tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-86191551126818214382024-03-13T09:45:36.390+00:00The Things I do..!Chris Krawieckihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12749029705039549428noreply@blogger.comBlogger92125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8619155112681821438.post-82897576211418105352010-01-17T20:42:00.005+00:002010-01-17T21:06:57.636+00:00No Tobogan needed..<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQTGMFiBnbsSa5vjjnZGXpSNKq2vNnoOCf8oNt79qrnwXVw6-4tLHMu7f07Mk597vGduRzfPOneGQ404CMdTdXFXJ7tQUYJjgQcg-Sj9pXE0L38W2wyioFIXc7P6KhU5LcQSPL8k8_jwY/s1600-h/P1170120.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQTGMFiBnbsSa5vjjnZGXpSNKq2vNnoOCf8oNt79qrnwXVw6-4tLHMu7f07Mk597vGduRzfPOneGQ404CMdTdXFXJ7tQUYJjgQcg-Sj9pXE0L38W2wyioFIXc7P6KhU5LcQSPL8k8_jwY/s320/P1170120.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5427816965757949810" border="0" /></a><span style="color: rgb(204, 255, 255);"><span style="font-family:arial;">What a difference a week makes. Temperatures have risen to dizzy heights compared with the Arctic depths we experienced then. So it was nice to still find enough snow to enjoy higher up in North Wales's Carneddau.<br /></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_nDblr_ptS7YfcHwgGs_Uf7PEI9cT0Z5ZP80RMzX7A8FcjWoKYXdb39y04-PvNX7LXeq-cExlaIfjTH8eV8i7gPnlaRcghAgV6fSV54wPQAelrRY3XMW2jZUqxjxwt_ONXSfW-AmIArE/s1600-h/P1170122.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_nDblr_ptS7YfcHwgGs_Uf7PEI9cT0Z5ZP80RMzX7A8FcjWoKYXdb39y04-PvNX7LXeq-cExlaIfjTH8eV8i7gPnlaRcghAgV6fSV54wPQAelrRY3XMW2jZUqxjxwt_ONXSfW-AmIArE/s320/P1170122.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5427817323440232306" border="0" /></a><span style="color: rgb(204, 255, 255);"><span style="font-family:arial;">Me and Jim took ages getting up high! Holiday bellies, soft legs and hard winter boots took their toll on our humour. But of course the rewards of a blue sky on the summit, celebrated by a hot choc from the flask spurred us on to a rapid, fun way of returning,,,<br /></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3ci1Jb914o54vxKRDSwESjUEI0e8gVO7vYzy5j858Ix4Cuj_SKu3EHS6zNC3ejDEBeq2Bu4pZeJkC9y0dLjk2a5X042uKpsV5Ft_LYqtDzlGmSW0QZ0tgQM75Ivdb9FJ6hYcYyVC5t98/s1600-h/P1170130.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3ci1Jb914o54vxKRDSwESjUEI0e8gVO7vYzy5j858Ix4Cuj_SKu3EHS6zNC3ejDEBeq2Bu4pZeJkC9y0dLjk2a5X042uKpsV5Ft_LYqtDzlGmSW0QZ0tgQM75Ivdb9FJ6hYcYyVC5t98/s320/P1170130.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5427817756403617922" border="0" /></a>Chris Krawieckihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12749029705039549428noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8619155112681821438.post-58973526041477511452010-01-04T23:50:00.002+00:002010-01-05T00:02:19.840+00:00Llandwyn Sunset<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPdJS3ixW7-ZBMWZi2SpRKDgbzqvM041LSxCfWmtSiagXQjqGmvSi2nzvTDcpbTkAyrafw78ws6KNoQ23B1ASbWDfVDtNzsU-XNbpu7gX45B9dXZv-OaLB0KdVGhK0fodYIV09Oy9anZY/s1600-h/P1030115.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPdJS3ixW7-ZBMWZi2SpRKDgbzqvM041LSxCfWmtSiagXQjqGmvSi2nzvTDcpbTkAyrafw78ws6KNoQ23B1ASbWDfVDtNzsU-XNbpu7gX45B9dXZv-OaLB0KdVGhK0fodYIV09Oy9anZY/s320/P1030115.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5423039253649496642" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="color: rgb(153, 153, 255);"><span style="font-family:arial;">Yesterday I had one of lovliest walks, at one of my favourite places, <a href="http://www.anglesey-history.co.uk/places/llanddwyn/">Llandwyn Island</a>. No two visits are ever the same. This one was quite special given the calm sunset in the cold clear winter air.<br /><br /><br /></span></span>Chris Krawieckihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12749029705039549428noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8619155112681821438.post-33519884703198446842009-08-30T21:06:00.007+01:002009-08-30T21:53:58.455+01:00Half Pass and Wild Ponies<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPFvzCBIY6qiDPg92jyug1qESq2D6vq02EhOgZzCWgMIhZFSfRiFPtVZ1W4tPqpp1LmQR0GU4ACRg4B78UGNOz_dSTi7OQQxUZBw1z6xRgovCEX18I9qWSbzeXVfk0lUqdWHh3cxJT5j4/s1600-h/P7120170.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPFvzCBIY6qiDPg92jyug1qESq2D6vq02EhOgZzCWgMIhZFSfRiFPtVZ1W4tPqpp1LmQR0GU4ACRg4B78UGNOz_dSTi7OQQxUZBw1z6xRgovCEX18I9qWSbzeXVfk0lUqdWHh3cxJT5j4/s320/P7120170.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5375857388937485122" border="0" /></a>This wild pony cantered past me, close to Aber Falls. His flowing mane mirroring the cascading water.<br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 153, 51);"><span style="font-family:arial;"><br />On Friday I'd booked a classical riding lesson at <a href="http://www.lusitanocymru.co.uk/">Pen Llyn</a>. I'd driven down earlier and went for a walk on the beach, then something caught my eye and I found myself half way up the hill behind, before suddenly realising it was time to go...<br /></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8gbmNPrgs-Xv16Zbowjj5VI5Mt2gDA1GTlw6PnPOOeJ2OWKrjzysIKppPmVYBO5RiiPKjgZBS032ayv4WCQGuO9uU8habiDtLWNSNIEJueSgQSc4_3wFOwE0EN3-RsufF9CjL6Dcx1xs/s1600-h/P7120131.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8gbmNPrgs-Xv16Zbowjj5VI5Mt2gDA1GTlw6PnPOOeJ2OWKrjzysIKppPmVYBO5RiiPKjgZBS032ayv4WCQGuO9uU8habiDtLWNSNIEJueSgQSc4_3wFOwE0EN3-RsufF9CjL6Dcx1xs/s320/P7120131.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5375859318545983570" border="0" /></a><span style="color: rgb(204, 153, 51);"><span style="font-family:arial;">So it was straight into things...not quite late! The very talented pony I was riding needed little warming up. Soon we were shoulders in...leg yielding, all things I know. Then Lucy described travers to me. Must admit it all sounded a bit complicated at the time, but with her help, we soon sort of managed that. Before I had time to chew over that.."how about trying half pass?" Well ok!? So we did. Now I've had chance to think about it and read elsewhere what it's all about, I'm very pleased with my achievement. Like learning many new skills...I felt a little confused and not totally with it. Next time I'll know what to expect and do, a little more. Also for the first time since I started riding, I had some muscle pain the day after...right in the middle of my bottom. Clearly this is new ground for me!<br /></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9WpCqjGAwTY1ube-euB5fw5HLvYl9KDRHJrWeaHDl8UfqMXuLJ3mp2H35bfUcewQlYAZXglmOhZl5UkWlEtKMGQVtN-xY0NBs5oK-4ZenA7-syX_q10aJ-1dwewDbbkoB7VTpM86lBxI/s1600-h/P7120140.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9WpCqjGAwTY1ube-euB5fw5HLvYl9KDRHJrWeaHDl8UfqMXuLJ3mp2H35bfUcewQlYAZXglmOhZl5UkWlEtKMGQVtN-xY0NBs5oK-4ZenA7-syX_q10aJ-1dwewDbbkoB7VTpM86lBxI/s320/P7120140.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5375860362998430706" border="0" /></a>Very inquisitive foal, high up on open ground above the falls, with Anglesey and Puffin Island in the distance.<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 153, 51);"><span style="font-family:arial;"> On the way home I stopped to have a contemplative walk to see the spectacular <a href="http://www.trekkingbritain.com/aberfallsfrombontnewydd.htm">waterfalls at Aber. </a>It had rained all night. I haven't the camera to do the falls justice, but caught sight of one of the many wild ponies living in the surrounding hills. It's flowing mane mirrors the water falling over.<br /></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbsdlsDFQL2X5Edk4xP86oLfcvPHqivsEoHCbVvtwEuLDc1iGOQWeDjum1lIl6WKuAjeHMpthDtc2sFUhDNkRZ8C5F_5-enShz6LlE3FeV-pFyZKeSj_JtC9U2_1x4WzPFmJ6DzEBtt7k/s1600-h/P7120133.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbsdlsDFQL2X5Edk4xP86oLfcvPHqivsEoHCbVvtwEuLDc1iGOQWeDjum1lIl6WKuAjeHMpthDtc2sFUhDNkRZ8C5F_5-enShz6LlE3FeV-pFyZKeSj_JtC9U2_1x4WzPFmJ6DzEBtt7k/s320/P7120133.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5375861301621083842" border="0" /></a>Aber Falls from a distance...Chris Krawieckihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12749029705039549428noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8619155112681821438.post-59868705984404030582009-08-26T21:41:00.003+01:002009-08-26T22:15:13.297+01:00End of an Era..<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT_JRMfIilwfkdHguDW1z8vs2jpxPl_aL0k_K1Z3kHtn1zpkJernJDF3JwMoryAcerlb6XEaR5NoKPq54tW4yqeKaeLMXzJBYnzTw9KWlT52nmbn50uO8515-nGhW4nnDXXf1Nopihp1Q/s1600-h/P8260207.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT_JRMfIilwfkdHguDW1z8vs2jpxPl_aL0k_K1Z3kHtn1zpkJernJDF3JwMoryAcerlb6XEaR5NoKPq54tW4yqeKaeLMXzJBYnzTw9KWlT52nmbn50uO8515-nGhW4nnDXXf1Nopihp1Q/s320/P8260207.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5374382306586629490" border="0" /></a>Ready for take-off! Probably my last 747 departure...but who knows what the future holds?<br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 204, 255);"><span style="font-family:arial;"><br />In my working life I am a Licenced Aircraft Engineer. In 1985 I started with a major airline and was quickly introduced to the Boeing 747. I have worked on them all through my career so far. Today I probably departed my last 747. Our contract has finished and we have relinquished work on these magnificent aircraft in favour of more modern types. All our 747 work has gone...so a sad day in some respects. Of course there are still so many flying, that I'll be able to see my favourite aircraft for years yet. But I'll miss getting my hands on this most impressive machine.<br /></span></span>Chris Krawieckihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12749029705039549428noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8619155112681821438.post-89961004205229117652009-07-06T19:52:00.003+01:002009-07-06T20:42:49.160+01:00Lovely Lusitanos<span style="color: rgb(204, 204, 204);"><span style="font-family:arial;">Last week I attended the first day of the <a href="http://www.lusobreedsociety.co.uk/newsite/">Lusitano Breed Society</a>'s <a href="http://www.rsa-photo.co.uk/">25th Anniversary show</a> at <a href="http://www.hartpury.ac.uk/equine/">Hartpury Equine College </a>in Gloucestershire. My interest in these horses stems from a chance trail ride I took a couple of years ago in one of my favourite parts of North Wales. More recently I have been lucky enough to be able to take riding lessons at <a href="http://www.lusitanocymru.co.uk/">Pen Llyn Lusitano Stud </a>and Riding Centre. My riding ambition is very simple. To be able to ride a good horse well. My realisation as I now progress a long and forever lengthening, but interesting path, is that to ride well requires so much more than I ever imagined.<br /></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtZQ4Ai_1OUtt82F4H1QdGg2ZAGYpTGL9U-5_n3MGREuyOUeFJWLLC0KiBf3-q9zlAA23SnOmFy6GLl2xQU86kxRPaEA5ZB0RMEnlBqh-cD5obvmRj9lJm4Fk6upfosuOQ7Jkg4p9sphE/s1600-h/P6270088.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtZQ4Ai_1OUtt82F4H1QdGg2ZAGYpTGL9U-5_n3MGREuyOUeFJWLLC0KiBf3-q9zlAA23SnOmFy6GLl2xQU86kxRPaEA5ZB0RMEnlBqh-cD5obvmRj9lJm4Fk6upfosuOQ7Jkg4p9sphE/s320/P6270088.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355430001020235778" border="0" /></a>In the collecting ring, Purebred Stallion Tigre warming up. Something approaching the picture of where I see myself one day!<br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 204, 204);"><span style="font-family:arial;"><br />The Pen Llyn horses stole the show with very strong results in all classes entered, only coming second when one of their own had taken first!. The show stopping stallion <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ajcpBId47WY">Uivador Da Broa</a> took 1st, in the class of the show, with an amazing performance. I was both humbled and inspired by both the quality of the horses and the skill of the riders. I left with a clear image of where I'd like to go and am lucky to have found the right people and place to attain it<br /></span></span>Chris Krawieckihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12749029705039549428noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8619155112681821438.post-36336452293659596562009-07-05T18:37:00.004+01:002009-07-05T19:06:33.112+01:00Mussels...<span style="color: rgb(255, 204, 102);"><span style="font-family:arial;">Mussels are delicious! For me they bring back memories too. Long ago on those dull wet days on holidays to Wales, when the sand was no good to play in and the sun hid well away. My parents needed to be quick to keep four young boys from squabbling and fighting! There is much truth in the saying "the devil finds work for idle hands", which often started out in some sand slinging, but quickly escalated into all out sticks and stone fights! So what a pearl the mussel is. Who can find the biggest and best mussel? Everybody busy and food for the evening sorted out...<br /></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOMfo6hpwkZoGmO9grCN9zQZcRP0AKYzTY4cSOL9OXQQE3POHlcp4huiyAzCcxuDAnNlkt2jlnk45s9PfnPFr4zPPHMhPuVuU-SW___xGsZ467qWvq3YE6ayMq-C96rt26esuaQZ5oUp8/s1600-h/P6210057.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOMfo6hpwkZoGmO9grCN9zQZcRP0AKYzTY4cSOL9OXQQE3POHlcp4huiyAzCcxuDAnNlkt2jlnk45s9PfnPFr4zPPHMhPuVuU-SW___xGsZ467qWvq3YE6ayMq-C96rt26esuaQZ5oUp8/s320/P6210057.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355037281887877922" border="0" /></a>Lots and lots of good size mussels in a surprising location...<br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 204, 102);"><span style="font-family:arial;"><br />I find it very hard to pass up the chance of picking mussels. I'm always looking and have had some lovely ones from my closely guarded locations. I found a new spot recently and though they were well barnacle encrusted, proved heavenly once cleaned and cooked. There is something so rewarding to finding your own food, preparing it then cooking and eating. What a treat...<br /><br /></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipTdwd3oo84FO97Dh4MuHCVezH5k6e0OiLE_lPtHkPVV9clCQ2rLXTMBhIKGQLecggrhzpFslJpydmhFjfXT8guWpWh7z4Tt1eS-H0yoHkw-bL6PWhBn6yCDVhZN7Facr4Bxg2DONN2kk/s1600-h/P6210059.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipTdwd3oo84FO97Dh4MuHCVezH5k6e0OiLE_lPtHkPVV9clCQ2rLXTMBhIKGQLecggrhzpFslJpydmhFjfXT8guWpWh7z4Tt1eS-H0yoHkw-bL6PWhBn6yCDVhZN7Facr4Bxg2DONN2kk/s320/P6210059.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355038009489960898" border="0" /></a>Quick fried onion and garlic, pinch of herbs then steamed over a camping stove..ready in minutes, irresistibly tasty!Chris Krawieckihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12749029705039549428noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8619155112681821438.post-78177744216200645622009-06-16T21:54:00.008+01:002009-06-17T09:10:04.137+01:00Ponies of Trwyn Talfarach<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJZ9MnxCiOOtOhoGyzY1zaCX5wVgsvw8FH3yvwMJpg4ESQwytizU9x6zkvSrxNs_RI62ea6bVkX1xSIzK3WB3qdW6UR3qrO9gkCuRhPniPgRokjQG0snB34cwydk2WpjXt8VHF3FkCTZA/s1600-h/P5290006.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJZ9MnxCiOOtOhoGyzY1zaCX5wVgsvw8FH3yvwMJpg4ESQwytizU9x6zkvSrxNs_RI62ea6bVkX1xSIzK3WB3qdW6UR3qrO9gkCuRhPniPgRokjQG0snB34cwydk2WpjXt8VHF3FkCTZA/s320/P5290006.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348046434923172546" border="0" /></a> View across Porth Neigwl at breakfast!<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 204, 255);"><span style="font-family:arial;">I think it was probably nearly midday before we set out for a walk. This was on my recent little camping trip to the end of the Llyn Peninsula with friends. We'd spent all morning slowly barbecuing and eating a hearty breakfast, whilst slowly cooking in the clear bright sun ourselves!<br /></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbcZebT0Av4y4OesN9bzWUq_Wc1EjaJZ6sfDEYQgHgeMlGtWUkns5Hylax44pxsYiA6h5EcQaXJCN6DmpEHpHuAh5ibT7mEiD7S0kEJa7ah_M6xtUhmyaoWrFyU1B7JcpjmDDM1Bd4iZ8/s1600-h/P5300018.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbcZebT0Av4y4OesN9bzWUq_Wc1EjaJZ6sfDEYQgHgeMlGtWUkns5Hylax44pxsYiA6h5EcQaXJCN6DmpEHpHuAh5ibT7mEiD7S0kEJa7ah_M6xtUhmyaoWrFyU1B7JcpjmDDM1Bd4iZ8/s320/P5300018.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348047201732594274" border="0" /></a>Sheer delight..finding the herd on the steepest, trickiest part of the headland.