My family moved to Barmouth from the Midlands in 1986, but I commuted a lot, so I didn't have the chance to properly enjoy the area until I retired. Sadly my wife died in 1999, just as I was retiring, but I decided to still do all the things we'd dreamed of doing.
First I went on a trek to see Everest. We trekked up Mount Kala Pata, which is 18,000 feet high. From the top, you can see across the valley to Everest - it was a phenomenal experience.
I went on an organised trip with a group who ranged from 25 years old to three of us in our 60s. Camping each night, sometimes in temperatures of -20, was quite an experience, but it really triggered me to do other things, like learning to ski.
I've just come back from a week's skiing and it was fantastic. You really are never to old to learn.
I also love walking and I'm a member of the Barmouth walking club. It's been a great way of meeting people who enjoy the same interests and we're spoilt for choice for places to walk around here.
One of my favourites is walking the Rhinog hills. They're almost in my back garden and you can go walking there for the whole day without seeing another soul.
I damaged my knees after one particularly strenuous walk and was suffering from other aches and pains too when I saw an advert for a tai chi class for people who suffer from arthritis, so I decided to join.
Tai chi is a series of slow movements designed to give gentle exercise to all of the body. This particular form of it was developed for people with joint problems by a Dr Lam, and it really works. My knees are much better now.
I'd really recommend it. Older people might be frightened of the word 'exercise', thinking it means running round a gym and getting tired. But tai chi is far more gentle.
They do tai chi outdoors in China and we've discussed going down to the beach during the summer, but the weather is Britain is so unpredictable!
I'm also a member of the Barmouth U3A and we've got over 20 interest groups going - creative writing, Scrabble, walking. I really enjoy the watercolour painting class. We're in our second year and going from strength to strength.
By Dave Rowley
As well as the class in Barmouth's Dragon Theatre, other lottery-funded tai chi therapy classes are held at Blaenau Ffestiniog, Harlech, Llanelltyd and Morfa Bychan near Porthmadog.
