Day 1 Tuesday 6 August
Arrived at Hendre Mynach Campsite, LLanaber at 5.00pm in blazing sunshine.
	Day 2 Wednesday 7 August
I said ‘where are we going. Nick said Shell Island. I said ‘have you been there before’. Nick said no, he had spotted it on the map. Shell Island turned out to be cut off from the main land, but only at high tide. The whole Island seemed to be dedicated to being one huge campsite. We both commented on how much Ruth would like it there, lighting campfires, basic living etc. The dunes were remarkable, masses of sand, in huge mounds, with turfs of grass and other flowers. We drove around the campsite, finally parking at the bottom of a large sandy slope. We collected our picnic and climbed up a sandy slope, legs aching, and found a slightly raised platform, below a dune, just the right size for a couple of picnic rugs, offering a good view of the beach. We ate our lunch and Emma and I walked miles out to the sea at nearly low tide for a swim. Barely remember the swim, but the water was warm and quite wavy. Nick dozed and Lucy read on her iPod. Emma and I then performed the complex task of changing discreetly on the beach, me holding a towel around Emma. Nick and Lucy, in the meantime, walked to the top of the sand dune just above us and called down. Emma took a photo of Lucy and Nick on Lucy’s phone. They came back, sliding and running down the other side of the dune and telling us what fun it was. We then all walked to the top of the dune, really hard work to go up on the dry moving sands, which seemed filled with invisible spiky plants, and mushrooms. On top was just thrilling, the views all around 360°; the whole circumference of the world; able to see for miles, looking out over the sea to the horizon, out over the magnificent and huge dunes, and down onto the expanse of glittering beach at low tide with its river-lets shimmering in the sun. It was like an aerial picture, but in real life. I have never seen anything quite like it. Wished we had brought the Camcorder, but Nick took photos of the full circumference. To add to the unusualness, a couple of German chaps came up onto the dunes, seemingly for a chat. They had a strange look about them on account of one wearing a top hat and clothes similar to lederhosen. The other was more chilled with a beard and loose clothes, and sat cross-legged as if he might meditate. Finally came down the dunes, Emma and Lucy having gone ahead and joined them sitting on the sand. Saw another stripy caterpillar and wondered what it was doing there and how it could survive, Decided it would be against nature to rescue it as it was probably where it should be. Drove along the coast ….
	Day 3 Thursday 8 August
I cooked bacon and eggs for breakfast, everyone seeming keen to eat a cooked breakfast, but Nick did not want to cook. That presented some challenge since I never do a cooked breakfast and may only have fried an egg once or twice in my life! Cooked a great breakfast, Nick having an over easy egg; Emma had none. All loved the bacon; I just had a corner of bacon and two eggs. Went for a bike ride from Barmouth to Penmaenpool, where the wooden toll bridge that we came over on route is,. We had a rally lovely day, as lovely as the first, but much harder work. It was easy going on the way, we all managed to get up the steep hill coming out of Barmouth, just before the rail bridge, even me; that was steep. Down the slope onto the rail bridge which has a pathway for walkers along the side. Noticed that one couple of motorbikes took a short cut to the other side also; not sure that was intended! Tide was going out and the sand banks starting to show themselves. We cycled along the rail line before turning left at Barmouth Junction, past the station and inland through a semi wooded area until we reached the small bridge where the they appeared to be doing work on sea defenses. Through the second of the deep kissing gate, suitable for bikes, but awkward enough to deter motor cycles. We seemed to cycle for ages, viewing the sand-banks of low tide and the stunning multicoloured banks to our right, with greenery, heathers ponds, inlets with ancient stone cottages, getting a bit tired, looking out for a good lunch spot; saw a couple of benches in outlets overlooking over the estuary but occupied. We came to a bridge were a small riverlette entered the estuary. Nick suggested we take a right in search of a picnic spot. Came to a grassy clearing where the meander in the riverlette had broadened into a loop with a grassy area, a crossing point through the water and then a stony pathway into the water. Big rocks overlooked the river about two meters above the water. Another family was there trying to … surf flat stones so that they skimmed the water. They soon left and we had the area to ourselves to finish our picnic. I paddled into the water to get flat slate skimming stones for Lucy to bounce, but noticed that while paddling was okay, my hands to my surprise started