dune Posted 20 February, 2011 Posted 20 February, 2011 Just booked a Thursday to Monday long weekend away in North Wales staying at Portmadog in early March. Have only ever been to Wales on a geography field trip when I was at school so suggestions would be appreciated?
buctootim Posted 20 February, 2011 Posted 20 February, 2011 Snowdonia has some interesting Devonian slate screes.
saintscottofthenortham Posted 20 February, 2011 Posted 20 February, 2011 Llandudno. It's full of old bids but there is one insanely fit young piece who is absolute filth.
SuperMikey Posted 21 February, 2011 Posted 21 February, 2011 It's going to be raining like f*ck there during March Dune, so don't get your hopes up about doing anything too active. Walking in Snowdonia is the obvious one, there's also a few golf courses in the area so if you play (and don't mind the weather) then you could play a round or two. Porthmadog FC are playing at home on the 12th March if you're still around then as well. Take some good books as back-up.
Whitey Grandad Posted 21 February, 2011 Posted 21 February, 2011 As an engineer I found the Llechwedd slate quarry museums very interesting. http://www.llechwedd-slate-caverns.co.uk/ Then there are all those lovely castles, Caernarvon, Beaumaris, Conway. The Menai Straits suspension bridge. The narow gauge railways. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/North_Wales_Narrow_Gauge_Railways Have fun!
Johnny Bognor Posted 21 February, 2011 Posted 21 February, 2011 When in Rome and all that......baaaaaaa
Turkish Posted 21 February, 2011 Posted 21 February, 2011 Canyoning mate, i did it last April at place near Bala on a work trip. Never done it before or even heard of it but was great fun. F*cking cold until you have been in the water about 10 minutes but a well worth doing. Same centre also does White Water Rafting if you'd prefer that. I think this was the place it was booked through. http://www.adventure-northwales.com/act.html
bridge too far Posted 21 February, 2011 Posted 21 February, 2011 This is worth a trip: http://www.fhc.co.uk/electric_mountain.htm or this: http://www.syguncoppermine.co.uk/
Joensuu Posted 21 February, 2011 Posted 21 February, 2011 Knowing your love of history, I'm sure you'll check out some of the castles (Harlech, Caernarfon, Beaumaris) . There is also an alternative energy musuem just down the coast in Machynlleth, which I'm sure will be just up your street . Obviously Porthmerion if the weather is good. Bala (as already mentioned) has all the whitewater, and canyoning stuff, but also has a lake with all the boating/kayaking bits too. I'm sure there are some ex-mines you can visit near Blaenau Ffestiniog. And tearooms near the waterfall in Betws-y-Coed (I'm now picturing you with teapot and the blue rince brigade - disturbing). Oh, and make sure you have some good hike boots and an OS map (although you can buy private sector maps too, but I'm not sure they are either as cheap or as accurate).
suewhistle Posted 21 February, 2011 Posted 21 February, 2011 Have only ever been to Wales on a geography field trip when I was at school so suggestions would be appreciated? Having had the same experience I haven't ever been back. Constant rain, couldn't afford decent foul-weather gear and the food in the youth hostel was dire. Nice roche moutonee in the Llanberis pass though.
Viking Warrior Posted 21 February, 2011 Posted 21 February, 2011 Climb Snowden vist llanfair PG . etc etc etc Betws-y-Coed Llundudno is far better than Rhyl
Whitey Grandad Posted 21 February, 2011 Posted 21 February, 2011 Go to Bangor. Apparently it's lovely. "...I wanted to take my wife back to her birthplace in Wales, for old times' sake, to Bangor." (Mr. Tebbs, 'Are You Being Served?')
Seaford Saint Posted 21 February, 2011 Posted 21 February, 2011 Barmouth is a nice place to visit....my mate liked the place so much he sold his house in Basingstoke and with the proceeds bought a guest house there.
