Todays trip into the mountains was particularly special for me. I wanted to reccy a route for a upcoming race, and get some training in but was very tired this morning when I woke – I changed my intention to one where I would take it easy and learn as much as I could about the route without pushing myself too hard. I would have fun!

The weather was really clear and bright – so excellent to see the sun after such absences over winter. Visibility was excellent which helps with understanding how a route is put together.

The moelwyns were the mountains I was going to be looking at – though I have walked in them many times I associated them with water in the main – bog, low cloud, trudging and general low energy. Also the area has been heavily mined and very often I just feel the scars on the landscape so there is a sense of grief and sadness about the place often too.

Not today however. I met several people on the way up and the world seemed a happy place, as I walked into the wilds of it all though I was alone – not even a person in the far off distance. A special feeling – completely alone in this spectacular landscape. I felt very honoured. I stopped frequently for breath and indeed to listen, today was not a day to be rushed so though I ran for the pleasure and convenience of time, I also stopped and allowed myself to enjoy the energy of various of the scenes I came across. The trickling of an underground stream, the rushing torrent of an overground one, the gentle breeze on my face, the shadows on the hillside. What a beauty this place is – how could I have missed this feeling of majesty and special sacredness on previous visits, well perhaps it was not time to show me this aspect of its being.

The cliffs in the foreground are a unique feature of the area – mines below caved in many years ago leaving these holes in the ground, scars yet beautiful and unique.

I am inspired by some of the panoramic views I saw today and will hopefully be painting them in the not to distant future. I really feel this mountain range spoke to me today – as many of the others have on previous occasions, I hadn’t really noticed the absence of this range in my set of mountain friends, until now when I really feel its friendship. Thank you Moelwyns and Moel y Hydd in particular – feel you have welcomed me into your energy.

Think about the places you visit – what energy does is place contain for you? What do you associate with each different one? Which are your friends? which challenge you with more gusto? Notice next time you are out … what does this place say today? What am I being witness to in the moment?