Pen-Y-Fan (Pen-ee-van)

A Couple of weeks ago, Liz, Sarah and I set off to climb Pen-Y-Fan, the tallest peak in the Brecon Beacons, just north of Cardiff. It was a weekend so almost everybody else inthe UK decided to do the same as well. Arriving in the morning we set off along the path for about 50m before we started the grueling climb to the top. Not to boast or anything but I found it quite nice. The track was wide and easy but up all the time. There was even a couple of people that were running up the pat; some sort of training thing?

Upon reaching the top we were rewarded with lunch and amazing views all around. Tho there were people all around the sence of being in the wild was almost there. There were green valleys stretching in all directions, cliffs to the north which we hung our legs over while eating our lunch and you could almost make out Caridff to the South. There was a nice white snowy sheep with a lamb that was suprisingly friendly. The ridge upon the top was at one point scattered with photographers waiting patiently for the sun to shine through a break in the clouds and land on the opposite ridgeline. The other walkers were varied, from families to the ultra keen walkers who I stopped to talk to while I waited for Liz and Sarah. They had been walking all day and done about 10 miles. As I looked around at the scenery I was thinking that it would be lovely to see it all, but to me it just seems that walking just takes too long. Paragliding off Pen-Y-Fan would have been great fun, tho mostly sled rides to the bottom of the hills.

After lunch we headed of back down the slope, only to discover that walking downhill really sux, so we set off cross country dodging the sheep and fjording the small springs that criss crossed the landscape. Heading along the slope rather than down the slope we soon reached the bottom of the path where we started and soon reached the car. I got the manly job of driving home and pretty soon both girls were asleep after their grueling track up to the peak of Pen-Y-Fan.

Some rocks near the top, the cliffs were similar to this.

The view looking south-east from the top

The intrepid explorers on the way down, probably discussing how they can make me drive home.

All smiles at the start in the beautiful sunshine

A walk in the hills

Today I went for a walk in the hills that are behind Caridff. It was a nice day so I decided to go. Sarah and I packed some lunch and set off. We climbed up to the top of the ridge from the car and from there it is a nice view out over Cardiff. It was especiall clear today as you were able to see all the way to Bristol, the Seven Bridge, both islands in the Seven Channel and what I think is the Atlantic ocean. We headed up to the trig station point that was on the highest point, dodging the sheep. I also saw a falcon of some sorts that was hunting, hovering and also hopping along the ground for a while. While a the trig station we took some awesome photos (above me on top of the world and sarah looking really short) before having lunch.

We had convientely stopped at La Minas to pick up some excellent baguettes for lunch. La Minas is a small sandwich shop that has excellent value for money and good tasting sandwiches. So we sat there munching on our sandwiches, getting cold and decided to hed back to the car. I thought it was good if only to get warm again.
On the way back we passed this old looking barn which was in quite good condition. It it the only house/building that I have seen that has a corriguated iron roof. hmmm I guess that slate is a lot cheaper than steel in these parts.

Another nice stat

It was another nice start to the day but it didn't last. By lunch time it was overcast and the next day, yesterday, it was raining. Oh well, guess it must be the uk.

Dark days are dawning

Well the clocks haven't changed back yet so that means that the mornings are becoming noticeably darker. This morning wasn't though. It was a nice clear morning and I was up and able to capture the early sunrise along with a few of the planes trails that cover the skies of the uk. It was quite nice. (yes but those dots are just bugs stuck to the windscreen!)

Mark and Caths wedding.

Yesterday afternoon Sarah and I attended Mark and Catherine's Wedding. Sarah had eariler attended the service, but I had decided to give Peter a hand with insulating underneath his floor. Not being invited to the wedding breakfast, we made the most of our invitaion to the after party reception. It was a great affair with a live band for most of the evening followed by a DJ pumping out the tunes. When we first arrived everone was in the bar waiting for the room to be readied for the party. Once we were let in we were treated to a fantastic coreographed first dance by the bride and groom; it went down fantastic. It was however not your traditional bridal waltz, but more like a modern take on the first dance. There were even props!


After a few dances with Sarah and eveybody else ont ehdance floor I dont think that anybody there was not havein g some fun. Pretty soon a bit of food was served and this included a BBQ (not very traditionally british) and there was also a huge chocolate fountain! This went down a treat and Sarah actually made friends with the fountain. I think that she would have put her head in the fountain as well if she wern't stopped by the vigilant chocolate fountain guards.



So more dancing and taking of photos continued until the end of hte night till our carriages were called at 1 o'clock in teh morning. I think that we all had an awesome time and Ieffinatley agree that buying anew suit was well worth it. After all I think that I looke alright.

From left; Mellissa (sarah's friend), me, Dave and Sarah, all done up for the occasion.