The Club’s third visit to the Plume of Feathers was poorly attended in numbers, but in no way diminished in the walks completed by the four attendees and one day visitor.

Upper Teigh Valley

I collected Judy from Exeter St. Davids Station around midday on the Friday, and after a slight delay whilst negotiating the A30 holiday traffic we found ourselves at Fingle Bridge a popular spot hidden in Dartmoor’s Teign Gorge. Crossing over the old packhorse bridge with a pub nestling in the trees at the side of the Teign, Judy and I walked up the lefthand side of the river through the woods past the HEP station and up to the Castle Drogo National Trust facilities sat at the edge of the woods on the moor top itself. Refreshed with a cuppa we enjoyed extensive views across this part of the moors which form the catchment area for the headwaters of the River Teign, before heading back down into the gorge and back to the car.

What followed was a delightful traffic free drive across Dartmoor to Princetown, with the late afternoon light showing the moors off perfectly.

Having reunited ourselves with the organisational vagaries of the Plume, Heather joined us and after an unremarkable fish and chip supper we had a walk around the almost abandoned prison end of the town. (In my opinion it beggars’ belief that with our prison system clearly struggling to house everyone that this purpose-built incarceration facility cannot be maintained and improved sufficiently to function again and breathe some life into the whole community.)

Judy writes:

The three of us drove a short distance to the pretty village of Postbridge with its very well-preserved clapper bridge made of large stone slabs. We were early enough to have it all to ourselves and to look into the clear brown river. This brought back memories for me of childhood visits to Dartmoor on family holidays. From here we took a path south through a forest area where we saw several birds, including wrens, and continued up to Bellever Tor, with its nice rocky tops and views around.

Andy and Judy on clapperbridge

Bellever Tor

From there we could see a tall chimney and some old buildings, so we followed a path west to investigate. They turned out to be the remains of an old gunpowder factory, with several buildings separated for safety reasons and water leats diverted from the river to provide power for grinding and mixing materials. The tall chimney may have been used to produce charcoal which was one ingredient.

Remains of Gunpowder Factory

Combestone Tor

After exploring these, Andy chose to go to Dartmeet via Combestone Tor, but Heather and I wanted to continue up some tors. First we ascended the hill to Longaford Tor, with another nice rocky top and a suitably sheltered spot for an early lunch. We met only two other people, a man and his young son, who had come up from Two Bridges just to the south, and continued past us onto the next tor. After lunch we followed them to Higher White Tor, with a slightly less impressive top but good views ahead to a further couple of tors.

Judy and Longaford Tor

descending Tor, ascending ponies

It did not take long to get to the next one, Lower White Tor, so we could not resist finishing the ridge by going over Braddon Tor as well. From there no paths were shown on the map, so we cut across to a wall which had a worn area alongside and was easy to follow. Then there was much debate over whether to take the option of a stile over the wall with less of a path the other side or to continue on the easier route and hope to find a wall crossing lower down. In the end we saw some people in the far distance coming up from where we wanted to go so we continued down on the easy area to a dip and found the luxury of a gate and a path all the way back to the car park. At Postbridge we went down to the river where we had a lovely paddle to refresh the feet and headed back to the bunkhouse for tea and nice sticky malt loaf.

In the evening it was good to have Paul, Andy’s son, joining us for the evening and the next day. On the way to pub at Merrivale we stopped to visit some stone circles and some amazing straight lines of standing stones on the hill above. Later Rick joined us for dinner which was a lovely surprise. The Merrivale Inn is famous for its special locally produced grass-fed beef so some people had to eat large amounts of high-quality steak, though the rest of us were also well fed there. A nice sociable evening.