to go numb almost immediately in the icy water: decided against swimming. Cycled on past a field full of horses dappled and bay ponies, on creamy grey grazing to the right of a little pond, lush grass and tall green hills stretching up behind, making a stunning picture. We paused and took some photos, then on a short way to the toll bridge and pub. Sat on the wall overlooking the estuary with a broad bay, before the bridge. Could not see any canoes for rent as we thought there might have been when we crossed on our incoming journey. Bought ice cream, Cornetto for Emma and me, Capella for Nick and Lucy. We sat up high at a cast iron lacy table on the pub patio to the side of the pub overlooking the estuary, a really charmingly created spot, with cast iron railings around our table with vibrant blue lobelia flashed with white all around the base of the railings. I stood on the wall to get a good photo. I got comments on the weird way I eat my Cornetto. How can there be wrong way? The sun shone all day, although it was quite breeze, giving a slight chill to the air in unsheltered spots; the perfect weather for us all. Popped into the bird-viewing box and of course, the loo. Nick had a pint and I had a half beer before cycling back. Met the man who fed the ponies at the gate onto the estuary path. We had just worked our way through the slightly awkward kissing gate. Nick commented to the man that we would have waited had we know he was about to open the gate! Had a really hard cycle on the way back. Being at the back of the group is a really difficult place to be, never seeming able to catch up. We paused for fuel a couple of times and Nick hung back to help me on my way. The answer seems to be to think of something else when your legs are aching that much! The girls had no problem of course. Lucy seems to have taken to steaming ahead, legs pedalling at high speed, looking almost comical on her now a bit small bike, but liking to be in front. Nick commented that she is quite competitive with him in her cycling. They were both mostly in from of Emma and I. However with Nick supporting me, Emma and Lucy steamed ahead and we found them on a bench next to the track, not far from the bridge that would take us back over the estuary. Nick took some photos, and we say the shells that birds had put on the rails for the passing trains to break open for them. It was a bit of a relief to have arrived back in Barmouth, zooming down the steep hill, in time for … can’t remember ! but you could try asking Nick !
	Day 4 Friday 9 August
I cooked eggs for breakfast, or was it just eggs! Nick had told me a little story about he and Emma had been queuing at the deli counter in the co-op in Barmouth and viewing the queue, noticed the size of the queuer’s as so rotund and unhealthy looking that they decided against the planned sausage rolls. This also appears to have put him off having cooked breakfasts.
	Day 5 Saturday 10 August
Today was a lazy day, having been out and about every day since we had arrived, making the most of it. Nick made me the best cup of tea in his best dad cup and went off and had a shower. I got up, went and bought some milk and wet wipes. The weather was overcast with sunny spells, but still quite chilly. Emma was all for bacon, but resisted as Lucy and Nick wanted cereal. Nick and I enjoyed special K with banana. Our neighbors in the big Camper van left. Nick and Lucy decided to cycle into Barmouth to pick up a Wi-Fi connection. I stayed with Emma who was completely engrossed in re-reading Shiver. It was warm and sunny and we sat in the sun and ate lunch at one. After washing up we headed off for the beach, our new surf boards under our arms leaving a note for Nick and Lucy. It had become a bit cloudy but the sea was warm and almost inviting. We attempted to surf the waves, although our basic surfboards and our lack of skill made catching a wave a bit random. We still had some really good moments, catching a wave together, looking around and smiling at each other. Nick and Lucy walked down to the beach to say hello and did we want some lunch. I went back into the water without my surfboard for a swim; Emma gave me hers, as she wanted to swim!! Oh well… After our dip, we sat on the wall and ate a Snickers bar, walked back to the tent and had a shower. Emma said she had fun surfing. I cycled down to Barmouth along the esplanade with Nick to join him in the ‘Barmouth Arms’ for the first half of a Tottenham and Española friendly until half time. Had only intended to go to the co-op, but thought I would join him. Very friendly in there, what seemed to be locals watching the football had a huge couple of bags of pick and mix. Popped into the co-op with a tenner, and cycled back, the tide was out; the damp sand pristine and the beach had calmness about it despite a few spots of rain to start making dinner in the rain. Watched ‘Life on Mars’ 6. Tucked Emma in. Later found that my purse was in my bag after all !!