<br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 204, 255);"><span style="font-family:arial;"><br />Last year I'd visited this headland for the first time and had been delighted by finding a small herd of ponies. The land is owned by the <a href="http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/main/">National Trust</a> and I presume they have put the ponies here for conservation grazing. This is a wild and beautiful place and their presence just seems to add that little extra surprise.<br /></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcL3Y3YL3_CC-zBh5CkaYs3Eai_I-9h-I8r23rVXgS2yjKbaehlHdH9ZDNbshFTUjMazlqJ9XkKeQ0tg64ypgIYKXcsZOEc-HRKK-NHM1FW0VQr0zBbG_jkTJqLwGTV2OX28rt8pWJ75M/s1600-h/P5300027.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcL3Y3YL3_CC-zBh5CkaYs3Eai_I-9h-I8r23rVXgS2yjKbaehlHdH9ZDNbshFTUjMazlqJ9XkKeQ0tg64ypgIYKXcsZOEc-HRKK-NHM1FW0VQr0zBbG_jkTJqLwGTV2OX28rt8pWJ75M/s320/P5300027.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348048243389300594" border="0" /></a>Boss hoss in the middle watched me very closely and I kept my distance..<br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 204, 255);"><span style="font-family:arial;"><br />We followed the rough path that leads to the rocky outcrop which marks the end of sensible walking. Sat eating our butties, admiring the views. Up till now there was no sign of the ponies. Although this was not my main aim of the day, I was curious as to where they were.<br /></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCw4P6jcqlHgWCI5fvcXcGxxzMQ7YntNBe1bQ4htjdAXUmCTsJUHk-_K7IBi9QRBgr25LmTZtwvRynCKLjXsDcVofg1HjzgOpt5nqeECdg_iTfIKRDRzAP7zXG0IS2GNC5Des5mYitKKE/s1600-h/P5300026.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCw4P6jcqlHgWCI5fvcXcGxxzMQ7YntNBe1bQ4htjdAXUmCTsJUHk-_K7IBi9QRBgr25LmTZtwvRynCKLjXsDcVofg1HjzgOpt5nqeECdg_iTfIKRDRzAP7zXG0IS2GNC5Des5mYitKKE/s320/P5300026.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348049044726730242" border="0" /></a>I was so busy watching below that I hardly noticed these two to my right. You couldn't have asked for a prettier pose!<br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 204, 255);"><span style="font-family:arial;"><br />By way of a distraction I looked down to the sea below and wondered if I could possibly, safely, make my way to the water. The going was steep with rock ledges half covered in ivy, long grass, heather, bracken and gorse. Every now and then I found little tracks..pony tracks. Then almost unbelievably there they were, right below on the lushest most inaccessible part of the whole headland. How I wished I'd not said I'll only be ten minutes to my friends on the cliff top. I'd 've gladly stayed here all day.<br /></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcoDll3Z5RO_URfSmvRHnkZxhRg1bNM3Ft1JyeJeVtLGg9JW1ZK71cOW766jNmTEN_ZmGNUO-MXXQpTyk6SjedUtk996s0M_5Y4BqqhcInGtRsaYHB5ifKAOjWtyfGOeTGgfzzirGeJls/s1600-h/P5300028.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcoDll3Z5RO_URfSmvRHnkZxhRg1bNM3Ft1JyeJeVtLGg9JW1ZK71cOW766jNmTEN_ZmGNUO-MXXQpTyk6SjedUtk996s0M_5Y4BqqhcInGtRsaYHB5ifKAOjWtyfGOeTGgfzzirGeJls/s320/P5300028.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348050131084613138" border="0" /></a>View from Trwyn Talfarach across Porth Ysgo towards Bardsey and the Irish Sea beyond.<br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 204, 255);"><span style="font-family:arial;"><br />We continued our walk with a rugged descent, with <a href="http://www.rspb.org.uk/wildlife/birdguide/name/c/chough/index.asp">Choughs</a> dancing in the air, to a rarely visited beach, where we were overflown by a <a href="http://www.rspb.org.uk/wildlife/birdguide/name/r/redkite/index.asp">Red Kite</a>. I managed to confidently guide us up a non existent path in the heat of the day. Sandals and shorts now not such a good idea. Which eventually took us on to farmland and an interesting chat with a friendly farmer about the sheep shearer shortage. Perhaps an idea for a second income?<br /></span></span>Chris Krawieckihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12749029705039549428noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8619155112681821438.post-51115932941668412009-06-06T02:26:00.004+01:002009-06-06T02:53:22.082+01:00Orange UFO Sightings<span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 0);"><span style="font-family:arial;">A casual comment and an assumed spec on the lens of my camera, half made me think of UFOs. Today I looked in a daily paper and saw that there have been several recent reports of strange orange lights in the sky over the UK. Having looked at my photo more and tried to zoom in on the strange orange coloured ball in the far right of the picture, I have no explanation<br /><br /><br /></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-N-UL-O1pEZQlzjEp7mmYR8jPdir9o-bo4PeIGgVXMVs6IOltTbPEjgGSwmam_MxJLOmc8fWx0XaZi_aIdZYIhD1G_hRllJyOSfLoiyzXYHLq08aMlkytQ-u57tLpm1HiRx2onqZO34c/s1600-h/P5290009.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-N-UL-O1pEZQlzjEp7mmYR8jPdir9o-bo4PeIGgVXMVs6IOltTbPEjgGSwmam_MxJLOmc8fWx0XaZi_aIdZYIhD1G_hRllJyOSfLoiyzXYHLq08aMlkytQ-u57tLpm1HiRx2onqZO34c/s320/P5290009.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5344022294767835298" border="0" /></a>Picture taken on 29th May, mid afternoon. Follow the horizon to the right in the picture. There is a small spec, which I thought was dirt on the lens. On zooming in, it is definitely something in the picture. It could be a balloon of some sort, I'm just surprised I didn't see it, I was on the hill top for sometime generally just being aware of my situation and orientation..Chris Krawieckihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12749029705039549428noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8619155112681821438.post-66388769982209909302009-06-03T18:33:00.005+01:002009-06-03T19:32:36.870+01:00Carn Fadryn..a short walk with a view<span style="color: rgb(153, 153, 255);"><span style="font-family:arial;">Last week I was lucky enough to spend a few days on the Llyn Peninsula, in North Wales. On my first day, by way of a stop on my drive further South, I climbed Yr Eifl and Tre'r Ceiri. Sadly I have little to tell from these hills except cold wind and thick mist and stumbling around in ankle snapping boulders hidden in heather and bilberry!<br /></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkGYBX5y80cgAGrP0dfnMsN0xJtj4MmrPjxpT94A_aH6W3tEJJ0TvFeQErsXksAwWm9TErPCOk9FbvfKjh-gwVxg4mV_1XP7heRLmlco7fO6r2Fyd_xcIkTDXrZyrbqhvrK8zlkqfhsLc/s1600-h/P5290007.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkGYBX5y80cgAGrP0dfnMsN0xJtj4MmrPjxpT94A_aH6W3tEJJ0TvFeQErsXksAwWm9TErPCOk9FbvfKjh-gwVxg4mV_1XP7heRLmlco7fO6r2Fyd_xcIkTDXrZyrbqhvrK8zlkqfhsLc/s320/P5290007.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5343167174421947538" border="0" /></a>Carn Fadryn viewed across farmland from the West close to the village of Dinas<br /><span style="color: rgb(153, 153, 255);"><span style="font-family:arial;"><br />By way of a reward for the previous days efforts, I decided to finally set foot on a delightful hill, <a href="http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?client=firefox-a&rls=org.mozilla:en-GB:official&hl=en&tab=wl&q=carn%20fadryn">CarnFadryn,</a> which sits centrally in the peninsula. Like its higher northerly neighbour Tre'r Ceiri it boasts an Iron Age hill fort. Though not as impressive, it is nonetheless thought provoking and I found myself trying to imagine life in such a place so long ago.<br /></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHaZsu1HhQJJf7uJd38hI9Ii2oVy946inQYd4guvF7CD7IFQeli9unxkbSXDdTyHFP0XLgWnbaBUoP7EDBMUzxYRUAbIr50EinSqUClPoiBmsYCg0R502jNa1SfbIBkyPsUZWRYNe-bt4/s1600-h/P5290008.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHaZsu1HhQJJf7uJd38hI9Ii2oVy946inQYd4guvF7CD7IFQeli9unxkbSXDdTyHFP0XLgWnbaBUoP7EDBMUzxYRUAbIr50EinSqUClPoiBmsYCg0R502jNa1SfbIBkyPsUZWRYNe-bt4/s320/P5290008.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5343168302640376258" border="0" /></a>The track up out of the village leads to a gate, where the direction changes, following the wall to the right, before ascending.<br /><span style="color: rgb(153, 153, 255);"><span style="font-family:arial;"><br />There is easy parking in the village which takes it's name from the hill behind. Today the sun was beating back a sea mist which kept me cool in my tent earlier. Now the day was almost hot and I chatted with a couple who had just come down and spotted their first ever Grass Snake, basking in the heat.<br /></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDonb6d1iYECdk7GczLPZpqixRhtqGfTQLHjkA4adNZncIFUps8EoAfiyBZ1xhv2THgt6V9FumwQrf3uRfeK4x5Tk_Xys4pzl_jeSfOcn7kTfOFQBKGXkhrkHv1bKOY7ziNlZlqASMXHU/s1600-h/P5290009.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDonb6d1iYECdk7GczLPZpqixRhtqGfTQLHjkA4adNZncIFUps8EoAfiyBZ1xhv2THgt6V9FumwQrf3uRfeK4x5Tk_Xys4pzl_jeSfOcn7kTfOFQBKGXkhrkHv1bKOY7ziNlZlqASMXHU/s320/P5290009.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5343169372119699874" border="0" /></a>Looking North East lining Garn Boduan up with the distant horizon of Yr Eifl and furher right into Snowdonia. The Irish Sea and the town of Nefyn are hidden in the mist. Perhaps there's even a UFO in there too...<br /><span style="color: rgb(153, 153, 255);"><span style="font-family:arial;"><br />To the left of the chapel a track goes boldly straight at the hill. After a small gate such an aggressive route is softened by the path skirting round in an anti-clockwise manner, so as to ease the angle of ascent! After a short steep climb with a little meandering through the heather, the hill fort was breached and the summit trig point in sight. My reward for the day, far reaching views and the sea mist clinging to the north coast, adding to the impression of altitude given from such a hill which punches bigger than its size!<br /></span></span>Chris Krawieckihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12749029705039549428noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8619155112681821438.post-72224232848001473152009-05-25T15:27:00.014+01:002009-05-25T22:22:09.238+01:00Cwm Llafar Horseshoe..dogs, bogs and a hitch-hiker!<span style="color: rgb(102, 255, 255);"><span style="font-family:arial;">What a strange combination, a sunny bank holiday weekend! With such perfect weather it seemed criminal not to venture out, but I knew I'd not be alone. Got myself up and out with a mountain walk in mind, but as I drove I still had no plan as to where, though I was driving to Snowdonia.<br />In the end I stopped at the side of the A5 just out of Bethesda by Ogwen Bank in a shaded lay-by above the river. A cup of tea and a glance at my map and my mind was settled.a walk I'd not done before...with my own little addition from the usual route.<br /></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijmf16SagEl5SqtNRAmDc0pG3MkZ9mtgbBVhvuUwbAbKfG1kLu_2t_P9h_EjagJKCeYE2CW9NMN68xMKnkxA7V9whBhsUMgaBZfRVbiftHBkfkH3JR2nlnKA4LS2L9Ae9BCjgYNAsG24Q/s1600-h/P5240168.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijmf16SagEl5SqtNRAmDc0pG3MkZ9mtgbBVhvuUwbAbKfG1kLu_2t_P9h_EjagJKCeYE2CW9NMN68xMKnkxA7V9whBhsUMgaBZfRVbiftHBkfkH3JR2nlnKA4LS2L9Ae9BCjgYNAsG24Q/s320/P5240168.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5339861665552866514" border="0" /></a>View of the Cwm Llafar horseshoe from the start above Bethesda, Dafydd on the right Yr Elen left...gnarly dogs through the trees in front!<br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 255, 255);"><span style="font-family:arial;"><br />I left the car where it was..in the shade and crossed over and into the small forest of Braich Melyn. They've been logging here and the smell of pine wood in the warming morning air was soothing as the cooling last dew in the clearings was refreshing. I touched the edge of the village and followed the Afon Llafar upstream through old trees and a boulder garden which made for some lovely waterfalls which are probably rarely visited.<br />Now the landscape changed to farmland and sheep pasture, with a distant view of my intended climb. I don't like walking over farms, even though there is a right of way, I'm always aware that I'm probably not welcome. Even worse when the path goes through the farmyard...there are always dogs..I'm not keen on dogs and they usually know it. So after a worrying woofing at...I was very happy to be out on open moorland!<br /></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-KkfbBZqd7cdYb9X2GQGRcoAmcISkw9gilwJSwydbFXVgSBu6LOuibBRyi2ruuW6swVOy1UQbPYQgGLiHgSMaiS5GCuvHyUcRfkDH7UyQIohBxcL2c6lo9Qsq9j9AjZKYGR-Gkw0SiHc/s1600-h/P5240172.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-KkfbBZqd7cdYb9X2GQGRcoAmcISkw9gilwJSwydbFXVgSBu6LOuibBRyi2ruuW6swVOy1UQbPYQgGLiHgSMaiS5GCuvHyUcRfkDH7UyQIohBxcL2c6lo9Qsq9j9AjZKYGR-Gkw0SiHc/s320/P5240172.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5339866506193166738" border="0" /></a>The dark cliffs of Llech Du on the left appear to bar the way. A diagonal climb over large scree first right then doubling back left unlocks the way up.<span style="color: rgb(102, 255, 255);"><span style="font-family:arial;"><br />My big decision! To climb Carnedd Dfydd in front of me I had a choice of branching right and taking the gently rising grassy slopes of Mynydd Du. I could already see a couple of walkers take this route. Or continue up the narrowing valley and try and locate a scrambling route which I remember reading about sometime ago, through Crib Lem. I chose the latter, the valley scenery was worth the risk that I might have to turn back...I wish I'd brought my scrambling guide book along!<br /></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitD9lvvdlPNZdZ1rr9_VHPjZnFZb0RfrzJa2kp4UwD-V5S5Iuq6PfFggCqTmPZ0AWF6-b6IZjtFKquDFsl8ECsZqTdnIMbgwKn9Yawd7_2i3ybHiDawXsymwv2sb0glLR_0BSoIv2Wvpo/s1600-h/P5240174.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitD9lvvdlPNZdZ1rr9_VHPjZnFZb0RfrzJa2kp4UwD-V5S5Iuq6PfFggCqTmPZ0AWF6-b6IZjtFKquDFsl8ECsZqTdnIMbgwKn9Yawd7_2i3ybHiDawXsymwv2sb0glLR_0BSoIv2Wvpo/s320/P5240174.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5339869521876600258" border="0" /></a>Part way up Crib Lem, looking up towards the summit of Carnedd Dafydd.<br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 255, 255);"><span style="font-family:arial;"><br />Took a lunch break beneath the dark cliffs of Llech Du, above which the ridge leads up to the summit. I watched a couple of small groups take a steep path to the right of the cliffs and between a waterfall, continuing up a stone- fall and doubling back to the left. Soon found myself in the same place and enjoyed the quick height gain.<br />The scrambling starts at the very top of the cliffs and I felt slightly daunted by the continuous stretch of rock steps and hurdles in front. It's always the same the first time on a new route, but as ever one step at a time and never climb up something you can't climb back down...I got myself in state on Tryfan in the past and still remember the sickening feeling of thinking I was stuck.<br />In the end I enjoyed the climb. The rock is good and gives nice hand and foot holds. There is no real direct exposure, but a very definite feeling of being on the crest of a ridge with the obstacles coming fairly constantly for an hour or so.<br /></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjceHet7opwlu_ljMQ3gdvEcWHYnnUQ3xUv-XHrTKJlvPsUxYsiVqHvAZ1xYvbkFGxgsC9oLDskC2LhxOHNC6uzpzeBfS8Fbd9v0i8cCUkTogOScSLxM4VfNkeK2OTWASaDGakrQbKXorg/s1600-h/P5240175.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjceHet7opwlu_ljMQ3gdvEcWHYnnUQ3xUv-XHrTKJlvPsUxYsiVqHvAZ1xYvbkFGxgsC9oLDskC2LhxOHNC6uzpzeBfS8Fbd9v0i8cCUkTogOScSLxM4VfNkeK2OTWASaDGakrQbKXorg/s320/P5240175.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5339870404809292162" border="0" /></a>Looking back down the ridge, watching climbers progress. The Afon Llafar winds distantly below.<br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 255, 255);"><span style="font-family:arial;"><br />I'd shared my climb with a handful of others, helping and guiding each other when necessary. So it as a bit of a shock but not really a surprise to meet the huge walking groups already up from other routes. I like sharing the mountains..but groups numbering more than five or six just don't look right. We're talking coach loads! So I raced up Carnedd Llewelyn and beyond without stopping. Took a solitary break at crags overlooking Yr Elen, the final peak of my horseshoe. Looking down into Fynnon Caseg (Mare's Spring), I could just make out two mountain ponies by the shore!<br /></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitkpWv39jV57jmlDYnvoxcos6Zw74xafPkFe6tBkF0lhfSrqlgq_e7ZkRrdwDVJhiu_V86OEpLULGGfGNf8umf8CUWGJofKCTxuZm9tQkPT2YVsstdBqmyO2KcY15fx5_0sxqx8cvhOHg/s1600-h/P5240180.