The potential of an ocean swell never really materialized, but the calm weather did, so we kept plans as they were and went to the beach – just without surf boards…

Flying lessons were taking place at the (very) nearby landing strip as we walked the length of the sands.

The temperatures have really dropped (it was about 5 degrees), but without a breeze, the sun felt warm on our faces.

Plenty of time and space to experiment with some reflection photography…

With Clare having just returned from a weekend dancing at the Ballroom at Blackpool tower, and me still recovering from the mid-wales expedition, a walk and talk along the beach was the perfect level of activity together.

After tea and toast back at The Cottage, later in the afternoon, it was looking like there might be a spectacular sunset, so in a last minute decision, I took myself up the North Ridge of Tryfan.

There were some super colours on the horizon, but I was probably half an hour too late for the full spectacle.

It was still nice to be up there and very peaceful, without another person to be seen of heard…

As I neared the summit there was a final blaze of colour….

I could still see the headlights of cars on the A5 far below as I sat on top of the summit rocks, about 50 minutes after setting off from there.

I had a drink on the top as the last of the light disappeared, then with headtorch on, began a careful descent of the West Face. Within an hour from leaving the summit, I was back at The Cottage, feeling ready for a sit down and some hot food! On the drive back through the valley, the car thermometer read 3 degrees…

Tryfan – Ascent: 52minutes. Descent: 40minutes