	Day 6 Sunday 11 August
Finally got reception at Harlech Castle, but only up on the ramparts. Rang my mum who said that she was really glad to hear from me, that she just needed to talk to me to say good buy before she left! Discussed her anxiety about travel, my worries about work, how she could swim safely in the river, having lost the knack of doing breaststroke. She thought she might get armbands, all together a worrying prospect. Had fun going around the castle exploring the impenetrable defenses, great to be able to go up the towers, walk up the steps to the first floor despite there being no floors or roofs, just wooden bridges across a couple of the rooms. Lucy and Emma enjoyed going around the castle too. It was a breezy day and the first to feel really cool, enough for me to change into long trousers before going into the castle. Enjoyed sitting outside in the sun looking out to sea. Loved the lack of health and Safety, made it an exciting excursion, that you could fall off a rampart of off the grassy verge, one pictorial sign with a stick man falling on the grassy verge overlooking the sea, to warn of the 200 foot drop into what would have been sea, but now was land. Watched a little girl do cartwheels and handstands badly and hoped her parents were more attentive than they looked. Nick had spotted a burger bar that he told Emma would be as good as the ice cream shop in Criccieth, next to the Castle, so we decided to try it.
	Day 7 Monday 12 August
Really cloudy start to the day; too cold to eat breakfast outside. I was awake in the night with worries about work, but was able to sleep until about half eight. Nick could not get in the shower; came back at 8.45. I reminded him that we needed our morning milk for the shop. Nick went and got the usual two pints and picked up the ipaper I had semi ordered… must tell her it was my husband who had it. Played cares before breakfast after the girls complained that we had no played out morning cards for two days! I made peanut butter and smoked salmon sandwiches, not mixed. We finally headed for Barmouth at about 11.45; me for a swim, Nick et al to buy gas and go to the shops. Emma was dressed for the cold in trousers and grey ankle convers, having straightened her ponytail and put make up on, so did not want to swim. Lucy and Nick keen to access their Wi-Fi connection. I walked across the sand dunes in the sun, watching the sky; sun shining between two clouds. I wondered if I had missed the moment. Talked to a woman on the beach, got changed and went into the sea. Fearing weaver fish went back to mend the sand-shoes; sun in, asked the time; five to one, expected back at 12.25; wondered how I would manage not to be late. Fixed Emma’s pink sand shoe, while the sun was behind a big black cloud. Sat and waited for a couple of minutes. Finally went into the water, big waves, tide out, water warm; the sun came out. I really enjoyed jumping the waves, body surfing, magic moment, even though the waves left little time for swimming. Came out after about fifteen minutes. Showered myself in a bottle of water, got changed back into my jeans and walked back to the car. Nick et al sitting waiting. Arrived on the dot, just after 12.25, pleased to be on time, as was Nick. Drove off, heading for Corris, through the valley with the big lake, Talyllyn, that we have been to at least twice before. At Corris we pick-nicked in the playground. V cold, got lots more fleeces out of the car. Got on the little train and were given the guided tour. Girls laughed at me for taking a kiddies fill in sheet. Short ride slowly up the track, given a talk with pictures and tour of the coach sheds. Slid change into an old boiler, along a chute from the platform above. Had tea in the friendly quirky tea shop, come museum, come souvenir shop. Bought card for my client E, an art nouveau one for us and to send to Steve Bush. Talked to couple running the tearooms about them retiring to Towyn. Looked at mini model railway running from one scene to another, as we were leaving. Charming and higgledy-pigeldy. We left, the sun out. Nick drove down hill to find the Centre for Alternative Technology. We arrived at 5.07, 