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Towyn Trip – Carn Fadryn 9 comments

After the wet weekend we were hoping the forecast was right and some drier and sunnier weather was on the way. It was!

Time for the annual Carn Fadryn expedition.

As always it took an age to rustle everyone together and be ready.

However on a day as good as this hardly a chore. The beach was looking good but it could wait till later

This is the mighty Carn Fadryn from the campsite.

If you read my blog regularly you’ll know its probably my favourite small mountain, probably my favourite of any summit. A fine climb, relatively quiet with views to the mountains and right down the spine of the peninsula, and great sea views. Pretty much all boxes ticked. A view here south over to Hells Mouth.

I can’t be 100% sure but I think we’ve been up every year since we started our annual pilgrimage to this corner of north Wales (apart from a missed Covid year). It wouldn’t be Towyn trip if we didn’t climb it at some point.

Approaching the summit behind the DBs.

Its a cracking little summit as well. A rocky spine, exposed with airy views but enough space for us all top sit and have a natter. Views west along the peninsula towards Bardsey Island.

East towards the Rivals and Snowdonia.

UF and EWO bringing up the rear.

Always make time for a cuppa and some cake on a sunny summit.

Summit Pano looking east.

Sadly it was time to head down. There was lunch and a beach waiting for us.

Carn Fadryn’s baby brother, Garn Bach. Well worth a bit of extra effort to climb.

And the older sibling.

The little one has views almost as good as the big one.

A fine walk, small and perfectly formed.

You may wonder why I took this photo. Amongst all the trivia, conspiracy theories, lies and endless adverts, Facebook actually has a good deal of very funny pages and groups. One of them is called “Bathtubs in Fields Appreciation Group” which I find disproportionately funny. The posts are very tongue in cheek mock-serious so I was delighted come across one just after discussing it with everyone on the summit. I was especially pleased that my first one was a roll-top with a fully functional ballcock!

Back to the serious business of beach fun. A prefect clear sunny afternoon for a game of boules. Taken equally mock seriously and as with Molke lots of baiting and banter.

The waves were also pretty good and we did a bit of quality body boarding.

TBF in action.

Mountains and beach fun – perfect combo.

Annual Peninsula Pilgrimage 6 comments

End of School Holidays? End of July? Must be time for a visit to the Llyn Peninsula.

Its been a gathering place for a little band of friends for the best part of 20 years now such that its one of the first weekends we agree a plan for. Sadly this time we only had the DBs and DB Snrs new “friend” ?representing TNG.

You may be thinking from those first couple of photos that we timed our visit to coincide with one of the many spells of hot and sunny weather. Whilst that first evening was gorgeously sunny, sadly the next day and a half were a complete washout. In a summer of heatwaves and droughts we camped out on a day where it rained incessantly from dawn till dusk!

Sunday afternoon improved markedly and we managed to fit in some swimming, play with SUP and a game of Kubb on the beach.

Not exactly wbedürftig and sunny, but dry at least.

The DBs enjoying the SUP betagthough not daring to stand.

The evening light was good and we’d seen the back of the poor weather – for the most part anyway.

The cloudy weather meant we weren’t treated to the usual array of superb sunsets that a NW facing coast delivers.

This wasn’t bad but we are used to much better.

On Monday we decided on a coastal walk around Porth Oer – the Whistling (or more accurately, squeaking) sands. Despite the sun being out as we parked up, it began to rain as we set off and drizzled without pause for the first 30 minutes. For a time it was pretty cold and miserable and we came close to heading back.

We stuck at it, patience paid off and it stopped. The sands at Porth Oer are stunning and with waves crashing in it became a very enjoyable walk across the beach.

We found a sheltered spot for a brew and snacks before setting off back to the car.

This time we followed a much lower path close to the sea which was very impressive.

Although it did require a steep bash through the bracken to return to main coastal path.

We returned over the small hill of Mynydd Carreg where the views were better – and drier – than on the way out.

An enjoyable stroll – eventually.

We fitted in some more beach times and games before a BBQ back at the tent.

Here we are enjoying that quintspeisential British summer activity – a BBQ outside in the cold!

What better way to improve it than a fire.

Happy Camping!

On our last day, as ever, we found time for Carn Fadryn.

Finally the skies cleared properly and we were treated to some summer blue and sun as we lazed on the summit.

Looking towards the Rivals and Snowdonia.

Out over the campsite. The Wicklow Mountains in Ireland were clearly visible betagthough the photo doesn’t show them.

Looking over to Garn Bach and Cardigan Bay.

Wonderful colour contrasts.

To extend the walk a little we decided to climb Garn Bach. It gives good views of Carn Fadryn itself.

From here really exaggerating its isolation and modest height.

View from the top towards Snowdonia.

And out across the Irish Sea to Anglesey.

Back to the campsite for lunch and another top afternoon of swimming and beach games, then pack up say our goodbyes and the late drive home. May not have been the sunniest and driest weekend of the summer but another cracking little mini-break in this superb little corner of Wales.