I've had the week off and been itching to get out and do SOMETHING... anything! as long as it didn't involve work or fixing cars
. A couple of cool walks with Daisy (in profile pic) highlighted the fact that I have fleeces/similar thickness coats and I have a thick down jacket for real cold, but I don't have anything in between and as "black friday" was approaching, that was all the excuse I needed for a couple of nights away
I did my shopping, packed the car and I was on my way to Capel Curig! Hoping to beat rush hour around Manchester but still arrive fairly late because the rain was due to stop around 5 pm..... I beat the rain but not the traffic and the 4 hour journey took 6
It's been several years since I had a jolly like this to Snowdonia but the feeling of "belonging", or at least acceptance, flooded back and I felt a sense of pride wash over me that I know the area almost as well as I do the hope valley
My plans changed quickly though as I found the campsite empty and then found out why - it was waterlogged! Every step squelched as I had a quick wander around and decided to join the "van lifers" out of town and sleep in the car instead! Fortunately I have a landrover and all of the back seats fold down flat, giving an ideal platform for my bed
The temperature was dropping slowly and as I cooked my evening meal (steak fajitas again) it hovered just above freezing.
I'd had a bit of a quandary about sleeping bags when I packed my gear; one was good down to about 3 degrees (about the highest overnight temp forecast) and the other is ok down to minus 25
which I felt may be way too warm
I opted for the latter and I'm pleased I did! It got pretty cool overnight, I'm not sure how cool but after breakfast the car said minus 1.
This little fella payed a visit, sadly I didn't have anything much to share;
And off I went on my shopping trip
Well, a bit of a fail really - no bargains to be had and nothing that really caught my eye, Cotswolds have 20% off everything except electronics but, being a bit of a gear-tart, I don't think I need anything else. When I'd finished looking, I decided it was a bit too late to set out on a walk and ended up twiddling my thumbs more or less until teatime.
The campsite was now frozen and a few had braved it but, as I'd found quite a quiet spot last night, I decided to take the easy way out again and sleep in the car. Tonight's meal was a camping favorite of mine as I can do it with one hob and one pan - bacon, beans and tinned baby potatoes
That sorted, I spent a couple of hours absent mindedly pouring over the map and not getting anywhere before the draw of my down bag proved too much... at not far after 8pm it was already minus 1c and I was starting to feel it!
Only ravens for visitors in the morning, I left them my unused bacon as I doubted it'd be any good when I got home. I was sadly surprised at the rubbish left in the layby - a duvet that even the most desperate would have avoided and a full size range cooker for some reason!! Half way between plas y brenin and pen y pass
Again, it was cold, even in the sun;
But the views were a sight to behold
I turned the car around and as I set off I could see several ravens and no bacon
I went back into town intending to have a plod across towards Moel Siabod but ended up making excuses and heading home
my get up and go seems to have got up and gone
if anyone sees it, please send it back!
I've always thought the area must be beautiful at Christmas and, having seen all the trees, grass and walls white with frost this morning - I really would like to spend part of Chrismas over there sometime.
Oddly enough, although nothing really went to plan, I've had a nice time and I'm already plotting to return soon - with a plan of where to walk this time though so I can just crack on rather than making excuses.