7 minutes after it had closed. Parked and walked up 58 steps to reach the closed Café. Sun came out, stripped off down to my t-shirt, walked down, past a huge vegetable garden, with wooden chalet on top. Nick wants to come back another day to explore the alternative technology. Drove back into Barmouth via the wooden toll bridge at Penmaenpool, where the pub we cycled to is, pausing in Barmouth to pick up supplies. Nick valiantly cooked dinner of rice, frankfurters and many peas, between showers, me doing the cutting of veg and frankfurters in the tend, Emma too engrossed in her book, all of a sudden to help, Lucy helping out, talking to her dad under the pink umbrella, resisting wearing anything on top of her favourite long sleeved t-shirt. After eating inside the tent, Emma went for a shower, Lucy myself and Nick decided to look at the sunset, which was now looking alluring with a big orange sun sitting on the horizon and the clouds dispersing. Nick teased Lucy about being the only child. Lucy wanted to walk on the beach; good idea; Nick took photos, just caught the sun setting, wanted to stay on the wall. The pink tinted grey clouds were reflected in the still pools of water on the wind free beach. The usual waves were again present, beautiful red grey sky. Lucy was torn, went back to Nick. I walked to the waters edge and wished I had the camera. Beautiful colours with the buoyant water, a calm shell shaped inlet with ripples, and island of sand that looked almost black in the light, as the tide started to come in. What a picture. No persuading Nick to come and take a photo. By then Lucy wanted to go back to the tent, the tide had moved in and altered the scene. Came back to the tent and watched the last ‘Life on Mars’. Shocked that Sam did not wake up… is there another series after all.
	Day 8 Tuesday 13 August
Could hear the gentle sound of rain when we woke up this morning. As usual, Nick woke at 7.54, got up and went to have a shower. We had breakfast, played card, Lucy dealt and nick teased her about not shuffling properly. Played one rummy, which was aborted when Emma thought she had won, but hadn’t; we keep telling her to fan her hand but … and one ‘Go fish’ which Nick Emma and Lucy all drew at and I got nothing !! I wrote a card to mum, a really quaint picture of the harbor, bought at the ‘ethically grown chicken burger bar we ate at on Sunday evening. I made lunch outside; heavy clouds above although a little brighter and we headed out for Port Merion and Beddgelert at about 11.45, pausing at a Spar to buy chewing gum, but Emma and I spotted a big pork pie to go with lunch and bought a knife that predictably turned out to be very blunt. After a visit to Wilkes, where we finally saw and bought the blue die for Lucy’s hair that she has been wanting since at least before Xmas. Hopefully it will only stay in for the 6 to 8 washes, as promised. She assured me that she could easily hide it if the colour had not completely faded when she went back to school. Met up with Nick at the station. Went on to have lunch on a bench at Minffordd Station where I first went with Nick many years ago, when it was just the two of us; sun in and out. I looked down the platform at the other side of the track where we had sat. Drove on to Beddgellert, went to the camping shop, sun came out. I suggested that we go on a train as it was a train day, rather than a swimming day. On route was passed Beddgellert Bikes who seemed to have moved down from the mountains. Strangely the man recognized me, thinking we may have chatted this morning. We told him we had last seen him at his bike place in the hills. Caught the train one stop, sun shining, and returned. Drove to the bend in the river, where we had picnicked before to watch the locomotive go buy. It was quite a big engine, to make the steel incline, returned from South Africa. On the way back to the campsite we went into Barmouth to get stamps and a Wi Fi connection. Played a game of Frisbee on the beach. A bit too cold to swim as it had been all day. Ate in the tent, pasta and pie followed by a Pavlova I had picked up. Watched most of ‘The secret of Moon-acre’. A day without swimming.