Window Cleaner Posted 21 February, 2011 Posted 21 February, 2011 http://www.portmeirion-village.com/ Ooh I wouldn't go there, when you try to leave they send a big jelly ball to bring you back.
dune Posted 21 February, 2011 Author Posted 21 February, 2011 Climb Snowden vist llanfair PG . etc etc etc Betws-y-Coed Llundudno is far better than Rhyl I'd like to climb snowdon but i'd only do it using the train. Have climed Cader Idris and it takes a long time.
dune Posted 21 February, 2011 Author Posted 21 February, 2011 It's going to be raining like f*ck there during March Dune. Oh no it isn't.
bridge too far Posted 21 February, 2011 Posted 21 February, 2011 I'd like to climb snowdon but i'd only do it using the train. Have climed Cader Idris and it takes a long time. You could train up and walk down. At this time of the year, you probably won't see much from the summit anyway.
Dimond Geezer Posted 21 February, 2011 Posted 21 February, 2011 You could train up and walk down. At this time of the year, you probably won't see much from the summit anyway. This. Get the early train from Llanberis, then it's a relatively easy walk down (my lad did it when he was 6 years old), stopping at the cafe on the way. Make sure you wrap up, it gets wet & cold very quickly up there. Then spend the rest of the day, at Electric Mountain. It's about 10 minutes walk from the Snowdon train station. (The bottom one, not the top).
BadgerBadger Posted 21 February, 2011 Posted 21 February, 2011 Llechwedd slate mines are good as is the Sygun copper mine. Great Ormes Head worth look. Electric Mountain Pen-Y-Gwryd Hotel near the base of Snowdon is well worth a visit for a beer, wonderfull place with loads of Everest first ascent links.
Joensuu Posted 21 February, 2011 Posted 21 February, 2011 I'd like to climb snowdon but i'd only do it using the train. Have climed Cader Idris and it takes a long time. Nice lake below the summit. Quite a walk for a geography field trip..
scotty Posted 21 February, 2011 Posted 21 February, 2011 http://www.portmeirion-village.com/ this is probably the only reason I would voluntarily go to north wales again.
angelman Posted 21 February, 2011 Posted 21 February, 2011 Go to Bangor. Apparently it's lovely. You evil bastard........ Bangor is a **** hole
bridge too far Posted 21 February, 2011 Posted 21 February, 2011 this is probably the only reason I would voluntarily go to north wales again. We spent a week near Portmadog in April last year. WE had a great time and went to Portmeirion on the sunniest day of the week. Lovely place and it was great, sitting in the warm sunshine, outside the Italian Cafe at the top of the village with a lovely meal and a glass of chilled white. Marvellous.
Trader Posted 21 February, 2011 Posted 21 February, 2011 You evil bastard........ Bangor is a **** hole One of my mates from school went to uni there. Poor sod.
dune Posted 21 February, 2011 Author Posted 21 February, 2011 (edited) Nice lake below the summit. Quite a walk for a geography field trip.. We walked up the easy way and came back down via the foxes path (i think it was called) and paddled in the lake. There were various options and Cader Idris was the most difficult (not for the fat kids). Edited 21 February, 2011 by dune
dune Posted 21 February, 2011 Author Posted 21 February, 2011 Take a day trip to England. Carnarfon castle has that base covered. An integral part in the pacification of the Welsh.
Joensuu Posted 21 February, 2011 Posted 21 February, 2011 We walked up the easy way and came back down via the foxes path (i think it was called) and paddled in the lake. There were various options and Cader Idris was the most difficult (not for the fat kids). Good job you're not built like Stu or Alps then.
Saint-scooby Posted 21 February, 2011 Posted 21 February, 2011 Last time I was there, pretty sure its one of the last places you could drive on the beach. That was ten years ago.
