Extracts from Newsletter 7
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Well it definitely was scheduled for Mid Wales, but this particular meet saw three different parties heading in three different directions, we found out afterwards, thinking all weekend that maybe the others expected had gone to the wrong campsite. Three being the important word here, because three people was the number that went (not including the dog). They where Me, Pete and Angela plus Flo the dog (of course).
Lingfield was left at 8pm and we arrived at the campsite at 12:15, a decent journey and a change to the drudgery of the A5. A mild dry evening made erecting the tents all the more pleasant.
Saturday morning dawned dry, sunny and hot; could this really be Wales? or were we dreaming? So, after not much deliberation, the decision was made to walk up Cadair Idris first and later in the day to do some climbing. We started from Minffordd car park and headed up the path through the forest shade, emerging in the hot sunshine of the open hillside, of course we where fully prepared for this with copious amounts of sun tan oil having been applied to exposed parts. The assent around the edge of Cwm Cau gave excellent glimpses of Lyn Cau sparkling below, as well as distant views of the Snowdon range and closer at hand the Arans. Due to the heat the floppy and silly hat brigade where out in full force.
The summit was reached with the sun STILL OUT, as well as a most cosmopolitan bunch of characters, ranging from Dutch and German tourists, to the local branch of the ramblers association, who were taking it all very seriously with such anorakky comments as "we had better get a move on , we have a lot of ground to cover".
We continued our way from the summit to the North and along a fine wide ridge to another mountain that I have forgotten the name of (I bet this makes really boring reading , I hope so then I won't get to do the report again). Anyway we headed off on a bearing from the summit back to the car park by which time a dog called Flo had had enough requiring frequent siestas in the long grass; no wonder it was retired from racing !?
Later in the day after a cuppa back at the campsite, we decided to go and find a nearby quarry for some climbing. Well the map showed a path going through the forest, and after one hour spent thrashing through the thick under growth, jumping off walls and traversing hillsides we gave up in hot dirty desperation, returned to the campsite and had a shower, at least I did, by the time Pete got to the shower the tight fisted miserly Welsh git of a farmer whose campsite it was had locked it up. Obviously there is a local bye-law in this part of Wales that prohibits any sort of cleanliness on a Saturday in July in Mid Wales.
So we went to the Pub instead.
Sunday dawned as predicted .... Wet. In fact it started to rain at about 8am, so a lot of festering took place, with much discussion and tea consumed. Eventually we packed up and decided to at least salvage something from the day and do the Precipice Walk as depicted on the front of the OS map for the area. I told you we were adventurous, not to mention gifted with a lot of imagination.
Well having decided to do the touristy thing we were pleasantly surprised by a walk which did provide some very atmospheric views through the low hanging clouds, the best part though where the sign boards every 100 yards describing the vegetation, flora, fauna and all about the Celtic raiders of long ago, we never saw anybody with a hooped shirt on or even looking like Gazza though. We never even saw Trevor Brooking, who appeared to be one of the walkers on the front cover of the OS map.
An early start home and another quick journey after what turned out to be a most enjoyable weekend. Just a pity there were not more there to enjoy it.
Steve.
Now we go over to Murray Walker who is trackside at Sennen Cove ......
"You join me here on a glorious afternoon awaiting the start of the Demo Route Grand Prix. The atmosphere could be literally cut with a cricket stump. The two teams are already lined up on the grid, both have been looking confident in the practice sessions over the last two days. Ali and Don are familiar team mates and strong contenders but we cannot rule out the new partnership of Martin and Pete, both of whom have been showing remarkably well. I'm not making any predictions here today; the first team to the rock face and ready to climb will win, the team behind will be second.
And they're off ....
...Team One have chosen their decent route down the notorious Griptight Gully and are already pulling away from the pack .. And Team Two are still kiting up - this is a disastrous start. Team One are now at the chicane but Team Two are still on the grid - unbelievable! Team One have it in the bag, surely they cannot lose ... but NO!... Wait ... super speedy Don has the straight line speed on the absail ... And he's there. Don is at the bottom and heading for the route. Team One are in trouble. Both teams opted for slicks but Team One have hit a wet patch. They are losing grip and it's costing them dearly ... its all over! .. No ... Wait... Pete has recovered. He's on the dry line and is catching up with the leader - It's neck and neck ... But here comes Ali down the absail and holds great control as she heads down to the route ... and Team Two pass the flag and WIN. Bad luck Team One - Where was martin ?"
Lisa & Angela
Below!!! Look out!!! Ian and Shirley are climbing at Bosigran. Between us we managed to drop two screwgate krabs and a nutkey in three separate instances on Doorway and Doorpost - Whoops!! A spot of drinking was called for. Seven pints of Guinness and a few Scotches later found me in the Wreckers Inn strutting my funky stuff to the latest in popular music, Shirley (and most of the other sensible club members) having long since retired to bed. Pete and myself indulged in some male bonding when "In the Navy" come on and Angie joined us as we wiggled to the "Spice Girls" into the early hours. (The things you do when your drunk).
Sunday ........ Ugh!!! Some tourists helped me down the descent route at Sennen. Richard decided to warm up on Vertical Crack (HS). By the time I got to the top I was getting the D.T's and slumped into a gibbering heap - tae and sympathy from Sandra was very welcome. Fortunately Mark turned up to partner Richard so I was off the hook. Unfortunately, Mark had to return to his holidaying family and I found myself standing on the bottom of Double Overhang (VS 4c). However, the Germans had got there first. "No problem" says Richard "we'll do the Africa Route (VS 5a)" - year, thanks Montgomery. After numerous attempts to reach the "jug" at the start, Richard admitted defeat. Step forward second in command - Waghorn. Having reached the "jug" I thought it would be rude not to carry on. O.K, let go with the right hand ... swing, slap, foot, scrabble, phew!!!. Richard in the mean time had started Double Overhang my second now being Shirley. The rest of the route seemed fairly strenuous. Richard said he heard some unearthly growling and grunting coming from the adjacent crack. Anyway it cured my hangover.
Dave and Sian, meanwhile, were doing battle with a V.Diff that turned into an overhanging crack which they estimated at HVS. They have named the rout "Shit we are late for Auntie Dorothy's tea party" HVS 5b.
Monday, Richard lead Shirley up Little Brown Jug at Bosigran as she had not seen it in daylight. He confirmed my opinion that this is a stunning lead. A few anxious moments on the crux ensured he was fit for nothing for the rest of the day. Marcus lead me up Clob (VD) to complete his first lead. He's got the bug now.
Before leaving Cornwall, we visited the Tate Gallery in St. Ives. This should not be attempted without the aid of Class A drugs.
Ian