Maentwrog

The February boys week came around again and our walking area was to be the Lleyn Peninsula with a base in Pwllheli.

This was the period of probably the highest rainfall and windy weather that had been  recorded! The journey  north was not promising but the planned  leg stretch near Maentwrog did give a short respite.  We parked the car near  the hydro station and walked into the Woodland Trust land and on their path alongside the Afon Prysor.


Route

Hydro Power

Attractivve Bridge over Prysor

Rhaeadr Ddu

The weather returned  to rain and the plan to walk up to Llyn Trawsfynydd was cut short. We found shelter of sorts in an old ruin which would have been better if it had had a roof! Lunch was consumed here.

Never a roof when needed

The walk continued around the wood's perimeter until we reached the path heading back down and which now forms part of the Wales Coast Path and onto the car for our journey into Pwllheli.

We were hoping for some better weather for the rest of our week.

Bosherton/Broadhaven South/Barafundle

The Sunday briefing resulted in a walk up Kilvey Hill an area in Swansea.

The weather Gods decided otherwise as at 0800 on Monday it was tipping down and plan B swung into operation as The Navigator had consulted the runes and his interpretation was for the rain to clear from the west and we headed over to south Pembrokeshire.

Route

We parked up on the Stackpole Estate and walked down to the lakes, hoping to see some otters as The Navigator had seen some weeks previously,but it was not to be. There were however lots of birdlife including a number of cormorants resting on an old branch.

Santa has done a runner

One of the lakes

Not a troll in sight

Stream running down to beach

We had a coffee break overlooking the lake and the beach at Broadhaven South which seemed to be taking a battering from the waves. As we walked closer to the sands the waves were breaking well over Church Rock, impressive.  Lunch was calling and we walked up from the beach to higher ground for a grandstand view of the waves.

High waves

Big waves dude

Lunch over we walked along an old access track to meet a minor road which led back to the beach which we crossed, The Navigator managed to get a bootful as we danced across the stream which was deepening with the incoming tide.

If only he had tripped!

Mrs Navigator took a direct route up onto the cliff path where further views of Church Rock were studied and then on to Stackpole Head and onto Barafundle Beach to watch three hardy surfers enjoying the sets rolling in.

A cracking day.  Its hard to beat the coast in Pembrokeshire especially in its wild state.

Dolaucothi

What was planned for this Moday's walk? was it The Yukon, Dawson City, Yellowknife?  No, none of these, but there used to be gold in the hills near Dolaucothi, the venue chosen by the Navigator.

Route

We walked through the estate before joining the minor road which led down to Caio, which seemed to be shut!

 However on a nicely placed seat we had a coffee break but not before Mrs Navigator thought she saw a sheep stuck in the brambles but as she approached the sheep wandered off, as they do.

She would have done better to free the turkeys who were clearly being readied for later in the month.

We now headed off north easterly up into the woods and along Banc Bronffin and out onto the open countryside at Ffos y Nod. The views were disappointing at first owing to low cloud but they did start to open out as the sun battled its way through.

Our route led us to Rhyd ddu and along the ridge at Cefn Y Bryn and on downhill to Banc Llwynceiliog and onto the minor road beyond Glan Meddyg.

This minor road led back to the car at Dolaucothi

Moylegrove

Monday's walk on 2nd December was to be based on Moylegrove and the local coast path.

The small village has a free car park, toilets and a board showing local walking routes.

Route

We set off south west straight uphill on a minor road looking for the footpath down to the coast. The above route map does show a track to the farm but this is not on our older maps and we were a little taken aback to see a most unwelcome sign.

 However our path was a little further on and led to the Witches Cauldron a huge collapsed cave. The tide was out which had trapped a large fish seen swimming around in the water below. When the tide is right it is possible to canoe into the cave.

After a coffee break we walked down to the cauldron and walked north. The sea was very calm and unusually there were a number of boats in the area including what looked like a navy warship.

Lunch was taken near Ciebwr Bay.

A decision was made to continue north along the coast and then turn inland following footpaths and bridleways back to Moylegrove.

Although we were now in December a blackberry bush clearly had its timing wrong as there was blossom and one green blackberry!