'September in Snowdonia' - 15 and 16 September 1984

 

More archive footage today. I'm sorely tempted to repeat this route when possible. Need a good weather forecast though.

 

15/16 September 1984

 

September in Snowdonia (Diary by Martin except where indicated)

 

Friday: John arrives at Oswald Road to cacophony, after initial quietness. Eventually adjourn to the Quadrant at 10:30. All children still up. Michael and Kate look like wasps. Pub very quiet. Gentle route from Blaenau Ffestiniog over Moelwyns and Cnicht is planned.

 

Saturday: Left Oswald Road after a brief breakfast. Collected petrol and Dave, and we were on the M56 by soon after 8 am.

 

Rain and low cloud by the time we reached Wales, but bright weather had been seen in the west. Good views with shafts of light against the black sky. Moel Siabod's slopes seem pleasantly lit from some distance, through the gloom.

 

Left at Betws-y-Coed and soon we are in the main car park at Blaenau Ffestiniog (pictured above).  

Got going leisurely, and Dave failed to buy a water container, having failed to find his old one in a recent extensive search of his possessions. He later realises that this failure is probably due to the fact that he threw away the said item in either Zermatt or Zurich.

 

Tea in a noisy cafe, then we set out past a puffing billy down a pleasant path in the wrong direction (by Afon Bowydd). Past a sewage works we turn right towards Blaenau again.  

 

 

Left at Pencefn Road and along the side of a very low (drought comes to Wales) Tanygrisiau Reservoir.

 

Stop for brew by disused quarry and Dave's new Epigas Propane mix rocket fuel works magically. He even used some hot water to clean his teeth. (There is no record of who acted as porter for Dave's water, given his lack of water bottle.)

 

A bumblebee tried to drink my tea and died.

 

Tested self-timer on camera and had second cups of tea.

 

 

Off to cross the railway and John is nearly mown down as 'Blanche' chuffs out of the tunnel. I failed to get a spectacular photo as I'd left the self-timer on!

 

 

We all admired Dave Scruby's Pentax (DSP) and its fancy complicated zoom lens. He got it out for the first time in public but missed a shot of the train.

 

Two hours took us to the summit of Moelwyn Bach (2334') after some interesting crags and mild scrambling. John objected to the grass.

 

 

 

The weather throughout is hot and sunny. Rather humid.

 

Shaley (slatey) descent to the col at Bwlch Stwlan and John goes to look for water. See the first people of the day. These hills are very quiet.

 

Virtually windless, but there is cloud on the higher peaks, so we admire today's choice of route.

 

On the way so far, the very pretty yellow and red of Gorse and Bell Heather. Also lots of Ling and Tormentil, plus Saxifrage (a small white one) and Milkwort. Carrion crows and Skylarks.

 

John arrives back exhausted from fetching the water. We'd better use it before we find some more. I wonder whether Dave needs to clean his teeth again.

 

The 600' climb up Moelwyn Mawr (2527')  was straightforward - path up the crag then grassy slope to the trig point. Met some people on the top. Brewed up but mine was destroyed by the vast number of small flies. Having also scalded myself, I was still thirsty and John's supplies had been abortively used.

 

Cloud level now almost down to us, so we hastened down before the anticipated rain.

 

Descended the northern ridge and followed a path to the ruins of a quarry at Bwlch Cwmorthin.

 

 

Continued north until an idyllic campsite presented itself at the waterfalls below Clogwyn Brith - 1700 ft.

 

 

The clouds had cleared and it was warm and still and sunny, with no flies. Magnificent conditions. Relaxed around the site, at which we arrived around 5:30. Brewed and cooked.

 

 

The sun went down. Meanwhile about 20 people descended from Cnicht and proceeded to camp/bivvi down at the ruined quarry.

 

Most clouds disappeared and condensation started (mapcase, camera, etc). Still quite warm.

 

My tea fell over but I caught it! Time to stop writing and concentrate on cooking - the crispy noodles need close attention. Meanwhile some very tasty crispy croutons, delight of Phileas Fogg and made in Consett*, were handed around. I finished my tea in the tent and didn't witness the delicacies consumed by the others, as they didn't enter the tent until around 7:30#. I suspect Dave had a sausage*², whilst John had soup and a Vesta*³ curry.

 

 

Just a brief note on how to get off Moelwyn Bach in the mist. (The path is vaguely cairned.) Head SE from the pile of stones for about 100 yards, then go down a slatey path on the gentle slope between the two sets of crags marked to the east of the pile of stones.

 

All in bed by 8:30, probably also asleep by then. Can still see the glow of the bivviers' camp fire in the ruined quarry below.

 

Lots of ladybirds in the campsite area.

 

Sunday (diary started by John)

 

Insomnia strikes at 7:25. Banfield brews for all (Ѷ as we mathematicians write - I can't find the correct symbol here!). Second brew (coffee) at 8:45.