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitkpWv39jV57jmlDYnvoxcos6Zw74xafPkFe6tBkF0lhfSrqlgq_e7ZkRrdwDVJhiu_V86OEpLULGGfGNf8umf8CUWGJofKCTxuZm9tQkPT2YVsstdBqmyO2KcY15fx5_0sxqx8cvhOHg/s320/P5240180.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5339871653487250770" border="0" /></a>Yr Elen is a mountain to savour, majestically standing centrally in the range with Anglesey and the Irish Sea beyond<br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 255, 255);"><span style="font-family:arial;"><br />Yr Elen stands alone from the other mountains. From here I could see back to my whole route and plan ahead for the way back. There is no path marked on the map across quite a large open area. In reality there is a very steep scree path which gives way to grassy slopes to the North East and the crags at Foel Ganol. I stayed with high ground as long as possible but knew I'd have to go cross country to pick up the Afon Llafar and challenge the inevitable bog. Which despite the recent rain was quite cross-able by stepping from tussock to tussock! To avoid the farms and dogs I even took on more open bog to pick up the far corner of the forest and make a different return. I was even rewarded by a meeting with a strangely solitary mountain pony who sniffed the air, snorted then carried on eating!<br /></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvpJXvuP2NXT5FKTlw2x10cSo4GH55GcNX7tkgo_cyH1_eWGR4Spk7uuzYBIT1Zlni5cw9Cm-F_IZN0_LdA6G3VPNHFgPTd_rBX9U2lxlV7ZOkRra2ZhFlyFbfQsjMf6ynA15Q8WakKXU/s1600-h/P5240184.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvpJXvuP2NXT5FKTlw2x10cSo4GH55GcNX7tkgo_cyH1_eWGR4Spk7uuzYBIT1Zlni5cw9Cm-F_IZN0_LdA6G3VPNHFgPTd_rBX9U2lxlV7ZOkRra2ZhFlyFbfQsjMf6ynA15Q8WakKXU/s320/P5240184.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5339873376209300098" border="0" /></a>Wild mountain pony...hardy as the hills...look at that mane!<br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 255, 255);"><span style="font-family:arial;"><br />As a measure of my feeling of well being and openhearted- ness gained from such an enriching day...I found myself acting totally out of character and stopping to pick up a hitch-hiker! The gentleman in question carried a very large rucksack...which turned out to be a packed para glider...I hope. Anyway on the drive to Capel Curig I found out that Ian is a senior member of the North Wales Hang gliding and Paragliding club. He'd spent the afternoon chasing thermals above the very mountains I'd walked on. On further conversation, with things aviation, it turns out that his son is member of flight crew for the same company which I work for...small world!<br /></span></span>Chris Krawieckihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12749029705039549428noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8619155112681821438.post-4817428841842468622009-05-02T18:42:00.012+01:002009-05-06T19:27:07.548+01:00Yorkshire Coast...for a change<span style="color: rgb(51, 204, 0);"><span style="font-family:arial;"><br />The original plan was a trip to North Wales, a place I know and like so much. However a late change in the weather forecast made me uneasy. Now I'm not scared of rain but I do prefer sunshine. So after a little thought and a glance at a map, the decision was made. A trip into the unknown, an adventure in Yorkshire!<br /></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLrLvBCiF0qL5Ln6zf6PZ1n525Ro1WI9OPdtXyERDpDzugsu4sFGdIVUCAgP5-pzoOttY4WG4fg_BG6QkiOTYJAicY5d7SDMGlAZBwkm4_KVjvSiRQWa73MWpXfv-pC8UHIOHXeXXytSg/s1600-h/P4250045.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLrLvBCiF0qL5Ln6zf6PZ1n525Ro1WI9OPdtXyERDpDzugsu4sFGdIVUCAgP5-pzoOttY4WG4fg_BG6QkiOTYJAicY5d7SDMGlAZBwkm4_KVjvSiRQWa73MWpXfv-pC8UHIOHXeXXytSg/s320/P4250045.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5331299934346186082" border="0" /></a>Robin Hoods Bay with crumbling cliffs and the tide dropping over the rock shelves.<br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 204, 0);"><span style="font-family:arial;"><br />So after an early start and a surprisingly easy drive, we found ourselves parking just above Boggle Hole, a small wooded inlet, towards the Northern end of Robin Hoods Bay. Blue sky, fresh, slightly cool Easterly breeze and warmth from a hazy sun. Perfect!<br /></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgZOj1Ladpts-b4OwA-w9bXMsU9DUIe4OHDnnMV-n7mVij632yYmDhJ3FDhBLUaRbJ7w1syuZkqbmw23toqhTsyzxQvwhe7DAc2szNzsphyHRu5oRDGKhPLNUYgPXKrGn-QAWIyilEYwU/s1600-h/P4250056.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgZOj1Ladpts-b4OwA-w9bXMsU9DUIe4OHDnnMV-n7mVij632yYmDhJ3FDhBLUaRbJ7w1syuZkqbmw23toqhTsyzxQvwhe7DAc2szNzsphyHRu5oRDGKhPLNUYgPXKrGn-QAWIyilEYwU/s320/P4250056.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5331300990966014754" border="0" /></a>Typical scene in the village where it's easy to see why smugglers easily lost customs men through the network of alleys and steps.<br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 204, 0);"><span style="font-family:arial;"><br />The dropping tide invited us for a long walk South following along the crumbling cliffs which hold <a href="http://www.boggle.ukfossils.co.uk/">fossilised</a> secrets ready to be discovered. <a href="http://www.rspb.org.uk/wildlife/birdguide/name/s/sandmartin/index.asp">Sand Martins</a> fluttered almost like bats around their cliff top nest holes and a few <a href="http://www.rspb.org.uk/wildlife/birdguide/name/f/fulmar/index.asp"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Fulmars</span></a> cackled noisily from impossible ledges. In the distance towards the sea several figures could be seen bending down sifting through the exposed seaweed...Winkle pickers!<br /></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilVYTSHPv7uWlMktR7FG_RdERBd8Lv1S66iAh3dhWQsWSRqK8ChKbacwW1pqutFHpAxTFAyW30TXy63IFmuAKLrNVV3Bt94fC07xqHJprEv_d8zNAVWIxfJ85VykqzaBmyrY4j1cXhGqs/s1600-h/P4250049.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilVYTSHPv7uWlMktR7FG_RdERBd8Lv1S66iAh3dhWQsWSRqK8ChKbacwW1pqutFHpAxTFAyW30TXy63IFmuAKLrNVV3Bt94fC07xqHJprEv_d8zNAVWIxfJ85VykqzaBmyrY4j1cXhGqs/s320/P4250049.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5331331462859756418" border="0" /></a>The Bay Hotel where fishermen wait for the tide to float their boats to an easy catch..<br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 204, 0);"><span style="font-family:arial;"><br />We left the car parked at Boggle Hole and now walked the short distance along the beach North to <a href="http://www.robin-hoods-bay.co.uk/index.htm">Robin Hoods Bay village.</a> Now there were lots more people and the feeling of the seaside holidays with kids in rock pools, dogs barking and winter white flesh bared to the first sun worth worshipping.<br />The village from a distance looks unimpressive. Up close, it's an amazing little place with crazy quaint houses almost tripping over each other and falling into the sea! Really has to be visited to be appreciated and the fish and chips are enormous and gorgeous.<br /></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4ie0glowrF2N1QP9FEoqnTYdVSOx867GaEJZ4gUaxjuIHNgv7zy0QHYw7CpvObhP9_22vSA5d3z-sPSuc4UOgwArI_JVcSEQYqcL_l1SECFtEBkNQj6t9OOFPs7j2XL-2BLYgvuIjYDY/s1600-h/P4250068.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4ie0glowrF2N1QP9FEoqnTYdVSOx867GaEJZ4gUaxjuIHNgv7zy0QHYw7CpvObhP9_22vSA5d3z-sPSuc4UOgwArI_JVcSEQYqcL_l1SECFtEBkNQj6t9OOFPs7j2XL-2BLYgvuIjYDY/s320/P4250068.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5331332888977442978" border="0" /></a>Despite the tacky image, this place sold the best ice cream of the day...and we tried some!<br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 204, 0);"><span style="font-family:arial;"><br />Just up the road or round the headland is <a href="http://www.whitby.co.uk/">Whitby</a>. Once famous for its fishing fleet and the ruined Abbey of St Hilda, now a bit more kiss me quick mixed with Bram Stokers Dracula, <a href="http://www.tiscali.co.uk/lifestyle/galleries/view/lifestyle/gothicwhitby/browse/301095">vampires and Goths</a>! We stumbled in on one of the two weekends annually that Whitby plays host to a gathering of Goths. They really made the day with some fantastic costumes parading in whole families of generations dressed to the nines in corsets, cloaks and canes. As if ordered from below, the sun vanished and a swift thunderstorm swept across and out to sea leaving a close muggy misty evening.<br /></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhddIeUtRiHYOFg47t1LVHgE5M9EjHdJ6-tTOuorrsdbhHnwCQRHoOc4yy_AmaYRmXzWk4rHE9zkhe95ten23FkLGTatinom_8DxICDu-i2ql-oYZSXZg2lntNdHrbzPEEbVyv7lNqyzJc/s1600-h/P4250077.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhddIeUtRiHYOFg47t1LVHgE5M9EjHdJ6-tTOuorrsdbhHnwCQRHoOc4yy_AmaYRmXzWk4rHE9zkhe95ten23FkLGTatinom_8DxICDu-i2ql-oYZSXZg2lntNdHrbzPEEbVyv7lNqyzJc/s320/P4250077.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5331333900109175186" border="0" /></a>Whitby's somewhat strange harbour entrance points directly North...following the brief storm.<br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 204, 0);"><span style="font-family:arial;"><br />So a chance to leave the dockside pub where it would be all to easy to stay and climb the well worn steps up to the abbey for some last photos taken in hope more than certainty and with a pleasant result. Which summed up a perfect day out really. Yorkshire is really quite nice..<br /></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1C4g7eGSlZ0kbEPHH4Vju-ru9pOBYi-Tt_TuaaMxhHYkq947yK1UYhK2t26Ypq0BDZE6idiJgZOtsqi1irBo_gvFjsBsmXYajgsK_jawG06ueb_Ift7jzhqd8GwAjqQtVcGoYJH8RUPw/s1600-h/P4250083.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1C4g7eGSlZ0kbEPHH4Vju-ru9pOBYi-Tt_TuaaMxhHYkq947yK1UYhK2t26Ypq0BDZE6idiJgZOtsqi1irBo_gvFjsBsmXYajgsK_jawG06ueb_Ift7jzhqd8GwAjqQtVcGoYJH8RUPw/s320/P4250083.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5331334822010202546" border="0" /></a>St Hilda's Abbey makes a spectacular backdrop to Whitby's cramped streets and busy harbour.<br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 204, 0);"><span style="font-family:arial;"><br /><br /><br /><br /></span></span>Chris Krawieckihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12749029705039549428noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8619155112681821438.post-65582319422866656182009-03-29T15:37:00.006+01:002009-03-29T19:45:08.339+01:00Introducing Henry..<span style="display: block;" class="w"></span><span class="" style="display: block;" id="formatbar_Add_Image" title="Add Image" onmouseover="ButtonHoverOn(this);" onmouseout="ButtonHoverOff(this);" onmouseup="addImage();" onmousedown="CheckFormatting(event);;ButtonMouseDown(this);"></span> <span style="color: rgb(204, 153, 51);"><span style="font-family:arial;">I have taken Henry on loan at the riding school. He is a <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Warmblood</span> Bay gelding, standing 16.2h and at a rough guess 10-12 years old. Very handsome he is too! Henry came to the school some two or three years ago and was immediately popular, probably due to his looks..possibly to his detriment. He was initially overworked and almost inevitably went lame and had a back problem. On his recovery other new shiny horses had taken the limelight and the poor lad became an also ran in popularity and he generally languished without turnout or work.<br /></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWr406MB1QDPLqrUtHQdPbSgcaZxRYDGqFF03qagM37L_E9pmPV6XgNjFMX6xO2gGeqxeodO1o3ofdyq2aztg4DGdaRTQxbu24InK1NsedanVrPmcq7_Vk-2Mk1Wr043PWcN397MDdLxc/s1600-h/P3280033.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWr406MB1QDPLqrUtHQdPbSgcaZxRYDGqFF03qagM37L_E9pmPV6XgNjFMX6xO2gGeqxeodO1o3ofdyq2aztg4DGdaRTQxbu24InK1NsedanVrPmcq7_Vk-2Mk1Wr043PWcN397MDdLxc/s320/P3280033.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5318679756515702034" border="0" /></a>Henry the Horse! Never stands still for very long and is quite bargy...needs to get out more!<br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 153, 51);"><span style="font-family:arial;"><br />Luckily for Henry he was taken on loan last Summer by Helen. Horses thrive with good regular attention and care. So with good feed and a warm clean stable his rehabilitation from obscurity was swift. With one problem. Horses like people have different characters. Now with proper weight and potential fitness Henry started to act himself...no longer squashed with overwork. The opposite...bursting with energy...nervous energy! He is a very spooky horse...easily worried. So on his re-introduction to the school, unfortunately he managed to make a name for himself bucking riders off. Not maliciously, but as a result of nervous tension. He is not really best suited in a school. A riding school horse should be steady giving the rider confidence. Henry is the opposite. He takes confidence from the rider...he needs a steadying hand to reassure his nervous nature.<br /></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcY11654GFnWj3BK2Ee-0N4v05g6WJRjG3tpZbswhk4E4WWoAXJLK44uYNZJRZPtYqp1ArjP1EbN6jJYNDc04sDe_G0fDfAsS2jXvmZ1xnqQoqE9_PT8_RcgDRBLVcmnIGL29LE6X7ddw/s1600-h/P3280031.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcY11654GFnWj3BK2Ee-0N4v05g6WJRjG3tpZbswhk4E4WWoAXJLK44uYNZJRZPtYqp1ArjP1EbN6jJYNDc04sDe_G0fDfAsS2jXvmZ1xnqQoqE9_PT8_RcgDRBLVcmnIGL29LE6X7ddw/s320/P3280031.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5318681051790851554" border="0" /></a>I'm about to get stepped on!<br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 153, 51);"><span style="font-family:arial;"><br />So he's now in my hands. The challenge is to try and apply the same skills learned from looking after Heather, though Henry is so much different. On a day to day basis he is dirty and wet in his stable, though he seems to be settling a little now. He is happy to be groomed and picks his feet up quite well. Though I've been told he has poor feet, they're lots better than Heathers were. He has very elegant fine legs and a big plus, no white hair or pink skin, which so often seems to be more prone to infections. He's fine haired and thin skinned, which means he's a bit sensitive to brush, but stays clean and his coat comes up shiny without much effort. He had his teeth rasped in the week which was needed but revealed no trouble and he behaved very well.<br /></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuYcY-g6dD3uFhmJS_HD-HP-8KUJVQLc_ngZJXknChyHR4X9RhmgxhO2rbwYenOISdVlO4Mg6WPKBXWGySKARoXsk5_2-ohyupylWVtI6XqgI1__Z3PxqhV44mZ68MZuTl9qrEEs5EjMI/s1600-h/P3220030.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuYcY-g6dD3uFhmJS_HD-HP-8KUJVQLc_ngZJXknChyHR4X9RhmgxhO2rbwYenOISdVlO4Mg6WPKBXWGySKARoXsk5_2-ohyupylWVtI6XqgI1__Z3PxqhV44mZ68MZuTl9qrEEs5EjMI/s320/P3220030.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5318681888290113442" border="0" /></a>Henry's in lovely condition and just needs some more fitness to get him working nicely.<br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 153, 51);"><span style="font-family:arial;"><br />I have got my work cut out though. He has poor stable manners, which are already improving. A walk in hand across the yard is close to an epic adventure. To turn him out is close to suicide with two leading him! To fetch him in is fraught as he will not be separated. I've had to get someone else to catch another to bring in alongside. None of these things are his fault. He's just not been handled enough and had regular boundaries applied. I can understand why...he is very strong and intimidating. Taking the couple of photos of him ended up with me having what is probably a broken toe as he jumped on my foot...ouch! Ridden work is coming along and I'll write more soon.<br /></span></span>Chris Krawieckihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12749029705039549428noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8619155112681821438.post-18666994889115707392009-03-08T19:15:00.006+00:002009-03-08T22:54:18.491+00:00An Invigorating trip..<span style="color: rgb(204, 255, 255);"><span style="font-family:arial;">I'm currently on a training course through work. So far I've done four weeks out of seven, in a classroom with no windows, supplied with foul supposedly conditioned air. Not only that, but the course is presented on computers..so for much of the day the room is dark and I'm looking at a laptop screen. To keep from falling asleep I'm drinking far too much chemical coffee and hot choc from a vending machine. I'm getting up early to study...plus doing another three hours or so at night...all on laptops! Normally my work is varied and I'm sort of free range with big bright horizons, with plenty to do. So not surprisingly I'm starting to suffer and badly needed a day out!