OttawaSaint Posted 21 February, 2011 Posted 21 February, 2011 Look out for gangs of short sinewy men, roaming the countryside, terrifying people with their close-harmony singing...
mcjwills Posted 21 February, 2011 Posted 21 February, 2011 (edited) There is the traditional Welsh sport of running around fields with Wellington's 2 sizes too large Seriously take in a local rugby game and a few post game drinks in the club on a Saturday Edited 21 February, 2011 by mcjwills
derry Posted 21 February, 2011 Posted 21 February, 2011 There is the traditional Welsh sport of running around fields with Wellington's 2 sizes too large Seriously take in a local rugby game and a few post game drinks in the club on a Saturday Or a welsh leisure centre, Baaa.
hamster Posted 21 February, 2011 Posted 21 February, 2011 Take a detour and horse-drawn nb across this: http://www.google.co.uk/imgres?imgurl=http://www.ukcanals.net/pont.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.ukcanals.net/pont.html&h=323&w=498&sz=33&tbnid=YbeqM9cVFEEJ0M:&tbnh=84&tbnw=130&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dpontcysyllte%2Baqueduct&zoom=1&q=pontcysyllte+aqueduct&usg=__9PCEXnFfFrCDT0pnCNzpybgvCjI=&sa=X&ei=s_BiTazeHMK18QP2g7jxCA&ved=0CC4Q9QEwAw
Deppo Posted 21 February, 2011 Posted 21 February, 2011 Are you going there to try and rebuild the Empire?
Guest Dark Sotonic Mills Posted 22 February, 2011 Posted 22 February, 2011 Take a detour and horse-drawn nb across this: http://www.google.co.uk/imgres?imgurl=http://www.ukcanals.net/pont.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.ukcanals.net/pont.html&h=323&w=498&sz=33&tbnid=YbeqM9cVFEEJ0M:&tbnh=84&tbnw=130&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dpontcysyllte%2Baqueduct&zoom=1&q=pontcysyllte+aqueduct&usg=__9PCEXnFfFrCDT0pnCNzpybgvCjI=&sa=X&ei=s_BiTazeHMK18QP2g7jxCA&ved=0CC4Q9QEwAw Been over there several times. I had to steer everytime (yeah right, what steering?) as everyone else had a fit of acrophobia and hid in the saloon. Great times. By the way, have you ever known anyone on a canal boat to get psychosomatic typhoid after jumping in to recover a lock windlass? I have...
hamster Posted 22 February, 2011 Posted 22 February, 2011 /\ "psychosomatic typhoid"? I don't even know what that is DSM and Google didn;t help much either. I keep my windlass in my belt btw.
bridge too far Posted 22 February, 2011 Posted 22 February, 2011 Been over there several times. I had to steer everytime (yeah right, what steering?) as everyone else had a fit of acrophobia and hid in the saloon. Great times. By the way, have you ever known anyone on a canal boat to get psychosomatic typhoid after jumping in to recover a lock windlass? I have... Done this one a few times too. It is a bit scary if you're sitting on the LH side of your craft to 'steer' (as you say). However, as I suggested to my ex, why not sit on the opposite side so there's at least the pavement between the boat and the drop Men, eh.
dellboypete Posted 22 February, 2011 Posted 22 February, 2011 I'd like to climb snowdon but i'd only do it using the train. Have climed Cader Idris and it takes a long time. Did my undergraduate geology field mapping around Cader Idris - must have gone up it a dozen times - haven't been back since!
Joensuu Posted 22 February, 2011 Posted 22 February, 2011 Remember crossing that aquaduct as a school kid. One of the other kids on the trip had their hand dangling over the side, and got it trapped between the barge and the concrete... thankfully he got away with it - just.
hamster Posted 22 February, 2011 Posted 22 February, 2011 Remember crossing that aquaduct as a school kid. One of the other kids on the trip had their hand dangling over the side, and got it trapped between the barge and the concrete... thankfully he got away with it - just. They are NOT barges! You'd be surprised at how quickly irate those acquiessent narrow boaters can become when one 'accidentally' let's the b word slip out.
dune Posted 24 February, 2011 Author Posted 24 February, 2011 Good job you're not built like Stu or Alps then. I've decided that i'm going to climb cader idris again. Haven't got mountaineering gear as such, but wellies, an umbrella, warm clothes and a pack up should do - it's only a big hill afterall!!! Ordered an OS map to be on the safe side... Where is the best place to park up? Can I come back down via the fox's path and arrive back at the same place I started? Until I get the map i'm not sure of routes and where to start, but will park the car up and need to start and finnish from this point. How long will it take? I'll take the dog with me - this should alright shouldn't it (obviously i'll put it on it's lead if there's steep drops!)