	Day 9 Wednesday 14 August
Woke late at 8.45, to a drizzly day, that felt less cold than yesterday (no cold wind). Nick reported that it is like there is a fine mist, what I always call ‘Irish rain’. Nick made tea as usual and we ate breakfast cereals and all sat around for around an hour. Lucy and Nick then decided to cycle into Barmouth to get a Wi-Fi Fix. Lucy did not want to wear a cycle helmet or take a raincoat. Nick insisted she wear the headgear and I pushed her into taking a mac for herself and her dad in a rucksack. Very uncool I’m sure, but she clips the helmet through the middle of her hair so that it flows free at the front and looks good. Emma and I cycled in around 45 minutes later to look at the shops. Emma moaned asking why we could not take the car. I said we what about her wanting to get fit and pointed out we could not cycle along an esplanade, looking at the sea at home. It was lightly spitting on the way and I could see a mist cloud hanging over the sea ahead, that looked very damp and misty and a bit ominous. It was really hard work cycling into the wind and my legs ached. I complained to Emma who said her legs ache too, so not just me being unfit, rather the force of the wind. Emma spotted Nick and Lucy’s bikes outside the station and we found them in the station, just finishing up. We all wandered around the seaside shops for a bit, which was un-eventful although Lucy and I found a nice check shirt, something she had really been wanting and got a couple of pairs of thick leggings. Nick and Lucy shot on ahead in need of a pee. Emma and I then followed, heading back to the tent for lunch. Going back was a much easier cycle although it started to rain as we left. I kept my sunglasses on to act as a visor. Made lunch outside but it started to rain so we sat inside feeling cosy. We sat around feeling snug in our tent, reading the paper and Nick and Emma discussing their scores on a game they were playing on the ipad. Nick commented on how cosy the tent felt and why do much. We had a really pleasant afternoon, all doing a simple crossword together, which seemed to be all about finding an alternative words, often having to seek out a really old fashioned words like mirth, woe, nigh, (the time is nigh). In the end Nick suggested we go and find the waterfall we could not locate on Sunday, due to forgetting the map. Another day without swimming, but as it was 18c and still I probably would have taken the plunge if we had not gone is search of the waterfall we could not find on …day; headed into the misty hills above us. On route we stopped at the Spar, me suggesting we go to the butcher. Noticed that he had a couple of big silver award cups in his window and a couple of other trophies. Were going to buy burgers although Nick was grumbling that they would take ages to cook outside in the bad weather. Luckily, we spotted a couple of stir-fries, ready made. Nick went for the beef. Parked on a grassy shelf to the right on a pretty winding hill going up, past the graveyard where we stopped on Sunday. Emma spotted a lake down a steep slope into the woods that as we headed down and Emma suggested I/we could swim there, turned out to be quite big. A chap with his three young kids came along with a fishing rod and said they had caught a carp yesterday. Pressed on following the stream upwards until we reached a walled campsite. Deciding we could not go further returned to the car and Nick trekked on upwards into the hills, heading for the misty tops, waxing lyrically about how wonderful the scenery was, how it did not matter that we would not find the waterfall, just think we can go up into the mist. Passed a field with cows lying down next to the winding lane on our right like they may never stand again, a group of sheep doing the same on our left. Emma took a photo of the cows, me of the sheep. Nick carried on heading for the mist, taking a sharp right. We hit a gate and stopped to consider the map; was this a through road or had Nick taken a wrong turn. Nick insisted we give up the waterfall and forge ahead. We went through three gates, the last of which necessitating me picking my way through the flatted poo on tiptoes, like a girl; kept going up and up, right into the hill mist, along narrow walled with a high stone wall on one side and big boulders dotted on the other. Reached a broad plateau. Stopped, looking out onto a wall of mist, marking a steep drop into the field below, like we would fall off the edge of the world. It was a designated footpath and no doubt a point to view the scenery if we could have seen it. Nick was ecstatic, loving it there. Took photos and Nick skippity-hopped having spotted a tiny hole in the rock towering above to our left, fenced of where there was an old mine. Returned home to the tent and consumed our special stir-fry with noodles and beans. It was absolutely delicious. Watched the first half of ‘The Importance of being Earnest.’ With Judy Dench and Colin Firth. It felt like a really good day that flowed, and like we had really relaxed into holiday mode. I want the recipe!