 

The mist is clearing nicely. The bivviers below are milling around nicely. Scruby does not feel like a sausage (more like a beef burger). Ascent of Cnicht is planned.

 

Start for Cnicht at 9:45.

 

 

Above and below are views to Llyn Cwm-y-foel and the coast, from the ascent of Cnicht.

 

 

Reach top at 10:45. Pause for photos (Scruby and Banfield), second breakfast (Mansell) etc.

 

 

On the way down, we reach something which would be interesting when wet (a descent).

 

 

 

We reach the first pasture land (walls, grass, wire, sheep, etc) at 11:45. At Croesor 12:15. Brew stop at 12:20. There is not much wind today, but plenty of cloud around the ridge of Cnicht. Snowdon was visible from time to time, with the summit above a stratum of cloud.

 

 

(continued by Martin)

 

On down pleasant lane with no traffic, to Tan-y-bwlch Station. Waited to photograph Blanche again (successfully this time) then strolled through pleasant woods etc past Dduallt to Dduallt Station.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Waited for Blanche's return from Porthmadog and encountered first rain of the weekend. Brewed up in the rain. A delicious nectarious cup before the return to civilization.

 

 

Got on crowded train and peered through windows which were surprisingly free of steam. Our route across Tanygrisiau Reservoir was now completely under water, the level having risen by 1 to 2 feet overnight despite no rain!

 

 

 

Heavy traffic back to Manchester but John caught his 7 o'clock train despite not managing to finish his diary entry.

 

* Phileas Fogg was set up by some friends of our walking pal Paul Brunn (RIP), using grants available for new businesses in places where coal mines had closed. It was a very successful venture. They eventually sold out to United Biscuits.

 

# This was in the days before we all had individual one man tents (I did have a Karrimor Marathon tent), and my Vango Mk4 got lots of use. It was eventually replaced by a North Face VE25, another superb tent.

 

*² Campbells meat balls

 

*³ Vesta products were a staple backpacking main course in those days. I favoured the chow mein with crispy noodles that needed a bit extra butter or oil for cooking.

Here's our route - 25 km with 1400 metres ascent.
 

Lockdown in Timperley (continued)

 

Nothing exciting today, I'm afraid. I've moved on to digitising some old family holiday pictures and diaries, which I'm sharing with the family via Dropbox, as they really will (I think) be too boring for other readers. The family are loving them, so that exercise will continue.

 

Meanwhile I'm continuing to digitise some old backpacking and other trips, which I am putting onto these pages. It's interesting to look back at the gear etc from the 1980s, when we took turns to make diary entries and everyone had their own style. If you've bothered to read these you may have noticed some 'in jokes'. Don't worry if some of these puzzle you, they may be just as much of a mystery to the authors. The picture quality of these entries is modest, to say the least, as I'm simply taking photographs of photographs. It's just too big a job to dig out all the negatives (unsorted in a big box) and scan them. However, when I come to trips recorded on slide film, I will try to scan the slides.

 

All this will continue long after Lockdown and will never be fully completed, but what I am doing is opening at least a small window on the past.

 

Meanwhile our garden is flourishing, with the azaleas doing well just now, as well as the clematis which is just out of shot to the left in the next picture, near the tomato plants kindly donated by JJ that are growing taller every day.

 

 

 

We popped round to say hello to Owen (parkrunner) in his care home the other day. We hope he didn't eat all the cake at once! On the way home we noticed a new arrival from Scandinavia (well, the registration would indicate that it came to the UK some time ago!). They stopped making the PV544 in 1965, so perhaps this motor can be forgiven for showing its age!

 

 

The 'Radioactive Ramble' - 2 to 5 May, 1986

 

Here's another entry from days past, coincidentally with the same participants as the recent 'Pilgrimage to Portree' in 1994. I've added a few comments in blue.

 

The Radioactive Ramble

 

Friday 2 May 1986 (Author MW)

Owing to Greater Manchester transport I was a paltry 10 minutes late at the Rising Sun. (Queen Street - rendezvous point for weekend trips)

Notwithstanding this,I was later blamed for causing John to wait almost a whole hour for us to pick him up at Carlisle. Spring has only really just broken in Manchester - the last couple of days have been fine. Today has been fair, but a little 'close' and indeed soon out of Manchester we hit rain and then drive into a thunderstorm which comprised one or two flashes of lightning.

Dave (SG) (I think SG probably means 'Senior Gaffer' - Dave was employed in a senior role at CWS) has started off on the wrong foot and is anxiously burbling that he has only 16 shots left and no more film. We stop at Forton to allow him to discharge his frenzy by hunting around the shop for a film but it is to no avail. Will his anxiety increase as the trip progresses, or will it be assuaged, we shall see?

