Wild Winter Walks in Wales

This weekend was the most wonderful retreat away from city living as I got a true taste of the great outdoors. Saturday consisted of a practice navigation around part of the Gower Peninsula in Wales.

 

 

Whilst I like exploring out in the wild, I can admit that navigation isn't my strong point, and whilst I knew the forecast wasn't great, I hadn't quite prepared myself for the elements we'd face when we reached the cliff edge and eventually the summit. In honesty I leapt at a rock due to the high gale at one point to act as a wind-breaker. Yeah, not cool. However my partner coaxed me into reaching shelter further on round the path and on reaching the trig point we gained a little breather.

 

 

The trek descending was respectively safer and I was glad to be walking the path more comfortably aware of this. Despite the cloud and the winds, it was good prep for the following day which would prove ultimately more challenging in many respects, but equally exciting and far more rewarding.

 

Day 2 was the purpose for the quick trial along the coast, as I prepared myself to assist in leading a Gold level Duke of Ed. group around the wild and varied terrains of the Brecon Beacons. Snow however was forecast and such an effect was this that, as expected, it altered our plans and so we'd be taking to Gower once again but for a much longer and testing endurance. (I should note here that I never managed to do my Duke of Ed. award, nor have qualified as a leader, but it's always been a dream and with some kind assistance I was allowed to participate with helping out)

 

It was an early start, leaving on very little sleep, which isn't really an ideal recipe as one might expect for such an active day on the horizon. Never the less all went ahead and despite feeling a little uneasy on the journey out, the day started rather well and everyone I met seemed friendly enough.

 

Wild Mountain Horses

 

I was one of three leaders assisting half-a dozen young guys who it turned out were completely mental athletes, they were half way down a hill before we were half way up it and as a consequence we frequently lost sight of them throughout the duration. Although a certain level of fitness is required regardless, these adolescents were certainly keeping us quickening our paces and whilst some of the summit climbs proved gruelling the views from the top, even half way up were stunning

 

 

 

 

All round it was a terrific day and a wonderful experience, which I was truly quite privileged to be invited to be a part of. the D.O.E teams were like an extended family unit and were kind to have a new face joining the troops. From my taster day it is something I am certainly considering pursuing further in the future.

 

 

 

 

 

Love & Peace - til' next time!

New Term - New Plans

Hello all! I do apologise for the slight lack in posts this month, only starting back at uni has meant lots of assignments, deadlines and general busyness. However I'm going to take a little time aside to let you in on what I've been up to on my downtime.

 

Having stumbled across an Instagram post claiming that it was the last weekend to enjoy the cosy vicinity of the temporary, Apres Ski Lodge, I decided that it was a must-visit and coaxed the byf into joining me for a little tipple before dinner. It was pretty busy but we managed to catch a table beside the log-fire and contentedly sipped on our Prosecco whilst we chatted and giggled about surprise vacations, impromptu wedding talk (although we are certainly not planning on hearing bells of the sort anytime soon) and general daily nonsense, small-talk etc. Although small, the atmosphere was lovely and welcoming, banter was being had and drinks were enjoyed under roof of the wooden alpine themed chalet.

 

 

Slightly loved-up and a little high on the fizz, together we decided to treat ourselves and go all out and so went to dine in the gorgeous retro interior of The Cosy Club. With it being a weekend it was understandably busy and some waited for table whilst I was handed a little more Prosecco. The byf was being unusually frivolous and I had to question if the pair of us had gone crazy. However I wasn't going to deny it was quite wonderful even if the beverages were going ever so-slightly to my head. Dinner was wonderful, the food was completely scrumptious and the conversation was rife. All in all it was a delightful evening of spontaneity and I was ever so thankful for it!

 

Mid-week came about and the moral was running low and so after the byf had finished his exams we took swiftly into town and took shine to visiting the quaint Georgian Tearooms. Having graced through the square many times on a frequent basis, we've many times talked about going but never quite got round to actually stepping through the door. Luckily being mid-week and two weeks into term, the place was practically deserted and so we were seated to the lullaby of Celine Dion's infamous track from 'Titanic', ordered afternoon tea and took a step back into another temporary world where work should not stress one out. It proved a rather lovely afternoon treat.

 

 

Then the fortnight was topped off with a weekend road-trip into Wales, lunching out, browsing round markets, visiting friends, several trips to MacDonalds, country walks and beach-side strolls eating fish n' chips - it was a much needed break away from looming deadlines and academic stress, the weather held-out and whilst it was frosty it was sunny and I'm so grateful for so many little things.

 

 

 

Hope January is going well for you all,

 

Love & Peace - til' next time!