	Day 10 Thursday 15 August
Very overcast start to the day, although not particularly cold. Slept late, until 8.50, having dropped off after Nick got up and dreamt about going to watch a show with tall four tier wooden, high back pew type seats. Went to save four seats in the front row. Then looking over to the stage that was barely visible all of a sudden, wondered if I could actually see the stage. When I got back from looking all the seats had been moved out of order, gone and at random angled. Could not see the seats I’d saved. Then I was at a fun pool, a big blue tank with not enough water, and a wide slide the kids were sliding down, not really suitable for an adult, unpleasant and a bit muddy??? Anyway, after breakfast got on with the important task of discussing the dyeing of Lucy’s hair, what she wanted done and how to achieve this; cutting a bin bag for an apron, setting up outside, wearing old cloths, cutting foil strips. Once Lucy was foiled up we cleared up and as the weather seemed to be getting brighter I started to organize for a swim on the off-chance of a sunny spell, knowing that I would have to be quick if I wanted to catch it. Helped Lucy shower out the dye and yippee, she not only agreed to join me on the beach to paddle but seemed happy to put on her swimsuit as the sun was coming out. Lucy rang Nick’s phone to let Emma know our plan and ask if she wanted to join us. Emma keen, so took her swimsuit and the body boards with us, and waited for them to arrive, a little anxious that they had gone to the other end of the esplanade, but both Lucy and I agreed that we wanted us all to be together and wait for them. Finally spotted Nick and Emma emerging and we all went into the water for a body board, the tide quite high, the sun hazily out still. Had great fun, Emma and Lucy really laughing and enjoying body boarding with each other, sharing the laughter and the body boards with us. We kept calling to Lucy to keep to her right due to drift. Nick went quite deep to catch a wave to body surf; Lucy followed and went a bit deep as the waves get big when the water starts reaching our waist. We must have stayed in the water for nearly half an hour so it must have been warm. I realized shortly before we got out that the sky had clouded over again, and thought that I would have been unlikely to have thought the water inviting when considering a dip, but the weather did not matter once in. We wrapped towels around us precariously. Emma asked me to take her bike, which I cycled back on, nice ride. Nick cycling with no shoes. We both wore our helmets, as Nick pointed out, to set a good example, as Lucy finds wearing her helmet so uncool. By the time we exited the showers it was raining!! To my surprise, I heard Emma exclaim as she left the shower that it was raining. Nick very kindly was waiting outside the shower with a big umbrella to walk me back to the tent. I must say that was really very decent and caring of him. We did not have lunch until about 3.00 and the rain continued all afternoon, until we went out to eat, as planned. Must say that the best meal of the week + four days has to have been beef stir fry last night. Got back from eating burgers at Platters at about 9.45, having picked up a couple of bottles of wine on the way. Just as we got to the campsite it started raining again. It bucketed down to the point where we could barely hear last hour of ‘The Importance of Being Earnest’. Emma called me to tuck her in, as she has every night since around Friday, not that she really needs me to. Lucy does not need tucking in, so I give her a kiss instead and ask if she wants tucking in anyway. She always says no. Discussed with Nick if we should head home a day early to avoid the rain due on Saturday, a big black cloud at 5.00am is predicted !!!