Andy, Paul and Judy on Sheeps Tor

On Sunday we started at the bunkhouse, reversing a walk from last year, past South Hessary Tor, along the moor top path down to Burrator reservoir. We made our way up through Narrator Plantation to the top of Sheeps Tor, 367m, with its views out to sea over a fine collection of pillow mounds. Our time at the top was marred by the sight of all the rubbish left by last nights revellers, many of whom we saw walking down past us on their way back to the reservoir car parks. Just a little disturbing glimpse into some of the problems our open access land now faces. We made our way down to the walled wood edge with its large ingrown trees and lunched in a little sheltered dell at the side of one of the many little streams and leats that criss cross Dartmoor. We were all quite surprised that despite the hottest summer on record most of them still contained flowing water. After a little navigational discussion, we found our way across this ancient landscape to Eylesbarrow and the disused tin mine of the same name, before topping the moor at the Siwards or Nuns Cross, 406m, and back onto a recognisable path, close by High Harter Tor. Here Judy and Paul picked up the pace and Heather and I followed on. I just got back in time to enjoy a homemade icecream and a long cold drink with my eldest before he set off for home.

Heather, Judy and I enjoyed a much better evening meal at the other pub in Princetown, the Prince of Wales, and after dropping Judy off at Exeter St. Davids on Monday morning I made my way up to Hankerton in the Cotswolds for a long overdue catch up with your Editor and Anne his good lady wife.

Attendees: Paul and Andy Burton, Heather Eddowes, Judy Renshaw, and Rick Snell

Report by Andy Burton

This year’s Alpine meet was again held in Klosters, based at the Piz Buin Hotel where we had stayed in 2019. In a central yet quiet location next to the Landquart river, the hotel was even better than we remembered, and Herr Huber and his team went out of their way to make our stay a success. The rooms were large, well-appointed suites, some with kitchenettes, and the complimentary mini bar was re-stocked every day, a pleasant surprise. The balconies overlooking the mountains and river were a peaceful place to relax at the end of a day’s walk, as was the swimming pool which was used by many of our group. We started each day with a copious breakfast buffet with eggs cooked to order, and the evening meals were equally delicious and beautifully presented.

Andy wrote: As you will read many things came together to make our second visit to Kloster Platz and the wonderful Piz Buin hotel, a real treat. I suspect that for our current membership we could run a meet there every year without any complaints?! Everybody made good use of the Klosters Guest Card, that gave discounted rides on the uplift.

Intel was shared each evening and at breakfast between the thirty of us, ensuring each group made the route and group decisions that suited them best. Although to be fair you could just have read Pam’s walk suggestions and followed them, as they never skipped a beat as far as I am concerned. Over dinner each evening everyone was briefed over what options were available for the next couple of days outings.

After a welcome storm on our arrival day which cooled the temperatures, the first morning dawned bright and sunny so a large group of us took the train to Davos Dorf for the high-level route back to Klosters.

We're on our holidays!

We started our walk along Davosersee and then headed up past Wolfgang to arrive at the idyllic Schwarzsee in time for our picnic lunch. Jonny took baby Taro for a paddle and Mary went for a swim, while Rick fed the baby coots. We then headed off, some up to Cavadürli and the train station and the rest down the river gorge back to Klosters. On Monday Andys group did a walk in the same area.

Andy writes: We got off the cable car at the mid-station and made our way through the mixture of hillside pastures and forest to Laret Station, currently being modernised and strengthened against whatever the mountains above care to let loose.

Tucked behind the station is the lovely little Schwarzsee, an ideal lunch spot before returning over the railway crossing and walking down to Gruenboedili where there was live music at a busy restaurant. We then followed the Schutzbach all the way down into Klosters, passing the railway car transport depot that leads into the Vereina Tunnel, which connects Praettigau with Unterengadin.

This was an easier day that allowed us to enjoy Kaffee und Kuchen on the hotel terrace, (rhubarb cake?) and a little Wimbledon before dinner.

During the next few days everyone in the group took the nearest cable-car up to Gotschnagrat, 2285m, from where most of us wandered along the aptly named Panoramaweg. As we neared the Parsenn hut there were spectacular views down onto the waters of the Davosersee below and across to the peaks of the Silvretta Alps over the border in Austria.

