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!
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.
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| 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.
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| 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.
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| 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!
