The north winds have blown, turning the sea into a very different scene than the calm of a few days ago.

Foam from the sea was blocking the promenade in Llanfairfechan – waist deep!

The cold winds have put down the first coating of snow in the mountains, so we felt we ought to go and investigate. It was bitterly cold at Ogwen Cottage, but the views were splendid.

There was a heron calming doing a bit of fishing as we walked up into Cwn Idwal!

The group of young students that I had with me got straight into building a snowman and discovered just how cold hands can get in wet gloves!

It’s more of a cosmetic coating that ‘winter conditions’ for hill walking, but it’s certainly cold and icy up high.

We only ventured as far as Llyn Idwal, enjoying the views (and snowballs) from there rather than from the mountain tops.

A glorious relaxed day out in the hills. A delight. Followed by a fine evening soirée at Jane & Rene’s house – to give them a send off as they are spending the next few months travelling in Tasmania!