WILD WINTER WALK ON SNOWDONIA SHORES

The true magic of winter reveals itself quietly in gentle shifts of light and sound and life, discovers Julie Brominicks on a sandy seaside ramble in Wales

Just as light seems to be vanishing, it reappears, reflected back by the sea. To eyes that have adjusted to winter and tuned into the subtleties of dusk and dawn, there can sometimes seem to be more light than usual, in winter. It is an illusion, of course.

While snow and frost are no longer guaranteed, winter still delivers longer nights replete with the magic of flame and fairy-light. Meanwhile, outdoor winter light is so subtle, so ethereal, so much rarer, it is lovelier to me than summer sun. Beaches, where shifting