<br /></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggLD49nsGZXjwZAxNU9kRvxNo0ZC-IPL8w6pAMtJCduTToQzi5NvF0A8f-vwjl-UYqKNV_6-P3wABlQs8OE6B2-Lk9qvTDnTZOSgFYks28ypY0bdFwv1w2GA3a0oFTpeJLtjVfjsuIino/s1600-h/P3060016.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggLD49nsGZXjwZAxNU9kRvxNo0ZC-IPL8w6pAMtJCduTToQzi5NvF0A8f-vwjl-UYqKNV_6-P3wABlQs8OE6B2-Lk9qvTDnTZOSgFYks28ypY0bdFwv1w2GA3a0oFTpeJLtjVfjsuIino/s320/P3060016.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5310949512360293490" border="0" /></a>Spectacular view of Llyn Ogwen from the shoulder below Tryfan's North Ridge<br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 255, 255);"><span style="font-family:arial;"><br />So with an unexpected free day..grasped the opportunity and headed for the hills..after picking up a good friend, Giles, who I would guide for the day! Feels like it's been grey for weeks. Imagine the sight of blue skies across the Irish Sea in one direction and snow capped mountains their summits defined keenly against the sky in the other. I really had to concentrate on driving, as it was so tempting to admire the view!<br /></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipooXOAZbiFhDJEyxRUbc-w3RHm2GNnEGAw9G_hhUw0ehMqxvBKvjPUFgBMjlg2fYlw6uOqe5cJgXiIFOBM5Xu6qfyFyAvf1k9-zQZoTvLtRAJA9qMpmlAHm8hRoUXVEeohtGOP-k0fes/s1600-h/P3060017.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipooXOAZbiFhDJEyxRUbc-w3RHm2GNnEGAw9G_hhUw0ehMqxvBKvjPUFgBMjlg2fYlw6uOqe5cJgXiIFOBM5Xu6qfyFyAvf1k9-zQZoTvLtRAJA9qMpmlAHm8hRoUXVEeohtGOP-k0fes/s320/P3060017.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5310950312777307954" border="0" /></a>This guy, with no gear and little idea(Giles) kept following me! Could have left him to the goats, but gave him half my hot choc instead..<br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 255, 255);"><span style="font-family:arial;"><br />The snow was a surprise and not forecast. So my plans for the day had to be adjusted accordingly. I had intended a walk to the top of Tryfan following the same route to the far South Peak via the Heather Terrace path, that I walked back in June with Liz. I had picked the Heather terrace as a loose connection to the horse I have loaned and lost this week. The path with the flower of her name is fittingly beautiful, yet as rocky and hard as the mare herself. A fitting tribute.<br /></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj70kxIARIeTBJel8KjIAKHktRgbIxHxZ73_hQ2Tf-aWwsdMw7wutDqu-6LyzmI-6rxypKTJP9pt3OjyC_-Zcei5pfDMVU5FU6SxjDxUrLLZ2ANNTiTwydtrmR6DI3evbEPU5rJZjrs2o8/s1600-h/P3060013.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj70kxIARIeTBJel8KjIAKHktRgbIxHxZ73_hQ2Tf-aWwsdMw7wutDqu-6LyzmI-6rxypKTJP9pt3OjyC_-Zcei5pfDMVU5FU6SxjDxUrLLZ2ANNTiTwydtrmR6DI3evbEPU5rJZjrs2o8/s320/P3060013.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5310951697157208914" border="0" /></a>Tryfan's goats seem to have had a good year, with plenty of young kids..<br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 255, 255);"><span style="font-family:arial;"><br />We had the place to ourselves. As we gained height towards the North Ridge the snow became deeper. No footprints. So the snow was fresh..last nights..so not icy and a delight to crunch through. Unfortunately this made the route-finding all the more tricky and I was aware of a worsening weather forecast. Eventually we found the elusive path...well the terrace and made our way along. By the time we'd got to the South end the cloud was descending and snow was being blown in the increasing wind. No time for bravery..after attempting to make snow angels on a precarious slab and nearly falling off. We decided to get to the valley floor and head home.<br /><br /></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZPe26wBVUAlFaMlopyr76vmt_bj0e-L7LeIrVo03GAfhG-Hh31hca_kakK_QaK0ebpZsL9e6MYA8B3d-YY528DNQTfqLAL478Tb6ePuaZQaznxg1JW9r8stn7D3cvpVhvysVuYIb0a5o/s1600-h/P3060020.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZPe26wBVUAlFaMlopyr76vmt_bj0e-L7LeIrVo03GAfhG-Hh31hca_kakK_QaK0ebpZsL9e6MYA8B3d-YY528DNQTfqLAL478Tb6ePuaZQaznxg1JW9r8stn7D3cvpVhvysVuYIb0a5o/s320/P3060020.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5310952480787983890" border="0" /></a>My attempt at making mountain snow angels nearly ended up with me flying off the side!Chris Krawieckihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12749029705039549428noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8619155112681821438.post-41766649805307557232009-03-07T21:48:00.003+00:002009-03-07T22:23:16.176+00:00Heather has been sold....gone<span style="color: rgb(153, 51, 153);"><span style="font-family:arial;">Someone came to try her on Monday. By the time I got to the yard on Wednesday, I'd missed her by half an hour..sold, loaded and gone. Even though I knew this might come, the reality hit hard and I can only say that I'm devasted.<br /></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin5W3SyTN0klYCHOEQ-9CietSi3AoEWM87yWvqSPN69pqJuPzq6LlQBwRJytJAWyMaKbyBTs6nf9Y-HifEjlTd7y42tmja6mBa5-dZMYrbH68-GWAj6WOwAZdJYEZUmr5Xdq94Qn1mJVY/s1600-h/P2280008.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin5W3SyTN0klYCHOEQ-9CietSi3AoEWM87yWvqSPN69pqJuPzq6LlQBwRJytJAWyMaKbyBTs6nf9Y-HifEjlTd7y42tmja6mBa5-dZMYrbH68-GWAj6WOwAZdJYEZUmr5Xdq94Qn1mJVY/s320/P2280008.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5310574414647080066" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="color: rgb(153, 51, 153);"><span style="font-family:arial;"><br />What is most frustrating is that no one sought my knowledge gained daily looking after her. Heather's new owner will have to start like I did...no clues, a blank sheet. Whereas I know so much and would willingly pass on every detail to make her future that much easier. I feel very disappointed and let down by the people who should really have had her interests at heart..yet constantly put up barriers to her welfare.<br /><br />My last sight of her was when I called her in at dusk on Tuesday. She came, bringing half the ponies with her. Limping lame on her fore again, I noted. It was raining and really pretty ugly, so didn't take her rug off...just let her eat her bucket of feed...gave her a scratch where she likes and turned her back out...saying goodbye, as I always do. She didn't linger by the gate with the rain. <br /></span></span>Chris Krawieckihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12749029705039549428noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8619155112681821438.post-89983135502233269032009-02-28T12:22:00.016+00:002009-03-01T20:15:57.769+00:00Change of Seasons<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvoxuZiHcXGGHhkDHWVK4BNqFrOCTFnbDl-GqjZRa4f6DoFtuDIy1ciApZ2T9hHT8ncUHiVLB6rHwCzUhIbcj_2zlxMXEWr7rhMz13ppj6OrHvW6yfq07Rvdx4yK-yCHHNj2sz2ohu6kg/s1600-h/P2280002.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvoxuZiHcXGGHhkDHWVK4BNqFrOCTFnbDl-GqjZRa4f6DoFtuDIy1ciApZ2T9hHT8ncUHiVLB6rHwCzUhIbcj_2zlxMXEWr7rhMz13ppj6OrHvW6yfq07Rvdx4yK-yCHHNj2sz2ohu6kg/s320/P2280002.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5307855357053657362" border="0" /></a><span style="color: rgb(51, 204, 0);"><span style="font-family:arial;">This Winter has been the coldest in quite a number of years. However with the increasing daylight and budding branches, it's quite obvious that Spring is just around the corner. So I thought it might be time to reflect over the past few months looking after Heather, who has been the only horse or pony on the yard to live out throughout.<br /></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidH8yUAsl2RDJaOv7Tc8p_5pxa28qicSR_puKtZ6zVm-Zk4zmNwyxkoiwA2AdCllQcql6dPTvgkP6l81MNGSNshH6J7bu5Xcltqcy7AZafgK9PpSr4X_uP7IU2V7RJMiZMReqysRQBez0/s1600-h/PC150083.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidH8yUAsl2RDJaOv7Tc8p_5pxa28qicSR_puKtZ6zVm-Zk4zmNwyxkoiwA2AdCllQcql6dPTvgkP6l81MNGSNshH6J7bu5Xcltqcy7AZafgK9PpSr4X_uP7IU2V7RJMiZMReqysRQBez0/s320/PC150083.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5308302728301639218" border="0" /></a>Heather on another cold frosty morning, immobile! Whilst her shadow, Ouzo defrosts breakfast!<br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 204, 0);"><span style="font-family:arial;"><br />Really it was still Autumn when she got <a href="http://www.equine-world.co.uk/horses_care/mud_fever.htm">Mud Fever</a>. This bacterial infection of the lower legs must be the scourge of so many horses. Essentially constantly wet skin breaks more readily allowing the bacteria in mud easy access to infect. The easiest and best prevention and cure is to take the horse out of the mud and into the dry..a stable for example. There are plenty of proprietary lotions and potions on the market which can then be applied.<br /><br /></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP7UbaeJYmAs8xy5Oe9lWf1nc-vrkWMAMQfJ6GgYei_GpsHRO_1W_ufRitogvKeikupxq2Jo-PuQgqdz1XE2Dsy9t6xdYnjZqcC4YoxlMiQZFV-rJCNRye1WB1u8DoMxyWkePGE2Yq8rI/s1600-h/DSC02803.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP7UbaeJYmAs8xy5Oe9lWf1nc-vrkWMAMQfJ6GgYei_GpsHRO_1W_ufRitogvKeikupxq2Jo-PuQgqdz1XE2Dsy9t6xdYnjZqcC4YoxlMiQZFV-rJCNRye1WB1u8DoMxyWkePGE2Yq8rI/s320/DSC02803.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5308304665090059954" border="0" /></a>Horse or Water Buffalo..with electric tape between her hind legs!! The start of the Mud Fever when the weather was still warm but wet in late October.<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 204, 0);"><span style="font-family:arial;">I was caught out by how quickly the infection spread. From the first little scabs appearing one day..too all four legs having big areas of infection all the way up to her hocks and knees with a patch on her belly which is technically <a href="http://www.horseconnections.co.uk/pages/rainscald.cfm">Rain Scald</a>, but the same bacteria. She became sullen and her lower legs all became swollen with movement being obviously painful and difficult for her. I really needed to get her in from the wet and was promised a stable within a week...which we never got. So I turned to an old remedy which I reasoned was the only course open to me. Pig oil and sulphur. The logic behind it is simple. Applied to clean dry legs, the oil acts as a barrier to the wet and as a carrier for the sulphur, which is an anti-bacterial agent. The beauty of this is that even for a horse living out, re-application needs only to be repeated every couple of weeks. It worked..though not instantly and with a side effect. Combined with the falling off scabs and rashes and possibly an adverse reaction to the sulphur, much of the hair on her lower legs started to come out.leaving her with bald chicken legs!<br />So I stopped using the oil and sulphur and now wash her legs every couple of weeks with <a href="http://www.netdoctor.co.uk/medicines/100001240.html">hibiscrub</a> and towel dry. She has had no recurrence and the hair has grown back nicely. Not a bad achievement...I think we can put that down as a victory.<br /></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0sH0nXZn1IPzFlM3gteJh-DbLR5wepA5GGUpXKcyZ-aoLs8h8klYqA-aDhoSqrD-v1XWuVktFdW_ODPO49yDI8pgdlw2mmmGQMmRj-99dbP3Ydnmam5iLbIFNxZm_0c5q5jUdo7zgq4A/s1600-h/PC160087.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0sH0nXZn1IPzFlM3gteJh-DbLR5wepA5GGUpXKcyZ-aoLs8h8klYqA-aDhoSqrD-v1XWuVktFdW_ODPO49yDI8pgdlw2mmmGQMmRj-99dbP3Ydnmam5iLbIFNxZm_0c5q5jUdo7zgq4A/s320/PC160087.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5308305972009094850" border="0" /></a>By clicking on the picture you can see Heather's balding lower legs a result of the Mud Fever.<br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 204, 0);"><span style="font-family:arial;"><br />The next challenge came in the form of one of her field mates...a mare called Boo. As the grass in the field diminished, the horses ended up challenging each other for the hay that we put out. Even though there was only the three of them, it put Heather and Boo too close. Both obviously quite dominant, neither prepared to back down. Boo took to biting Heather and ripping her rug. Heather just stood there taking it!! I spent hours stitching and gluing her rugs. I even found her without one. Boo had shredded the buckles at the front. I bought a new <a href="http://www.weatherbeeta.com/UK/range/landa/index.asp">Weatherbeeta Landa</a> with a neck. First day on it was ripped. At this point I started researching. Someone suggested a bite repellant spray. This worked to some extent but the can cost £5 and only lasted three days!<br /></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjclPIlk26cr8EDOYqr0e2-Sn8JhNuDo7w8ANTR-f31lp6dstMJ3hYXyH8tX93IDYVsTWlJa1fgu4zkirsZD3YXFJc32O481ee5ZCEmx_STYw0BuHRWT2iQg607YpobLy6heJFCbN8x6Lo/s1600-h/DSC02808.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjclPIlk26cr8EDOYqr0e2-Sn8JhNuDo7w8ANTR-f31lp6dstMJ3hYXyH8tX93IDYVsTWlJa1fgu4zkirsZD3YXFJc32O481ee5ZCEmx_STYw0BuHRWT2iQg607YpobLy6heJFCbN8x6Lo/s320/DSC02808.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5308306987336452546" border="0" /></a>Not a go faster stripe, no, the white on her side is the filling revealed by yet another rip from Boo, standing with Ouzo in the distance.<br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 204, 0);"><span style="font-family:arial;"><br />The Landa rugs have a ripstop 600 Denier weave..which is good enough for everyday turnout, but useless against horse bites! So after some deliberation I bought a <a href="http://match.shared.hosting.zen.co.uk/newdesign/masta/home.aspx">Masta </a>Check-Tech which has a triple weave and is a heavier 1200 Denier. I think it was the cheapest heavier weave rug I could find. Well it proved bite proof....another success! Not long after this Boo was taken out of the field anyway so Heather can wear the thinner skinned rug again without fear of a shredding.<br /></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdtkUc1xF4v2SbmC4vZ5FLN5b5NQV1HNIRR2lzIhkyjB2gc91lIeY27m1s7Qq96OL7rrN7UUZsnOG3I3cGnSr6DhrMDYW3ZNjr11F9HalOr9fZdxBL36fzMl9u2gbXGwB-002PkOlmmGw/s1600-h/PC110080.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdtkUc1xF4v2SbmC4vZ5FLN5b5NQV1HNIRR2lzIhkyjB2gc91lIeY27m1s7Qq96OL7rrN7UUZsnOG3I3cGnSr6DhrMDYW3ZNjr11F9HalOr9fZdxBL36fzMl9u2gbXGwB-002PkOlmmGw/s320/PC110080.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5308308297207943314" border="0" /></a>Yet another stitch up! This time Boo managed to tear the buckles off Heather's rug. I fixed it!!<br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 204, 0);"><span style="font-family:arial;"><br />I've got used to having the car like a mobile tack and feed room. Putting on a warm coat and gloves then walking through the yard. Passing the warm cosy stables with happy horses munching neat hay nets, to the dark cold field which in the frosty and snowy weather seemed like a different world. Not that Heather seems particularly bothered by the cold, in fact I think she probably prefers Winter to Summer. She's not been head shaking since about November and quite happy to have no flies hanging around. Just as long as there's something to eat!<br /><br /></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1G3LLSk7XRivTVROinQwnCx3GB0RnmzvAiU1O4SNBkB5tt1nya9f0sB4cq3ualXn7DCysOcdTLAs62f41TbZmgHpbAf-lmNtJ-nYWKuQ-K8SlXYGLH81lyEb1j6gyCDtVHlltKawon3g/s1600-h/PC060061.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1G3LLSk7XRivTVROinQwnCx3GB0RnmzvAiU1O4SNBkB5tt1nya9f0sB4cq3ualXn7DCysOcdTLAs62f41TbZmgHpbAf-lmNtJ-nYWKuQ-K8SlXYGLH81lyEb1j6gyCDtVHlltKawon3g/s320/PC060061.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5308310030973395874" border="0" /></a>Happy to be out alone, so long as there's something to eat!<br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 204, 0);"><span style="font-family:arial;">I've continued to hack her out with that ever elusive canter on her right rein my goal. I've learned when and where to ask and in some places with a carefully timed spin to the right she picks up right lead every time. The hard thing is getting her to do this riding away from home, she's quite willing to spin for home, but not a habit I really want to encourage. The ice and mud have also limited our outings.<br /></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC-YdnxcqDj0aKxAaERsnHHNOg_sYB1XFhOHHpKinUT2s6X3Ua2isypVSU8U0mW19YXsh-KDLKm5EBROTnvSe39SCxLD1X1nrLc4Md1iWH_1cSfzyCj_76FO8Y8-sRT0Jzf7PyDyyyPWw/s1600-h/DSC02813.