Saturday 9th October 2010

Barnetby Le Wold - Bigby - Somerby

(Pathfinder Guide Lincolnshire & The wolds, Walk #23)

(7.24 Miles, 3Hrs, 15 mins)

We parked in Barnetby by the roadside, near the Post Office on a dull, cloudy Saturday morning around 11:30.

After 2 rain filled trips to the Peak District and North Wales if was good to set off on a walk with no rain, though it did look likely that it could rain.

After passing through several streets the path turned from pavement to grass and into open countryside and fields.

The trees are beginning to lose their foliage, though things did look quite green most likely due to much rain over the preceding weeks.
The red autumn/winter berries were much evident.

After a mile or so, we saw what appeared to be a kite in the distance.

It was, but was of the bird scaring variety and was tethered to a long pole.

After passing through the village of Bigby, the walk gave good views across the wolds, though a little mist was evident. A very, flat, easy paced walk and no cows to report, just a few sheep.

We soon came across the monument below, erected in 1770 to celebrate the 29th wedding anniversary of Sir Edward and Ann Weston of nearby Somerby hall. (Why the 29th anniversary and not the next years 30th is not clear?)

Passing up an incline through a small wooded area brought us out onto Somerby wold lane and Somerby top. This we followed for a couple of miles passing a large farm (large interesting fungi spotted here).

Towards the end of this track we spotted something glimmering in the distance. Just as we identified this as the beginning of the runway for Humberside airport, a passenger jet roared down above our heads - very low, on approach to the runway, as we were directly under the flight path.

We waited a while ,and stopped for lunch a little further on, hoping to spot another jet and take a picture. However, the only other plane that presented itself was a small light aircraft.

After eating lunch we continued on, heading back towards Barnetby via more easy flat tracks and across several fields.

We arrived backat the start point around 14:45, having taken 3hrs, 15mins, including several stops and lunch.

Altogether, an easy, enjoyable walk with reasonable views and some interesting diversions such as Humberside airport, a monument and the bird scaring kite (we are easily pleased!!).. and it did not rain!

Our Walk Score: 7/10

North Wales Friday 17th September 2010

Llandudno

We decided to spend what began as another rainy day in Llandudno.

The day was spent walking along the prom, the pier and the shops in the town centre.

We had a brief detour to the Great Orme, deciding to take the cable car as the weather was wet and windy, but even that was closed, presumably due to the high winds.

North Wales Wednesday 15th September 2010

Portmeirion

Clough Williams-Ellis spent 50 years
building Portmeirion village to show how
architecture could enhance the natural environment.

It was a fairly wet Wednesday morning when we set off, the journey taking around 50 minutes.

On arrival we parked up, and with the weather now fair and much drier we paid the £8 each admission and entered the village via archways.

Immediately apparent was how well kept the building were, considering the light pastel shades and the often inclement weather in these parts.

We walked around the village, taking in the varied architecture and the various levels it was all built upon.

There are several shops (of the gift variety) and cafes, as well as the Portmeirion hotel where you can book accommodation and/or take a meal in the restaurant.

We headed down towards the beach/shore area and admired the general views across the coastline as well as looking back at the village now above us.

A hovercraft even made an appearance!

The Portmeirion Hotel.

After about 2hours the weather turned to rain once again, and so we decided to leave, but on a better day we would do the trail walks through the woodland or along the coast, as there was much more to see along these trails.

Would highly recommend Portmeirion and on a much nicer, longer day, would be well worth the price of admission.

North Wales Tuesday 14th September 2010

Isle of Anglesey, Holy Island & South Stack

Once again we woke to rain and after breakfast the rain was pouring, so again we decided against getting soaked and abandoned any fancy ideas about going walking.

We decided to head for the Isle of Anglesey and visit the longest place name Llanfair.........goggoch (fill in the blanks).

In a way, this was a mistake, as after an hour of driving the weather faired, the clouds cleared and the sun appeared now and again.

We did the tourist thing and parked at the one large shop at Llanfair.... gogogch (fill in the blanks). We spent all of about fifteen minutes here as the shop was of little or no interest to us (apart from the whisky section, bought a Penderyn miniature to sample - Welsh whisky you know!!)

We did find some tourist leaflets, and one of interest was a place called South Stack - it was a RSPB site, cliffs, sea, views, what more could we want?

We headed off, across the Isle Of Anglesey, and then across to Holy Island, through Holyhead and after navigating a few narrow lanes parked up at South Stack.

The views immediately were stunning, we walked across the pathway leading along the cliff top to a white tower. This was the RSPB information centre but was closed for lunch.

However, we had noted a light house in the distance, and continued on and upward (you can see the white tower in the picture below at the bottom of the path we climbed). That's not a dirty speck in the middle of the pic by the way - it's a helicopter, plenty of them about in this area.

Time for a rest!!

The black sheep decided to form a circle and see what we were up to!!

We could see the lighthouse down below, and decided to go there, a bit of a trek down about 500 or so steps. Still it was a nice day now if quite windy.

Crossing the bridge to the lighthouse island!

We looked back at the path from whence we came!

We paid a nice man £4 each and he told us the light house tour would be in 15 minutes time.

There was a small museum of all things lighthouse to look around while we waited.

We then followed the guide up the spiral stairs to the top of the lighthouse.

Its only a 150W lamp, but I guess it's all in the glass optics!

It's automated and controlled from Harwich you know.

and... we saw dolphins!! No photos of them, they were way too quick to snap.

And then the weather started to turn, and after ascending the 500 or so steps up, we had a drink in the cafe near the car park and headed back, delighted that the afternoon had turned out very well indeed!!

North Wales Monday 13th September 2010

Monday morning and we woke to RAIN,RAIN,RAIN.

Not a day for walking, it was teaming it down.

We decided to have a drive to Blaneau Ffestiniog and the Llechwedd Slate Cavern as it's dry underground!!

The drive was about 30 minutes, and we arrived at the car park in pouring rain. We waited till it eased and paid for the Miners Tramway tour.

http://www.llechwedd-slate-caverns.co.uk/

After a short wait, issue of hard hats, we boarded the mine train and headed off underground.

The train travelled for about 5 minutes through gloomy lit tunnels with occasional open caverns, till it stopped and we got off, exiting into a large open cavern. The train left to pick up others further in the mine, and ferry them back before coming back to us. During this time our guide gave a short history of the mine, the techniques used in the past and how conditions would have been down there - no electric then you know, only candles!

We boarded the train again to the end cavern and a rather muted commentary from dummies placed in a mining scene. It was in English rather than Welsh, I think, but the accents and the lack of volume did mean that much of it was lost on me and most of the audience.

Back in the train and out of the mine we arrived back at the surface and the obligatory gift shop(selling slate amongst other things all welsh).

A little disappointing, perhaps the deep mine tour would have been better, maybe one for next time on another rainy day.

We drove off, had a tour around in the rain, took a few pictures (see below) and went back to the digs as the rain was still hammering down.

Perhaps it would be better Tomorrow.......?