Walking along the Panoramaweg

Davosersee from the Panoramaweg

We noticed that the flowers this year were not as spectacular as on our last visit due to the intense heat of the previous weeks, though we did see the alpine favourites of spring and trumpet gentians, alpenrose and moss campion, as well as several varieties of orchids, including the black vanilla, small white and butterfly, with even a few tiny frog orchids. Heather writes: Walking along the Panoramaweg gave us spectacular views and a fun ascent up the funicular train to the col.

Andys group also visited the Panoramaweg on their way to the Strelapass, finding the benches on the Panoramaweg with great views well above Davos across to the Jakobshorn and beyond as they ate lunch, with Paul sussing out one of his walks for later in the week with Una. The train journey back from Davos Platz in the company of some mountain bikers who had clearly had an adventure of the wild-eyed kind, gave no clue, other than the steep gradient, to the lovely gorge walk that was available to us all during the week.

The funicular

View from Stralapass

A more difficult route from Gotschnagrat led up the rocky slopes of Casanna and a vertiginous ridge walk, taken by two groups (see Andy’s account below) on different days. The descent led down to the Panoramaweg to meet the rest of the group by the middle station of the mountain railway, where there were a variety of possibilities. Some took the train up to its highest point at the Weissflühjoch to see the ibex and to enjoy the views as far as the Bernina Alps, others continued along the Panoramaweg and up to the Strela Pass before descending steeply to Schatzalp and the funicular back to Davos Platz, while a few took the train directly down to Davos Dorf.

Andy writes: Our last walking day came upon us all too soon. We were joined by Jonny who was on a mission to make a new video of his Lofi 2 stove from a suitable lofty vantage point. Taking the lift to Gotschnagrat once more we took the path up to Casanna, 2557m. Jonny went on ahead and was to be seen on the ridge doing his thing and no doubt enjoying a brew, whilst we all made our way underneath and along an interesting path protected in part with wires.

By the time we got to Parsennfurgga, 2443m, Jonny caught us up and shot off down to meet up with Mary and Taro at the funicular mid-station. The four of us continued up through the current building site to the Weissfluhjoch at 2662 metres.

The Casanna Ridge above Klosters

View towards Weissfluhgipfel

During the airy transition across the gap Mike pointed out the path that traverses steeply up the face of the Weissfluh, which he had walked up earlier in the week. He did not recommend that we use it as a descent path. Good enough advice for us all to return via the cable car to the funicular top station and take the Parsennbahn all the way down to Davos Dorf for a final train journey back to Klosters, in company with other attendees who were all maxing out their week using the transport infrastructure this lovely area has to offer.

Many of us returned to Schatzalp later in the week to visit the alpine gardens at the large hotel there, built as a TB sanatorium in the late 19th century but turned into a hotel in 1953 when penicillin was discovered and TB eradicated. Here there were five different gardens below the hotel, including a herb garden and a glorious border of bright peonies, while the upper garden with beds of alpines wound steeply up the hillside. Here we found several beds of edelweiss and a spectacular display of Sikkimese cowslips interspersed with iris, but we looked in vain for the bright purple Tibetan slipper orchid we had found on our visit in 2019. This year we found only the seed heads, yet another sign of global warming. The Thomas Mann Way wound up to the hotel from Davos, an easy gradient to take either up or down, and from the top of the higher garden a contouring path led eastwards to ErbAlp and a small alpine café before heading down to Davos Platz.

Peonies at the Alpine Gardens

Sikkimese cowslips at the Alpine Gardens

Black Vanilla Orchid - Andy

The other lift starting at Klosters went from Klosters Dorf up to Madrisa, though this year Max Peacock was the only person to make the ascent from there up the steep rocky slopes of the Rätschenhorn, 2703m the highest summit reached on the meet.

Mässplatte viewpoint

Other groups headed eastwards to climb the lower Schaffürggli or simply to take the route down to Schlappin and its small lake. Alan and I were the only ones to follow the Herb Trail past information boards labelling the medicinal and culinary herbs which grow there, to reach the Swiss flag and Klosters sign at the Mässplatte viewpoint directly above the town.

