For the last 2 days of our week away we camped in the Ogwen Valley in Snowdonia under the watchful eye of the majestic Tryfan. I love this place and Tryfan is a favourite of many mountain walkers. The North ridge is a scramble pretty much from bottom to top - I managed to get a quick sketch in using water soluble graphite and a bit of watercolour - all of course while being attacked by those darn midges whose bites I'm still itching now a week later!
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| Tryfan sketch |
We didn't climb Tryfan on this occasion but instead crossed over to the other side of the valley and walked the beautiful Carneddau mountains. It was a glorious day and I wore my shorts -eeek! ... a very rare occurence for me but luckily it was only a few other walkers that had to suffer the sight of my very white, never see the sun, chunky mountain legs!!!
Here is a small selection of the photos that Gary took on the day, we again came across a few of the wild Carneddau ponies which roam this are and which always give me a thrill and got some lovely shots of swallows being fed on the wing.
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| Tryfan in the early morning sun |
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A fledgling swallow fed on the wing - one less midgey to worry about!!
(thinking of painting this one!) |
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| Tryfan and Llyn Ogwen |
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| The beautiful Ffynnon Lloer (Source of the Moon) |
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| A nice little scramble up the East ridge of Pen yr Ole Wen |
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| Carneddau pony |
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| Ffynnon Llugwy below Pen yr Helgi Du (Hill of the Black Hound) |
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| This beautiful wild pony appeared from over the hill, a lovely sight to see and followed by many more looking for water on a hot afternoon |
It was a beautiful walk though the soles of my feet were hurting a bit towards the end - which they never used to on big walks - think it may be time for new boots!!!
That's enough of my rambles for today, hope you enjoyed the photos - I'm very lucky to have a walking partner who doubles as an excellent photographer! To see more of Gary's photos from our trip you can check out his
blog site here.
As always your comments are most welcome - I love to read them and I've switched off the word verification - I know it's a pain!
Your painting is beautiful! I am blown away by your amazing photos. Wow! Absolutely beautiful!
ReplyDeleteThank you Heather though I can't take credit for the photos as Gary's the brilliant photographer!
DeleteFantastic photos Sharon.
ReplyDeleteWhen we were in the Canaries in March we spent hours watching the aerobatics of the swallows and swifts but I didn't manage to get any decent photos - they are so fast!
My favourite here is the last photo of the pony drinking ... made my drawing hand itch immediately :-)
Yes that's one of my favourites too - may be painting it myself!
DeleteLove your painting, and your photographs. What a lovely place to have camped.
ReplyDeleteThank you Ann it was a brilliant place to camp - despite the midges!
DeleteHow important it is to make sketches like this one. They provide an invaluable source of information and inspiration for future paintings. Thanks for sharing the very fine photographs of Gary and weren't you fortunate with the weather conditions.
ReplyDeleteWe were very fortunate - we're used to the weather throwing everything it has at us - it was nice not have to walk in waterproofs for a change!
DeleteSharon - it is really great to see you pulling out your sketchbook while you are out and about hiking and travelling! I think it will bring a whole new edge to your work - keep at it.
ReplyDeleteThank you Dawn and I do plan to keep it up - it surely has to help me improve!
DeleteYour walking partner is not as quick at blogging as you!! the rest of our weeks photos will be on sooner or later. How you managed such a great sketch whilst getting savaged by midges I dont know, its great xx
ReplyDeletegot red marks all over me but the itching seems to be easing now thank goodness - we'll go prepared next time!
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