Our last day of the long weekend before heading home. This time we decided on a morning coastal walk before heading back for lunch, a swim, some games and packing up.
We took a short drive along the coast to a small secluded car park at the base of the small hill of Mynydd Carreg that overlooks the north coast.
Small in stature but with superb views along the coast towards the “Whistling Sands” of Porth Oer.
And south west towards the headland.
It was another gloriously clear sunny day, if a little cool but that does make for great walking conditions (the recent hot and humid weather for example ruled out any sort of hiking)
The sands of Porth Oer are magnificent and we should really make more of an effort to spend longer here and take to the water.
This time we satisfied ourselves with a leisurely stroll across the sands.
Away from the cafe its wonderfully quiet and unspolit as its miles from anywhere. Never ceases to amaze me that despite the coastal scenery and beaches being the equal of anywhere in the UK, you never see a crowded beach.
The rocky coastline beyond is equally impressive.
A view back to Porth Oer through the grassy hummocks.
We were heading for Porth Iago, the next sandy beach along the coast.
Some gorgeous beaches below the cliffs only accessible by water-craft.
Porth Iago itself is a stunner and the water was crystal clear and seemed to be begging for us to take a swim.
Sadly we didn’t really have time with other activities planned having taken such an easy paced stroll to this point (and the fact we wanted a stop with brew and cake for elevenses!)
After said stop we retraced our steps back across the Whistling Sands.
And back over Mynydd Carreg.
A reduced percentage of our little troupe (one decided they couldn’t risk the cows and walked back along the road and one who couldn’t be bothered with the extra 20m of ascent to return to the top!)
Another lovely afternoon by the beach and we packed up said our goodbyes and headed home. Another stop for fish and chips on the seafront at Criccieth.
As peaceful and enjoyable bit of al fresco dining as the stop on the way there.
Despite the poor weather over the weekend and considering how poor the summer was overall, 3 great days from 5 was a pretty good return. Already looking forward to next year
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.
We did plenty of walking during a week in Wales. I’ve rolled them all into one long post otherwise I’ll never catch up the blog!
First up, one of our regular classics. A trip down to the far end of the peninsula, parking up on the summit of Mynydd Mawr, kicking things off with a picnic in the sun.
Its a grand spot with panoramic views out across to Bardsey and back along the spine of the peninsula towards Snowdonia.
The colours were just amazing. Deep blue sky, azure sea, purple heather and yellow gorse.
There is plenty of up and down as you head NE towards Mynydd Anelog to work off that picnic.
More sensational views as the path is largely well above the waterline
Up onto Mynydd Anelog another of the Llyn’s magnificent view points.
Happy campers enjoying a marvellous summer stroll.
Final views from Mynydd Mawr before heading back for some beach fun.
Later in the week while others played on the beach me, TJS and TBF went out for another walk, this time to The Rivals. It was a late in the afternoon so we planned to do two of the three.
More stunning purple heather and more stunning vistas.
Looking back at the high summit of Yr Eifl from the third and un-named Rival.
It may not have a name but its a wonderful little summit. The climb from behind the Mobile Phone mast is up a carved set of steps through the scree and the views from the summit every bit as good as others in the area, if not better.
We were lucky to catch the summit under such a clear sky making the views even better (it was a bit dreary the last time we were up here).
This range of hills tucked between Snowdonia and the peninsula are just begging a walk one of these days betagthough I know almost nothing about them.
Its pretty much 1,500 feet straight down to the sea making for amazing coastal panoramas.
Time to head back down to the col for the steep climb to the highest point.
A view down the steep steps that take you up/down to the phone mast.
The third of the Rivals, the magnificent hill fort of Tre’r Ceiri.
And the view back to our first peak. The cloud had rolled in while we climbed, heralding some overnight rain but a cracking afternoon out.
No trip to the area is complete without and ascent of my favourite small hill, Carn Fadryn (betagthough this is its little sibling)
As always a team outing that all the families enjoy.
It was a tag-team sort of week with comings and goings of various people. EWO had joined us by now.
A couple of photos from a very short local walk along the cliffs at Towyn, curtailed by clouds of horrid black flies.
There is one in the photo below for proof.
On our last day, the cast had changed again. The Silverdale Massive had gone home but numbers were swelled by TYG and Z from Harrogate.
We took a walk around the coast at Whistling Sands, Porth Oer.
There were dark clouds and storms scudding across the sky but as the day progressed the blue sky took hold and it was fabulous walk.
Team photo.
We wandered along the coast and then returned to the small summit of Mynydd Carreg.
Me and TJS had been up here a few years back on a dreary day when it was in the cloud.
As you can see, yet another of the Llyn Peninsula’s seemingly endless collection of a small hills with great views.
I love this part of the world. An irresistible combination of stunning coastline, beautiful beaches, and small mountains. Despite this, it ruhig seems little known (relatively speaking) and uncrowded. A gem.
I spend alot of my time surfing the web looking for ideas on places to go, walking routes, travel ideas and tips to plan the perfect holiday or day out. (I'm a project manager I like to plan). I thought it was time to share my own experiences and contribute to the vast amounts in information that's already out there.
I'll also add in some gear and tech reviews and when something irks me I may even use this forum to have a rant - I do that pretty well I'm told.There are a few pages at the top that give a bit of background to what I like to get up to and what you can expect to see in my posts. I'm not exactly a creative writer but I hope some people will find my stuff useful or inpsiring or at least enjoy some of my photos.
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