Trip to Mach (picture heavy)

[Trinity765]

I set off last Monday for a few days staying with friends Nick and Caroline to have some proper chill time and eat some of Caroline's wonderful food.

I took a quick, but without motorways, route there only stopping for petrol and lunch and was there by 2pm. The view of Cadir Idris forever changes with the seasons and light.

Cadir Idris


It's a bumper harvest this year and Caroline is reaping the benefits of her hard work. Tuesday I picked sloes which she put in a brining solution (lacto-fermentation). Due to Spain's extreme weather impacting it's olive production sloes are the new British olive. I brought a jar home which will be ready to try in a few days time. Once they are to your taste (perhaps never) you put them in the fridge to stop the fermentation.



Check out these tromboncino


Wednesday I went for a meander to find roads that I didn't know. This means that I can't remember, or at least I'd have to work out, where these pics were taken.

Route


Early morning mountain view


Picnic spot


Thursday was another day of foraging, rest and food indulgence.

Pausing for tea


Confit ducks legs with creamed kale and a side with salad and nasturtium (peppery flowers).



Friday I set off to Porthmadog as I've never been there and I enjoyed an affogato (expresso over ice cream). I like them so much I got one to go and enjoyed it as I walked back to my bike.


Coastal view, looking towards Barmouth.


Saturday I headed home, pausing at Clywedog lake for a parting shot.


Bonus picture - who has a number plate like this?

[singlesman]

Looks great, with a couple of notable exceptions I’d bet you put more miles on your bike than the rest of the forum combined!!!
Good on you # proper biker

[Trinity765]

Looks great, with a couple of notable exceptions I’d bet you put more miles on your bike than the rest of the forum combined!!!
Good on you # proper biker

Between 2009 and 2020 I was doing around 15k per year. I've slowed down a bit because of the covid years (and keeping to the rules) and my Mum's ill health. I'm free now to carry on exploring as I did before but I feel different - I'm lacking enthusiasm which I hope will return. I'm not sure what to do with myself and what bike to do it on. I've not done Scotland or Yorkshire for a few years - I've taken all of my bikes over Hardnott pass to get to know them. My calendar is fee for next year and with 36k on the Street Triple it may be time for a new bike. I fancy a Speed Twin or CB1000r as I enjoy riding both of them and they can cope with big miles. Watch this space come spring 2023.

[mangocrazy]

Great photos, Trinity. I need to get back to Wales and enjoy some of those lovely roads again.

[Skub]

Looks great, with a couple of notable exceptions I’d bet you put more miles on your bike than the rest of the forum combined!!!
Good on you # proper biker

Between 2009 and 2020 I was doing around 15k per year. I've slowed down a bit because of the covid years (and keeping to the rules) and my Mum's ill health. I'm free now to carry on exploring as I did before but I feel different - I'm lacking enthusiasm which I hope will return. I'm not sure what to do with myself and what bike to do it on. I've not done Scotland or Yorkshire for a few years - I've taken all of my bikes over Hardnott pass to get to know them. My calendar is fee for next year and with 36k on the Street Triple it may be time for a new bike. I fancy a Speed Twin or CB1000r as I enjoy riding both of them and they can cope with big miles. Watch this space come spring 2023.

You are perhaps stereotyping.

A wild animal restricted to a small cage for some time,then put into a larger enclosure,will often pace out no further than the size of it's original cage.
There's a whole guilt trip/mourning thing going on after the death of a loved one and it can run much deeper than we think. It takes time to adjust to the new normal.

[Trinity765]

Looks great, with a couple of notable exceptions I’d bet you put more miles on your bike than the rest of the forum combined!!!
Good on you # proper biker

Between 2009 and 2020 I was doing around 15k per year. I've slowed down a bit because of the covid years (and keeping to the rules) and my Mum's ill health. I'm free now to carry on exploring as I did before but I feel different - I'm lacking enthusiasm which I hope will return. I'm not sure what to do with myself and what bike to do it on. I've not done Scotland or Yorkshire for a few years - I've taken all of my bikes over Hardnott pass to get to know them. My calendar is fee for next year and with 36k on the Street Triple it may be time for a new bike. I fancy a Speed Twin or CB1000r as I enjoy riding both of them and they can cope with big miles. Watch this space come spring 2023.

You are perhaps stereotyping.

A wild animal restricted to a small cage for some time,then put into a larger enclosure,will often pace out no further than the size of it's original cage.
There's a whole guilt trip/mourning thing going on after the death of a loved one and it can run much deeper than we think. It takes time to adjust to the new normal.

Thank you - this is true for me. I feel lost but not broken. It's a good thing as I've never asked myself for so long and so hard what are the really important things in life - it's not things, it's not money - it's people and time. I'm going out with my sons, brother and father for a meal this evening and it means more to me than it ever did before - just to be in their company.

Edit: And food. Lots of nice food.