|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
sunrise on pen-y-fan 11th July 2010
Saturday 10th July was a warm, rather balmy day, and the next day dawned brilliantly with blue skies and crystal clear air. What happened overnight was therefore rather surprising....
Various groups of people travelled from Shirenewton to the Brecon Beacons, leaving at about 1.45am. The roads were empty, and the going was good until the other side of Abergavenny, when the heavens opened, the wind blew and it absolutely threw it down with rain. There was standing water on the Heads of the Valleys road, and silent, sleepy people in the cars, all quietly wondering why they had traded nice cosy beds (and a rare Saturday night without alcohol!) to walk up a mountain in the dark, in the wind, in the rain.
23 souls and 3 dogs (including Silas the huge Wolfhound) assembled at Storey Arms, fortunately all equipped for the worst that the night could throw at us!
We were greeted by Mike Peckham, Geoff Marlow and Matt Smith, together with various offspring, who had all bivvied out under bushes and been able to snatch a bit more sleep than the rest of us. It made some of us feel rather pathetic to be honest.
The heavy rain lessened by the time we set off up the mountain at about 3.15am, and it was merely driving drizzle rather than full blown torrents that we had to contend with. With the wind behind us on the way up, heads down, and with the light from our head torches reflecting back at us in the misty air, we each followed the boots of whoever was in front, found our rhythm, and were on top by about 4.50.
The idea had been to see the sun rise at 5.10am, and the magnificent view from the top of the mountain. Allegedly you can see from the Preseli Hills to Exmoor and beyond on a clear day, but that will have to wait for a repeat visit. We leaned against walking poles into the teeth of the gale, and Silas the Wolfhound appeared to wrap himself around his master’s legs for comfort. Lizzie Peckham and Geoff Marlow took shelter under a large, flapping bivvie sheet and nobly brewed tea and coffee for all, and this, together with biscuits and flapjacks helped to cheer us up before we set off back down again. Once on the descent, the mood changed – the rain stopped, the mist lifted, larks began to sing, and there was even some sunshine on the hillside across the valley – it felt as if we were walking into another world. At about this time someone also picked up a tweet from the church website that confirmed that the Kili walkers had all made it to the summit – putting our rather feeble efforts into perspective!
Once back in the car park, most of us were content to head off back home, but Bob Millar and Richard had decided that the walk in itself would not be a hard enough challenge, and had brought their bikes to cycle back to Shirenewton. We waved them off with a mixture of bemusement and sneaking admiration, knowing that they had another 50 miles hard pedalling before they would make it back home.
With thanks to the drivers who managed to keep awake in the small hours, we got back safely to Shirenewton at about 7.30am, where Mike Peirce (assisted by Judith and Glynis) hosted a slap up breakfast complete with bacon, eggs, tea, orange juice and champagne! Sitting in Mike’s conservatory with the sun shining, sipping bucks fizz and chatting about the events of the night was almost surreal, and there was definitely a certain dreamlike feel to the preceding few hours.
Bob and Richard made it back to the village in an impressive 3 hours 5 minutes, and probably deserved their breakfast more than those of us who had merely walked up a modest Welsh hill!
Thanks again to all who helped to organise and lead the walk, to all who participated, to Mike for breakfast, and for the generous support of those who sponsored us all.
Pauline & Hugh
|
|
Copyright 2003-2010 by David Cornwell and other contributors.
All Rights Reserved. Site design: nrgsmith Comments, suggestions, etc. Contact webmaster. Please click here to read full disclaimer and conditions
of use |
)