	Day 11 Friday 16 August
Woke up at about 8.30 again, later than expected, having originally woken at about 6.00. It had been a stormy night with the rain lashing down. Nick said he was a bit anxious about too much moisture in our pods developing, but we had a snug night. For some reason I slept well and was not disturbed. Emma was in a bad mood waking up tired and complaining of sleeping badly. Lucy said she had been awake from 4.30 to 6.00ish and had to put an eye mask on to help her sleep. However, although it was raining at 6.00am, we woke to a sunny warm day with fluffy clouds, a great improvement on most of the rest of the week. We all had cereal for breakfast overheard someone on the phone saying they had had a dreadful night and were packing up to come home. Our neighbors (to the left) daughter’s tent had flooded, the bottom field had flooded and washed some of the residents out. After a leisurely breakfast, waiting for the day to warm up I persuaded Emma that she might like a swim in about half an hour. I promised Lucy to dye her hair again if she came and joined us in her swimsuit, just to watch and paddle if she wanted. We all headed to the beach and had a great swim, felt that we had got to know the waters and waves, so I was not too daunted by the large waves, discovering that they would fizzle out on the raised sand banks. Lucy was kind of reluctant to come in, but Nick changed into his trunks, so Lucy joined in which was good as she was just being uncertain. When I asked Nick how he found the swim, he said “yes it was quite exhilarating, there were some big waves, I really quite enjoyed it, but it still takes a lot to get in, to get used to it, yeah, it was fun, I really enjoyed it”. Emma and Lucy surfed the waves with their body boards, laughing and looking like really enjoying themselves. Lucy said she did not want to smudge her make up. I teased her, saying your make up is still ok, but then a wave caught her by surprise going right over her head and face. I laughed as I looked round at her screech and said oops, not such a good make up moment, but Lucy managed not to smudge her make up, concluding that she must have put waterproof mascara on; Came back, helped Lucy wash her hair under next doors tap, as the plot was still vacant, with shampoo, pouring jugs of cold water over her head as she cried, ‘it’s cold’, giggling. The rest of us had a shower while Lucy’s dye set. When I got back from my shower, she was sitting against the car while Nick and Emma played frisbee. Loads of people seem to have gone today, maybe because of the bad night. Lucy decided she did not need my help washing out her hair today, just company to walk over to the showers, with the foil in her hair. Nick went with her. After Lunch we decided to go out on the bikes. We cycled into Barmouth, around the back streets and ended up tuning right at the harbour in search of a ferry across the bay. We were all surprised to find a middling motorboat at the quay, Nick having to carry his bike down the steps and pass it to the ferryman. I stood halfway down and passed our three bikes to Nick. We enjoyed the short boat ride, the warm wind and views thrilling us, following the line of the bridge. We were landed on a sandy conversely curving beach, that faced inwards towards land. As as a result the water was completely calm and would have made a great place to swim, something to remember for another visit. A family with young children traveled back. Took a family photo, Nick amusing us as he stumbled to run across the stones on the beach before the click of the camera. Went and saw the little train, an unattractive diesel, but Nick seemed pleased with it. Cycled along the train track and through a car park to find the lane that ran alongside the beach, which although below sea level was really hard work due to a strong head wind coming off the sea. This was made harder by being at the back of the pack, only made easier by lowering my head to the bars to get some speed up without so much leg ache. Half way down we stopped to recharge. We paused in the sunshine and strong breeze off the sea, for brioche cake, with the streaks of yummy custard, sitting on a big bollard with Emma, Nick took a photo of Lucy and Emma in profile when they walked across the stony beach towards the sea. Took the lead and saw a new path being cut through the side of the estuary, where dog walker were taking their dogs. Cycled on into Fairbourne, which consisted of many bungalows all much below sea level which seemed a bit drab, possibly because they were crouching in a dip. Could not quite work out where we had come with David Ball and his family all those years ago. Cycled round the corner, past a beach shop, past a man with very small twins in a double buggy, now heading inland towards the station, the working train that ran at the top of our campsite. Sat on a wall with E & L, Nick going to investigate the station. Nick came back to tell us that we could get back to Barmouth on the train, so would not have to cycle the alternative half hour; we were glad of that even a little relieved. The next train was in 40 minutes, conveniently, at around 5.55. That gave us time to cycle back to the front, the beach shop on the corner and get fresh ice cream in a cone. Nick chatted to the man with the twins, telling us that his three-year old daughter and mum were on the little steam train. We watched from the esplanade above as a really attractive and shiny little green engine pulled the small coaches along and the mum and her daughter waved to their dad and the twins. I had ginger, yum, Lucy had strawberry, Emma toffee fudge. When trying to remember, Nick said he had something boring, vanilla, telling me later, when we tried to remember, that he had chosen vanilla to get the creamy Cornish taste. Bought five postcards for a pound, two with sheep for my mum. Caught the train, Nick and Lucy offering to cycle if there was a problem getting all the bikes on the train! Great view from the window, over the estuary with the tide out: went to the Co-op, cycled back along the esplanade, had soup for our last dinner on site and started packing up. Nick also put away all the kitchen stuff, which helped us get out by 11.30 the next morning.
