Water, Water Everywhere!

We made it to the end of what has to have been our wettest month by far. I’m updating this blog from a very wet and windy campsite near to St Davids in Pembrokeshire. I can say the coastline looks nothing like the glossy tourist guides and leaflets today! It is grey with low cloud everywhere and almost horizontal rain that hasn’t stopped all day. On days like today I am grateful for my book basket, my kettle and wifi! I’m skipping between a few books at the moment, one I picked up just yesterday at a National Trust secondhand book shop. 

Water seems to have been a theme this week with more coastal walking near Aberystwyth and Aberaeron, waterfalls near Devil’s Bridge, the impressive Rhaeadr Ddu Falls in Gwynedd hidden in a moss and lichen covered forest, and the insanely beautiful views over Llyn Cau on our hike up Cadair Idris.

The highlight was definitely Cadair Idris. The day was just stunning and at times I was in sunglasses and short sleeves. We met some amazing people on the hike with yet again incredible stories for what had brought them there. One chap was walking up to collect a remembrance plaque for restoration which was in memorial for his best friend, who had died suddenly with no warning from an undiagnosed heart condition. He loved the mountain hence why his friends and family had the plaque placed there. The second man was a former fire officer, who had retired after working in the morgues during COVID and had recognised signs in himself that he associated with PTSD. He stopped work and set himself the challenge of climbing all 188 mountains (over 2000ft) in Wales. He had already managed over 130 of them. We talked lots about the healing powers of nature and walking. He also wanted to adopt Poppy as his hiking companion - she was on her best behaviour that day!

Luckily when a friend made the journey from Norfolk to spend a few days exploring with us, the weather was fairly kind to us. We went to see the Red Kites feeding, enjoyed a pub lunch or two and had (mostly) dry walks. I also enjoyed the luxury of a washing machine in the Air b & b and washed EVERYTHING! Simple luxuries!

Thank you for the adventures March, roll on April…with hopefully sunnier days.

St Davids

Rhaeadr Ddu waterfall

Cadair Idris

Devil’s Bridge

Cadair Idris

Red Kite feeding

Coastal walking Aberaeron to New Quay

Precipice Walk

Llyn Cau, Cafair Idris

Aberaeron

Breathtakingly Beautiful

Today was one of those days when the beauty of the natural world takes your breath away. I walked about 16 miles on the Llyn Peninsula, most of it on the coast path. We hardly saw anyone but those we did see were so happy. When it’s Saturday and the sun’s shining, everyone smiles!

The walking was fantastic. Lots of steep climbing up (and down again) but so well marked and with the National Trust owning a lot of the land, we happened upon toilets and cafes along the way, which is always welcome. Our morning coffee stop was at Whistling Sands where we watched the surfers enjoying the waves.

One group we did pass on our walk looked like they were doing a D of E type exercise carrying massive backpacks and camping stuff. One of the young chaps was playing music and as I passed him he had Fleetwood Mac’s ‘The Chain’ playing quite gently. Usually when I hear this song it makes me sad and I cry as it was the song choice for dad to enter his funeral to, mainly because of the guitar section used by the BBC as the Formula 1 theme track. Today however, I found I could only smile and actually recalled not dad’s pain of those last few days and hours, but of the times he has made me cry with laughter, when he’s been there in times of crisis and of experiences we were so lucky to have shared. 

What a day! Poppy is already asleep. I think she was very glad to see the van again! I am looking forward to my favourite campsite supper of pasta with veggies and pesto with an egg on top - try it, it’s delicious! 

Gratitude

Last night I felt like Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz but luckily didn’t get blown away in the wind. I woke up at 4am to silence and popped my head outside the van to be (finally) greeted by the sight of a starry sky. A new friend I made in Jordan was a keen stargazer and recommended an app called ‘Sky View’ which helps identify the constellations. 

We have been looping around the north of Wales a bit this week and went to see the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct, or the ‘stream in the sky’ as it is otherwise known. A group were trying to get to grips with kayaking in double kayaks with each person blaming one another when they were not making any headway! Aber Falls also had a deserved stop for a stunning loop walk across a wild and rugged landscape which we had to ourselves.

This week we have made it to Anglesey and enjoyed coastal walks at various places including South Stack where a couple stopped and chatted in the car park, intrigued by my life in the van. The lady, Kathleen then gave me a huge hug before leaving for her walk. Hugs are underrated. 

That same day, the first day we had really seen a blue sky, a classic tune by Five ‘Keep on Movin’ came on the radio to which I sang at top volume with happy memories of teaching many children the dance moves in after school clubs! It’s funny how songs can evoke such strong memories that leave you smiling from ear to ear! 

I also have thought about the devastating death of Ruth Perry, a Headteacher who took her own life. My very first Headteacher, who I had the privilege to work for has written a very poignant piece, lots of which has resonated with me as a former leader and Head. You can read it here:

https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/ofsted-needs-ousted-samantha-jayasuriya-pcc?fbclid=IwAR1fiFwPJVCGRNCcEqYF8WmxIOOMWvkA0G_OKF4bSkKA45F01T5ddXica3s

I have seen teachers reduced to tears, go through unimaginable stress and as a Head have been made to feel like a failure all due to the inspection regime. 

I am grateful this morning to be waking up in a field in the welsh countryside far away from the pressures and unrealistic expectations of the current education world in this country. Teaching is a profession I loved, but until changes happen, I am not sure it is one I can return to. 

Welsh Week of all Weathers

Well, our first week in Wales hasn’t been short of adventure! We’ve had snow, sunshine, hail, rain, gusty winds and rainbows! My waterproofs are being well used!

I decided to explore Wales from north to south, so this week we have been along the north coast as well as visiting Llyn Brenig reservoir, Chirk, Llangollen and Bodnant NT Gardens. 

On luckily the driest day we’ve had we climbed Moel Famau to get the legs used to hills again after walking in the desert in Jordan and on Norfolk paths. It was a beautiful walk up through the forest where Poppy could run and roll in the snow still covering the ground where the sun hadn’t reached. At the top it was hailing and VERY windy! We returned on part of Offa’s Dyke path, some of which I think I have walked before.

Our other memorable walks of the week took us beside the River Dee and also up to Great Orme above Llandudno. There’s nothing better than afterwards, returning to the van and heating up some soup or making a cuppa with nowhere to rush off to. 

The other big difference I’ve noticed returning to van life is that the hours of daylight are lengthening - hooray! I love waking up to the sound of the birds and walking Poppy before most of the human world awakes. It’s probably my favourite time of day. I have also enjoyed walking in the rain, especially at Bodnant with the drops collecting on petals and bringing out the smell of the pine needles. We hope whatever you have done this week, you have found joy in the smallest things too. ❤️

Spot the van! Bottom right corner.

Llyn Brenig

Llangollen

Great Orme

Moel Famau