Next Event: Day Trip
With a good chance of wind and rain forecast, the club members going to Pembroke wondered if they'd get any climbing done. Luckily, although the weather was cold, some climbing was achieved and the trip was rather different to the normal.
We left Swansea later than usual due to secretary's boo-boos, but as it was a short journey we arrived at around nine o'clock. After investigating the hut, shot gunning floor space and setting up the ping-pong table, some of us headed to the pub to have some drinks and find that we were rubbish at pool.
After a good nights sleep (for me) we awoke for James' by now expected bacon sandwich breakfast. The weather didn't look very dry, so we decided to head to St. Govan's to have a look around and upon arrival we decided it was far too windy to climb! So we had a look at the impressive chapel and a windy wander along the coast too look at all the crags we could have climbed at. After a lunch in the bus, some brave souls decided to go do some top roping on a small crag. The other less hardy and much more sensible people headed to the local tea room, where we enjoyed an awesome pot of tea and plenty of cakes. We then headed into Pembroke where we had a look round various interesting ‘hippy' shops and an exploration of the really good castle. Everybody later met up again in a pub, had a drink, and then headed back to the accommodation for a warm up. Later on, some of us (who we had now decided consisted of the freaks, the geeks and the oldies) drove back to Pembroke to have dinner in a tidy pub. After a generally laid back evening of cards and climbing films, we went to bed hoping that the Sunday would bring better weather.
Waking again to bacon sandwiches, we decided the weather would give the chance of climbing, so headed back down to St. Govan's. Most of the club made their way to Saddle Head, where it was found to be very windy indeed! Most were glad to abseil down to the shelter at the bottom of the cliff. Connor and James got rather cold on their route, so went back to the bus. The route Rachel and I were on had a star, but guess this is for when its warm enough to feel your hands! Everyone seemed to find it a bit chilly for climbing, but most managed two or three climbs by the end of the day. I climbed Fel Gwyr and Small Beginnings, both easy routes made much harder by gloves and plenty of clothing layers. In spite of this, everyone seemed to enjoy themselves and went back to the bus in high spirits. Arriving back at the hut, we eventually packed up, cleaned the hut and set off back for Swansea. After the short journey, we arrived back where some of us went for a well deserved meal out.
Thanks to all those who came on the trip, I enjoyed it even though we didn't do loads of climbing! Also thanks to Jacky, Rachel and Simon for driving the bus.