Tales from a down-shifted family
- Making the most of modest means
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...
Day 4 This would be our final full day in the Sankt Anna Archipelago, so after a chilled breakfast we packed up, left the cabin behind us and wandered across to our kayak, where we replenished our fresh water supplies and slipped back into the calm waters. The wind had dropped off even more now,...
Day 2 It was still windy in the morning, so we had a relaxed breakfast, packed up camp and were ready to start paddling by around 9am. Rather than head south-west across more open water towards Harstena, we adjusted our plans and decided to head slowly north, taking shelter where we could from the wind...
After a long trip to the Sankt Anna Archipelago on the south-east coast of Sweden, we finally rocked up at the Kajak Paradisetheadquarters and collected our kit. We had booked a large double kayak and camping kit for four nights and five days and were soon sitting on the grass with one of the girls...
I had another great day in the hills on Friday with Clélia and Mel. Several plans were floated, but with Mel heading back to France soon, we thought we should at least summit Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon) before she left Wales. It is the highest mountain in Wales after all, even if it isn’t my favourite....
The amazing summer weather continues. We haven’t seen a drop of rain for almost three weeks now, and every day has been either hot or very hot. The sea is lovely, the grass is yellow and the trails are dusty. We’re recycling bath water each day to give the struggling garden plants a drink and,...
After a postponed trip up Cadair Idris last weekend due to a slight back injury for me and a lack of suitable shoes for Mel and Clélia, we tried again on Sunday. The Crowd Gathers My back was mostly better, Mel’s Mum and brother were now visiting and had brought Mel’s boots, and Clélia had...
It’s been a case of ‘so far, so good’ with the surf skis. I’ve had them both on the water for a few short paddles, as well as a paddle to Aberdyfi and back last night. They both seem to be watertight, and the repairs have held up well. Time will tell how long they’ll...
For the last few years I’ve been the proud owner of not one, but two damaged surf skis: a Knysna Genius BLU and a Think Evo II. I essentially snapped the tail off the former back in 2019 and it’s been sitting under my lean-to ever since. No longer seaworthy, it was eventually superseded by...
West Wales isn’t a bad place to spend a long weekend at home. Both Anna and I were off on Friday, so after an early-ish run around the dunes for me, we headed into town for brunch. We decided to try somewhere new and ended up at Kwizinn, which serves Caribbean-inspired food. It was excellent...
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