dune Posted 25 February, 2011 Author Posted 25 February, 2011 (edited) On seconds thoughts Snowdon is the biggest mountain so it's got to be done. I'm thinking that starting at pen-y-pass and going up via the pyg track and back via the miners track (or vice versa) is the best option. The Llanberis track is longer and it's the same route up and down (zzzzz), and other routes i've looked into have included words such as "accident blackspot" and "risk of death" which put me off a bit. I'm no townie (so am not completely naive, but equally i'm not a mountaineer) so should be alright. Have invested in some walking boots (and special mod issue socks) yesterday though (thought wellies might be a bit uncomfortable) and a map and i do have a compass!! Has anyone else done this route or walked up Snowdon? Edited 25 February, 2011 by dune
BadgerBadger Posted 25 February, 2011 Posted 25 February, 2011 I'm thinking that starting at pen-y-pass and going up via the pyg track and back via the miners track (or vice versa) is the best option. Have invested in some walking boots (and special mod issue socks) yesterday though (thought wellies might be a bit uncomfortable) and a map and i do have a compass!! Has anyone else done this route or walked up Snowdon? Pyg up - Miners down makes for a cracking walk, if you're driving to the hostel car park at pen-y-pass get there early, it can fill up very quickly. There's no drama, path has been extensively managed over the past few years to make it more user friendly. Take your waterproofs even if it's sunny, weather can change very quickly and give them new boots a good breaking in session before hand. Get a map case in case it ****es down but it's pretty hard to miss the paths. Hope you have clear weather as the views really do make for an enjoyable walk. You must finish with a pint at Pen-Y-Gwryd Hotel, it's at the right turn to Pen-y-Pass if you're coming from Capel Curig.
dune Posted 25 February, 2011 Author Posted 25 February, 2011 Pyg up - Miners down makes for a cracking walk, if you're driving to the hostel car park at pen-y-pass get there early, it can fill up very quickly. There's no drama, path has been extensively managed over the past few years to make it more user friendly. Take your waterproofs even if it's sunny, weather can change very quickly and give them new boots a good breaking in session before hand. Get a map case in case it ****es down but it's pretty hard to miss the paths. Hope you have clear weather as the views really do make for an enjoyable walk. You must finish with a pint at Pen-Y-Gwryd Hotel, it's at the right turn to Pen-y-Pass if you're coming from Capel Curig. Cheers for the vote of confidence in this route. A couple of questions: 1) How long does it take to get up and down? I'm planning on starting walking about 7 a.m just incase. 2) I'd prefer to let the dog off the lead - are there sheep about and are steep drops limited? Obviously the bloody thing would have to stay on the lead under either of these circumstances....
BadgerBadger Posted 25 February, 2011 Posted 25 February, 2011 I'd give it a good 6 hours at a steady pace so as to enjoy the walk and take time out at the summit, nothing worse than rushing a good walk. Starting at 7am is a good shout, you'll miss the crowds (which makes it infinatley more enjoyable) plus it gives you all time in the world to take it in at your own pace. As for the dog, you might see a few sheep on the first part up the side of the valley before you reach the col where you'll go over a stile into the bowl but the terrain is pretty chill and open. After that it's a well laid out path with some gradient but no drops, there's nothing there to worry about just keep an eye on the muttly when you get to the end of the switchback near the col as you climb out of the bowl and near the summit, it can fall away pretty steeply a few meters from the path in places but there's always the ability to walk away from the edge to gentle ground. I've never put my dog on the lead and I've still got him. My missues seriously freaks out at heights and she's been up that route many times. Check out the Crib Goch photos on Google for a gnarly route, it runs along the top ridge above you when you walk through the bowl, it's on my bucket list but my fear of heights may be tested by that route. Very envious, you'll have a great day!!
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