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC-YdnxcqDj0aKxAaERsnHHNOg_sYB1XFhOHHpKinUT2s6X3Ua2isypVSU8U0mW19YXsh-KDLKm5EBROTnvSe39SCxLD1X1nrLc4Md1iWH_1cSfzyCj_76FO8Y8-sRT0Jzf7PyDyyyPWw/s320/DSC02813.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5308310846819600578" border="0" /></a>Out and about, Heather keeping a wary eye on the hedgerows, always alert to a possible ambush by a squirrel !<br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 204, 0);"><span style="font-family:arial;"><br />So in the New Year I decided to try and start schooling her again. My knowledge of horses has increased and I now realise that she was never bred to do pretty things in a small arena. This is no ballerina. She has a very broad chest and stands with her fore legs wide apart suggesting a big heart and lungs and her thick winter coat and feathered legs give away her cold blood lines. She was probably bred as a light/medium weight hunter and is almost certainly Irish Draught crossed with Thorough Bred.<br /></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhyphenhyphendo4fgzJCfQ3shOEhd8_XvgdI1oi1_KMAu-cbTzq6RWPfE97czG-P0JcEgfgGR_uvV1GARqvV0eVZN4ERRpG-tls6H8EhmTC_TuSQF2MdFLmM-2YBRo96tPCX3ZOPR_5h5Jzi6de4g8/s1600-h/DSC02829.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhyphenhyphendo4fgzJCfQ3shOEhd8_XvgdI1oi1_KMAu-cbTzq6RWPfE97czG-P0JcEgfgGR_uvV1GARqvV0eVZN4ERRpG-tls6H8EhmTC_TuSQF2MdFLmM-2YBRo96tPCX3ZOPR_5h5Jzi6de4g8/s320/DSC02829.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5308312669502087826" border="0" /></a>What a responsibility! Where on Earth has he taken me? Doesn't he know the woods are full of dangers! He's lucky to have me look after him...silly rider!<br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 204, 0);"><span style="font-family:arial;"><br />With this in mind I kept things nice and simple with nothing more than walk and trot round the outside with only simple rein changes. I managed to avoid having any fights with her and undoubtedly she then collected up and softened quite nicely. I would then take her out for a canter out of the school round Banky Meadow. Unfortunately sometime soon after this she began to go lame intermittently. Trotted up okay but after only a short time ridden, lame, limping slightly on her near foreleg.<br /></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoMqmJRysFHGzIfNxRdRcEADyEYrsEcRP860cmKAiLrcOwI8pG3IIPr3L7vv_0xfbWodkjP1zGuMFGXLtTQ1htfY8HnAqHJ9X_fXbkZRlVhPCTtJYZ2J7270kFkHU9CfCn6-ZDNriTP2U/s1600-h/P2180178.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoMqmJRysFHGzIfNxRdRcEADyEYrsEcRP860cmKAiLrcOwI8pG3IIPr3L7vv_0xfbWodkjP1zGuMFGXLtTQ1htfY8HnAqHJ9X_fXbkZRlVhPCTtJYZ2J7270kFkHU9CfCn6-ZDNriTP2U/s320/P2180178.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5308314051994950034" border="0" /></a>Another good feed.<br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 204, 0);"><span style="font-family:arial;"><br />Some three weeks ago I took her out on a cold grey day. We went down Kickety Brook. Halfway round she went lame again. I made a sad decision then that this was possibly my last ride with her. The head shaking was also making a return, possibly with the increased daylight and possibly early pollen. No I have pieced together enough clues to formulate a considered answer. She has muscle wastage on her almost none existent top line. No ammount of work or feed has ever made any difference to this. I think she has arthritis to quite an extent which prevents her from achieving what she should be capable o</span></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 204, 0);"><span style="font-family:arial;">f</span></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 204, 0);"><span style="font-family:arial;">. Which is all compounded by her head shaking which compels her to stand still to relieve the discomfort.<br /></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAh45DqAfI36x3hS5yXmRThs64l44zjKU2NnBK7CazGSvOFdAJ1xCzC0YRf-nyBlCFe9Z5pcfAjWxmOCyPf57oRGP38vk_Ek4uujJqlWJk_nnkcxN5ulGQRBTEkDW_BKI4QjeTW2SxF-Y/s1600-h/P2210185.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAh45DqAfI36x3hS5yXmRThs64l44zjKU2NnBK7CazGSvOFdAJ1xCzC0YRf-nyBlCFe9Z5pcfAjWxmOCyPf57oRGP38vk_Ek4uujJqlWJk_nnkcxN5ulGQRBTEkDW_BKI4QjeTW2SxF-Y/s320/P2210185.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5308315149956058210" border="0" /></a>Heather with a rare visit to the field from Henry<br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 204, 0);"><span style="font-family:arial;"><br />Having said all that I have looked after her and worked out her ways. She's a very tough cookie, very independent for a horse. She can quite happily be the only horse in the field. She seems to attract other horses, but cares little for them, pushing them around. Very brave when ridden too. In some respects she's easier alone, as in company she is always glaring at the others. Alone she gets nervous and can be reluctant and hesitant, but when told to go, always does..which takes trust and acceptance. Not easy but predictable and reliable.<br /></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeLYhMYqib96WjpKYg9O_Ax0sqgfQYLXSl89_4TCBTnfC0qULuzDq9HznguO_gc3OdGNqAJ_oWy8PdU_OxQqNHq_DZmDrOWMeIalFLid_NjWL3o_AQivwiEo3Momx3YjMAwknTptjIxsI/s1600-h/P2280006.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeLYhMYqib96WjpKYg9O_Ax0sqgfQYLXSl89_4TCBTnfC0qULuzDq9HznguO_gc3OdGNqAJ_oWy8PdU_OxQqNHq_DZmDrOWMeIalFLid_NjWL3o_AQivwiEo3Momx3YjMAwknTptjIxsI/s320/P2280006.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5308300193917500210" border="0" /></a>Heather like I've ever seen her before..now I know I'm trusted and accepted..after nearly 3 years.<br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 204, 0);"><span style="font-family:arial;"><br />So it was with great sadness that I was told that firstly she was for sale. I did wonder who on earth would want to buy her? Then even more grief on being told that she was leaving by the end of the week and not to return. For a number of days I went down to the field wondering if she'd still be there. I have become emotionally attached to her, I've learned so much from her. At the same time I've given her possibly the most stability and security she's had in recent years. From a semi-feral horse to a trusted friend who delighted me yet again in the morning by letting me near her lying in the field. She has not gone yet. I don't want to buy her. I have earned her trust and I marvel at her spirit. I've been touched by the same magic that has enchanted men through the ages, the spirit of the horse is priceless.<br /><br /><br /></span></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 204, 0);"><span style="font-family:arial;"><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></span></span>Chris Krawieckihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12749029705039549428noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8619155112681821438.post-77680445556925814682009-02-02T20:50:00.005+00:002009-02-02T21:38:04.597+00:00Snow.!!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimhBHzqijlT38dy7ArWSjXSrclULdZ2hthaZIJRZgWiE_3Y5Kn7AjXurv3zZiPUinGyaQWlckeVPK0yAVmQwSXvz7zsOROPmsDFLKkSZudqEXoEOZAuykoe4Vqzxgwvi0_l7qFXgnC2VM/s1600-h/P2020160.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimhBHzqijlT38dy7ArWSjXSrclULdZ2hthaZIJRZgWiE_3Y5Kn7AjXurv3zZiPUinGyaQWlckeVPK0yAVmQwSXvz7zsOROPmsDFLKkSZudqEXoEOZAuykoe4Vqzxgwvi0_l7qFXgnC2VM/s320/P2020160.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5298312046911693618" border="0" /></a>Heather this morning looking quite happy with the nights dusting of snow..wondering why I've stopped to take pictures! Where's breakfast??<br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 204, 255);"><span style="font-family:arial;"><br />The weather provides us with endless conversation and interest, as do the changing seasons. It's been almost a year since Heather, the horse in my charge, has lived out. So we've lived through almost every kind of weather in that time. Still seems quite strange to me in my life away from the yard that when I return...she's still there...stood in the field! 24/7. I've had many peaceful moments stood in the field too, taking a welcome break from the 21st century, with the horses and ponies. Feeling the wind blow, seeing clouds roll away leaving the Moon to light the fox sneaking silently across the snow.<br /><br /></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjes2kZ-kN-IhIhe97zegRUflx_IIx3gdlUcFdSvfICLQPSAqLy_A4XbDI2zTnWQN5f-ghpF4F-k3eGfLsuQTuChfXnaVlGOrwDx_1asMrAxTfgkkkc-wfhMhiYuFzYKbbqZXpSHPEVqYM/s1600-h/P2020164.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjes2kZ-kN-IhIhe97zegRUflx_IIx3gdlUcFdSvfICLQPSAqLy_A4XbDI2zTnWQN5f-ghpF4F-k3eGfLsuQTuChfXnaVlGOrwDx_1asMrAxTfgkkkc-wfhMhiYuFzYKbbqZXpSHPEVqYM/s320/P2020164.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5298313767962174066" border="0" /></a>Looking a bit wary as we get close to the gate, there's deep mud just below a thin crust of snow and ice. She had a couple of slides on ice recently and doesn't trust the stuff anymore..<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 204, 255);"><span style="font-family:arial;">Snow! A rare and welcome treat. This Winter has been more like those I can remember from my childhood..cold and icy. I took these pictures today in a rare gap in the weather. An hour later and the cloud and snow fall returned. However here in Manchester we've escaped the worst, so it's hard to believe what all the fuss is about elsewhere.<br /><br /></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEismCNXUsD5PQwK31QecRLIhqE_ZKVcdsPZlTcQbWqmv7RevZ_yjsx_m2hGtNbiPIklv-el72AN3NXRjYR4qpBm2QfhacLDqyM6fMxmtG_rsbKO3ZaEl5tcw8U86bwYNTCW8mVOb2LsTZg/s1600-h/P2020167.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEismCNXUsD5PQwK31QecRLIhqE_ZKVcdsPZlTcQbWqmv7RevZ_yjsx_m2hGtNbiPIklv-el72AN3NXRjYR4qpBm2QfhacLDqyM6fMxmtG_rsbKO3ZaEl5tcw8U86bwYNTCW8mVOb2LsTZg/s320/P2020167.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5298315598611736962" border="0" /></a>Content and happy horse after a good feed and brush...ready for anything! Maybe some more snow?Chris Krawieckihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12749029705039549428noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8619155112681821438.post-54042577390007062002009-01-01T17:58:00.008+00:002009-01-01T20:06:15.449+00:00Escape from the Fog!<span style="color: rgb(204, 204, 204);"><span style="font-family:arial;">Well I'd be a fool not to take advantage of the most settled spell of weather we've had in months. For once it's possible to plan ahead and make arrangments without having to worry. Since visiting my brother in Cardiff, the wind that plagued our walk in the Brecon Beacons has eased, giving way to calm. The downside to this has been some fog. New Years Eve started off very cold with freezing fog in Manchester..which lingered all day. Not that it bothered me one bit, because my brother Jim and I set off early to North Wales.<br /></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcvmtvgLbtUDRdgm00SVpLXVXZcsWN-sITyUoJ28fQf19vB2b-0iRzloKonpLXo-lMZ13ls_ucMOIJfQ5TjH-MDutNWJ83BHJV3YeWIXVkRdd_-kUG_cJCwpmqb2PV37EeUDwUYiAcO_Y/s1600-h/PC310121.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcvmtvgLbtUDRdgm00SVpLXVXZcsWN-sITyUoJ28fQf19vB2b-0iRzloKonpLXo-lMZ13ls_ucMOIJfQ5TjH-MDutNWJ83BHJV3YeWIXVkRdd_-kUG_cJCwpmqb2PV37EeUDwUYiAcO_Y/s320/PC310121.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5286414100765070690" border="0" /></a>View from Plas Y Brenin over the frozen lake towards Snowdon<br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 204, 204);"><span style="font-family:arial;"><br />The fog stayed with us all the way through Cheshire and we didn't shake it off till we reached the coast. From then on it was dazzling...all day. We parked up by Plas Y Brenin, with a cold frosty minus 4 C down by the frozen lake. Early in the day the view towards Snowdon from here is always impressive. We spent quite a while taking snaps here and in the surrounding woodlands, which had been transformed into a bejewelled Winter wonderland.<br /></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiedAncrXncPVgl6VidCWJxLc_CzO3dOFHhSOrftMuleEqBWQ0TPc7o9uAXap33RmgdUkAHI8Mqn4h7lvLsLwBGElRqQ34i6kNNhBcpmxsp99AsA-UK1vOdRjhSc4TiCMfVP63DMxJME1w/s1600-h/PC310141.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiedAncrXncPVgl6VidCWJxLc_CzO3dOFHhSOrftMuleEqBWQ0TPc7o9uAXap33RmgdUkAHI8Mqn4h7lvLsLwBGElRqQ34i6kNNhBcpmxsp99AsA-UK1vOdRjhSc4TiCMfVP63DMxJME1w/s320/PC310141.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5286415158193432786" border="0" /></a>Llyn Y Foel which sits nicely in the Cwm below Moel Siabod..iced over and rumbling!<br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 204, 204);"><span style="font-family:arial;"><br />It would have been so easy to stay in the valley along the partially frozen Ogwen. The cold air felt so clean and there was just not a breath of wind..perfect calm and serenity. Glancing up Moel Siabod, the climb for the day looked, steep and distant and totally un-necessary. However we slowly left the forest and focused on the climb.<br /></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGawQHI4q27C-wzXnDQGrnV8LVAX3UANCt2OBgA61uFsHkFc29fz_UW0al7yu7pLZ3NQjCaPFDKgULPchycejGOpsofokdG59ZhiU4zxhNMuXlYlEELIurZbOYKax3Sqpf8AP9tJKEAR8/s1600-h/PC310144.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGawQHI4q27C-wzXnDQGrnV8LVAX3UANCt2OBgA61uFsHkFc29fz_UW0al7yu7pLZ3NQjCaPFDKgULPchycejGOpsofokdG59ZhiU4zxhNMuXlYlEELIurZbOYKax3Sqpf8AP9tJKEAR8/s320/PC310144.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5286415961060790098" border="0" /></a>Spectacular views and a little exposure on the ridge Daier Ddu looking back down to the lake<br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 204, 204);"><span style="font-family:arial;"><br />I really like this mountain. Moel Siabod stands alone and is quite centrally located within the park, with views from its peak possibly the best of any. It has interesting ridges with a lovely lake in the glacial Cwm, with perilously steep sides. Very impressive but easily attainable for most people. However to reach the best ridge which is approached from the East, a fearsome bog must be crossed. This bog is also possibly haunted by a friendly ghost in the form of an old woman. I was walking here previuosly with a friend whose footwear was going to be a serious issue crossing. The woman appeared suddenly and we chatted. Given her frailty and ordinary cothing, I was surprised that she'd come so high..it's a steep rocky climb. She told us that her husband had died and his ashes were scattered on the lake..she visits daily in his memory. So I asked her how she crosses the bog..daily? We followed her instructions and crossed with barely a splash. Looked back to wave, but she'd disappeared...as we climbed higher we kept looking, but there was no sight of her. She can't have moved that quickly....very mysterious!<br /></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLQOmNMgS6F9ULM0EKEkNPFUOMfvpshprcy_T4e0mtnAT22NGiX9BU0ym5IuSZyk4APrPF9kAEcJMXXuTVCWYcvFx7EwLo0ddcuB7NZE7tdTs4ha1OgnLuoJwYYQVaDnIO5ykKCQhQqWg/s1600-h/PC310149.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLQOmNMgS6F9ULM0EKEkNPFUOMfvpshprcy_T4e0mtnAT22NGiX9BU0ym5IuSZyk4APrPF9kAEcJMXXuTVCWYcvFx7EwLo0ddcuB7NZE7tdTs4ha1OgnLuoJwYYQVaDnIO5ykKCQhQqWg/s320/PC310149.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5286416822894043730" border="0" /></a>Jim posing on the summit accompanied by a parrot!!<br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 204, 204);"><span style="font-family:arial;"><br />Which brings me back to why we decided to come this way today. The bog was frozen solid!! Ha! Even better and strangely, the air temperature was rising well above zero here. We sat by Llyn Y Foel for quite a while. The frozen surface every so often gave a resounding rumble and crack, increased and concentrated by the amphitheatre like surroundings. The water level was draining slowly below the lake and the ice was trying its best to follow, with impressive sounds.<br /></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgytWnNZ9qVyaSd2ftMoKV9K2D-v-bG1F9KwcpoYgf2XZ6dq-LZZ1xnzShr2FBy59YQi55x6pfOtENkBNPsnivyfIeHlgAxQyxe6Ro0v_JGgslTLmLtshCRhfmI31C4UsRlXuEMKlzqgcs/s1600-h/PC310151.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgytWnNZ9qVyaSd2ftMoKV9K2D-v-bG1F9KwcpoYgf2XZ6dq-LZZ1xnzShr2FBy59YQi55x6pfOtENkBNPsnivyfIeHlgAxQyxe6Ro0v_JGgslTLmLtshCRhfmI31C4UsRlXuEMKlzqgcs/s320/PC310151.