up to the house built into the side of the cliff.

After a quick lunch I had a look round the house which was very interesting and full of stuff. You could have spent a long time in there. These are just a few of the best bits.

The marble  fireplace above was made with 10 tons of marble and is resting on the rocky cliff side to carry its weight. It was quite busy in the house and the rain had held off so I took some more time to explore the formal gardens and the bird hide before making my way to the tea room to finish off the day in style.

The smell of lemons in the glass house was lovely.

The weekend had passed really quickly and there were so many other things I would have liked to have done but I'm sure I will return soon to this beautiful part of England. Thanks to all the organizers and walks leaders for making this weekend special and thanks to Sheila for some of the photos. We always have a great time whatever the weather but a bit of sunshine and a walk on the beach are the best thing in the world.