“The view in this photograph has not changed in nearly 53... ( now,60), years.
I used to swim in this bay, with my Dad, every morning of our breaks and holidays, before 8 a.m. come rain or shine”.
So began a post I wrote 7 years ago... when Mr OF and I had sold our tin tent, and bought a static van overlooking the bay at Criccieth North Wales.
Since then...the runs and the posts have been many. The photographs and the words documenting the changing seasons, the changing times and the changes in our own lives and the lives in the wider world. There has been joy and sadness and every emotion in between.
But today, I ran what will be, the last route here, for a little while.
We have decided to sell the home by the sea and seek new adventures.
Since Mr OF's heart attack, things have changed a tad, and using my own wise words...ha ha.. I have had to acknowledge, accept and adapt.
So although my last run was quite a few days ago... I decided that this morning, if the weather gods were smiling, I would run. Week 9, Run 1, C25K repeat. I am not feeling at the peak of fitness, but the sessions of strength work and stamina plus the routines with YWA have keep the old snail moving.
I set out my gear last night...winter weight leggings and a long sleeved T. Buff and cap. The route in my head a favourite one... and planning also to take a couple of chums with me.
A long journey here yesterday had taken its toll. Diversion after diversion and no details of where to go! I slept... very well !
This morning dawned... dry and fine... dark, but dry and fine. After tea and biscuits... and a little bit of faffage, I was out there. The day had brightened a tad and the air was sweet and mild on my face. Laura's voice familiar and reassuring as we completed our warm up walk. She tells me to keep it gentle, slow and steady and who am I to argue?
She knows I am ready for the run and off I go.
I determined to really pace myself. I would love to re-graduate on Sunday... and having not run for a few days I ran slowly...very. My breathing was a little uneven as I have had a blocked nose and a scratchy throat...but I soon settled into that happy, easy pace, so that when Laura mentioned that pace , I was content.
Down the hill towards Pentrefelin, to take yet another, running photo of the distant mountains.; the ladies in waiting, in their thick woolen coats, already heavy with lambs. I shall not see their small friskers this time around...but will know, in my mind's eye, exactly where they will be gathered together under a sheltering hawthorn tree.
Turning, I headed down once more to the small town and the sea... ever changing, yet constant... and as I ran , two friends joined me. One of whom, my dear friend Bluebirdrunner , who has been with me, supporting me , with love, strength and friendship, for a very, very long time, not only in my running, but also in my life; and another friend, sadly lost to me now... his even tones and his gentle jesting, echoing in my mind. I still run and I still smile, I tell him.
We three ran together.
Down with restrained, but easy pace...lifting and rounding, relaxing the shoulders and remembering to smile. Over the crossing and onto the Esplanade; more fleeting photo shots, slightly blurred, but recognisable. It was then that I felt the tears, pricking the back of my eyelids and threatening to fall. The sea, a placid, yet slightly undulating sheet of slate blue, under a blanket of grey sky...the hint of sunlight to the East...
The tide on the way out and a beach strewn with stones and sand... along I went... and I did weep a little. Tears of sadness, mingled with tears of joy; for those I have loved and lost, those who have shared this seaside story with me, over the years. The joy of knowing their love and friendship, and the gratitude I feel, to have had the opportunity to share such a beautiful location with them.
My legs are just doing what they do...my breathing is relaxed and steady, with maybe a little more effort needed now and then on any inclines...along the jetty, with light steps, a photo call and a return run to go up the hill and into the town. Mamas and offspring push-chaired or school bags... all heading for school. Children's chatter and Mama's laughter, as I turn down again and along the High street.
The bakery shop, with the already tempting smells... the butcher, laying out his window wares and down again to the sea. Along by the big hotel and back towards the crossing. I cannot resist heading on to the beach... over the shingle and along the drying sand... I land lightly and imagine the imprint of my footsteps sinking down into timeless memory, like those of the dinosaurs... I smile to myself.
