Snowdon Done

We had to drive to two different starting points to find somewhere to park. Our second choice was the Llanberis Path but it was the one we had to go with.

The walk started in pleasant weather and the path was easy to cover quite quickly. However, as has been the norm this week, once we got to about 2000 feet we entered cloud and the wind picked up. The Snowdon tourist train passed below us and lesser men might have been tempted to hop on, but not the members of this expeditionary force. We passed under the track and were met by other walkers in distress. The cloud had masked the edge of the ridge where a landslide had carried away a family of wood lice on their annual excursion to a damp, dark place under a stone. No such worries for us though. Pushing on through the wind and the rain, with hope in our hearts, we were never walking this lonely path again so we tried to enjoy it. 

We reached the summit and what joy to find a café where we could buy hot tea and fridge magnets. And the tea was hot. Thus fortified, we started the yomp back to base, passing a multitude of less sure footed mountaineers who politely stepped aside as we approached. 

Back in the car en route to our lodgings, the reason for that politeness became apparent when Gilly remarked, "Is that smell us?"  

Yes folks, we were aglow with freshness!

Happy dunking. Cider is better than apples!

Snowdonia before the deluge. 

Closing in on the objective

Pointing the way

Objective Taken

Black Boy rules ok

Arrived in Caernarfon this afternoon and checked into our lodgings at The Black Boy Inn where Welsh is the first language. Gilly appears to be fluent and consequently I can't get him out of the bar. I wish Kevin and Tracey could see us now.

Tidy!!

Scafell Piked

A few pics from today ...................

At the top....

Lovely boys

Man at C&A

The forecast predicted that we were going to get wet so we were well prepared, or at least somewhat better than Nevis on Sunday. Firstly, however, we had to navigate through the hills to Wasdale where the walk would commence and this proved to be more tricky than the walk itself. It was surprising that the GPS even picked up some of the single track roads we were required to use to get there. So, after a couple of unforced detours we made it to Wastwater lake, our starting point.

Following the instructions as per our Three Peaks guidebook (thank you Brian Smailes) we successfully negotiated the lower slopes of the Pike. The views were amazing and for once not shrouded in cloud - at least not yet. This was not true as we neared the trig point at the top and again our bright jackets were an aid to keep sight of each other. Two hours to the top was satisfactory and after a quick photo, we set off on our return. The white out conditions proved  a little hazardous  but after a couple of hundred feet of descent, we were able to see again. A much simpler, drier descent than Nevis meant we were able to sample the local brew at a couple of hostelries on the return drive. Lovely beer!

The next destination is Caernarfon where we bed down for a couple of nights while contemplating Snowdon. A massage would ease the aching limbs but we haven't found a willing masseuse yet.

It all feels a bit like Steve Coogan and Rob Brydon during The Trip. Could be that I am trying too hard to replicate some of that.

That will do nicely, thank you Sir!

Down to the Lakes

A selection of pics from Ben Nevis.......

Love on a Mountaintop!

  Gilly attention seeking

Having a laugh before the weather closed in

The top of Britain

Refuge in the refuge

Sarah and the Cake

Happy Birthdays to Us

Today we were a tad groggy after time spent in the Grog and Gruel. A hearty Scottish breakfast sent us on our way on the road south to Sassenach land. Aquaplaning all the way, it was a good six hour drive including a couple of espresso stops. The last section through the Lake District was breathtaking as is the little inn we have chosen to make our home for the next two nights. The heating in the room is good enough to dry my sodden gear in time for another soaking tomorrow.

We have decamped to the bar where the wifi is better (fnarr fnarr) to sample the Cumbrian hospitality and begin the carbo loading.

Ben Nevis down

Looking frightened at the start!

It began in relatively pleasant weather but the clouds came in and at the Red Burn we started to feel the wind chill. Pushing on, at about 2000 feet, the wind and rain picked up but still not deterred, Gilly set the pace and we followed like little sheep. Keeping one eye on the altimeter it was evident that we were nearing the summit, but unfortunately visibility was limited and had it not been for our brightly coloured jackets, we might have lost each other in the clouds which had decided to start dumping snow and hail upon us at this point.

