A Whale Of A Time.

I'm having a really lovely day on this my 69th birthday. 

After what admittedly was a poor sleep I woke to tea, chocolates, roses and cards and then a phone call from Romas. While we were chatting a dolphin went swimming by in front of the reefs. It happens sometimes. The sun was shining and Pete had planned a day out. My favourite sort of day that involved mountains and a picnic with views. 

As we drove through the village to our surprise and joy the tasteful gift shop was open. A rare occurrence indeed though the owner told us she had been open on Saturdays over the summer. We dashed in and Pete bought me this large metal whale as a birthday gift and I bought myself the small sea bird made from wood collected on Borth Beach. 

Having first stopped in Machynlleth to buy food at the Royal House deli we headed into Snowdonia to tackle The Precipice Walk. On the way we stopped in a layby so I could take photos.

The 5km walk starts near Dolgellau [dol-ge (hiss like a cat) lie/le]. A small road winds its way up to the car park on a hill 800ft above sea level. A free car park with a picnic table and clean toilets, perfect.

From the car park we walked through woods until eventually the heather covered hill came into sight. Our route ran uphill from left to right just above the stone wall. With the geology being the same as North Devon we could have been walking around Morte Point, the same rocks and the same vegetation. There was quite a bit of uphill walking and rough going and I worried about Pete's ankles but he managed okay.

As the path swung around the spur of the hill the track narrowed and it became obvious why it is called The Precipice Walk. Not a walk for anyone with a fear of heights. Here the hillside was smothered with heather in flower and the air was filled with the heady scent of honey. There was some humming too, not from bees but from the traffic on the main road far below.

By the time the path reached the tip of the spur the noise had faded and the view got even better. Westwards the Barmouth railway bridge spanned the Mawddach Estuary with the open sea beyond while to the south were the cloud wreathed flanks of Cadair Idris. 

Just as we reached this point the only bench on the walk was vacated. Great timing for us to stop and enjoy our picnic (smoked salmon and cream cheese sandwich and a brownie from home for me and a chicken and Brie panini for Pete along with a flask of coffee).  I couldn't imagine nicer fare or a nicer location.

From there the path swung around the far side of the hill until we reached a small lake. At last we were able to stride along without having to keep our eyes on the rocky path.

The car park was behind the tree covered hill on the right. From there it was just an hour's drive home.

Vytas phoned for a chat in the evening and we are looking forward to seeing him and Sally next weekend.

I could not have asked for a nicer day.