Walk: 10:15am to 2:30pm - 6 miles
Well the last full day of our holiday has arrived, and it's also my lovely wife Donna's birthday - 21 years old again of course! And after watching BBC Wales this morning telling us that North Wales would be cooler and cloudy - we were pleased that it was another beautiful sunny day. Ok not wall to wall blue sky like most of the week, but just a few wispy clouds around and warm. That said, we could see Snowdon over the hills and it looked like it was sitting in low cloud - a little different top when we went there a few days earlier.
We vacated the cottage a little earlier today - I managed to roll out of bed a little earlier, and our plan was to head towards Dolwyddelan Castle and then just follow whichever paths took our fancy. We headed west out of the village on the main road, then took the footpath up behind the castle. We did feel a little guilty as I'm sure you might have to pay to go in it, however we just assumed that it was an old derelict ruin that was free to visit, but inside it was well kept and had lots of information in there so I assume we should have paid somewhere towards it's upkeep. We weren't alone looking around it as there was a German family having a walk around it. After about 15 minutes we continued on our way.
We followed the path towards Gorddinan - and I did do some 'naked rambling' but part behind some bushes in case people came along the same path, then we headed down the track to Roman Bridge train station, which was closed for refurbishment. There was hardly any breeze and the sun was bathing us in it's warm rays - you would think it was the middle of July. We took the path alongside the stream and up the hill towards Hafodgwenllian where we stopped for a while to have lunch and take in the great views over Moel Siabod.
After our break we continued up Pen-Y-Benar, not the highest of hills at just over 1300ft, but enough in the warm weather and being the last walk of the week. After going over the top of the hill we came to a wooded area with a VERY steep path down into valley heading back into Dolwyddelan. We picked up the track heading alongside the stream as it weaved it's way down to join Afon Lledr.
We saw a really odd sight when walking down the track - we came across a couple of picnic benches in a very small clearing, and sat on the grass were a couple of women. One looked about 75 years old, and the other possibly her daughter. And what's odd about that you might think - well the older lady was sat there with no top on, just her 'ample' white bra. Now that's not a sight you see every day! Also, in nearly 4 hours of walking they were the first people we'd met on our travels - just as we like it.
After arriving back in the village we had a quick change around and jumped in the car to go to Betws-Y-Coed, and yes again to look at jackets. I'd given in to temptation and decided to buy the Berghaus Goretex jacket in Field & Trek, BUT, after trying it on again I just wasn't 100% - something just wasn't right. So, I chose to have one more look through the racks and found a Karrimor jacket in XXL. I tried it on, it looked the business, it fitted well, and it was made of 3-layer eVent fabric so good in the rain and breathable. And a bonus, I later found out that it had only just been released this week - Karrimor have just released jackets after a 7-year break and this was their 'marquee' jacket. Plus, as they've just been released lots of places have them in offer at £100 as opposed to the RRP of £200.
So back home tomorrow after a brilliant week in Wales, but tonight we're off for a meal at Elen's Castle Hotel - a birthday meal for my wife. Funny though, my wife's birthday and it's me going home with a new jacket, new walking trousers and walking t-shirt...I'll have to hope the meal tonight is a good one...
Well the last full day of our holiday has arrived, and it's also my lovely wife Donna's birthday - 21 years old again of course! And after watching BBC Wales this morning telling us that North Wales would be cooler and cloudy - we were pleased that it was another beautiful sunny day. Ok not wall to wall blue sky like most of the week, but just a few wispy clouds around and warm. That said, we could see Snowdon over the hills and it looked like it was sitting in low cloud - a little different top when we went there a few days earlier.
We vacated the cottage a little earlier today - I managed to roll out of bed a little earlier, and our plan was to head towards Dolwyddelan Castle and then just follow whichever paths took our fancy. We headed west out of the village on the main road, then took the footpath up behind the castle. We did feel a little guilty as I'm sure you might have to pay to go in it, however we just assumed that it was an old derelict ruin that was free to visit, but inside it was well kept and had lots of information in there so I assume we should have paid somewhere towards it's upkeep. We weren't alone looking around it as there was a German family having a walk around it. After about 15 minutes we continued on our way.
We followed the path towards Gorddinan - and I did do some 'naked rambling' but part behind some bushes in case people came along the same path, then we headed down the track to Roman Bridge train station, which was closed for refurbishment. There was hardly any breeze and the sun was bathing us in it's warm rays - you would think it was the middle of July. We took the path alongside the stream and up the hill towards Hafodgwenllian where we stopped for a while to have lunch and take in the great views over Moel Siabod.
After our break we continued up Pen-Y-Benar, not the highest of hills at just over 1300ft, but enough in the warm weather and being the last walk of the week. After going over the top of the hill we came to a wooded area with a VERY steep path down into valley heading back into Dolwyddelan. We picked up the track heading alongside the stream as it weaved it's way down to join Afon Lledr.
We saw a really odd sight when walking down the track - we came across a couple of picnic benches in a very small clearing, and sat on the grass were a couple of women. One looked about 75 years old, and the other possibly her daughter. And what's odd about that you might think - well the older lady was sat there with no top on, just her 'ample' white bra. Now that's not a sight you see every day! Also, in nearly 4 hours of walking they were the first people we'd met on our travels - just as we like it.
After arriving back in the village we had a quick change around and jumped in the car to go to Betws-Y-Coed, and yes again to look at jackets. I'd given in to temptation and decided to buy the Berghaus Goretex jacket in Field & Trek, BUT, after trying it on again I just wasn't 100% - something just wasn't right. So, I chose to have one more look through the racks and found a Karrimor jacket in XXL. I tried it on, it looked the business, it fitted well, and it was made of 3-layer eVent fabric so good in the rain and breathable. And a bonus, I later found out that it had only just been released this week - Karrimor have just released jackets after a 7-year break and this was their 'marquee' jacket. Plus, as they've just been released lots of places have them in offer at £100 as opposed to the RRP of £200.
So back home tomorrow after a brilliant week in Wales, but tonight we're off for a meal at Elen's Castle Hotel - a birthday meal for my wife. Funny though, my wife's birthday and it's me going home with a new jacket, new walking trousers and walking t-shirt...I'll have to hope the meal tonight is a good one...
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