just a lovely day
Early morning at 23 Ffordd Ty Du and the sunlight is streaming in through the window. If you look out of the window though the mountains are shrouded in cloud or mist so I’m not sure what the plan is going to be today yet. We have in anycase to finish early to pick up Tom from the station in Bangor at 4.45.
We also need to nip to Llanberis Bike hire to sort out John’s mountain bike for the weekend. I just dug out the email and realised I was supposed to get in touch with Nigel at the shop a couple of weeks ago!
The weather for the next few days is looking typically Welsh, ie not very good. I’ll be alright having invested in the gear but not so sure about the about the others. I’m sure they all have waterproof tops but not necessarily waterproof overtrousers. We will have to see how we get on.
Whatever happens we do have to get some uphill walking in today.John is fast asleep at the moment but someone else has stirred. I am writing at 8am from the comfort of my nice and warm en suite bedroom but someone has gone to the bathroom. Perhaps there isn’t so much of a rush on our first day. We have to get through the requisite holiday full breakfast first.
Today I am full of headcold – first time I’ve had one for yonks. Makes a change from the bloomin toothache! Ah well. Bit of fresh air will do the job. Right, up for breakfast.
…
Good fry up, once we had found the frying pan and then discovered 2 of them. Into Llanberis to sort out John’s mountain bike for tomorrow and then to an outdoors shop to get him a nifty waterproof. We also bought a second camelback for general family use. We then waved goodbye to John who went back to the house to do some revision and Charlotte, Joe and I set off up a mountain.
My idea had been to climb to Llyn Marchlyn Mawr (google it) and back in time to go for Tom. After an hour of uphill slog we came to the conclusion that this may have been a bit ambitious on day one. My gear was working really well. The merino wool base layer together with two fleeces. The new Deuter day sack was also great giving my back plenty of air. As a result there was no dripping sweat today. Progress.
Feet took a pounding though with walking on rock all the time. Was ok back on the road so again there is a bit of progress. If I push it a bit more each day this trip it should stand me in good stead for the coast to coast.
Peak elevation was 1,016 feet.
Had an ice cream from a van when we got back to llanberis and then made it in plenty of time to pick up Tom.
lots of picks and vids here