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5286417749323426850" border="0" /></a>We tried a couple of things but Jim got the best results for a quick descent on the ice!<br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 204, 204);"><span style="font-family:arial;"><br />Eventually we started the engaging climb of the East ridge, known as Daier Ddu. By staying to the right there's easy scrambling with lofty views back tothe lake below, whilst further round to the left things are easier on grassy slopes. We took our time and enjoyed the company of fellow walkers ranging from hardened mountain men to family groups spanning generations. All the time marvelling in the uniqe conditions which were making this a day to remember.<br /></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYm3_TmeivHvqTI_gArPMZkpqsZ223HmtGmktJrfx70PLHSxMZgjsC8vUSMDr6uLQdXqAQZN3FyM_8jRK602lTNMTMpzJq6_uybQ9XwbpAJYrNNWxT9DW6YNM3iUMNCqwhZXnnRC-jFR0/s1600-h/PC310152.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYm3_TmeivHvqTI_gArPMZkpqsZ223HmtGmktJrfx70PLHSxMZgjsC8vUSMDr6uLQdXqAQZN3FyM_8jRK602lTNMTMpzJq6_uybQ9XwbpAJYrNNWxT9DW6YNM3iUMNCqwhZXnnRC-jFR0/s320/PC310152.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5286418546215155090" border="0" /></a>Fairytale Winter wonderland return to the valley..how are some trees white and others not touched..magic!<br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 204, 204);"><span style="font-family:arial;"><br />We found the top and admired the all round view. Which, though not disappointing, couldn't match the magic of the frozen lake and the amazing conditions of the ridge climb. The flip side of Moel Siabod is grassy and domed, with hardly a hint of the rocky ridges of the South. We did however make the most of the icy conditions in trying a few novel ways of descending. For my efforts I have a bruised elbow and had a very soggy cold bottom. Jim made good use of his pack as a makeshift tobogan! All this reminded me that it has been years since we had ice like this..and what fun!<br /><br /><br /><br /></span></span>Chris Krawieckihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12749029705039549428noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8619155112681821438.post-46614544197864871582008-12-29T22:15:00.007+00:002008-12-29T23:56:52.591+00:00Beacon n Eggs !<span style="color: rgb(204, 102, 204);"><span style="font-family:arial;">Mark, one of my two older brothers lives just North of Cardiff, South Wales, in a lovely little village. At short notice I'd arranged a visit and on early Saturday morning found myself struggling to get myself on the road early to beat the traffic. Luckily Mark texted me late the night before saying a good hearty breakfast awaited my arrival. So it was with this thought that I managed to summon enough...just enough energy to go...<br /></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAwd-MNxaUSUuZIloocrl-fGEU59HZAr5HIRqF2N8f2GLSDUKWkTthyphenhyphenEcjG3C4Jw4aFQN0rX2gU42mJutYNPIurij0k2M9w6ZNdwzrGhrJBLaoMwsLke7ndCVzRrvdZSLE77Cle5pbfDk/s1600-h/PC270098.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAwd-MNxaUSUuZIloocrl-fGEU59HZAr5HIRqF2N8f2GLSDUKWkTthyphenhyphenEcjG3C4Jw4aFQN0rX2gU42mJutYNPIurij0k2M9w6ZNdwzrGhrJBLaoMwsLke7ndCVzRrvdZSLE77Cle5pbfDk/s320/PC270098.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5285360275375569426" border="0" /></a>Bleak aspect to the relentless climb to Corn Du...the picture doesn't do the cold wind any justice!<br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 102, 204);"><span style="font-family:arial;"><br />My efforts were well rewarded by a swift effortless drive and a timely arrival! Breakfast was every bit as good as I'd hoped, bacon, eggs, beans n toast. Just the kind of stuff to base a good day out on. Not far North of Cardiff is the <a href="http://www.breconbeacons.org/">Brecon Beacons National Park.</a> This was on Marks suggestion where we drove, with the idea to walk to the highest peak in Southern Britain, Pen Y Fan. What a great way to spend a day!<br /></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcNWV4gIDQtSiynNHK1Bg72MiooQKshY9f9oDvXB4HfETCgClnOhyUC3-u0XdVhXLUN62p2ioBjFTYiG-elqXWrOB_2yQvYJ8sIilQ_iL2iuK-n3tJPORsRlatOtwNhB8UC20EvvJPii0/s1600-h/PC270099.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcNWV4gIDQtSiynNHK1Bg72MiooQKshY9f9oDvXB4HfETCgClnOhyUC3-u0XdVhXLUN62p2ioBjFTYiG-elqXWrOB_2yQvYJ8sIilQ_iL2iuK-n3tJPORsRlatOtwNhB8UC20EvvJPii0/s320/PC270099.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5285361283051354066" border="0" /></a>Final frenzy to the summit of Corn Du with a hint of the mist to come on Pen Y Fan to the right..<br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 102, 204);"><span style="font-family:arial;"><br />I haven't walked in this range before and hadn't realised how accessible the almost twin peaks of Corn Du and Pen Y Fan are to the A470 road. We started close to the Storey Arms, just South of a small wood, along with many other walkers. Despite the clear blue sky and wall to wall sunshine, the most noticeable thing was the icy Easterly wind, which was blowing relentlessly into our faces. Bracing against this and pushing hard up a fair slope brought us sight of Corn Du. From here summit fever took hold and we soon found ourselves glorying in the achievement and celebrating by taking lots of pics of each other and getting very cold hands.<br /></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg26ScHGnO2wCU2FpkQxLE4bNSQtT7sk-MfyS4uBmadeKF7PjwoOb8to-lh4uF8el1X2xV2Tfh8pwHQJifkUgo7sO1ua7-m36uR1abe42odVDST2mTjv9hGdpme0nn7WOSk4MyehetC_QE/s1600-h/PC270109.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg26ScHGnO2wCU2FpkQxLE4bNSQtT7sk-MfyS4uBmadeKF7PjwoOb8to-lh4uF8el1X2xV2Tfh8pwHQJifkUgo7sO1ua7-m36uR1abe42odVDST2mTjv9hGdpme0nn7WOSk4MyehetC_QE/s320/PC270109.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5285362168580954706" border="0" /></a>Mark, racing ahead for a closer inspection of Fan Y Big!<br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 102, 204);"><span style="font-family:arial;"><br />Pen Y Fan is barely more than a good stones throw away from Corn Du and our next peak. Up till now the sky was cloudless. Then almost as though to make things more interesting, a cold mist descended and Pen Y Fan hid...not to re-appear all day. Moody mountain! Once on the top, we did get fleeting glimpses of its North escarpment face, plunging vertically at first, in shadow and all frosty and foreboding. Exposed and cold we descended a little and found a spot out of the wind for a snack and time to decide our next move.<br /></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBjsTGW2kuoUEBWWOOhS4hnIHg-AWe8Bt0bOrIKCLZG9OzdqNhQLurw0XMO656ow0py9BvddI50lnjtHJmKH2KMsRRh78whFWzNKDUo85Noz6IrVBUzZ_eUyfO5DjFhY7guWkWyjWNFyw/s1600-h/PC270110.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBjsTGW2kuoUEBWWOOhS4hnIHg-AWe8Bt0bOrIKCLZG9OzdqNhQLurw0XMO656ow0py9BvddI50lnjtHJmKH2KMsRRh78whFWzNKDUo85Noz6IrVBUzZ_eUyfO5DjFhY7guWkWyjWNFyw/s320/PC270110.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5285363120075431250" border="0" /></a>Looking back across to Cribyn, the North face all cold and still frosty.<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 102, 204);"><span style="font-family:arial;">Looking East, the next peak, Cribyn looked temptingly close and beyond the interestingly named Fan Y Big was definitely worth a visit. Maybe my map reading is a little rusty and perhaps my legs not quite as well used to hills recently. But the steep grassy descents and climbs between these summits really made for a testing time. Nonetheless enjoyable and the views worthwhile. Mark did really well. I'm far more accustomed to slogging up and down hills, yet he kept on going...showing more than just physical strength, as the last climb was hard.<br /></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvvzN_T4aPoOEqQDMWER_arot7_Fmybz7USmddRDQDNYLDCfFWtdSWOfVRZvoq9lBTt7auxu0XzqyvMRTlDDYyz6aVvMLwMmBEPIsKkTxLHKcGNabRAcgeMlNULafak6ca9VW_sYqeUGc/s1600-h/PC270113.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvvzN_T4aPoOEqQDMWER_arot7_Fmybz7USmddRDQDNYLDCfFWtdSWOfVRZvoq9lBTt7auxu0XzqyvMRTlDDYyz6aVvMLwMmBEPIsKkTxLHKcGNabRAcgeMlNULafak6ca9VW_sYqeUGc/s320/PC270113.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5285364160169018466" border="0" /></a>Delightful Wild Welsh ponies, seemingly oblivious to the cold and poor grazing.<br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 102, 204);"><span style="font-family:arial;"><br />With the Winter sun lowering and shadows lengthening, the constant cold was now feeling all the keener. We retraced our steps and now made our way back. We timed our return to the car park exactly to make our rendezvous precisely for a drive back home with that glow that comes as circulation returns. Made all the easier by that dozy feeling and anticipation of a big pan of curry on the stove and steaming piles of rice!<br /><br /><br /></span></span>Chris Krawieckihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12749029705039549428noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8619155112681821438.post-85814834963210091882008-12-26T17:47:00.008+00:002008-12-26T23:01:50.508+00:00Kauto Star..??<span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255);"><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="color: rgb(51, 204, 255);">Boxing Day and a chance to ride. Beautiful cool clear weather and I had a plan for something a little different. I spent yesterday like many other people, eating and drinking and watching far too much tv! I really seem to have lost the knack of eating three Christmas dinners though. Anyway sunshine and blue sky soon had me up and about today.<br /></span></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaZogAqwxwAV6g29B_cHrgI1X5py5hT13eSzR_YtGhMSRATyHSi8-Xbea1IKMdjIzQQqu5d0rnIgjw6PLoS9iFjiXEYWafRrJyyOka63TMf6biSXPraJGkNAF8W0EqV3P0PU58byQ-TuE/s1600-h/DSC02818.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaZogAqwxwAV6g29B_cHrgI1X5py5hT13eSzR_YtGhMSRATyHSi8-Xbea1IKMdjIzQQqu5d0rnIgjw6PLoS9iFjiXEYWafRrJyyOka63TMf6biSXPraJGkNAF8W0EqV3P0PU58byQ-TuE/s320/DSC02818.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5284174539123921282" border="0" /></a>Not quite <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/somerset/content/image_galleries/paul_nicholls_stables_gallery.shtml">Kauto Star.</a>..Heather today happy to be going out.<br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255);"><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="color: rgb(51, 204, 255);"><br />I've not kept up to date with Heather's progress here recently, I'll try and fill in some gaps soon. But essentially, she's living out, un-stabled 24/7. This has both advantages and drawbacks, but I'm keen to try and adapt to anything thrown my way. Over the holidays many of the other school horses have been turned out as well, and I h</span></span></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255);"><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="color: rgb(51, 204, 255);">alf expected some trouble in the field today. Last Winter it was when all the "hooligans" were out that Heather got kicked. Fortunately I found her safe, stood in the deepest mud where the others probably wouldn't go. Not doing much to help her Mud Fever, but that's another story!<br /></span></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmrScbYMN0Tj2xT5Hy1ik0zclD8uoBsUjnmYG2_N2fH9mw3UxZQQ9C7UAV6JirWyv8p7z86594sDQwzheCLc8WOHHUhrsZY4MLx0nauMiEcP5d_xSIXVVJxgMHkdTSkQWB4fzNMFH-D8o/s1600-h/DSC02819.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmrScbYMN0Tj2xT5Hy1ik0zclD8uoBsUjnmYG2_N2fH9mw3UxZQQ9C7UAV6JirWyv8p7z86594sDQwzheCLc8WOHHUhrsZY4MLx0nauMiEcP5d_xSIXVVJxgMHkdTSkQWB4fzNMFH-D8o/s320/DSC02819.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5284175521963404322" border="0" /></a>Down the lane from the yard as on so many other days...but never with such a shadow!<br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255);"><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="color: rgb(51, 204, 255);"><br />Soon brushed off the worst of the mud and tacked up. The wind, well breeze had picked up from the East and I was surprised how cold it was, despite the sun. I almost changed my original plan and decided to stay safe in the back outdoor school. There have been a couple of accidents out and about with riders falling and I was all too aware that there'd be plenty of walkers cyclists and loose dogs around...plus I had little light road work in mind.hence my hi-viz tabard.<br /></span></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtLQZo74wjFMZOnTNAMnO1o4TFHC7mV2xTAfAFg-Pgrcz10awbL44t8hyphenhyphen5fsKVI732R0e24ce1v7jima6SuiPsMQjcFx_r1lFwbBIGVCasVecMbk-J29LgbmlG6uQTYLCr4SHvW73Bf6Q/s1600-h/DSC02824.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtLQZo74wjFMZOnTNAMnO1o4TFHC7mV2xTAfAFg-Pgrcz10awbL44t8hyphenhyphen5fsKVI732R0e24ce1v7jima6SuiPsMQjcFx_r1lFwbBIGVCasVecMbk-J29LgbmlG6uQTYLCr4SHvW73Bf6Q/s320/DSC02824.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5284176443668594578" border="0" /></a>87 South Drive....the house where I grew up and never in my most imaginative thoughts, dreamt I'd ride here on horseback!<br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255);"><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="color: rgb(51, 204, 255);"><br />So off down the lane with the sun on our backs. Quickly over the green bridge to the other side of the river. I wanted to hack over to <a href="http://chorltonville.org/">Chorltonville</a> and ride past the house where I grew up and where I re-settled until recently. Most people I grew up with or knew there have moved away, but I really secretly hoped to surprise an old friend...no one there would know me on horseback!<br /></span></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRVqN96jGCGUuTzqvAvRg-KUlw_lB2PL1oSf37mI1eFfEDGauQVzFzdpKaLoOXV3codtsYmSP9oiHMb5QUEN9ooLS-h9qDW28ysPxIx60MHYN1EJedHKZ_p2XIKFD8yDhaBMjoOlmaB38/s1600-h/DSC02830.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRVqN96jGCGUuTzqvAvRg-KUlw_lB2PL1oSf37mI1eFfEDGauQVzFzdpKaLoOXV3codtsYmSP9oiHMb5QUEN9ooLS-h9qDW28ysPxIx60MHYN1EJedHKZ_p2XIKFD8yDhaBMjoOlmaB38/s320/DSC02830.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5284178452740029490" border="0" /></a>Lovely hacking through Chorlton Ees and somehow managing to find the place to ourselves.<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255);"><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="color: rgb(51, 204, 255);">Heather behaved impeccably all the way. We even managed to dodge a big ride from another yard..some ten or more horses heading for a pub. We didn't trample any children or kick any dogs and she stopped and waited and moved on when asked...very good horse. We went past the old house and continued down memory lane and though I was concentrating on riding I was feeling quite proud. We didn't see any familiar faces but I was pleased to be heading back to the yard with</span></span></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255);"><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="color: rgb(51, 204, 255);">out any problems...we were quite a distance away.<br /></span></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0dop751IKwhJcJQLKAr0GrrFsGln3WINdMyNGtUNF749xBXV7LmAdZq8KOghopNOGgg6BfdkuCjxxkv2dS6OrPnK7MFB4lTPD5vPzwH7inj-SgvpZsNJ0gSsixOlqCaomsLmPeH56SU0/s1600-h/DSC02832.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0dop751IKwhJcJQLKAr0GrrFsGln3WINdMyNGtUNF749xBXV7LmAdZq8KOghopNOGgg6BfdkuCjxxkv2dS6OrPnK7MFB4lTPD5vPzwH7inj-SgvpZsNJ0gSsixOlqCaomsLmPeH56SU0/s320/DSC02832.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5284179433313841858" border="0" /></a>Urban contrast! Heather judging the graffiti under the M60 motorway..<br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255);"><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="color: rgb(51, 204, 255);"><br />On the way back we headed through Chorlton Ees. I really love riding through the woods there and as we were homeward bound, Heather had that extra spring in her step. Strangely enough she had her only spook of the day here....at a little girls pink bike! Blowing and snorting. It was at this point that one of the many friendly walkers we passed today commented on Heather's resemblance to a famous race horse, <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/somerset/content/image_galleries/paul_nicholls_stables_gallery.shtml">Kauto Star</a>! After another such comment later on I decided to find out more...Yes at a quick glance and it seems her race double did quite well today...so that's two happy horses. As we returned to the yard, I turned round to see who was trotting so quickly behind us. A riderless horse with stirrups banging and reins flapping...rider was later found safe!