Rhinogs retirement trip: 20th to 22nd April 2012

Although I retired from John Kyrle at the end of last academic year I asked for this trip - similar to one we did for Gareth Hughes when he retired - to be held over until spring 2012.

Gareth, Derek Pawling and Pete Hughes put on a great time for me. Derek drove me up after we'd both finished work on Friday and we met Gareth and Pete at the B&B in Dolgellau (great view across town to Cader Idris). Dinner at Unicorn that evening.

Superb atmospheric walk in deepest Rhinogs with Gareth and Derek on Saturday. Pete helped with transport logistics in morning and then took himself off for a trip on the Talyllyn railway. Lane south of Llyn Trawsfynydd > Wern-fach > Wern-cyfrdwy (bunkhouse?) > bwlch south of Clip > Craig Wion (lunch overlooking Llyn Twr-glas - wild geese and goats) > followed ridge south over 518m > Roman Steps (Gareth left us to walk to car parked on lane to east of plantation) > Derek and I ascended Rhinog Fawr with Owen (chance encounter - DofE assessor and freelance mountain leader, resident in Snowdonia) > descended back to Roman steps and on to join Gareth. Dinner that night at Y Sospan in Dolgellau - very good.

Rainy Sunday morning so visited Brithdir church (Art Nouveau) with Pete before he went off to watch Wolves play at Molineaux. Gareth, Derek and I did the (close by) Torrent Walk as the sun came out. Came home via lunch at Star Inn, Dylife (where the very characterful landlord regaled us with stories).