Monsal Head, 17 June 2012

Karelle led us on a stereotypical French walk – through a tunnel and into a field of garlic.  But, leaving such trans-Manche stereotypes aside, returning to Monsal Head was a welcome treat made even more special by the old railway tunnels being open to walkers at last.  So, we took great delight in marching through them to shelter from the drizzle while it wore off, and at least one of us was impersonating Thomas the Tank Engine but we’re not naming names.  When the sun came out, it was time for ice cream before wading home through partially flooded canyons full of wild orchids – ‘not bad going!

Snowdon Attacks! 2 June 2012

The sun was shining, and the midges starting to nibble, as we boarded the bus to Pen-y-Pass – and before we knew, we’d all worked up a light sweat and were contemplating the climb up to Crib Goch.  It was not an entirely un-gruelling ascent – at least one of our number chipped a nail – but we made it, and the red ridge provided its usual mix of heady spectacle and occasional mild terror.  Up to the cafe on top for cups of tea and/or Purple Moose, down the Watkin Path and a tired slog through a lazy valley to Beddgelert, serenaded by a cuckoo for about quarter of an hour.  A long day but, as always, Snowdon proved unforgettably awesome.