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></span></span></span>Chris Krawieckihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12749029705039549428noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8619155112681821438.post-85024826015575250642008-10-26T05:54:00.007+00:002008-10-26T16:38:11.239+00:00Marathon Mayhem and Personal Victory<span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="color: rgb(255, 204, 51);">So finally the time had come. The weather was every bit worse than the forecast. Or so it seemed to me and probably the best part of the 1500 or so fellow competitors. The wind was funnelling straight down the <a href="http://www.snowdoniaguide.com/llanberis_pass.html">Pass of Llanberis</a>, carrying a sharp steady rain, from Pen Y Pass, four miles up the valley. Gusts were strong enough to knock runners sideways and large people were useful to hide behind! The gradient isn't really that steep but steady, though today it was tough and I was conscious of starting comfortably. I was a little disappointed that it took 39 minutes to reach the top of the climb.<br /></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyPlEjazA5QkGrXTUxL4eNxJPvYiM7pA445TrNRTjVGAwwmXr1hx_ITrd0NQ1JGgL9NkDClg32yx7_stFbOYWqqPbk5NiYm9q3NeGC_cOmFqvgIC7BHSIuaTM7WLsfBUjBRQXsAwk7vCA/s1600-h/PA250042.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyPlEjazA5QkGrXTUxL4eNxJPvYiM7pA445TrNRTjVGAwwmXr1hx_ITrd0NQ1JGgL9NkDClg32yx7_stFbOYWqqPbk5NiYm9q3NeGC_cOmFqvgIC7BHSIuaTM7WLsfBUjBRQXsAwk7vCA/s320/PA250042.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5261359922983076146" border="0" /></a>Minutes before the start at Nant Peris, with the climb up to Pen Y Pass in the background<br /><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="color: rgb(255, 204, 51);"><br />A change of direction and now downhill. I found it difficult to find a good rhythm and I was worried about my left knee. I was cold and soaked to the skin. We were now running on roads still open to traffic which made for an unwelcome distraction and I was trying hard to relax. After only 7 miles my left knee pain began! At least I now had something to focus on...<br /></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4WJ0UMbuwGCTUTxHlEfE5fDBKTTCZ0vuahh9Q_BYerx4zNrY0eRjfwOfM-ArrWTcV8fw0d4HcpiZrDKW-Bcz0wO0QFVR8_yvnhCPYp4lgiafDB57AOk6S2Q9lLa1NCEERgfb0VDhqdBE/s1600-h/PA250056.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4WJ0UMbuwGCTUTxHlEfE5fDBKTTCZ0vuahh9Q_BYerx4zNrY0eRjfwOfM-ArrWTcV8fw0d4HcpiZrDKW-Bcz0wO0QFVR8_yvnhCPYp4lgiafDB57AOk6S2Q9lLa1NCEERgfb0VDhqdBE/s320/PA250056.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5261362413967538402" border="0" /></a>Moments after finishing the 2008 Snowdonia Marathon....and taking tightly fitting cap off!<br /><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="color: rgb(255, 204, 51);"><br /><a href="http://www.snowdonia.org/">Beddgelert</a> is at 12 miles and had good cheering crowds outside warm cosy pubs...and the start of a steady climb up towards <a href="http://www.nantlle.com/rhyd-ddu-english.htm">Rhyd Ddu</a>, where <a href="http://kryzs.blogspot.com/2007/10/snowdon-marathon-2007.html">a year ago</a> I'd stood watching this very race. My knee was not getting any worse and I'd kept myself well hydrated and fuelled. People infront of me now seemed to be slowing. At 13 miles I glanced at the time 1:56. I realised that my dream of finishing in under four hours was probably out of reach...if only the weather was kinder! Somehow or other I was now starting to eat up runners and my confidence started to rise. Somewhere at about 17 miles my race number which had been flapping annoyingly on it's two remaining safety pins, finally ripped free in a very strong gust. In a field near Betws Garmon there is a sheep now sporting number 754.<br /></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg17pxGUk-8g1cCU-QWwPPx8bZWKmMCVT-zX0PVDpkPphcrWdLLovsQTD9PgpKk276uyJXnw6TLQuXF_iyhqGZPCtp5d6daUJ7rpsChId6l4tsT7zpx-n1zsrDfQR045FEs5CqkgGzJYas/s1600-h/PA250057.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg17pxGUk-8g1cCU-QWwPPx8bZWKmMCVT-zX0PVDpkPphcrWdLLovsQTD9PgpKk276uyJXnw6TLQuXF_iyhqGZPCtp5d6daUJ7rpsChId6l4tsT7zpx-n1zsrDfQR045FEs5CqkgGzJYas/s320/PA250057.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5261364002989262722" border="0" /></a>Timer and T-shirt!!<br /><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="color: rgb(255, 204, 51);"><br />At 21 miles is the so called Welsh Wall...the climb up from the village of Waunfawr to the exposed tops leading over and down to the finish at Llanberis. Had I gone too fast in the last few miles? Something inside me said under four hours...But I was now confronted with everyone infront of me walking!! Surely this was wrong. I was not sure what to do as this was the only part of the course I knew nothing about...apart from its notoriety. So I kept up a steady slow jog. I was hurting yes..but no worse than in my training on the Orme. Then I saw the way down to the finish...steep. Great, I had the legs and the head for this. This is my kind of ground. This part of the course is on rough track, muddy and rocky. I descended like a madman...the gale force wind now pushing from behind, the rain couldn't keep up!! Fantastic...a glance at the time and I knew I was in! I sprinted over the line with the broadest smile that hid the tears as every possible emotion burst out at once. For a moment I was totally overwhelmed...this was a mammoth achievement. I finished <a href="http://www.tdl.ltd.uk/">347th</a> out of 1500 in 3 hours and 56 minutes...with legs to spare!!<br /></span></span>Chris Krawieckihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12749029705039549428noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8619155112681821438.post-82471587232423121652008-10-21T18:03:00.004+01:002008-10-21T18:54:15.596+01:00Countdown to the crunch..<span style="color: rgb(51, 204, 255);"><span style="font-family:arial;">This will be my last update on my on going training, simply because the<a href="http://www.snowdoniamarathon.co.uk/Index.asp"> race </a>is this Saturday at 1030!<br />Following my last update my mood was upbeat and confident, despite hurting myself on my 21 miler. However only a couple of days later I aggravated an old back injury, which was uncomfortable enough to almost stop me running for two weeks. With some careful stretches and lots of hot baths..and cold beer, I nursed my self fit enough to get on my feet again.<br /><br /></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrc9FN47S8vJi9bydBMLz8RJKJ9prWPnCc4j6WcBJoyuvB7s5LGJ9smn6HFsfvohsDCfrVf8u_Hh-ws6UA-wkFBW3rDqy5QY-wkFNFO0Z5yjjivYSso-El0Sxe2L9O31JHYat6juDEwPE/s1600-h/PA200038.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrc9FN47S8vJi9bydBMLz8RJKJ9prWPnCc4j6WcBJoyuvB7s5LGJ9smn6HFsfvohsDCfrVf8u_Hh-ws6UA-wkFBW3rDqy5QY-wkFNFO0Z5yjjivYSso-El0Sxe2L9O31JHYat6juDEwPE/s320/PA200038.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5259663056130012674" border="0" /></a>Evenings are dark and leaves are falling..my two month old shoes smell like a cat's peed in them...and have they lost their spring?<br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 204, 255);"><span style="font-family:arial;"><br />So last week I decided to get one last long run on the Orme under my belt to hopefully boost my confidence back up. I wanted to make sure I still could make some sort of distance, but was very aware that any injury now could impact the big day itself. I completed three circuits, sixteen miles. I ran defensively...what almost felt slowly, but trying to remain as relaxed as I could. I only dropped a minute each time round but felt so much happier in myself. I also managed to stave off the stiffness I'm prone to, in my neck and shoulders by periodicly letting my arms flop by my side as I ran. There is always a down side though. At thirteen miles my left knee began to complain....not good news. At the end I was okay and my knee was fine later, but I know it would have got progressively worse.<br /><br /></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCnxwXdQv7TN8KCgyu5xju8BgTiGR5BDBVAxoZLHXE936xgF1floPqikN5alzCHVoSl5g2J8NT1oZchdod-lHZ25CfICkN-VDuvF3Ve9xMdi_TXZe2i9xr_daKR9Ycv4pba9nJ3Z_67mc/s1600-h/PA210040.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCnxwXdQv7TN8KCgyu5xju8BgTiGR5BDBVAxoZLHXE936xgF1floPqikN5alzCHVoSl5g2J8NT1oZchdod-lHZ25CfICkN-VDuvF3Ve9xMdi_TXZe2i9xr_daKR9Ycv4pba9nJ3Z_67mc/s320/PA210040.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5259664164755850866" border="0" /></a>I've done my shopping and will use all this lot to some extent on the day...not forgetting plasters, of course..<br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 204, 255);"><span style="font-family:arial;"><br />My race number is<a href="http://www.fabian4.co.uk/start/list.aspx?EventID=96"> 754</a>. Jos has promised to drive me there on Saturday morning and help pick up what's left of me at the end. I'm looking ahead at the weather forecast and hoping for a nice day. Though it looks like it's going to be windy...just hope it's not raining too! This is after all reputadly the toughest marathon on the calendar...I'm starting to understand why! I know I've got the stamina and strength to finish...I don't know if my knee will hold up, I'm hoping for the best!<br /></span></span>Chris Krawieckihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12749029705039549428noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8619155112681821438.post-36763018523139283532008-09-27T23:38:00.006+01:002008-09-28T10:27:35.410+01:00Running Madness..<span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="color: rgb(255, 153, 0);">After last weeks 16 miler round the Great Orme, I'd already decided that this was the perfect spot for my continued training..and especially my sternest test, a 21 mile run. There are many schools of thought regarding training for a marathon. I happen to believe in laying down hard mileage to get used to the punishment, both physical and mental, which will make or break a good run on the day.<br /></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGgW5Sd211GswRk1rQKMD5log0eMHmoUb48iwHxvXosXk73r3YwYzE_BWaQmFIpaLi-d4EHGP-j7c8ua6-d5TVoX31lzPV4X26T2cfy4Gwg82NTSjAjQR9lM3QkLeXoom7V_h-zgmQh1s/s1600-h/P9260029.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGgW5Sd211GswRk1rQKMD5log0eMHmoUb48iwHxvXosXk73r3YwYzE_BWaQmFIpaLi-d4EHGP-j7c8ua6-d5TVoX31lzPV4X26T2cfy4Gwg82NTSjAjQR9lM3QkLeXoom7V_h-zgmQh1s/s320/P9260029.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5250997495602448082" border="0" /></a>My running companions for a while...<br /><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="color: rgb(255, 153, 0);"><br />So this week I got up even earlier and drove to Wales through mist and fog, to find blue skies and sunshine! Still a nice coolness to the morning as I set off running through Llandudno, from West Shore. The smell of full English, or perhaps Welsh breakfasts was wafting from every hotel and B 'n' B and the sun reflected off the sea past Little Orme across the bay. This felt more like a holiday.<br /></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgO-IhNNU3uW7hwMQQXbWfpTY-lni512-ZGKDvodK5vVEoN8uIJSfwsNTfL3U_nNk4QHv2qb0h_m_0Uj_i6uxhPzjYu2kS2_MsLO-jE9dFHw8gxZKfHDkCq9ZBh_Wle3F2dU_O8OCBNlY/s1600-h/P9260030.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgO-IhNNU3uW7hwMQQXbWfpTY-lni512-ZGKDvodK5vVEoN8uIJSfwsNTfL3U_nNk4QHv2qb0h_m_0Uj_i6uxhPzjYu2kS2_MsLO-jE9dFHw8gxZKfHDkCq9ZBh_Wle3F2dU_O8OCBNlY/s320/P9260030.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5250998979366107346" border="0" /></a>Setting a cracking pace...which I just couldn't match!<br /><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="color: rgb(255, 153, 0);"><br />The idea was to run four circuits, which would total just over 21 miles. To keep things interesting I alternated my direction, first anti-clockwise to give a longer slower ascent, with a steep descent...to the other way round with a sharp climb and gentle roll down through town. So for my first circuit I enjoyed the splendid sea views and relaxed into a nice stride, which took just forty five minutes..bang on the pace I intended.<br /></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2DOJS8xdhX4pHj-Z5UjzszNn6etaXH6nngQcS_cd46uEIWMctW8znDuR4aTFoBUnQy8sngEuuJZ24oDdLmsgK7RAfcUNJ_z0PNLeiI7EsXYbY4ZCv76uxJElush3v_XWP_RzBVWeCVTg/s1600-h/P9260033.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2DOJS8xdhX4pHj-Z5UjzszNn6etaXH6nngQcS_cd46uEIWMctW8znDuR4aTFoBUnQy8sngEuuJZ24oDdLmsgK7RAfcUNJ_z0PNLeiI7EsXYbY4ZCv76uxJElush3v_XWP_RzBVWeCVTg/s320/P9260033.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5250999885043645762" border="0" /></a>Just over 3 hours for just over 21 miles on undulating road...I'm quite pleased and know I can't go any faster. If I can match this pace in the race I'll be very happy!<br /><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="color: rgb(255, 153, 0);"><br />Curiously there don't seem to be any other people using this area to run. Plenty of walkers and a few cyclists, but I was alone. The final circuit was my undoing. I'd just changed direction, so had hammered my legs down the steeper descent above Llys Helig, and was now climbing the same slope. I made the top by the cafe but the energy had gone from my legs and each stride seemed to jar through to my bones. This was now very tough..even on the level ground. Almost unbelievably I also got stung by a wasp that got down my left shoe?? If I hadn't been the furthest from the car, I think I'd have used this as an excuse to stop...but had to keep going. Every ounce of me was hurting and it was such a relief to finally, what felt like stumble back to the car through town. Despite feeling so slow on this last round, my time only suffered by just two minutes when compared with the previous. So that's it now...till the race I will not go any further, distance wise. I will treat the downhill sections with a little more caution. It took some Ibuprofen and a days rest till my knees were happy again. But I'm generally pleased...no other aches or pain.<br /></span></span>Chris Krawieckihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12749029705039549428noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8619155112681821438.post-4197594733920094132008-09-07T19:36:00.010+01:002008-09-12T01:10:23.607+01:00Burghley X-Country Day<span style="color: rgb(51, 204, 0);"><span style="font-family:arial;">For quite a number of years I've watched the BBC TV coverage of the <a href="http://www.burghley-horse.co.uk/">Burghley Horse Trials</a>. The bravery and courage of riders and horses competing through the rolling countryside over impossibly sized obstacles, makes this a thrilling spectacle! So at last I was making the trip down to see all the action first hand..<br /></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5lgTXQIZ6yjNQDtjZXVUN8OJpIfDIx6jLaRszSesYf7Jgft6aUN6sxYQI2joDBoksNlK8CLw_KOiPZTL2UtY1WIwUfDA_tGZuVp1rYy51v-yM0Oyip4hVauMSKIusBjd2135wBdOJRpg/s1600-h/P9060002.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5lgTXQIZ6yjNQDtjZXVUN8OJpIfDIx6jLaRszSesYf7Jgft6aUN6sxYQI2joDBoksNlK8CLw_KOiPZTL2UtY1WIwUfDA_tGZuVp1rYy51v-yM0Oyip4hVauMSKIusBjd2135wBdOJRpg/s320/P9060002.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5243375626503002466" border="0" /></a>One of the first riders to to finish the course comes home through fence 32 infront of Burghley House<br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 204, 0);"><span style="font-family:arial;"><br />This Summer's weather has again been trying its worst to spoil things. So after the the last few days rain, I wasn't sure if the cross country would go ahead. However almost miraculously Saturday was relatively bright and dry, as things go! We arrived in good time and spent little time queuing, and found ourselves parked quite close to the heart of things!<br /></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu9EtPX8m43AgmVJzob1vzQOjtahIc6Vzs9or_ldhXB0OqsLB4En3NsnkiBZar9S-Gl1QvSXg5QC49lR5Ch-NGjst07P_8KE5D2gdU96XD_uNgnpfFTYWA4To2pG0nVZGTD-z8781-HUs/s1600-h/P9060005.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu9EtPX8m43AgmVJzob1vzQOjtahIc6Vzs9or_ldhXB0OqsLB4En3NsnkiBZar9S-Gl1QvSXg5QC49lR5Ch-NGjst07P_8KE5D2gdU96XD_uNgnpfFTYWA4To2pG0nVZGTD-z8781-HUs/s320/P9060005.