In the gloom, the ruins of the Observatory appeared as did a little refuge which provided little refuge in the inclement conditions that we were experiencing. We squeezed into the metal biscuit tin refuge, however, to join three French gentlemen who were most surprised when Sarah produced a Birthday cake complete with 50 candles. How she managed to light them with frozen fingers we will never know, but it made for a very pleasant interlude and the candles provided some welcome heat. The cake was lemon and raspberry with limoncello filling. Lovely jubbly!

The weather did not improve on the return journey and the wet stones made it treacherous. After a couple of inevitable tumbles, we were very happy to see the finish rise up to meet us. This turned out to be a very tough walk. It would have been a very pleasant walk had it not been for the weather.

And the weather is forecasting no improvement for this evening, in fact, further south, the predicted storms could be the worst they have had in years. Let's hope this storm has blown itself out by Tuesday when Scafell Pike is the objective. 

Time to replenish our carbohydrate deficit!

Ben Nevis

Sarah, half guide, imparts some important route detail!

The view from our hotel bedroom is supposed to be of the hill but this morning, like a Pink Floyd album, it is obscured by clouds.

The forecast is for heavy rain but we haven't come all this way to back out now. Onwards and upwards.

Carbohydrate loading with Smiffy, one half of our Guide!

Run to the Hills

Today, the journey starts. In fact it has already begun.

The video is from our Spanish connection. The Hymno del Betis for Ben Nevis. We will wear the shirt with pride and make our voices heard, far and wide. Ahora Betis ahora!!

Bags Packed

Number 1 in 1969, when we were in P2

Bags are packed. Nearly ready to go. I'm standing here thinking about Peter, Paul and Mary and why they just didn't cancel that flight. However, they didn't cancel because they didn't write the song. That was the work of the King of Easy Listening, John Denver and we all know the circumstances that led to his eventual demise. Yes, he too fell victim to the curse of the mountain.

I'm also thinking about the sanity of this endeavour given the torrential rain we have been having and the fact that Fort William is the wettest place in Britain. Furthermore, the location of the second climb in the Lake District is the second wettest place in Britain. The possibility of a shower or two is therefore high and it would be advisable to pack some wet weather kit, but I am not one for dispensing or receiving advice so I will probably get wet. The forecast for the first climb indicates heavy rain so who knows, perhaps "The Grog and Gruel" will look even more attractive on Sunday morning!

The the only "Heavy" will be that dispensed by a hand pump! Lovely beer!!

48 Hours to go

The town of Fort William dwarfed by Ben Nevis

With less than 48 hours to go until the fun begins, the time for explanation is nigh.

It is written in the Doomsday Prophecy (sic) that two valiant lotharios shall venture forth and bring pleasure to the northern horde. During the dreamtime (that period of rapid eye movement sleep, not the Aboriginal original), a mercurial vision visited upon Gilly. As Crystal Gayle sang, "Don't it make my brown eyes blue?", the message was delivered, "Can you peak four times in one Earth week?" The nature of the challenge was clear and so Gilly set about gathering his team to summit the four tallest peaks in the British Isles - Ben Nevis, Scafell Pike, Snowdon and Carrauntoohil. The route was chosen to include all sections of the ancient homeland of the northern horde, whereupon pleasure shall be derived.

So, beginning on Saturday 26th October, the chosen two shall gather at the pre-ordained meeting point of Glasgow airport and venture north to the seat of the High Kings of haggis eating. After consumption of copious amounts of energy giving carbohydrate fuel, the real trek will begin.

Stay tuned for the next installment - The legend of Jimmy Whitley!

The legend begins

Noel and Gilly with strange bedfellow!

'Twas the year Anno Domini nineteen hundred and sixty three and in the town of Belfast, Jim Reeves sang to welcome two little boys to his world. Little did poor Jim know that there was a big mountain up ahead. Alas for Jim, but the two wee Belfast kids got over the mountain and have decided to give those mountains another "seeing to" to mark the passing of their half century.

Forth River Primary, no more, Westway, no more, Holmsie, no more but plenty more time for real ale, craic and, no doubt, sore feet. Welcome to Noel and Gilly's, "Big Dander" - a journey through space and time to a land you wish you'd never known but were too intrigued to do without.................