Nov 13, 2015
For at least 15 mins today I didn't feel clumsy! #wildswimming #coldwaterswimmer #outdoorswimming #Snowdonia #mountains (at Gwydir Forest)
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For at least 15 mins today I didn't feel clumsy! #wildswimming #coldwaterswimmer #outdoorswimming #Snowdonia #mountains (at Gwydir Forest)
Frightful #wildswimming #outdoorswimming #coldwaterswimmer #mountains #underwater (at Snowdonia National Park)
Pins... And needles (reoccurring theme) #coldwaterswimmer #outdoorswimming #underwater #wildswimming #mountains (at Snowdonia National Park)
Shallow, rocky, weedy and with views to die for...
No. 69 #swimsnowdonia
Llyn Ffynhonnau - Fountain
elevation: 305m, depth: unknown
weather - bitter winds, showers and sunny breaks
Branwen offered to take me out on a slow adventure today, which was really kind of her, she even chose a lake for me which was awesome! I kind of liked having that element of decision making taken away, I still enjoyed a bit of researching before hand and although it looked small, it had loads of 'interesting’ stories of the usual bad fairies (Tylwyth Teg) and of Romans dragging criminals to violent deaths of the slopes of Mynydd Mawr!! Yikes!
We went for an early start to avoid any afternoon rain and Branwen drove me up to what she described as the last village on the road to nowhere. Mmm, she wasn’t wrong! Y Fron really reminded me of the last town Paul and I had driven down to for the Sahara Desert, but the roughly grassed village green with grazing sheep and discarded rubbish had some certain charm.
After navigating our way through old quarry workings the afternoon rain arrived and we got caught in a freezing bout of brief hail like rain! Where was the promised sunshine? But we easily spotted the lake, it was much larger than I was expecting and was pleasantly surprised. On arrival it was obvious it was shallow, but it was rocky in places so I was holding out hold it was swimmable.
We were followed in by some fishermen, which never bodes well for a swim, but today I was feeling brave and well, I was there first and it said nothing about fishing and well, well, well... it just felt good to go in... I think you can sense these things. Branwen really wanted to join me but after a toe dip she declared it was a bit nippy, (but I think she is still sold on the idea and is SO going in next time!). The lake as predicted was shallow, rocky and then weedy on the bed. I didn’t take goggles so I just felt below the surface, which wasn’t pleasant and I didn’t stay in long. It was however incredibly clear, evident from the surface and the surrounding views were just to die for... What could be better than a shallow, slightly nervous bathe looking out across the beautiful Nantlle Ridge!
It was however a stunning location, when the sun arrived the light on the water turned it indigo blue and we stayed for a long time just watching the surroundings and listening to birdsong. A beautiful and remote little spot, well worth a visit!
Post swim cuppa - We opted to visit Y Pantri in Llanberis (recommend sandwiches, soups, cakes and coffee!) delicious!