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5243376651932739314" border="0" /></a>Belgian rider Karin Donkers jumps fence 30 The Flower Frame<br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 204, 0);"><span style="font-family:arial;"><br />There's a huge tented shopping area and I did have a small list of items to look for. But the crowds were busy and the place was so muddy that in reality I would be wasting my time. Plus I had that impatient anticipation of the event to come that shopping was really the last thing I could focus on! I did notice though, that there were several icecream vans with no custom...something which I remedied through the day!<br /></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK0DAM3TISU1wuFuxmOerms9fW4kSr-iyU6KFupDUsEGm_IQ3J-CyQ4BdkRNARnNsHqxPstoQUKmF0buT-aOMd9dBnDOb9iRtZRydooPB5ixd5x1TSOk_H_K7NocsMushr_JQ5GMio194/s1600-h/P9060008.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK0DAM3TISU1wuFuxmOerms9fW4kSr-iyU6KFupDUsEGm_IQ3J-CyQ4BdkRNARnNsHqxPstoQUKmF0buT-aOMd9dBnDOb9iRtZRydooPB5ixd5x1TSOk_H_K7NocsMushr_JQ5GMio194/s320/P9060008.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5243377798238845810" border="0" /></a>After a fast down hill gallop it all went horribly wrong as Sparrow Hall takes off vertically and too early falling on the fence throwing Marie Ryan over onto her back!<br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 204, 0);"><span style="font-family:arial;"><br />Just before the start time of eleven, we met up, all too briefly with Debbie, a very good friend, who goes to Burghley every year for the whole four days. She showed us the scoreboard and the course secretaries tent, where we obtained a list of the running order and riders. By now it was time to start and the crowds were excitedly gathering at the course sides to see the competition unfold.<br /></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKYr3mpGledgUPSQLCKHedyyBnSpkAlvqcWEJPFndc6SAq8IytruiofIXDsXlAnc9yriZ-aYwckgt6Fz-bGfQOIipEZc9xLGAC4iSMDUDIuXjHNvGMEbuZzvlqlgY_Md9ozOjAJdBBwOo/s1600-h/P9060009.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKYr3mpGledgUPSQLCKHedyyBnSpkAlvqcWEJPFndc6SAq8IytruiofIXDsXlAnc9yriZ-aYwckgt6Fz-bGfQOIipEZc9xLGAC4iSMDUDIuXjHNvGMEbuZzvlqlgY_Md9ozOjAJdBBwOo/s320/P9060009.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5243379233675713970" border="0" /></a>Sparrow Hall still panicked by the fall and having a leg trapped in his reins...<br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 204, 0);"><span style="font-family:arial;"><br />We watched the first couple of riders off from the start before beginning to walk round the course in reverse...as the majority seemed to be doing the opposite! This plan failed because the sheer numbers of people made every fence crowded..but it was always easy to get a view. What a tremendous feeling to be so close to the horses galloping by at a thumping speed, at barely arms length! Just as sobering, seeing a horse clip an obstacle and hear the resounding crack of hoof against wood and the inevitable topple and spill. We saw a couple of falls and plenty of near misses. We cheered as a crowd on valiant efforts and the feeling was ecstatic! What a brilliant place to be...what a fantastic competition!<br /></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyn0e4-wMVZwKqR8MJsJ1T2Q_YXDxO4-fCSZvSl_QYCpWbvnA1DEre_HTQ9MX_DlQIEgT6N-NDOEVe_LNAPSVMZ86-EdF7hyMkLx7NAYpfyfuPba30PQJXEscRCuE98jt9r3pItjjg5Lg/s1600-h/P9060014.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyn0e4-wMVZwKqR8MJsJ1T2Q_YXDxO4-fCSZvSl_QYCpWbvnA1DEre_HTQ9MX_DlQIEgT6N-NDOEVe_LNAPSVMZ86-EdF7hyMkLx7NAYpfyfuPba30PQJXEscRCuE98jt9r3pItjjg5Lg/s320/P9060014.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5243380242660663426" border="0" /></a>Nicola Wilson on Opposition Buzz flying over the impossibly vast fence 19, the Cottesmore Leap..<br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 204, 0);"><span style="font-family:arial;"><br />Though the ground stayed in remarkably good condition, the heavy going obviously took its toll on many horses...some finishing..just, but plenty being retired. We managed to get round and see almost every fence. However just as I thought I had all day to continue enjoying the competition, the commentator announced only a handful of riders to run! The day finished with a heavy shower as we watched William Fox-Pitt on Tamarillo almost stumble at the sharp drop of the Leaf Pit, before recovering to post the best time of the day! Eventual winners of the competition.<br /></span></span>Chris Krawieckihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12749029705039549428noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8619155112681821438.post-38031771488523018912008-09-04T17:52:00.008+01:002008-09-23T01:51:29.311+01:00Running progress..<span style="color: rgb(255, 153, 102);"><span style="font-family:arial;">In the last few weeks I've really stepped up my training for the 2008 <a href="http://www.btinternet.com/%7Etimjayne.caeathro/">Snowdonia Marathon</a>. The knee pain that almost stopped me in my first week, has long passed. With barely five weeks to go I'm now trying to lay down some long runs and mileage, to ready myself for the ardure of race day..25th October!<br /></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2jIV_4dVttoCb38OXtMSLYsADVDRg3nMFOz45TR0KHeOEjU99EaY3F7RPT8k32uRIctiUhX6sAplNmBc0SamjhABwREcVRH9h-i1znH75CQQFlYJnEyJ6sSWHMyeZ_-1pig0fEpK7ZJg/s1600-h/P9040318.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2jIV_4dVttoCb38OXtMSLYsADVDRg3nMFOz45TR0KHeOEjU99EaY3F7RPT8k32uRIctiUhX6sAplNmBc0SamjhABwREcVRH9h-i1znH75CQQFlYJnEyJ6sSWHMyeZ_-1pig0fEpK7ZJg/s320/P9040318.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5242210503107851938" border="0" /></a>This GPS device has been quite useful in my training, thanks to Tom for letting me use it!<br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 153, 102);"><span style="font-family:arial;"><br />One reason I've written less here than usual, is my pre-occupation with running. If I'm not actually running...I'm recovering from my last run...or thinking about my next one. Fatigue is a constant shadow in my life and I've done well to stay illness and injury free. When I last ran these sort of distances I was much younger and thought nothing of a quick ten miler...while the adverts were on, as it were. So it's been hard work, but I've been creative in my training and generally enjoyed my self inflicted pain<br /></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMWAm-D90Q9XidzBeUcXZxBLm-hBKa2tOZHxNRfqBSFlRnbq8yGGeOtueb_tymW0Odz2ywypyFbVhS9wMd8yTv9GaEjQJlUcSLcVKvxgSueKd9wzKyGMmqGgO2My_FixmCG9EYlbimA5M/s1600-h/P9080015.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMWAm-D90Q9XidzBeUcXZxBLm-hBKa2tOZHxNRfqBSFlRnbq8yGGeOtueb_tymW0Odz2ywypyFbVhS9wMd8yTv9GaEjQJlUcSLcVKvxgSueKd9wzKyGMmqGgO2My_FixmCG9EYlbimA5M/s320/P9080015.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5249007950517880194" border="0" /></a>I "ran" up Snowdon itself, lurking in the mist, but it was a very hard lesson...<br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 153, 102);"><span style="font-family:arial;"><br />I've run far and wide..through muddy fields and slippery river banks. Stupidly thought I could run up a mountain and probably caused some concern to passers by with my red face and stumbling across misty rocky crags! So pavements and roads are now like a glide to my ever stronger legs. I seem to have put on a little weight..which I presume is muscle. My upper body is shrinking whilst my legs grow! Perhaps I'll have to learn to walk on my hands after this is all over, to redistribute things..!<br /></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRw3FETPkmqcVShXaQlWKTOJd-KZIhYfn0d7k-G3huvpRuypsnDyhg6NUmFvNCFLF8UMNCC38r6QKaMNmEl9L55MFhlgEZIY2RIhCT6tMqmrLlXanR8jXSo_4dqOlkM67s-c8WmTQI1iI/s1600-h/P9080018.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRw3FETPkmqcVShXaQlWKTOJd-KZIhYfn0d7k-G3huvpRuypsnDyhg6NUmFvNCFLF8UMNCC38r6QKaMNmEl9L55MFhlgEZIY2RIhCT6tMqmrLlXanR8jXSo_4dqOlkM67s-c8WmTQI1iI/s320/P9080018.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5249008952888507618" border="0" /></a>At the top, the seagull in the picture was laughing at me and people were giving me concerned looks...but not making eye contact!<br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 153, 102);"><span style="font-family:arial;"><br />Someone from work thoughtfully let me use his GPS device to aid my training. So I've now become a collector of miles. If only it was money in the bank! However it's been useful to know how far I've gone. To date, eighteen miles is my longest run. This coming week I'm aiming to run four circuits of <a href="http://www.greatorme.org.uk/marinedrive.html">Marine Drive on the Great Orme.</a> This will make a total of twenty one miles in similarly undulating road conditions. This should be the pinnacle of my training and I can then go on with confidence...The rewards being as much beer, chips, curry and icecream as I can eat!!<br /></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3qF3CT9zsuFJptOQ73hp-Wtb3cjh4ztlHllAdWX-aKalgN3GObjeulCcSECZG6CotjMskyWocwaGyPuAv-VC9Un8jVe5ig5WAUgpW9X_iVM9g3mNFeOxATcieRmkaU6dxuD8C68_IlgQ/s1600-h/P9080020.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3qF3CT9zsuFJptOQ73hp-Wtb3cjh4ztlHllAdWX-aKalgN3GObjeulCcSECZG6CotjMskyWocwaGyPuAv-VC9Un8jVe5ig5WAUgpW9X_iVM9g3mNFeOxATcieRmkaU6dxuD8C68_IlgQ/s320/P9080020.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5249010112644174290" border="0" /></a>The descent of Snowdon was swift and my feet were on fire, so you can imagine the sensation of cooling them in Llyn Padarn, the lake by Llanberis where I'll hopefully finish my marathon.<br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 153, 102);"><span style="font-family:arial;"><br /><br /><br /></span></span>Chris Krawieckihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12749029705039549428noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8619155112681821438.post-88154496725379248022008-08-26T19:37:00.007+01:002008-08-26T22:06:16.108+01:00Wild Welsh ponies and a lash of wet weather..<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh1V1j5j2ajqP8Afa_WLnG7rd-tardNWGb_7_PZ6Vz9S9WI9XFm-o7ATVUSOErNDzkmcEXMc6m4qAG8_aLx8NUhXOBbE67YU-eD6z-rd-Pt8wJPPUYsK5cgT5SYXd6andHXdfVRPonIKw/s1600-h/P8170293.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh1V1j5j2ajqP8Afa_WLnG7rd-tardNWGb_7_PZ6Vz9S9WI9XFm-o7ATVUSOErNDzkmcEXMc6m4qAG8_aLx8NUhXOBbE67YU-eD6z-rd-Pt8wJPPUYsK5cgT5SYXd6andHXdfVRPonIKw/s320/P8170293.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5238927653833950402" border="0" /></a>A surprising and magical meeting..a herd of wild ponies on the headland with views to Bardsey<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 51, 204);"><span style="font-family:arial;">I defiantly announced " I'm going camping this weekend come what may!" Brave but stupid words spoken as bravado in front of work colleagues who I knew would give the desired answer. " You must be bloody mad...have you seen the forecast?" Yes I'd seen the forecast and I was hoping and praying that something dramatic would happen to change it....after all they quite often get it wrong! Well for once it was very accurate..it rained...very much, but mostly from one direction. The rain was blown by the wind...which was far stronger than forecast. So strong that five miles away,in Abersoch, 45 small boats were smashed on the beach on the Monday evening.<br /></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRyqg7ezVHqGkAkOYVnMK0BJkRRMkXWafqqwODJk6Q3AqwpUsDTvAASggqZcYe6dmek5m1b8bpf34daS_pzeoqB2-Qkzzi98tCwUiu79SHcx9yIOlk-mUG0x19ZLsdxYeElMK32cFc6jU/s1600-h/P8170295.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRyqg7ezVHqGkAkOYVnMK0BJkRRMkXWafqqwODJk6Q3AqwpUsDTvAASggqZcYe6dmek5m1b8bpf34daS_pzeoqB2-Qkzzi98tCwUiu79SHcx9yIOlk-mUG0x19ZLsdxYeElMK32cFc6jU/s320/P8170295.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5238928994990813042" border="0" /></a>Idyllic scene with Cilan and Bardsey top left with nothing but sea beyond<br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 51, 204);"><span style="font-family:arial;"><br />I was glad of Jos's company..for a while it looked like I was going to be "Billy no mates". I also delayed our travel a day because the forecast for Saturday was abysmal. So it was nice to arrive at Treheli in warm sunshine. I'm always uplifted by the view down across the wide bay, the sea and waves, which usually results in an excited, frenzied clatter of camping paraphernalia. So all pitched up..what next?<br /></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLPkVRgfFAzOyKUz7W5SuZsVlC0_poYLr6JicVDf81G3w6tSy7XI0SnifHscBuE7wcyovBy-3nlFlRgVhMawGv2N465jspIxyTyZPFSPlazFEuw5_il1T6-GHcK1udQJZzW_jaDpUUER8/s1600-h/P8170301.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLPkVRgfFAzOyKUz7W5SuZsVlC0_poYLr6JicVDf81G3w6tSy7XI0SnifHscBuE7wcyovBy-3nlFlRgVhMawGv2N465jspIxyTyZPFSPlazFEuw5_il1T6-GHcK1udQJZzW_jaDpUUER8/s320/P8170301.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5238930090186628034" border="0" /></a>Cheesy grin can't deflect from the fact it's peeing it down...but it was fun and the chilli was great!<br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 51, 204);"><span style="font-family:arial;"><br />As the tide was in, a walk on the beach was out. I've been here so many times but have never been to the point or headland that lies South West of the campsite. Trwyn Talfarach. So we set out on the steep climb that takes the road up to <a href="http://www.rhiw.com/">Rhiw</a>. The crags from which the village takes its name are notorious with us camp dwellers below as the "weather machine". At close to 200 meters above the sea, these crags are the first higher ground that the predominantly South Westerly wind hits, freshly ladden with moist sea air. The resulting lee-side is quite often misty and wet. So it was going to be nice to see the otherside of the "weather machine" and perhaps find an off switch!!<br /></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisMiEISFyHrsFh4gpBhyO58WWDLC5tFm4UPVcZ48Zffz2DkD2u4a5nOjLt-E-NkV3W7ukm-i5JdbZlec9ZpEN6-JWJmHsMSqlHsPdM5TL8vCkNo_fIc9fDzMuWt3Q9vTnHXZht78X_9L0/s1600-h/P8190307.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisMiEISFyHrsFh4gpBhyO58WWDLC5tFm4UPVcZ48Zffz2DkD2u4a5nOjLt-E-NkV3W7ukm-i5JdbZlec9ZpEN6-JWJmHsMSqlHsPdM5TL8vCkNo_fIc9fDzMuWt3Q9vTnHXZht78X_9L0/s320/P8190307.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5238931549748503378" border="0" /></a>Morning after the storm..nice waves forming off "winkle pond"each one slightly different!<br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 51, 204);"><span style="font-family:arial;"><br />Beyond the craggs is the high point of Penarfynydd with a trigg point. The views here are far reaching and evocitively maritime. The land ends in points, past Aberdaron anchored safely in it's bay, pointing towards <a href="http://www.bardsey.org/">Bardsey</a>, resting place of so many ancient saints and the Cetic Sea beyond. There's powerful peacefulness here that easily sells some of the faerie stories that almost make you hear a whisper on the wind.<br /></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_P0wh5PIs2Dft-15mUjftWfuqviVTKW4JBEb7r6RwMY-JH2LUXxJaggDecDTQpG-LnpS7yjpb6be_LPOGMN-Z2zikX6dRaP4PWJa6Ubnsl1m9kbHB9N1x_3LSlZIrXUIkVTxc5fi0Z1M/s1600-h/P8190313.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_P0wh5PIs2Dft-15mUjftWfuqviVTKW4JBEb7r6RwMY-JH2LUXxJaggDecDTQpG-LnpS7yjpb6be_LPOGMN-Z2zikX6dRaP4PWJa6Ubnsl1m9kbHB9N1x_3LSlZIrXUIkVTxc5fi0Z1M/s320/P8190313.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5238932905272242610" border="0" /></a>Even in the depths of Winter have I ever seen so much water on this campsite..Aug 2008!<br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 51, 204);"><span style="font-family:arial;"><br />As though by magic, we stumbled on a herd of wild ponies! I counted ten and they let us approach just so far...before trotting off. All this time I never knew what was beyond the "weather machine", now I think I might just visit again. We didn't find a switch and things got very wet and very, very windy. The campsite was ravaged and the inhabitants dwindled, leaving only the hardy stalwarts to enjoy the morning after.This is a good place!<br /></span></span>Chris Krawieckihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12749029705039549428noreply@blogger.com0