It’s not often that we decide to call it a day because it’s too hot to climb, and very rare in Wales. However, today was one of those days. Blistering heat at the crag! Just setting up the ropes was a toil and sweat was pouring off us like we were climbing in Thailand not North Wales! With the lure of the coast in view, we packed up and headed for the water. Paddling in the sea was barely even cooling as the water felt so warm as it came in on the hot sand. I’ve creams helped though! Clare and I (and many other friends!) have spent the past few evenings at the beach as there has also ..read more

Dashed to the beach after a hot, sweaty, yet productive day. Good snorkelling conditions prevail! One of the only times I’ve snorkelled in the UK for a prolonged period with out a full wetsuit, boots, hat etc… Just a shortie this even.  Clare found loads of crabs and pointed out loads of fish as we floated about the bay. To avoid having to rush home, we’d come prepared with a pre-cooked dinner and blanket to sit on, so we could enjoy the last of the light.  Still plenty warm enough at dusk when we left ..read more

It's not often in North Wales that you need to make an alpine start and plan to climb in the shade in order to escape the toasting heat, but today was one of those days! I'll admit, I was pretty slow getting going when the alarm went off, but in order to make the best of the day (and find somewhere to park), an early start was required. All was calm as we walked into Cwm Idwal, despite a gales of hair dryer warm air howling down the Nant Ffrancon. We planned to link up different rock climbs up towards the summit of the Glyders. We started on 'Charity' on Idwal Slabs, in the cool of the m ..read more

With temperatures reaching record levels and not a breath of wind on the forecast, an early start was planned to catch both the conditions and the tides for a coastal exploration that I've wanted to do with the paddleboards for some time. We set off as last of the water left the estuary and the sun was only just over the horizon.. Without needing to paddle, the river took us down to the sea! We did have to lift the boards the final section, but otherwise, made it to the mouth of the estuary. The sea was incredible. So calm and so clear. We felt like explorers, venturing forth in ..read more

Waiting until nearly sunset for the wind to drop, but it was worth the wait! Took a 7km paddleboard journey around the lake at Capel in the most stunning of conditions. Good views of Snowdon in the distance... There was enough water to get through the Beatrice Gap and into the second lake, where there were even less ripples! As we returned back to the van, we got in and swam the last bit as it was so warm!  Outstanding. Felt very fortunate to be able to nip out and do things like this after a day of work at The Cottage ..read more

A sudden heatwave seems to a turned up in Wales! After doing a morning workshop with Clare, we nipped down to the Staits for a cooling swim before meeting friends for lunch. The tide was high and the swimming area deserted!  After a long, social lunch in Y Felinheli a few of us decided that another swim was in order - to cool down and to make the most of the summer vibe! The tide had receeded a little, but we all enjoyed a good swim - especially trying to swim against the currents. Towards the evening a bank of mist made its way up towards us. And before the sun set, we were en ..read more

Having been on a few good runs while in the Alps and away from home this summer, we thought we ought to try and keep up some momentum and get out and about from The Cottage. Actually, we did drive the few minutes over the the other side of the valley so that we could run straight up onto the hillside and access the lower peaks of the Carneddau.  After a pretty drizzly morning at The Cottage, it was wonderful to be up in the mountains and in the warm sunshine too! From the summit of Moel Winion, we had some incredible views out to sea, with the exposed sand bars of the low tide produ ..read more

Wanting to get on to some sunny rock climbs, but also wanting to avoid any of the crowded holiday areas, we ventured up to the north coast of Anglesey to the lesser frequented Bull Bay. After scanning the guidebooks, Clare located a couple of cliffs that we'd not visited before. It was time to go exploring! Equestrian Wall (photo above) is 'the' crag of the area, with some impressive lines up it. The guide describes the rock as 'hairy and in more than one sense of the word'. It's covered in lichen, but also a steep and friable making it less of a top choice for a chilled afternoon out! (in ..read more

Have you read my book entitled The Van Bivi Logbook? If not, don't worry - it is still available to buy in paperback or on kindle by clicking here. It's is a quirky collection of unique travel stories, friendships and adventures that were all born from real journeys and explorations that were transported and housed in the unlikely confines of our old Ford Escort Van.    In a way it's a bit like reading tales from this blog - just from before the word 'Blog' had been invented! The book tales you around Europe, from the highs of climbing remote mountains, to the lows of finding yourse ..read more

Our final few days at Fort Martin were spent enjoying the grounds and local areas. The gardens are bursting with fresh produce, which we enjoyed each evening and lunch - all bar the grapes, which are having a bumper year and almost ready to be turned into fine wines! Local explorations, plenty of chat on the terrace and even a cream tea in the shade of the  'Mediterranean Zone' all made for a lovely visit. As we arrived back to the mountains of Wales on Saturday night, the same moon we'd been watching each evening at The Fort, was coming up over the Glyders ..read more