As we left Manchester the news was that the radioactive cloud from Chernobyl was just about reaching the South of England, so at least we are going in the right direction, but it may well catch up with us in the next two days, hence the name of this trip.

We arrived at Carlisle station at 8:30 to find John nonchalantly leaning against the wall. As we drew near, he walked off in the opposite direction, but soon realised his mistake. All aboard, then it was a short trip to the Little Chef feeding ground renowned for its pancakes.

After a marathon effort by MB we arrived at Ardlui campsite 12:05 am. Thankfully not raining as we deploy tents in the dark with only one torch between us. (Supplied by SG.)

MW is very annoyed as he put his ice axe through his flysheet - causing a sickening ripping sound. Fortunately not in a critical place, and easily mended.

Rather a noisy team on the site tonight. A young lass wandering around with a bottle of wine greeted us thinking we were more of her party. I don't know why people need to shout at each other to have a conversation at this time of night - it's most antisocial. I hope they don't go on for too long.

As we sleep the menacing radioactive cloud draws.....

During the night there is an eerie plaintiff moan that pierces the now peaceful site ... filllmmm....

A spirit in torment.

Postscript (DS) I must record that before he went to sleep MW made horlicks on his primus while the rest of us just crashed out.

Saturday 3 May - Two Days to Doomsday (DS)

We all woke up early in the morning to hear the army next door still talking. Perhaps they talked all night. Martin was about to brew up when it was realised that it was only 6 am.

Back to sleep for another hour. Up fairly quickly. Hurried breakfast. Martin (I was only 10 minutes late) found he had lost his porridge, this leading to a plaintive eerie tormented radioactive moan from his stomach.

After John had gone to find man to pay (he woke him up and got a receipt for April), we set off and soon stopped at Tyndrum. Dave got some film and Martin got some porridge. Martin B was stopped from brewing up and contented himself with sniffing tea bags.
 

 

Travelled on to Victoria Bridge along a most unlikely looking 'A' road (A8005) - single track, no passing places, but a nice surface.

John was packed within 10 seconds of parking the car, but Martin (who had no beard two days ago) did a 'Laurie/Nick Gray' (absent team members who are renowned for their faffing) and spent a long time packing a large looking rucksack. He blames it on his winter sleeping bag.

Set off from forest Lodge, west along Linne nam Beathach and the slow gentle ascent towards Loch Dochard. This walk in was marked by frequent stops and interesting stiles and bridges. Dave (me) made a much photographed mess of going over a very dodgy high stile. John described my crossing as a Right Pig's 'Ear of a Sow'.

Martin W displayed city attitudes in his testing the strength of a suspension bridge (which, unless it has been replaced with an identical bridge, has stood the test of time!)

 

 

 

 

 

 

We stopped near Point 289 (on our old map, but not on my current maps - NN 201 411) on the path having left Loch Dochard behind. Martin W was only a paltry 10 minutes behind. His excuse this time being that he had met two day walkers and stopped for a chat. "It's a fine day Laddie, etc, etc..."

The weather has been getting warmer and is muggy, with a gentle east wind at times. Visibility up high is not very good. Brew of tea and much eating.  Two walkers pass. Conversations about news on TV and in newspapers.

Carried on to an amazing suspension bridge which worried most who crossed it yet seemed perfectly ok. Again many photographs.

 

 

 

 

 

Turned NE up the glen that goes past and to the north of Beinn nan Aighenan (957 metres). That, John says, should be pronounced 'Ainan' (silent gh as in dh). He further stated (authoritatively) that the i before the gh is only there because of the e after the gh. He is now saying that the spelling doesn't conform to the rules.

 

 

More frequent stops as we contour, gaining height. Eventually John and MW power on and Dave and MB arrive at the col a good though paltry ten minutes after the others (no excuses). There was a sharp climb at the end.

Here we had a quick brew, parked our rucksacks, and walked up Beinn nan Aighenan - the mountain with the badly spelt name. Quickly into the mist, and it began to get slightly damp and windy. Up at the top we had three self-timed group photos, with John not bothering. He was very cold.

 

 

This is the first Munro of the trip. The journey down was excellent. Very quick. We half run down the soft snow most of the way. At the bottom, MB's foresight in wearing gaiters for this peak paid off.

Continued down to find a campsite and found one very quickly. Tents quickly up. John went some way to get us some (safe) water. Very cold on the hands. Slight drizzle began as we put the tents up. Leisurely cooking and eating of meals.

 

 

John had corned beef and smash - (again). MB had paella (again). and Dave had beef stew and chocolate mint Angel Delight (with real milk). MW was in his own tent (to escape the farting) so I don't know what he had.* Everyone in bed by 8:30 - knackered.

