Windy.

Sunny and windy today, much like yesterday.

It was a good day for a walk so off we went to Bwlch Nant Yr Arian (there are at least two other Nant Yr Arians in Ceredigion. Not surprising given the mining history of the region.) It's an easy path to walk on and right at the start there is a dramatic 300ft drop down into the valley, not a path for anyone with vertigo. All along this path were many bright blue darters (little dragonflies) and at one point a small field vole ran across the path in front of me.

We followed the same route as we had taken on Sunday though at times it was a case of "I think it's this way." I may not have been 100% sure of the route in some places but I knew which rough direction we should be heading in and the roads, paths and bike routes are all very well signposted. In the end my memory proved correct. 

We stopped for our lunch at Llyn Blaenmelindwr, perched on a rock overlooking the lake. Above us circled first one then three red kites who were promptly mobbed by a rook that must have had a nest nearby. As we ate our lunch the call of a cuckoo could be heard echoing through the trees across the lake. Despite their romantic literary  connotations as the harbinger of spring, its parasitic nature makes the cuckoo my least favourite bird.

There is a long uphill stretch through the woods from the lake and Peter suggested that next time we eat once we reach the ridge viewpoint where there is a handy picnic table. At over 1,100 ft above sea level you can see right down Cwm Rheidol to Aber and the sea. We are so lucky having places like this less than half an hour's drive from home.

Back home I did some gardening; strengthening my tomato supports with wire, repotting a plant and a bit of general tying in. Eventually I wrapped up well and sat out on the terrace watching the turquoise waves whipped up by the brisk wind.

We were quite concerned to see a lone kayaker heading out towards the marker buoys.

By the time he had capsized 5 or 6 times he sensibly turned back, capsized several more times and eventually made it back to shore narrowly missing being swept up on the rocks at the end of the beach.