We have been Away…. and somewhere Very Special

Llyn Crafnant in the beautiful Crafnant Valley, North Wales

We have been away for a weeks exploration of old haunts in Snowdonia and along the North Wales Coast.  More on the places visited later…. but today allow me to reminisce on one special place that has many memories for both of us.

It is the Crafnant Valley, long and narrow with a back drop on Craig Wen and part of the Clogwyn mountain range.

At the very head of the valley there is an old Welsh Farm House called ‘Blaen y nant’. 

About 65 years ago Blaen y nant was purchased by the Mynydd Climbing Club.  To say it was in poor state would be an understatement… but thanks to club members it was soon made habitable* and has served as the clubs North Wales base since then.

It was some 60 years ago, when I was up on the roof doing some essential repairs, that I looked down and spotted one young lady, amongst a group of Trainee Teachers from Liverpool Uni., who were here for the weekend.

Her name was Jean Patrick and some 3 years later we were married…. and surprisingly she is still with me! 🙂

The Club is still very active and has obviously prospered. That prosperity is evident in that the Club ‘Hut’ as it was called, now has running water, double glazing and that new fangled Electricity.  But memories of washing in an outside sink, with stream water flowing through, paraffin lamps and bucket and chuck it chemical toilets in an even older barn,  may sound awful but remarkably still hold fond memories of a developing world in the 1960’s.

Blaen y nant was the planned destination for many great weekends in the mountains…. but it was the magic of the Crafnant Valley with its Lake that held that added charm of those weekends.

This was a self indulgent treat on our recent trip….. but sometimes we are all entitled to be self indulgent – don’t we?

• When i mentioned earlier that the Club members made Blaen y nant habitable, it was perhaps an understatement.  The old farm had no doors, windows falling out, slates missing and has been occupied by the local sheep for who knows how long. Thanks to volunteer members it soon became the Welsh home for the Manchester based Club.

As always………

Please Remember ….

Stay Safe …. Be Kind…. Look After Each Other

12th September

(C) David Oakes 2023