We studied weather apps, we mapped out places to go, and weighed up pros and cons of each place, and settled on Barmouth!! To the beach it is…

So alarm clock set, we are off on a road trip. Packed enough stuff for breakfast, dinner and hope to eat tea out, you have to eat fish and chips at the beach!!

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I had #Wytchwood beer, a new beach shelter and a lovely book to keep me occupied while Mr Moon went paddle boarding.

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We managed to get fish and chips for us both, and sneak back to the beach to watch the sun go down and leave us with a dramatic colourful sky. It felt so glorious to bask, and relax in the sunshine, to watch people, dogs and children all enjoy the simplest pleasures in life. Shattered we find a place to sleep, and I fell asleep so quickly. More adventures for another day to come.

Last Sunny Day

To celebrate Lammas, or Lughnasdh. This is a pagan sabbat, the first harvest of three. We decided to get out and feel the sun, cleanse our energies with the sea, and touch some earth, ie sand.

We decided on a beach day, to soak up the last day of sunshine, as rain and thunder is forecast for the next week now.

The drive was glorious, seeing all the fields of cut hay, and super tall corn ready for Autumn. Makes me excited for Mabon the autumn equinox and of course Samhain Halloween to everyone else.

We had sandwiches to keep us going along the way, Crisps and Beer once we had arrived. Lovely to have ice cold beer on a hot beach.

New location for us Aberdfyi, the beach was nicely quiet, and perfect to spend the day at.

We swam in the super warm and totally clear waters, it was actually really nice on my sore back. It was nice to get back into water again. The local teens were jumping off the harbour, having so much fun!! Loved watching.

Really small seaside town, only one chippie!! And the queue was so long, so we ended our day with pot noodles as the sun went down.

What an epic day, I never expected to be able to squeeze in one more beachy day, so I am very grateful for it.

Bloods next day, so I’m sure we will be exhausted but oh so worth it.

Port Quinn Walks

In our penultimate day, we’ve took a day of walking that is further up the coast from the Rumps.

In fact you can see it in the distance. Weather much calmer and warmer too.

Cute little castle that you can stay in is here, totally isolated and looks amazing too.

We found mine shafts and caves.

Bit scary in places. Thankfully they had some fencing around.

Hip is getting much worse, and I’m taking a lot more painkillers than I had originally planned. But I’m hoping it will settle once we are home.

Our little cottage was glowing in the glorious sunshine.

What a welcome home!! Now it’s time to start packing, we have to leave in the morning. Forever grateful we managed to stay the whole holiday while the lockdown came down earlier.

Beach Day

How is it, the Beach and Sea feeds your soul? Does it for you too? It really does for us, so I’m surprised we don’t live nearer to one.

No matter, a day trip is always a good idea, so off we go, plans are afoot for a quick day out at Barmouth.

Strangely the journey is immensely tiring on the body though, so once we’ve gathered out things, and set up. It’s time for lunch, well prepared as we are seasoned campers, it’s pot noodles with a view!!

Never have pot noodles tasted so good. Warm bellies thank goodness as the weather took a turn, and a chill arrived. But no matter it’s still a delight to be here.

The waves gently crashing, the sounds of children playing, kites flying high. This is what we came for. The last throes of summer. It’s feeling a touch autumnal but I’m trying to eek out the last summer’s day.

Warmed ourselves up with a nice hot coffee after the beers made us feel cold.

Then off for fish and chips which is a seaside tradition.

Spotted a wee tiny sun dog, as well as thunderous black clouds lol

One side sunny, one side black heavy clouds, thankfully never got any rain though.

After tea, with a weak sun shinning we had to paddle and watch the sun go down

And it was time to say goodbye. We had a totally relaxing, lazy Sunday. Gazed longingly at the mountains that surround Barmouth, Smiled wistfully at the Sun, and told the Sea our secrets. We are lucky we can connect to nature in such a simple way. Makes you feel whole again.

All elements are balanced at the Seaside, Earth = Sand, Water = Sea, Fire = Sunshine, Air = The Sea Breeze.

Dark Gathering 2019 Part 3

Sadly our time to leave has come, and believe me when I say, we ae heartbroken. This place, this time, this event really touched us. It was perfect.

To end the trip properly, we gathered ourselves ready to walk the Rocky Valley.

This is what the website says about it.

Take in majestic views of the bay near Bossiney

The stream starts life high up on Venn Down, 820ft (250m) above sea level. From there it meanders through fields before tumbling dramatically, first at the waterfalls at St Nectan’s Glen, then through rocky bluffs and deep clefts all the way to the open ocean in the bay near Bossiney. Grade of walk: Trainer (all rounder); type of walk: ‘Waterside Walks’, ‘Hidden Places’.

It was not EASY, and I struggled if I’m honest. But the sights were worth the pain, and stiffness.

We found the ancient labyrinth carvings, the old mill and raging waters.

Bridge wasn’t confidence inspiring! Least it warned us.

The walk itself isn’t long, but it is grand and energies felt around the water and stones, and earth. Brilliant place to end our spiritual journey on.