* Lentil stew with Bulghar Wheat, then dried fruit and custard - yum! (MW)

 

Note: This report conforms to the standard of truth, honesty, accuracy, independence and objectivity, as defined by BBC/ITV news.

 

PS Fashion Note: MB looks very chic in his green duvet vest - very 1983. (Green Ultimate Equipment gilet - still going strong in 2020.) russian note

 

PPS Status Note: John's a gaffer but Martin B is a senior gaffer - he also has difficulty leaving work habits where they belong.

Sunday 4 May (JM)

 

A good night's sleep. We are in the cloud at 8 am. By 9:15 the cloud is lifting (we are still in our tents).

We set off for the bealach between Glas and Bheinn Mhor and Ben Starav at 10:05, and arrive there at 10:40. On to Ben Starav at 11:40 via a knife-edge. Pause for photos.

 

 

 

 

Off via a snow slope, and back at the bealach and our rucksacks at 12:10. For the last 2 hours the cloud has been well above the mountains, and there is some sunshine and a brisk westerly breeze. Pause for lunch.

On Glas Bheinn Mhor at 13:25. Off again at 13:40. Pause for lunch. There seems to be more cloud than sunshine now. Next peak we are aiming for is Stob Coir' an Albannaich, which, from this (windy) bealach, looks like a hard slog. Set out at 14:20. On top 15:05. Weather is still holding. At the bottom, en route for Meall nan Eun, it certainly isn't.

Stob Coir' an Albannaich vanishes from sight. On top of Meall nan Eun for 16:40, and it is not raining. Meall nan Eun is quite breezy (SE breeze it seems); and Stob Coir' an Albannaich is visible once more.

 

 

Off the hill by 17:30 to look for a campsite. Pegs in by 18:00. The weather is still quite good, but the breeze is quite brisk.

 

Clarification: (MB)

1. Dried fruit and custard is not eaten as such. "You soak it and it goes soggy" - MW.

2. He who had a beard two days ago was MB. MW had a beard two days ago - and any day you care to mention over the past 10 years, except yesterday and today. (And there was no hurry.)

3. "Lunch" is a frequent occurrence throughout the day. It means "ate food".

 

(MB) Variable weather for rest of the evening.

Smelly tent.

Tussocks.

MW comes for a tea bag party, and makes the tea.

Pleasant gurgle of the river a few feet away should lull us to an early kip with no difficulty.

 

 

Variable light as early as 8 o'clock. MB's camera bust.

 

Monday 5 May (MB)

 

After a bumpy night John brewed up at 7 am and we arose. There is a view today and scraping sounds from next door. John confesses to having had nightmares. Dave combs his hair to demonstrate his application of work attitudes to the trip. A bit of rain and wind in the night.

Off by 8:30. I donned waterproofs to contend with the drizzle but the others didn't don theirs until we reached the end of the initial slog up Meall Odhar (876m).

A tramp along the ridge to Stob a' Bhruaich Leith (940m), and a steady radioactive shower was falling. Not very warm.

Considering the weather, visibility very good, with views towards Glencoe, and cloud level above 3000 feet, although by the top of Stob Ghabhar (1087m) we had entered the cloud.

 

 

Interesting ridge off this hill, but we didn't risk going over the cornice to maintain height towards Stob a' Choire Odhair, an outlying Munro (really a separate mountain). Instead we came off the nose, which was in itself precipitous, although a gully to the right made it into an easy scramble.

We then contoured round very satisfactorily to a stalkers path for the descent to Victoria Bridge, by 2 pm, after various 'relief' stops.

 

 

Saw two people on the hills all day, and only about ten the whole weekend. A reasonable tally of six Munros, and an easy journey to get John to Carlisle, but a traffic jam between Forton and the M61 prevented further speedy progress

Pleasant meal at the Asia for me and Dave.

 

 

Here's our route - 45 km with about 3000 metres ascent. Click on image for a better version.

 

New Zealand Revisited (9)

 

With 1257 images now in a properly indexed and labelled state sufficient for Sue to compose a Photobook, here are images from our last five days in New Zealand.

 

Hasn't it gone quickly!

 

On 8 March 2008, some forest paths with occasional views kept us entertained. The tree pictured above was somewhat of a curiosity.

 

Globetrekkers Lodge in Omapere proved an excellent spot from where to view the sunset on 9 March.

 

 

We saw some massive Kauri trees on 10 March. Some exceed 50 metres in height, with a girth of over 13 metres, They are over 1200 years old.

 

 

We made our way to stay with Sue's mother's cousin Barbara in Auckland, and on our last day in New Zealand, 11 March, we enjoyed a walk on nearby Piha Beach.

 

 

On 12 March we dumped the Silver Bullet and flew home via a five hour break in Singapore.

 

 

I hope readers enjoyed that little NZ interlude. I did, anyway. Back to 1986 next...