Back and up the ramp, littered with large sea stones, it was a tricky exit... but then Laura is telling me we have only five minutes left... I step up the gear.,.. determined to finish in style. Back at the crossing and a slow, reflective walk back home; up the hill, with the now, dulcet tones of a Welsh male voice choir singing, Myfanwy.
A few last photographs... a last look around at the seascape beneath me and I head for home.
Time now for a new beginning... a new adventure...and yes, of course, all those new memories to be made.
Thanks to everyone who has shared my Tales of the Sea... we have enjoyed them...haven't we?
Oldfloss x
PS
Link to my post of seven years ago nothing has really changed in Criccieth...
I know how much you will miss your regular visits to your house by the sea Oldfloss , but as you say, life has changed for you and Mr Floss. But I know you will still find joy in the runs where you live, your ramblings on HU, and creating your artwork
I’m glad you, Bluebirdrunner , and you know who enjoyed that farewell run this morning. It sounds the perfect way to say goodbye .
Take care 😘
OldflossAdministrator60minGraduate in reply to Dexy5
Thank you...yes...you are right. Lots to look forward to...and my run was a special one. X
Yes Floss we really have enjoyed them. That was such a poignant post, full of memories and with 2 virtual friends alongside you. Sad to change direction but new adventures await, we all face changes along the way, it's how we embrace the change, so look forward to your future now and greet it with glee.That sign off will never be forgotten will it? Keep running, keep smiling 😁
Thank you. You know the impact of change so well. Embracing the change with glee...I like that.Yes...Tim is with so many of us, with each run we take. A good run...x
🍏So beautifully written we were there with you too! Memories are a priceless gift as is running! As you exchange one set of memories for new ones, it will make your graduation all the more poignant…. You are graduating from a lot more than C25K2 …well done Oldfloss for your determination and resilience, your hard work both mentally and physically! We salute you! Xxx
Oh, what a beautiful and fitting run report as you say goodbye to your treasured special place for a while.
I am so touched that you took me with you today Floss, I feel like I know the layout of that pretty coastal town having enjoyed reading your wonderful seaside sprees over the years. Your childhood memories together with the more recent ones will stay with you forever as will the friendships of those special ones now passed and present.
A tear or two is allowed today, however I think you will return, maybe with LRIT sometime, and the sights and sounds will welcome you back. The skies in your photos were beautiful today, maybe Tim had a hand in that.
Your running is progressing, almost at gradation again, again. Fitting those runs in while wearing so many hats, shows how super strong and caring you are.
A little bit of your heart will remain in Criccieth, but the rest is full and busy with so many friends and those you hold most dear.
Can I come on your graduation run too, I shall slip in behind you and watch you glide along.
You are with me on many runs, as you know...but this was a bit of a special one... and it turned out to be a good run too! Tim was, as ever, there, gently chuntering as I ran... and we did enjoy the little splash through the edge of the sea... !
It was not the strongest of runs, but I feel that was more, a culmination of the last few weeks and not my physical weakness. I determined to not press at all... and distance meant nothing. So, so many memories in my head and the esplanade was totally deserted, as it was the first time I ran there!
I feel we will return, and friends I met, as I walked back were telling me of all the places I could stay if I did! You are right, Criccieth will always be tucked away in my heart, and on the cold dark winter days I can read my logged runs and enjoy the runs all over again.
I am hoping to do Run 2 tomorrow and the Graduation Run on Sunday... I will see you at the starting line.
I think that Derbyshire trails are going to feature a lot more in the days to come...with Mr OF as back up cycle rider!
Yes... I was quite overcome a few times, but always, the sadness was lifted by all the happy, happy memories... from the early days in a Good Companion tent, in the Llanberis Pass, to the homely comforts we have had over the last seven years here.
It's so important to get out there and make those memories while you can. Too many people leave it for 'next year' or 'a better time'. The only time we have is now!
Here's to your ongoing explorations and those Derbyshire trails!