	Day 12 Saturday 17 August
We had been really worried about a downpour, but were lucky and managed to pack the tent dry. Both girls helped (Lucy in particular just knowing what to do to be helpful) and this made it much easier, especially in the folding of the tent with the wind blowing against us. Nick set off to scale the hill for the last time, worried that the car was overladen. I cycled to say bye to Kim on plot 170. Paused at the shop to say bye to the woman running it and reception. As I paused nearly got run over by a very large caravan. Walked the bike up the hill; really hard work. As I neared the top and stopped, unable to continue for a moment, Lucy came down the 6 or 7 metres and pushed my bike the rest of the way up the very steep hill to the waiting car. What a star...thank you Lucy.

Sunset over Cardigan Bay... from Barmouth esplanade Llyn Peninsula from Shell Island dunes Second night's sunset from Llanaber seafront The tollbridge over the Mawddach at Penmaenpool The main line to Barmouth Tywyn beach Nant Gwernol rapids Waiting for the train back to Abergynolwyn The view from our picnic lunch above Llanbedr Snowdonia from the ramparts of Harlech Castle Trees and mountains at the Centre for Alternative Technology Snowdon from Rhyd Ddu on the Welsh Highland Railway Cloud line above Llanbedr - continuing the quest for the waterfall Barmouth from Fairbourne Railway's Ferry station On Fairbourne beachn Waiting for the Arriva train from Fairbourne to Barmouth The bridge over the Mawddach Estuary My constant companion... Y marks the spot... All packed up and ready to go home

Thursday 22nd August

Woke up a bit late at 9.00 having slept like a log to a rainy day, the forecast having deteriorated since yesterday. Should have set my alarm really, but how often do I sleep that late and that deep? Girls asleep; let them sleep until 9.30; a generous but, bit of a foolish move. Rushed to put together a packed lunch, Had a bit of an argument with Emma about not helping at all. Traffic bad on the A10 so decided to go over the M11 unusually as the Sat Nav said it would only take an hour; there by 12.05; job done; only five mins later than promised, with more than enough time to get there for 1.30 for the 2.00pm start. With mum’s disabled badge, were able to park an alley’s walk away from the garden in which the Taming of the Shrew was being performed by the Globe theatre troop/company. Walked into the walled garden, which had a wooden stage over the other side and the areas for sitting roped off. We seated on the right, facing the stage at the front, the girls not wanting to be right at the front. We sat in my mum’s fold up chairs. Weather a bit drizzly. The performance started with a skit it seemed about trying to trick a drunkard into thinking he was a wealthy man wit ha wife who had been asleep for 15 years. To our surprise, all the performers were women, as mum pointed out, an interesting angle since in Shakespeare’s day the performance would have been all men, of course. A very fine performance followed, the manly father of Catherine, the elegant Bianca with her tight curles and the long flowing 30’s satin silk cream dress. All played a number of parts and a number of instruments, which must have suffered in the drizzle. The manly father of Catherine (‘wonderful articulation’ according to Ganga ‘could hear every word’) also very humorously played to servant/engineer of Kate’s suitor, a tall woman who make an elegant man in her fitted cream, fur trimmed, calf length, flying coat, beige jodhpurs and black boots. Mum did go to whisper to me during the performance, but knowing that her whispering carries about as well as the performers, shushed her quickly.