The fourth picture in this sequence is courtesy of Mike Kay
Sunday, 23 November 2008
Climb every mountain
Two months ago already. A major trip up Cader Idris. Possibly my best day in the mountains -ever. From the top we could see Snowdon, (how many miles away?Maybe 50?), the Arrans, the Arenigs, the Rhinogs, virually every mountain in mid and North wales laid out like a relief map. Twinkling below us was the sea and the resort of Tywyn Barmouth (oops). It was a popular day to be on the mountain - after a week of glorious weather there were dozens of people scrambling around. There must have been 100 people at the top when we got there. Going down we went past dozens of bags of rocks helicoptered in to restore and upgrade the path and prevent further erosion.
The fourth picture in this sequence is courtesy of Mike Kay
The fourth picture in this sequence is courtesy of Mike Kay
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2 comments:
I love the last picture in the sequence. It reminds me of what's missing on 'my' lake here. Yes, a nice mountain view behind it would improve things immeasurably. Unfortunately the Dutch don't do mountains, do they? I think several centuries ago the Welsh and the Dutch met in secret and did a furtive deal exchanging consonants for vowels and mountains for lowlands!
It was an unnaturally calm afternoon. We stopped for a pint at the pub at the foot of Tal y Llyn, which apart from doing a good view also does a very good pint (something else that is difficult to find here).
That picture may well end up on the cover of my calendar for next year. I have six artists who have agreed to let me use their work- but need one more, so may have to resort to 'vanity publishing' one of my photos.
I decided on this trip to do more mountains next year. N.Wales (and the Lakes and most of Scotland) are too expensive and too difficult to get to every year (sob) - you virtually NEED to have a car to have any flexibility. So I am going to teach myself how get around the alps. It will be a completely different kettle of fish. The season is so short (only two months or so access to the peaks as opposed to year round access in most of the UK). Reading the weather and the terrain are completely different skills. But even if the peaks are not acessible all year round (and sometimes then only to those with rope skills) there's something about being surrounded by contour lines and fast flowing water that just pushes my buttons. And from here (near Arnhem) there are overnight trains to three Swiss cities. So here's my first new year's resolution - in November. Two (eco) alpine trips using public transport.
Actually it was Edward 1 who cut a deal with the Welsh after defeating Llewlyn saying you can keep your language, but only if you drop all the vowels (joke).
As for mountains the town where I live claims to have one. It's a 70 metre (if that) morrain / hill that overlooks the Rhine. A very pleasant place, lots of beech trees and a lovely view. Everyone calls it the berg. I always refer to it as "the bergtje" but none of the locals ever pick up on, or appreciate, my sense of irony :-(
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