Andy writes: Picking up tips from Jay and Caroline, Michele, Marcus and I walked down to the Madrisabahn gondola and made our way above the massive new solar array being installed above the treeline, predominantly to harness the power of the winter sun.

The walk up to Schaffurggli joined a rubble road up to the new ski lift top station cut into the furggli itself at 2380m. Here the view to the east opens into the Silvretta.

At the Schlappinerjoch

A long diagonal traverse crossing the Schwarzbach stream and rising back up to the Schlappiner Joch, 2202m afforded us views into the Vorarlberg, with the sign on the col indicating which country you were entering or exiting.

A steep descent down to Schlappin, a collection of houses and a Berghotel at the side of the dammed lake, where a welcome cold one was enjoyed, before traversing through the woods down via Palfaern to cross back over the river using the new foot suspension bridge and into Klosters Dorf, just in time to see the bus negotiating the road below us. A steady walk from bus top to bus top brought us back to the hotel in time for dinner.

View down to Schlappinstrasse

Two walks using minibus transport on private roads had been included in the meet planning, and everyone joined both trips. On the Sunday fourteen of the group set off from Wägerhüs on the Flüela Pass road to cross the Jöriflüelafurgga to the Berghaus Vereina, situated in a quiet secluded valley above Monbiel.

Andy writes: The ride up the Fluelatal was a treat in of itself and the walk from Wägerhüs, 2207m up to the Jöriflüelafurgga, 2725m was the easiest 500 metre ascent path I have ever walked up Daniel on the chains View of the lakes showing little snow The new chains on the steep side added a frison of interest for us all. Lunch was enjoyed among the Jöriseen, before continuing down to the Berghaus Vereina, 1943m. Coming against us were some very determined members of Pam’s group going for a sighting of the lakes whilst making sure they made it back in time for the bus. Happy group at the lakes This was very different from the crossing made in 2019 when the pass and the lakes were covered in snow, as the intense heat earlier this summer had melted it all. The group made a speedy descent to Jöriseen, proving it easier to reach the lakes by this route than by taking the much longer route up from Berghaus Vereina. Heather and Mary explored a side valley which led towards Austria. Very few of us who started at Vereina got as far as even looking down on the lakes, and to make up for not seeing them on that day, some with cars drove up to Wägerhüs later in the week and reached the pass overlooking the lakes with no problem.

The other walk we made using minibus transport was also beyond Monbiel, this time to Alp Sardasca, into another lovely unspoilt valley.

Andy writes: Here at 1650 metres the farmer has kindly adapted some of his buildings to operate as a mini service station for all those who pass this way. Most of the group had not been here before and wanted to catch a glimpse of the receding glacier located above the Silvretta Hut. On the way to the Hut Elelevenes at the Hut Everyone made the Silvretta Hut, 2341m, and took advantage of the facilities at the St. Gallen Sektion Hut. It was great to see a group of youngsters in harnesses and helmets returning with their instructors from the local Klettergarten. Heather says: ‘the hard slog up to the Silveretta Hut was justly rewarded with magnificent views. The descent was less amenable for some of us’. Glacier above the Silvretta Hut Several of us made our way up and along the extensive info trail cataloguing the history of the glacier which leads up to where the current snout is visible. The evidence that the trail provides speaks clearly to the truth about global warming. All too soon it was time to turn round and head back down. With everyone making steady progress we were soon back at Sardasca enjoying the cold drinks available in the water trough and met up with Pam’s group on their day up the Seetal. There was a mixture of excited conversation and quiet recovery in our bus on the return to Klosters. Everyone agreed that it was probably the best day of the week.

Those of us who had been to the Silvretta Hut in 2019 elected to walk up to the Seetal Hut instead, only 420 metres above Sardasca. This is a small SAC hut with no warden but with ten bunk beds and cooking facilities. As we were relaxing outside, a young Swiss family arrived to spend the rest of the day and the night there, their four-year old child having walked all the way up.

