The weather is hit and miss in the UK but I thought it was worth the gamble to go up to North Wales in July because, well it’s the summer after all, surely the sun would be out. The Lleyn peninsula is an area of outstanding natural beauty with long golden sandy beaches, mountains and glorious views across to Ireland, down to Cardigan Bay, up to Snowdonia and across to Bardsey Island.
Well, that’s what I had been led to believe but when we got there, there was only low cloud and fierce winds! The best views are apparently from Uwch Mynydd so we made our way up there to take a look. In these photos posted here you can see exactly what I could see from that famous viewpoint.
You have to wonder why anyone chooses to holiday in the UK in the summer. It really is a miracle that people come back year after year. This is especially true for mountainous regions like North Wales, the Lake District, Peak District and Scotland where the weather is a big risk factor and has the ability to ruin your holiday altogether.
My younger self used to camp in wild places no matter what the weather but now I find I cannot tolerate anything but a comfortable en-suite room. Why did it seem so exciting when I was young, to wake up in a damp tent on the side of a hill and put on wet boots and feel dirty for days on end?
However I am thankful that I persisted with wild camping even if it’s just to make me appreciate the comforts of a warm B&B or guesthouse now that circumstances afford me such luxury.
To all young ones I would say – go and camp in the wild, get wet and rot in the same clothes for days on end. Drink too much and return to your tent only to get up numerous times throughout the night to have a wee. Feel that optimism that you get when you pitch your tent on the side of a hill in a low cloud with youthful expectations of a glorious view in the morning when the weather clears.
How else can you appreciate the luxury which will come your way later.