Eryri
Earlier this week I went on a wee trip to North Wales (Eryri). I'd decided to go for 'luxury' camping this time - i.e. upgrading from my 2 man tent with no porch to a 4 man tent with a whole living space area I can stand up and sit in! I also bought a lot of other useful bits and bobs such as tables, a lamp, water bladder, washing up bowl, water container etc. I justified it all to myself by remembering that this will all last, and it's still cheaper than an abroad holiday. And yet Mark still doesn't have a roll mat, sleeping bag, or chair... ah well!
I drove up on Friday afternoon and arrived at the campsite to a lot of wind. Fortunately, a kind couple saw me struggling with my big tent and helped me to put it up - thank you!! Then I was in and settled in my mansion. Tea and a (cloudy) view (ignore the mess).
Unfortunately the weather wasn't on my side despite sun the week before (and it turns out the week following). On Saturday I parked at Aberglaslyn and headed NE towards Cam Bychan. It was a nice quiet and rugged start to the day, with what presumably is some copper mining remnants. I then turned towards Beddgelert where I stopped for a lovely cuppa and some bara brith. I attempted to join a birthday call for Caitlin but unfortunately Eryri isn't known for it's connectivity. I saw signs towards Gelert's grave but decided to skip it - apparently Gelert was Prince Llewelyn the Great's dog. Read the story linked - poor dog! I headed back along the Aberglaslyn gorge by the Glaslyn river - what a gorgeous walk. It was varied, with scrambling, boardwalks, stone buttresses, and a steam train at one point!
The next day the weather still wasn't any better, so I headed to Betws-y-Coed (as is obligatory on any Eryri trip). Had a nice wee walk along the river after my lunch of chips, and popped into many an outdoor shop on the way back. A chai latte this time, watching the baby train go around. Then back to my cosy tent set up for tea.
Next few days
I spent the next few days enjoying the glorious weather (of course, it appears now...), although I really am missing cosy winter weather. I was treated to a visit by the lovely John & Jaqueline on Thursday where we ate scrummy quiches and gelato/sorbet.
Meanwhile, Mark was gallivanting in Munich for the week. We crossed paths on between midnight on Friday night (post work) and early Saturday morning (pre train).
Months ago I'd persuaded Cait to sign up for the London 10k with me - not really thinking about the fact that July would likely be very warm. We got really lucky, and the first 4km was overcast with a breeze - lush! The next 6km was more of a struggle, and I was feeling the fatigue and lack of recent runs (I'd been avoiding the heat!) - but we did it! (feat some poor screenshots I'm not willing to pay for). Cue a 30,000 step day once we'd done some shopping (yes I bought a wool jumper) and a trip to Gail's to play Carcassonne.
And now back to Cardiff! I've not been managing to get very many/trying hard to get work shifts recently, so I have none planned this week. I'm slowly getting prepared for the new job in August, and the most exciting bit of this was buying myself a new shiny toy - an iPad! I've coveted one every since they came out and decided not only is it lovely to have, it'll also be useful at work to use where I can for revision/work/notes etc. So I'll spend this week playing with that (and doing housework and cooking and running but generally lounging around). I'm so firmly in the Apple ecosphere. (ecosystem?)
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