Seetal Lake

Our group continued just a little further to the nearby Seetal Lake nestling amid the mountains, an idyllic spot for our picnic lunch.

Meanwhile, Bill Westermeyer and his group had raced on ahead to reach the hut from where they continued up to the ridge 600 metres above on a circuit which proved to be their most demanding exploit of the meet.

Bill writes: Without doubt, the most physically challenging hike of the week was the splendid circuit we made beginning at Sardasca, not much more than a cowshed at the end of a long road east of Klosters reached by a private minibus. Rosie and Caroline at the Hut Rosie, Richard, Don, Caroline and I first ascended some 400 metres to the Seetal Hut, a small SAC Hut built in 1941 only a few kilometres from the Swiss/Austrian border. The small, rustic hut did not have a guardian but otherwise seemed well-equipped. Thoughts of the Von Trapp family escaping Austria to freedom in Switzerland over the pass to the north easily sprang to mind, but I am told that much of the story depicted in The Sound of Music is mostly made up. From the Seetal Hut, we climbed another 600+ metres to a col shown on my map as Scharte. This was beautiful, wild country, and we had it all to ourselves. At one point where the going got momentarily easier, we passed several small ponds and noted some rather large frogs. Surely, their lifespans must be short, as this region is usually covered in snow much of the year. We followed red and white splashes through boulder fields, and slowly zigzagged our way to the top, where we passed through a narrow window or “breche” in the rocks. The other side was equally steep and even more intimidating. Instead of the rocky trail on the way up, we had to descend a steep grassy slope on a very narrow trail. After a half dozen or so tight switchbacks we were able to relax and begin to enjoy the magnificent scenery again. We still had a long way to go and a thousand meters to descend but enjoyed the impressive isolation, at least until we misread a sign on a high pole. Here, instead of continuing a little further on the trail before turning, we interpreted the sign as indicating we should head down a grassy slope, although we could see no trail. Confused, we nevertheless headed down. After eventually intersecting the actual trail down, we determined that the signs on high poles were probably intended for winter backcountry skiers, not us hikers. Despite the confusion, we had a great outing and proved to ourselves that we could still do harder hikes with significant denivelation.

There were lower-level walks too...

Alan on the new bridge

.....and on our last day Alan and I walked up to the Schlappin suspension bridge before taking the Gadäwäg Bärn Trail through the hay meadows above Klosters, to Bärn and then down to Aeuja. From here we walked back along the Landquart river where we discovered a marble reproduction of Michelangelo’s David, carved in 2017 from the same Carrara quarries as the original statue and loaned to Klosters for just four months. That evening we persuaded others to come and look at this with us, a beautiful sight to end a perfect week.

Participants: Pamela Harris & Alan Norton, Daniel Albert, Andy Burton, Heather Eddowes, Mary Eddowes & Jonny Taphouse with Taro, Phil Hands, Don Hardy, Richard & Katherine Heery, Roger James, Margaret Moore, Mike & Margaret O’Dwyer, Max & Vivien Peacock, Michele & Marcus Tierney, Charlie Rawson & Simon Whatley, Rick & Carol Saynor, Paul & Una Stock, Caroline Thonger, Jay Turner, Bill & Rosie Westermeyer.

Report by Pamela Harris with comments from Andy and Bill

The first full day of the meet saw our group of Andy, Celine, Mike, Margaret, Michele and Marcus heading up the Nantle Ridge, ascending by Y Garn. Despite the forecast rain and a lot of the nearby summits being in cloud, the weather held fine and an ascent was made along the ridge, where there is some interesting scrambling.

Ascending Y Garn

Team with the Nantle Ridge behind

Although relatively straightforward a fall to the northwest side would probably result in being killed to death. On the ascent the team were treated to some beautiful bird song coming from a pair of Ring Ouzels which posed conveniently on a rock nearby.

