Weather is a state of mind

View from Porthmadog Harbour

Maybe it's because I don't have kids that I find some of the things kids do so funny.  I recently read a post on Facebook about the things kids have tantrums over and one parent described an occasion when his young son had a meltdown because he didn't want his gloves to be blue.  He'd apparently worn them many times before, without incident, but on this particular day he wanted his green gloves to be blue.  And they weren't.  So he threw a world class tantrum.  Judging by the comments, even those people with kids thought this was amusing, so I wasn't alone in my sniggering.

The thing is I can see the exact same logic, or lack of it, when it comes to ranting, railing and moaning about the weather.  The weather on a given day is not going to change just because we hate it anymore than that kids gloves are going to miraculously change from green to blue.  The weather is what it is so we may as well just get on with it.  Yes, it's been miserable this year but so what?  Stick on your thermals and your waterproof and get out there anyway.

We're just back from a week in Wales and for the five full days we were there the weather was rain, sun, rain, sun, rain - in that order.  No messing around with a bit of grey skies and drizzle - nope, we either had full on sun or full on rain.  I kid you not, these are 5 photos, one from each day:

Day 1

Day 2

Day 3

Day 4

Day 5 (Steve was pulling that face on purpose!)  😁

Plus, is it just me, or are the folks that moan most about the weather the ones that are least likely to venture outdoors anyway?  So, basically, the problem with the weather for them is that it's a bit wet when they're getting from their car to whichever building they're visiting.

In an effort to buck the "whinging about the weather" trend, here are my five fab reasons to be happy when it's cold and wet.

1.  It's a perfect excuse to visit museums, art galleries and interesting old homes.  Yes, I know they're open when it's sunny too but they're perfect for soggy wet days.  They usually have great cakes too.  Porth y Swnt at Aberdaron on the end of the Llyn Peninsula is utterly fascinating and a brilliant combination of art gallery and museum.  It tells of the history of the region as well as celebrating its wildlife and there is plenty there for kids to do too.

Porth y Swnt at Aberdaron

2.  Because the sound of the rain, either on trees or drumming on the roof of the campervan is so relaxing.  You can buy relaxation albums which contain the sound of rainfall - but why spend your money on that when you can hear it for free?  Plus it makes great patterns on the windows.

3.  Because the beaches, and any other outdoors attractions, are way quieter - in fact you can usually have them all to yourself while everyone else hides away indoors.

Lloyd George's Grave - not a soul around

Miles of empty beach - perfect solitude

4.  Because when it's stormy the sea looks AMAZING!  I couldn't do it justice with my camera phone but the waves crashing onto the rocks were spectacular.  You don't get that in the middle of a heatwave!

Aberdaron

5.  Because when you've been out and about getting soggy, cold and wet, there's nothing nice than a hot drink and a slice of well earned cake - or curling up under the duvet with your favourite people.

FAVE cake of the week from The Withes Brew in Pwllheli

You could even use the time to teach yourself some new and highly valuable skills. 

Of course we made the most of the sunshine too - the only thing I wasn't impressed with during the entire week was the £12 per person entry fee for Portmeirion.  We checked their website but couldn't see mention of much other than hotels, accommodation, shops and cafe's so we gave it a miss and had a fabulous adventure on Black Rock Sands instead.

Here's the rest of our trip in a nutshell:

Beach walk near Llanystumdwy

Criccieth Castle

Pwllheli Beach

Quick paddle!

Morfa Nefyn

Morfa Nefyn

Morfa Nefyn - excellent beach walk!

Criccieth

Porthmadog

Borth-y-Gest

Black Rock Sands

Black Rock Sands

A dirty bike is a happy bike!

Aberdaron

Abersoch

For those who are interested we stayed at the Camping and Caravanning Club Site at Llanystumdwy - it's small but perfectly placed for exploring the region.  The bus will pick up and drop off at the campsite gates.  

