Celebration Day

Saturday June 4 

We have been celebrating June 4 since 1967. Leaving a 10 month old Sara with her dad, back in the tent at Williams's Farm, Ogwen Valley, North Wales, Pam and I encouraged, cajoled, and led, eight teenaged girls into climbing Eryri (Mount Snowdon). There are several known paths of differing lengths and levels of difficulty. We set off on the PYG track thought to be named after the Pen Y Gwryg Hotel, noted for being Edmund Hilary and his group's training base before they successfully climbed Everest for the first time. The ceiling of the bar is lined with the wooden panels on which they all wrote their names. When I visited with North London Climbing Club, this is where we had our Saturday night meal - and used the washrooms.

There are other interpretations of the origin of the Pyg track's name, my favourite is that it passes over Bwlch Y Moch which is Pig's Pass in welsh. Anyway, at that time, the tracks were not clearly marked and I believe that we did parts of at least three of them. Miners track part of the way and the Llanberis railway track at the top. 

Three quarters of the way up, two girls decided that they'd had enough, downed their rucksacks and sat on a rock. We decided that Pam should continue with the other six so that they were not disappointed - not the best climbing etiquette, splitting groups. In our defence, we were on a clearly marked track by now. We still shouldn't have done it. 

Eventually, and very slowly, with much encouragement from me, the three of us advanced upwards, sitting frequently. When we reached the cafe, we got a cheer from the others - and tucked into the sandwich and drink an optimistic Pam had bought for us.

The view from the top was glorious, our knee, and other joint- jolting, descent of four miles, fuelled by the euphoria of success. We probably did more than an eight miles round trip, but the longest is only just over 9 miles.

We usually go out birding and have a nice meal. To-day we went to Weeting, Norfolk Wildlife Trust's Stone Curlew Reserve. We had intended going before Scotland as the birds are easier to see when one is on the nest and the other on guard duty. The grass is shorter too. My Rollator did not like the hidden roots and fir cones on the path to West Hide, often coming to a sudden halt which jarred my wrists and arms. Larger wheels with pneumatic tyres required, even though I have a designated cross country machine.

We saw two Stone Curlews, a juvenile allowed some laughable photos in distant tall grass. 

 

Together with two others, we searched for the Spotted Flycatcher, failing to see or hear any in the strong wind lashing the treetops. 

The nice meal? A home made Chilli con Carne washed down with a glass of robust Chilean Cabernet Sauvignon. I had Creme Caramel, Pam a Salted Caramel version of the same.