We ended the ridge at the Obelisk at Mynydd Tal-y-mignedd. The monument was erected to celebrate the Diamond Jubilee of Queen Victoria. Lunch was taken on the tumbled boulders at the side of the monument.

From the top of the ridge

After backtracking slightly, a descent was made down the ridge above the Cwm Du woods, although the woodland is currently being harvested so not many of the trees have survived in this area. Huge areas had also been storrm damaged so the area looks devastated and reminded me of the Tunguska event of 1908. (Google it, other search engines are available).

Notice boards assure the public that harvesting the forest is all part of managing the woodland and it will regrow. The group also saw Stonechats here, again posing on the trees for us as we passed by. We eventually traversed back under Cwm Marchnad back to the hut where tea and cake was kindly provided by Don and Judy. We all agreed that the mountain gods granted us some divine favour as we managed to stay dry all day and enjoyed expansive views from the tops.

On Saturday Mike, Michele and Marcus decided to walk to Beddgelert but whilst wanting to do a little elevation we really wanted to stay under the cloud level as winds and rain were forecast all day. We headed off from the hut over the railway line and up the Rhyd Ddu Snowdon path to the junction at Pen Ar Lon. The right path leads to the large, quarried area at Bwlch Cwm Llan. By this time the rain was quite steady and there was already quite a windchill.

The route descended towards Cwm Lan and the Watkin path. We passed many Duke of Edinburgh teams in various states. Some were driving forward with purpose whilst others were head down and grinding it out with their huge 65 litre Vango rucksacks adorned with camping mats on their backs. What was nice was that we saw several instances of the groups helping each other along with encouragement and also physical assistance at times. Credit to them and we tried to give them encouragement by telling them that there was free ice cream shop when they reached the top of the next hill.

We continued with a slight diversion to the top of the incline at Bylchau Terfyn before descending the Watkin path to the cafe at Bryn Dinas. The cafe is built in an old chapel and they have retained a lot of interior features so you can actually have your coffee more or less on the pulpit.

We were able to take off our soaking wet waterproofs and enjoy coffee, tea and a scone (pronounced like stone not gone) before heading off again.
We continued briefly along the A498 before crossing towards Llyndy Isaf, (The farm at this location was used to film the Channel Four My Dream Farm series. Although we didn’t see the winners Loan and Sarah, we did see the Highland cattle they were hoping to introduce to the area.) and went along the side of Llyn Dinas to Beddgelert in warm sunshine. Here we bumped into Dave, Heather and Judy before enjoying the obligatory double ice cream.

After ice cream we returned through the Beddgelert Forest or rather parts of it as some of it as mentioned before is now Beddgelert reforest. Another day where despite an initial soaking we enjoyed some weather that really wasn’t expected; so another bonus day.

On Sunday the mountain weather was again not looking too good so a group of us went totally off piste. Heading towards the coast, Andy, Celine, Mike, Margaret, Michele and Marcus met at the car park near Mount Pleasant close to the village of Llithfaen.

From here we descended steeply to the Welsh Language and Heritage Centre at Nant Gwrtheyrn. After a brief look at the impressive complex of meeting halls, cafe and holiday cottages of this well renovated and repurposed former granite quarry community, we continued on the Wales Coastal path with beautiful views out to sea. Our path continued to a small settlement again with some impressive new builds at Pistyll.

Coastal path

Coastal path

We returned via the North Wales Pilgrims Way back to the car park. Looking back we could see the Nefyn peninsula. After reaching the car park Andy and Celine headed off to get Celine to the train station on time, and the rest of us enjoyed a coffee and cake at the Heritage centre.

This area is highly recommended for a trip when the weather is inclement in the mountains. Many were the days that it would rain all day in the pass (Llanberis to non-climbers) but we would still enjoy a full day climbing at Tremadog or Gogarth. The hills above Penrhyn Glas and Gwylwyr Carreglefain (don’t ask me to pronounce that, ask Dave) look very inviting and we shall certainly return to this area when the mountains are out of sorts.