50 Favourite UK Views

I have recently celebrated my 50th birthday (eek!) so I thought I'd celebrate with my personal 50 favourite views in the UK - we're lucky enough to have our (t)rusty motorhome Delores (15 years old this year!) and have made the most of her touring all over mainland UK.

This blog is also prompted by that fact that I've spoken with a few people over the past couple of months who have said things along the lines of "we've explored lots of places in the world but have never explored Britain/ never been to Scotland/ not really done the staycation thing" so, if that's you, here's what you're missing out on.

1. Windermere - because I just love the colours in this picture.

2. Durness - The first of many Scottish photos - just look at the stunning beaches

3. Bamburgh Castle - we love a good castle and they don't come much better than this.

4. Craigievar Castle - although this one is pretty darned gorgeous too!

5. Knightshayes - t'other end of the country and utterly stunning!

6. Lands End - well, while we're down there...

7. Monsal Head (Derbyshire) - we spend a lot of time on the coast but not so much inland. Need to fix that.

8. Hampden Stadium Glasgow - an odd one I know but I was in the closing ceremony for the Commonwealth Games in 2014 and it was an incredible experience - this is the view from the pitch with all the athletes.

9.  Arundel Castle - yes I know it's another castle, but it's very pretty!

10. Blackpool Illuminations - because I LOVE them!

 

11. Sun setting behind Arran - glass of wine just out of shot...

12. Brecon Beacons - yes it may rain here, but it wouldn't be gloriously green if it didn't!

13. The view from Ingleborough - when we first moved here I decided I wanted to hike "that big flat topped mountain over there".  😀

14. Royal Pavilion, Brighton - because it is mad and magnificent all at the same time

15. Kielder Water - great cycling, great art, great views

16. Skara Brae - Orkney is a spectacular island and these remains are better preserved than I am!

17. Gigha - a different Scottish Island but more stunning beaches - and we went swimming!

18. Farne Islands - love the colours of the sea

19. Blea Tarn on a beautiful evening

20. Whitley Bay - turns out I was pronouncing it all wrong!

21. Cadair Idris - Snowdon is awesome, Cadair is awesome and quieter...

22. Fleet Pond, Hampshire - we used to live near here

23. Mull of Galloway Lighthouse - this whole area is utterly stunning

24. Manchester Town Hall - such a beautiful building

25. The statue in St Pancras - always loved this statue, and the station roof (odd I know!)

26. Bittern at Leighton Moss - took us years to spot it!

27. Rainbows - we wouldn't have them without rain!

28. Abbeystead Reservoir - how pretty is this?

29. Malham Cove - keeps my inner geologist very happy.

30. The Eden Project - beautiful outside and inside

31. Grasmere  - is there anything more perfect than Cumbria on a crisp autumn morning?

32. Ben Nevis - was cloudy when we went up & clear the day after. Sod's Law.

33. New England Bay - one of my favourite places in the world (apart from Cumbria!)

34. Minack Theatre - amazing place and fascinating history

35. Crinkle Crags & Bow Fell - one of the prettiest views there is

36. Seaton Lighthouse - did you know there's a gin distillery nearby too?  Hic.

37. Grey Mare's Tail waterfall - especially beautiful when the heather is out.

38. Whitby  - Steve took this & I love the odd perspective the miniature old boat gives.

39. Rockcliffe and the spectacular shell beach

40. Ice-bow on Kirkstone Pass - such a lucky spot!

41. Sycamore Gap - still remember it from Robin Hood.

42. Snowdon - well, a bit of it anyway, we were stood on the rest!

43. Corbridge Roman Town - my favourite kind of town centre - ancient and empty.

44. Falkirk Wheel - beautiful and practical, what more could you ask?

45. Rochester Castle - I was visiting a friend nearby and this was a lovely surprise

46. River Cam  - an oasis of calm just moments from the busy streets

 

47. King John's Castle Odiham - a properly hidden little gem

48. Sprinkling Tarn - love snowy winter hikes!

49. Crinan Canal - so pretty & so interesting.

50. Patterdale - this was from the start of an amazing walk. Stunning views, beautiful memories.