Week - 15 and 16 Nant y Gamar and Portmeirion

These two weeks came in the Easter holidays and I was very fortunate to have both opportunity and company to explore these local landmarks.
I have often looked up at the hill just behind Craig y Don which overlooks Llandudno and wanted to walk up, but simply never done it! Portmeirion, similarly, I always fancied visiting but had never done so properly apart from attending a wedding there.
The great thing with having a list is that it actually does force you to make certain things happen!
The walk around Nant y Gamar was quite literally perfect. A gorgeous, warm, sunny, spring day accompanied by all the family plus Harvey the dog. The conversation was amiable, there was plenty of banter of course and I don't mind saying the picnic was rather tasty too! However, my one question has to be, why on earth has it taken me so long to go up there?? The views on that day were absolutely to die for; we do live in such a beautiful place.

We visited Portmeirion on not such a gorgeous day which in my opinion was a shame as the scenery across the estuary should be breathtaking but visibility was poor on this occasion. The Italianate village is pretty nevertheless and the rhododendrons in the woods were stunning. It would have been great on a hot day when you could have taken advantage of the beach and made a full day of it, for me, the village was all too soon explored.

Good news! - I now have an online sponsor page at JustGiving for my fundraising zipwire challenge in July. I'd be really grateful if you could give something to my charity, 'Care for the family'.

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Week 14- fly-fishing

On my first Friday of no work (My extra teaching hours came to an end) John asked me if I fancied going fly-fishing!
Of course I said yes, but I have to confess that it had more to do with completing a challenge and spending time with my husband than netting a large fish!
Anyway, I had never fished before and so in the spirit of my 50 things I went with an open mind. I wish I'd also gone with a few more layers of clothing!! We went in a boat on Llyn Brenig, not too far from Denbigh. It was an overcast sort of day and didn't seem too cold at first, but then the wind seemed to get up and after a few hours I thought I'd lost all feeling in my feet!
John got quite frustrated that neither of us had caught anything after a few hours but I wasn't bothered. I think maybe it was the male'hunter/gatherer' thing and the competitiveness against the other fishermen (yes, men, I didn't see any other women) It just didn't effect me like that at all. I could have had a nice leisurely ride in the boat and that would have been me happy.
I know there's keen fishermen and probably all Alpha males screaming incredulity at me right now! I'm sorry, just not wired that way!
However, just before we returned to dry land, guess who had a bite on their line?? Yes me. John was very excited and very encouraging; I on the other hand was a little bit alarmed.I asked him to take the line, but he graciously wanted me to have the achievement. Apparently I did a great job and was congratulated thoroughly, but I still didn't get it! - I mean what had I done apart from hold the line? Just that it seems, and held it well, taut and upright! John netted the 'enormous'  trout for me (nearly 3lbs) and then I started to squeal like a girl when he picked up the hammer and did the deed. I know, pathetic wasn't I? Why had it not occurred to me already that that would need to happen??
A natural angler I am not!! Let's just say I didn't take to fly fishing like a 'trout to water '
Fantastic experience though and a good-looking fish - not to mention the very attractive tutor!!

ps- on Good Friday we found out !the trout tasted good too!