Oh my, I felt I was with you every step of the way. Such a moving post, edged with sadness, whilst also looking ahead to new things. Wishing you well, for your graduation and for health and for happiness.🥰
OldflossAdministrator60minGraduate in reply to Sax64
Time for a change and the runs at the coast will always be there waiting Thanks you... we are looking forward to finding some new places and of course new running routes for me!
Bit of a rush here but as you may recall that beach and that castle are important to me too and I want to give you a huge hug for sharing this massively bittersweet experience.
I really enjoyed reading this. I too run along the beach/cliff top in an area I have lived for 50 years. Part of the joy is its sheer permanence. The bay with the Purbecks on one side and the Isle of Wight on the other has been the same for what feels like eternity. The seasons and the weather changes but the beauty doesn’t and I feel so lucky to have the health and energy to relish it all
Landscapes and places “tether” us, in good and solid ways, but I’ve found that it is sometimes hard to let go because of that rather beautiful process tethering. The views, the houses, the trails, the people. They are proof that we had rich experiences in a place, and we became part of the living landscape.
Wishing you many more runs, walks and ambles in other places that have the same magic.
OldflossAdministrator60minGraduate in reply to CBDB
So true and a lovely thought... to remember that we were part of the beautiful place Thank you x
What a wonderful bittersweet read Floss 🥰 So many memories, happy and sad.
Of course you will miss your special place but you know what? It’s always going to be there and you can always visit any time you feel like it. And now you’ll have new adventures to look forward to and new running routes!
Big hugs to you and good luck for your re-graduation run 🍀😍 xxx
I was listing to Sam this week. Absolutely gorgeous. I was in heaven 🥰
The first live song I ever heard was Another Saturday Night. Not Sam unfortunately but a local band. I was only little but it made a huge impression on me 🎵🎶
He had such a beautiful soulful voice misswobble I discovered Sam long after he'd gone. Yup! Heaven! and Another Saturday Night I'd always associated with Yusuf/Cat Stevens, until I discovered Sam's version.
My first visit was, I think, in 1974 to a caravan park just outside Nefyn. I was a kid. It rained. My sister and I both got a tummy bug. The striking memories of that holiday were my first encounter with a shower, arrowroot biscuits and playing the Happy Families card game. My parents decided to end the holiday early due to the weather and my sister's continued sickness. Of course the day we packed for home the clouds parted.
The next two visits were to a "guest house" in Morfa Nefyn run by a Mrs Edwards. We came back in the mid 1980s to do self catering, first at a place not far from where my parents live now, and then latterly to Tudweiliog.
Then in the late 1990s we got a dog and there followed a few years in the bottom floor of a converted watermill in Edern.
My parents decided to retire there (my father had originally thought of the west of Ireland but realised the impracticality of that). They've lived there for twenty years now. My sister and brother in law live there, and have been running a village shop and post office for ten years now.
I've looked at old maps of the area from 150 years ago and in most places there has been very little change.
You will still have the memories and the photos, and you'll probably visit again.
I am certain I will return... a lot of good friends made there... Your memories too are many... and I know that your folks will keep you returning there too... The Llyn is, to me one of the most beautiful locations.. certainly parts of it... you are lucky to have it to return too ... thanks for the reply x
I also spent all my childhood holidays staying in Edern in a guest house eith Mrs Griffiths, on the Llyn Peninsula, thoughout the late 60s and 70s. I still think back at those happy times. You will always have those happy memories of Criccieth to look back on. Your tales of runs around Criccieth always make me smile.
Good luck in your new adventures please keep on sharing your tales.
Just grand... I know Edern well... and what happy times you must have had there on the LLyn... yes... no one can take those from me and I have my run diary to remind me of them at any time... Thank you x
Ha ha ha... totally... I love Derbyshire and there are so, so many routes there, of all kinds! On a dry sunny day too... blissful. Even with frost on the ground...
I loved doing some Red January runs there last year. Ran from Parsley Hay and Mr OF was on his bike acting as a coat carrier and water stop! The run out from Middleton top too is fun and just for a treat.. part way around Carsington... So many to choose from!
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Thanks you... we are looking forward to finding some new places and of course new running routes for me!
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