The Pilgrim's Path, Llanfairfechan

After work, Dad asked Mum if she felt up to going out for a while before dinner.  Mum thought it was a great idea because the weather for the rest of the weekend was looking attrocious so today would be their best chance of getting some fresh air.  They went home, changed into their walking clobber, grabbed The Boy and set off for Llanfairfechan.

It didn't take long to get to the town and find a space to park.  Mum and Dad were looking forward to exploring the area as they'd only driven past it on plenty of trips further west.  They took a look at a map in the car park and also used Dad's phone to select a walk.  Llanfairfechan has a beach but it was the hills that called to The Family.  Before they set off on their hike, though, Mum bought a meal deal salad from the local Coop as she hadn't eaten yet.  Oops!

Off they went, up through the town.  There seemed to be lots of shops and streets with interesting buildings.  As they hit the residential park the houses and cottages got prettier and more varied.  A lot of them were made using local stone and it felt like it would be a lovely place to live.  The Afon Llanfairfechan ran down through the middle of the town and there were several bridges across.  They were great places to stop and watch the water...and eat salad.

The Afon Llanfairfechan viewed from one of the bridges.

The walk that Mum and Dad had chosen was a bit tricky to follow, but they eventually found the right track which would lead them up into the hills.

"Up, up, up the stairs we go..."

The steps were hard on the legs and warmed up The Family good and proper.  Coats were removed and a stick was found.

The road was always uphill but luckily a bench appeared along the road on a grassy verge which looked out over the town and the sea.  It was a fantastic place to have a quick rest.

Looking over the hedge and over the town and over the sea to Anglesey and Puffin Island.

After their breather, they continued on away from the town, always walking uphill.  The guide then sent them into a field of ewes and their lambs.

The sheep fields and a very big hill.

Some of the lambs stayed close to their Mums.

But others grouped together on a small, rocky hillock.  None of the sheep seemed very bothered about three huffing, puffing people crossing their field.

The farmer popped his head up over a wall and made sure that The Family took the right path over his land.  The right path took them...uphill.  What a surprise!  It got steeper and steeper with little respite.  The Family plodded up the big hill, turning around every once in a while to look at the beautiful hills and sea that surround Llanfairfechan.

The sunshine came out in patches which illuminated the gorse on the hillside.

The trail became more and more indistinct and went through dried bracken and sweet-smelling gorse.

Sunlit gorse and blue sky, what a combination!

Up The Family climbed and climbed until they got to a ridge.  At the top of the ridge was more hill and no clear way to go.  That is when Mum, who had been on her feet all day, said, 'Okay, stuff this!'

But it was not defeat, really.  They may not have reached the top of the hill, but they had climbed to a point where they were very high up and the view was breathtaking.  All three Family members were tired, leg weary and puffed out.  So they stood on the big hill for a good while, taking in their surroundings and marvelling at the beauty of the area.


Ahh!

Cor!

Ooh!


And awww, their first ladybird of 2016.  They just need a butterfly and their insect-spottage collection is complete.

The Family loved the perfect views from the big hill.  The sun was warm and it was great to see how many trees were starting to get their new leaves.  Spring is just awesome.  The Family couldn't stay there any longer, though.  Dinner had to be prepared and the clock was ticking on..

But Mum did have time to take this photo on the way down the big hill.  Her favourite colour is green and her favourite green is 'new growth green' and when she sees it she feels so happy.  Hurrah for happy Mums.

 They reached the bottom of the hill, crossed the sheep fields and went back down the steps to the town.


The Family at the top of the steps.


The Boy, caked in mud and taking the fun route down the steps.  This made his day.

Down through the town went the very weary Family, chatting about their walk and how glad they were to have had a weekend outing.  Maybe there will be another one next week if Mother Nature calms the weather down enough.  The Family do so love their yomps in the countryside.   The views and the fresh air and feeling of having had some proper exercise make them feel great.


Mostly!  (Exhausted Boy)