On Friday Judy went along the ridge of Foel Goch, Foel Gron and Moel Eilio from the hut. The route towards the Snowdon Ranger path was extremely wet and boggy after recent rain, though it was reasonably well marked with signposts but the ascent was easy to follow as it goes up steeply from the col towards Llanberis. The early cloud lifted so even the top of Snowdon was clear, with a steam train making its way to the summit. Along the ridge tops it was cold and windy with a very welcome shelter on Moel Eilio. The views were magnificent, across to Anglesey, south to the Llyn peninsula and back to the high tops in central Snowdonia. Cuckoos, skylarks and buzzards could all be heard. She took the descent to the north then followed the Slate Trail back to Waun Fawr, investigated the ‘Rail Ale’ festival as it was being set up and took the bus back to Rhyd Ddu.

Saturday was forecast to be extremely windy and showery so Judy walked into Beddgelert through the forest, as did Celine, Margaret and Andy, and watched the steam train pass as it left the town and wended its way through the woods. Judy continued to the Aberglaslyn Gorge then took the path from Nantmor above the copper mines, an area that is always fairly quiet although there are paths through it. After a rapid lunch stop, as a shower could be seen heading that way, she descended on a steep path to the coppermines visitor centre. This took a while on slippery rock, with extremely wet bushes to push through. Then into Beddgelert where she met up with several of the others and took the train back with Heather and Dave.

The evening was sociable, with ten of us around the dining table and some good conversations and storytelling. Andy noted that it took three of us to prepare the food for ten, whereas over all the years Ed prepared the whole thing, often for more than twenty diners, himself.

Sunday was wet from the start in Snowdonia but dry in other places. Judy and Don drove to Attingham Park near Shrewsbury where they met up with a friend for a walk around the deer park before heading home.

Heather and Dave write: Friday we decided to have a look at Caernarvon en route.

Looking to the Lleyn Peninsula from Dinlle airfield

In particular we took a walk around the outside of the town walls and the harbour. All interesting to see along with the old town streets. No time for the castle itself, saved for another visit. Despite the wind blowing hard we drove south to Dinas Dinlle on the coast, a little south of Caenarvon, as we’d decided to walk via the dunes and road, to the end of the headland and take a look at Fort Belan built 1775 (warning - after a 1 hour traipse there we were denied entry as it is Private!) However, the tide was in and the sun shone and we were rewarded with fabulous views over to the Snowdonia range, Anglesey and the Llyn Peninsula. We were then off to Rhyd Ddu to settle into the Oread MC’s hut then a delicious meal with the gang at the Cwellyn Arms.

Saturday - Drizzle & wind kept us low and Dave, Don and I followed the trail to Beddgelert. Occasionally the mountain tops appeared. However, we had a grandstand view of the Welsh Highland steam train chugging its way uphill towards Rhyd Ddu. Around halfway Don donned his waterproof trousers, Dave followed suit but somehow lost his binoculars (have you seen them?) Don & I continued whilst Dave backtracked, unfortunately to no avail.

We all made it to Beddgelert and saw other members of the fraternity in the village. Ice cream was consumed before Dave, and I were joined by Judy for a ride back on the Harbourmaster steam train. Don took the bus. We even saw some sunshine! Dave had another walk (for a couple of hours) looking (in vain) for his binoculars. A super evening - both food & company.

Blowing a gale from Trwyn Penmon to Puffin Island

Sunday - After packing and cleaning we headed off to Beaumaris, sunny but still very windy. We went to the historic Courtroom and Gaol - still and peaceful inside unlike it would have been in the 1800’s. Then north to Penmon to see Puffin Island and the lighthouse with a return walk along the Anglesey Coastal Path. An excellent weekend despite the weather.

Attendees:Andy Burton, Celine Gagnon, Judy Renshaw, Don Hodge, Heather Eddowes, Dave Matthews, Mike & Margaret O'Dwyer, Marcus & Michele Tierney.

Reprt by Marcus, contributions from Judy and Heather.