Tuesday, 29 December 2009
New big Chill
After the snow last week, it looks like the weather may give us a chance of more snow. The clear skies have turned to rain and there is a front of cold air that is sweeping south across the UK and all the rain here may turn to snow higher up later on. The forecast is for the snow to turn into blizzards the further south it gets.
Monday, 28 December 2009
Climbing Pen-Y-Fan
Here we are nearly at the top.
This is the last time I agree to an idea for an adventure thought up in the pub. I agreeded to join Viv, Mark and his dad Ray on a walk to the top of Pen-Y-Fan today, just after boxing day. We started at the Storey Arms Outdoor Centre and headed straight up the hill, before it levelled off half way up, then the final climb to the top of Cone-D. The picture was taken just before the final climb but as you can guess after the snow line started. Pretty soon after a bit more walking the snow turned to just ice and the going became a bit treacherous, with a strong tail wind (nearly 100 kph) and icy rocks. At the top of Cone D the wind was ripping across the top of the ridge with such force it tore Marks bini off and you could lean into the wind at nearly 45'. It was really exhilerating, but with a steep steep hill on either side there was a need to be aware of where you put your feet. Our stay on the top of Cone D did not last very long as the temperature in the wind had dropped a lot, so we decided to head down quick. The route down was a lot more treacherous than the way up as a change in direction caused the wind to come at us from our right. This ment that for every step forward I took, I slipped and slid a metre to the left. I thought it was great fun, an icy wind whipping in at you, icy slippery rocks and imminent death if you slip up. It was good until I became cold so we sheltered for a while in the lee of the hill before heading down the main route. Our journey down was uneventful and only windy up until we reached below the snow line. After that it was nice stroll along the road back to the car. The only other thing that we saw was the royal airforce rescue sea king hovering and exercising. It was a pretty cool day.
The rocks at the top.
Wads chillin at the top.
This is the last time I agree to an idea for an adventure thought up in the pub. I agreeded to join Viv, Mark and his dad Ray on a walk to the top of Pen-Y-Fan today, just after boxing day. We started at the Storey Arms Outdoor Centre and headed straight up the hill, before it levelled off half way up, then the final climb to the top of Cone-D. The picture was taken just before the final climb but as you can guess after the snow line started. Pretty soon after a bit more walking the snow turned to just ice and the going became a bit treacherous, with a strong tail wind (nearly 100 kph) and icy rocks. At the top of Cone D the wind was ripping across the top of the ridge with such force it tore Marks bini off and you could lean into the wind at nearly 45'. It was really exhilerating, but with a steep steep hill on either side there was a need to be aware of where you put your feet. Our stay on the top of Cone D did not last very long as the temperature in the wind had dropped a lot, so we decided to head down quick. The route down was a lot more treacherous than the way up as a change in direction caused the wind to come at us from our right. This ment that for every step forward I took, I slipped and slid a metre to the left. I thought it was great fun, an icy wind whipping in at you, icy slippery rocks and imminent death if you slip up. It was good until I became cold so we sheltered for a while in the lee of the hill before heading down the main route. Our journey down was uneventful and only windy up until we reached below the snow line. After that it was nice stroll along the road back to the car. The only other thing that we saw was the royal airforce rescue sea king hovering and exercising. It was a pretty cool day.
The rocks at the top.
Wads chillin at the top.
Wednesday, 23 December 2009
Snow what!
Well the snow was a couple of inches deep in the valleys, but that didn't stop me. Got a couple of jobs done which was suprising as even the customers thought we were a bit crazy venturing out on the snowy/ icy roads. But all good things seen to come to am end as when we started home the grew clouds started to open and the slush of sleet started to fall. Looks like the snow will disappear and we will be left with only ice.
Monday, 21 December 2009
A white christmas?
So with only 4 sleeps till christmas it looks like we might have a white christmas. The temperatures have dropped and last night there was a dusting of snow. The guy I am working with got nearly 4 inches of snow at his place in the valleys. It looks like we may have a lot more on the way tonight.
Friday, 18 December 2009
Centreparc's forest
This is part of Longleat forest where we went for a couple of days in November. Its part of Centreparc's, a resort where you hire out a cabin and enjoy activities like swimming and archery (we didn't do archery but we did laser shooting) but the catch is that there is no cars allowed. So it is set up for basically bicycles and walking, getting you back to basics. I think that it is a family oriented place so kids can zoom around on their bikes all day long. Much like what we used to do at Bathurst or Mogendura farm. It was good fun and it was also in a forest.
Nice sunrise
As the days have been getting shorter I have been enjoying a day nice sunrises on the way to work. Asapently though this one was a nice sunset on the way home from bath one day last week.
A white christmas?
Will it snow for christmas? Well most of the eastern parts of the UK are covered with the stuff, but last night we got only a shower me the stuff at home. But this morning when we got went up to the valleys there was a bit more, and it looked like it may be sticking round for a bit.
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