Wednesday morning was dull but calm, so we headed off to the Ogwen Valley hoping to get onto the Idwal Slabs and Cniefon Arete and the Glyders. Unfortunately the weather worsened; we were almost off the top of the slabs when the heavens opened... I always thought that the descent into the gully was far worse than climbing on the slabs and today proved no different! A quick abseil off the steep ground into the gully bed and we were soon heading back, wet through and hungry. Paul was texting us before we got back to the car Excellent - straight to the Royal Oak in Betws where the evenings merriment began...
Thursday started as it meant to continue, wet and windy. A day for shopping, then to Llanberis, check out the tides in SurfLines, pig-out in Pete's Eats before making like grockles with a trip into the Dinorwig pumped storage scheme aka The Electric Mountain. I was doubly lucky - popped into the gallery and bookstore in Llanberis... an Abraham's first edition for less than twenty quid : ) though the lads were more impressed by the sizes of the portions in Pete's!
Friday arrived - despite attempts by beer and various other distractions of the "Silver Fountain" - and the weather had improved at last, but what to do?
Decisions, decisions....
Since the paddlewagon was already packed it was off to the Menai Strait for a play on the Swellies and a bridge jumping sesh under the old bridge.
Jamie and Donal apppear to have had a spiffingly good time..
...as did Paul!
As we headed back toward the campsite it became clear that there had been RAIN! A quick change of plan saw Jamie back to the tent and Paul, Donal and I heading off to Pont Cyfyng and a cheeky run down the Llugwy to rinse the salt water from our kit. Extra large pans were scavenged and a heap of pasta, more beer and hushed (possibly?) chat saw us into the early hours...
Saturday morning arrived all too soon. More boating in prospect as we drove over to Bala for breakfast in preparation for a paddle down the lower Tryweryn. Jumping on above the magic box and bouncing over Chapel with the rest getting on below we were soon flying back toward Bala. Jamie had a few "moments" before bailing and carrying his boat to the road, but all went well as he managed to blag a ride, boat and all, into town!
At least one of us had to run BMF
Sunday and, despite wobbly heads, tents and gear soon disappeared into the car and van before hitting the long road north, via Cheshire Oaks and a pie or two.
No comments:
Post a Comment