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Sunday 12 August 2012

Back from Snowdonia

The old mountain legs certainly got a workout over the week - we got lots of walking done, saw and photographed beautiful scenery, mountain goats and wild ponies....and my wish for a few rain free days came true yay!!!.. I also finally got to visit the Rob Piercy Gallery in Porthmadog, one of my favourite artists (take a peek at his website here)...so just had to treat myself to a signed copy of his latest book showcasing his Portmeirion work.  We also visited the gorgeous, colourful village of Portmeirion, a place I'd heard about but never seen before.  So over the week I've gained lots of inspiration for future paintings which I will share with you over the next few days .......  and I managed to fit in a bit of plein air painting as well, something I've not really done before.  This is one of them - a watercolour sketch of a mountain called Yr Aran which we could see from the campsite we stayed at, painted whilst being attacked by midges!


Yr Aran painted from Cae Du campsite, near Beddgelert
by Sharon Whitley the Rambling Artist

As promised in my last post the week started on Sunday with one of the best mountain walks Wales has to offer, Crib Goch and the Snowdon Horseshoe which we did with a group of friends, some of whom had not done this walk before.  It was exhilerating - and a bit scary at times on that knife edge ridge!!  Here is a small selection of photos I've 'pinched' from friends as I forgot my camera!

Richard Ratcliffe who joined us for the walk writes a superb account of our day on his website here.

Scrambling up the ridge
photo by Gary



Look no hands! on Crib Goch ridge
photo by Jane




Crib Goch
photo courtesy of John Worral

The beautiful Llyn Llydaw from Bwlch y Saethau
 photo by Gary

Gary and I on Bwlch y Saethau looking back towards Crib Goch
photo by John
Mountain goats on Y Lliwedd - a potential painting perhaps...
photo by Gary


Looking back towards Y Lliwedd
photo by Gary


Our group at the end of the Snowdon Horseshoe with Y Lliwedd in the background
photo by Jane




Thank you for taking the time to read about my ramblings.  I am now home nursing midge bites and sunburned legs - but it was all worth it!



18 comments:

  1. Amazing views! I especially love the color in that lake!

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    1. The lakes there always look a beautiful blue - one of the lakes below Snowdon is Glaslyn which translates from Welsh to Blue Lake.

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  2. Wou Sharon!, you're enyoying so much this summer, mountains, plain air. You've got a lucky. Nice watercolor friend. Warm regards

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    1. Thank you Eva, I am lucky to live close to such beautiful scenery and I do try and get out there as much as I can

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  3. it was an amazing week, lots of photos for me to now sort out, loved watching you painting plein air and all the inspiration you got from all the places we visited, oh and all the miles and feet we walked and climbed, a week to remember, despite the midges! xx

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  4. Oh, my! I am glad I can share these sights vicariously as I'd never be able to walk on that ridge! ha ha Thanks for sharing - looking forward to more paintings from the trip.

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    1. Haha, not sure if I'd do it again if I'm honest - it was a bit scary I might take the easier path below next time but it is an amazing feeling being up there!

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  5. Thanks for the link, Sharon. It's the first time I've seen your blog, great work. I'll aim to keep an eye on things. Richard.

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  6. Lovely images of a great walk... and yes I have walked along Crib Goch but have to admit it was a foggy day so not much exposure.

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    1. Lol the last time I went across was in clag, certainly gives more atmosphere but like you say you can't see the drops!

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  7. Looks like it was a great time Sharon, love your loose trees and greens!

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    1. thank you Lorraine it was fun painting plein air - despite the midges!!!

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  8. I obviously messed up when trying to post here yesterday so this one is a repeat. Loved the nostalgia induced in me with this posting as in a former life I spent a lot of time in the mountains and these shots are all of places I know but haven't visited for a few years. Thank you. I was further delighted to read about your admiration for Rob Piercy, I have two of his pictures on my lounge wall. He is a fine artist.

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    1. He certainly is a fine artist, I hoped to see him at the gallery in Porthmadog where he lives and works but he was away at the National Eisteddfod. Still wonderful to view his work 'live' though - lucky you to have 2 of his paintings - are they from his Snowdonia collection? I'm glad my post has given you happy memories of this area - I just love it there and plan to make the most of it until my legs pack in!!!! Thank you for commenting

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  9. Incredible pictures Sharon! I bet you had a blast traveling there. And there is so much for the inspiration for the artist. Thank you for sharing!
    Irina

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    1. Hi Irina, lovely to see you here, I visit Snowdonia as often as I can, the landscape is amazing, just love being up there!

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  10. Lovely trekking in the welsh mountains.

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I love hearing from you, thank you so much for leaving a comment - I will always try to leave a reply and pop over to visit your blog if you have one - although sometimes I may be slower than others, have a wonderful day xx