It feels like I’ve been here, there and everywhere during this past week and through a range of weather along the way! Clare and I had a very chilly dip at Capel Curig on Tuesday – after so much good weather, it was a bit of a shock to have a wet and windy day!

In between work logistics, I’ve been tinkering with a few more bits of old/rare wood from the Den back in Loddington, making use of the wood and some nice shelves for The Cottage.

Even got to use some of Dad’s old tools – including one of his original drills! Still in fine working order!

After an ‘outdoor’ day of work, I was invited ‘indoors’ to give a presentation to some international guests about the delights and benefits of Outdoor Education.

It was great fun giving the presentation and I even got a very nice, sit down, three course lunch thrown in too! A real step up from my usual packed lunch!

Clare and I have made the most of the evening where we could, with a quick trip up Tryfan Bach on a freakishly warm evening – twenty one degrees and a hairdryer warm wind at 20:30!

Lots of Orchids out at the moment in the valley – amazingly not munched up by the sheep?…

And foxgloves are in bloom too everywhere…

On Thursday, I made a very soggy ascent of Dians Bran above Llangollen! Wet enough to start to get through my waterproofs, and soaking socks by the end of the day! A wild walk, but with a good fun team of students, who all took to the challenge, despite conditions. Thank goodness we were staying in a hostel rather than camping!

Friday was spent chugging down the canal in a barge. Super nice day with some younger students, but quite tiring after being up rather late at night with a few home sick pupils. At least we could let the engine do most of the work the next day. Didn’t even hit anything or get stuck this year, so quite an improvement in boat driving skills! Phone also ran out of ‘energy’ that day, so no photos from the water. Here’s Llangollen instead.

More wind and rain has put plenty of water in the gorge, so I’ll have to wait a bit before taking a swim here! I have a rare Sunday off today, which is great as I’m in need of a re-charge before the final Gold Duke of Edinburgh’s Award expedition of the season in a few days time…