Tales from a down-shifted family
- Making the most of modest means
Day 3 started damp and dreary, with heavy rain outside the window, but it promised to clear a little later. We waited for the Costcutter downstairs to open and then went to buy breakfast. Breakfast was fairly traditional for me: a pot of porridge and a yoghurt and granola pot. Mike went for a slightly...
It poured with rain overnight and looked set to be quite showery today, but it was dry when we headed out early to the Co-op to buy lunch supplies. There would be few places to refuel today, so we needed to take food with us. We had a very nice breakfast at Ivy House; the...
A few weeks ago I had a message from Mike, an old friend from university, saying that he was bike-packing the Traws Eryri, raising money for Alzheimer’s Research. He asked if I’d like to join him. I obviously said yes, bought the kit I’d need, and last Tuesday, the day to actually do it, rolled...
I’ve just taken a look at our annual solar production and with 3 months of the year still to go, we have already produced more than we did in all of 2023 or 2024. Obviously, the amount we generate will drop off considerably now as Oct-Dec is always going to be a lower production time...
Another holiday? Yes, this one was booked quite a while ago and ended up somewhat shoehorned in between our recent trip to Sweden, the Traws Eryri next week, and a few upcoming weekends away as well. Fortunately, it was also a package holiday, so there wasn’t much organising to do and little in the way...
Sustainability is often discussed as a personal choice. We walk more, drive less, buy second hand, and spend time outside instead of shopping. Those choices matter. But a large part of our environmental impact is shaped by the businesses that design, make, move, and support the things we use. In many organisations, the biggest sustainability...
Having recently climbed both Cadair Idris and Yr Wyddfa, I thought it might be nice if Clélia could climb Pen y Fan as well, so she could complete the Welsh Three Peaks before heading home to France. Unfortunately, we kind of ran out of time, but I got her a print of the Three Peaks...
Hitting 50 might not be that exciting but I think Anna had a nice day. We decorated the house while she was at work; there was a mountain of chocolate for her; we went out for dinner, and there was a massive cake. Happy Birthday, Anna!!
A while ago, Mike asked if I fancied doing Traws Eryri with him. I’m not entirely sure whether this was an invitation or revenge. A couple of years ago, we did the OMM together, and, depending on which version of events you believe, I either pushed us both rather enthusiastically or nearly broke him. Either...
After summiting Yr Aran on Friday, I had a taste for bagging some more Nuttalls, and all of a sudden the weather for the weekend was looking lovely. I had a few other things I wanted to do on Saturday, so decided it would be nice to head to the hills later in the day,...
Whilst taking Mel and Clélia up Snowdon recently, we stopped partway up the South Ridge for a snack and a chat. Sitting there on the grassy slopes overlooking the valley, our eyes were drawn to the summit to the west. Yr Aran. A summit that I’d not really clocked before. On that day it was...
Fitness / Technology / Triathlon
Fixing the Altimeter on my Garmin Forerunner 910XT
Monday, March 17th, 2014
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MTB / Trail Guides / Wales
Traws Eryri Day 2 – Dolgellau to Trawsfynydd
Wednesday, October 7th, 2026
Lifestyle / MTB / Stand Up Paddle Boarding / Surf Ski, Kayaking and Canoeing / Swimming / Travel
Monday, September 21st, 2026
