Yet again, I have managed to skip a couple of months between posts. Ok, so what? Its not compulsory is it? I dont need to post every minute of the day. I then pop across to PTC’s blog and suddenly I feel very inadequate and determined to say at least…well…….something.
A snowy day on Sugar Loaf
Well, February brought fantastic winter weather and I did get out quite a few times if only to engage in a little family walking. Oh, ok, I dragged the kids out kicking and screaming. They did enjoy it afterwards especially when they discovered how to do snow angels properly. Even when the snow started to receed from some parts of the country, we managed to get a fair (extra) dousing in the Brecon Beacons.
I have now also rediscovered my love of one of my favourite mountains, The Sugar Loaf. Overlooking Abergavenny it stands just shy of 2000 feet in height. Ok so its not a “true” mountain but it feels like a mountain especially when you get to the top and take in the view. There was a time when I used to go up this mountain a dozen times a year. However, I have visited it 4 times in the last 2 months and every time the conditions were different. Snow, mist, rain and clear, clear views. The best bit is that the kids seem to like it. Normally there are howls of protest when the word “mountain” is mentioned (I am sure my kids have an altitude aversion gene normally present in most Dutch people) but now when The Sugar loaf is mentioned their eyes light up and all the stresses and strains of the world disappear.
The kids happy as pigs in ...er....snowy mud
Of course, time seems to be running through my hands like quicksilver and I find myself nearly in April. April! Blimey, where has the time gone? Well, what it does mean is that my trip to North Wales is now firmly on the horizon. 3 whole days of walking and camping in and around the Glydwrs. Its been planned for ages now and there seems to be a fair gaggle of people going. I can hardly wait. Kit lists are being prepared, routes studied, excitement shared. Oh, hang on a mo…. Diddy says he might turn up. The last he did my Laser Competition nearly got launched in a storm. Bad weather seems to follow him. He also kills tents, for fun! Well. It cant be as bad a last time, can it?
Saddlebags and Backpacks - a brewer's outdoor adventures 
Good to see your out and about. Post when you want on the blog. There is no rule. I will look out for any posts about that up and coming trip.
Hi Martin. The trip is a mini meet from Outdoors Magic although I suspect it will be more than a couple of people turning up. I reckon about a dozen at the last count. I am tossing up whether to take a chance and go with the tarp/bivvy combo for this trip. I’ll suss out the weather nearer the time and make a last minute decision (like I always do) about what to take and use