Well, the plan was to do one more event with the Sport Relief Team Honk Baton before passing it to Debbie this Sunday.
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| Makala Doughty |
The only day free was Saturday, so I arranged with friends and family to climb up to the Preseli Mountain Summit. They did warn me to wait for better weather, however I explained that this was the last day available to do it with the Baton. So, off we went, planning to only call off the climb only if the conditions were too foggy or boggy, which would make the climb dangerous.
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| Makala Doughty |
I warned the kids that it would be VERY cold, wet and windy. They put on many layers and waterproofs and thermals and we were off.
That morning at home it had been dry, cold but Sunny. These conditions would have made it a near perfect climb.
We arrived up the Preselis and were pleased to see that there was good visability. We realised how windy is was when we struggled to open the car doors. Cold, bitter wind.
Then, as soon as we got out from the car, heavy, large hail stones started pouring down on us. It was so painful on the bare skin of our face and hands (I was attempting to put my gloves on as it started).
We got back into the car and waited for it to pass. Of course it kept on going and we realised that it could start again when we were high up the mountains and make it difficult for us to find our way back. Between the wind and the hail, we couldn’t see or hear anything else going on around us.
Eventually it calmed. The kids still didn’t want to give up, so we negotiated and decided to go for a “short walk” up the mountains and back to keep everyone safe.
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| Makala Doughty |
I love climbing the Preseli’s but it is so tiring and hard work when the wind is trying to blow you back down again. We were weak with laughter.
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| Makala Doughty |
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| Makala Doughty |
Danny protects his face from the hail and cold wind. I’ll be packing balaclavas for us all next time!
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| Makala Doughty |
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| Makala Doughty |
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| Makala Doughty |
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| Makala Doughty |
We climbed so far, took some photos, then rolled flew walked back down again. We knew it was time to walk back when Caitlyn warned me that Danny was starting to turn a little blue. His sisters are well trained at keeping an eye on him discretely as he doesn’t like a fuss.
We went back to the cars to get warm. Mum and my sisters had the right idea – hot chocolate and biscuits. I nearly offered to hold someones drink just to get my fingers moving again.
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| Makala Doughty |
As we sat in the car warming up we could see the sky turning bright blue and sunshine coming out across the mountain! We were tempted to go back up now conditions looked better but there would no longer have been time to get back before dark safely.
It was amazing to see the different types of weather happening up there in a short amount of time. I can see how climbers can easily get into trouble if the weather changes suddenly.
So, the Baton did not get all the way up to the Preseli Mountain Summit. However, it did get to see a true part of Pembrokeshire before I passed it onto Debbie and that made it worthwhile.
You can sponsor Wales Team Honk here (any amount is appreciated!):
http://my.sportrelief.com/sponsor/walesteamhonk
Thank you!
I will be walking up there again as soon as the weather is more suitable – I predict my next post about the Preseli’s will be us Sledging down it as it looks like we may get snow soon!
Thank you to Mum, Jo, Ceri, Makala, Danny, Rebecca and Caitlyn for coming up the mountains with me, and to Granny and Grampy for looking after Izzy!
xxx
The first ever Sainsbury’s Sport Relief Games take place from Friday 21st to Sunday 23rd March 2014. The public can join the fun and games by running, swimming or cycling their way to raising cash at over a thousand venues around the country, including the landmark events at Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park.
As one of the biggest fundraising events, Sport Relief brings the entire nation together to get active raise cash and change lives. The money raised by the public is spent by Comic Relief to help transform the lives of some of the poorest and most disadvantaged people both at home in the UK and across the world.
http://my.sportrelief.com/sponsor/team-honk-relay
Text HONK to 70005 and donate £5 to Sport Relief .
Hey Claire, was so nice to see you last week 🙂 Go Team Honk – so proud of you and all the girls involved :)Laura x
This is amazing!! Please can you tag us on @team_honk as you go with your pics so we can get sharing. These are worthy of much sponsorship. Such amazing adventures!!!We need to get them out on social media and show all the epic things you are doing before Sunday!!
Thanks! Yes, so sorry, my Twitter on phone is full of drafts that haven't sent due to either my phone or Pembrokeshire Signal! Will tag you ASAP. Baton was passed successfully to Debbie on Sunday. Thanks, Claire x
Well done on persevering Claire, you're braver than me! xxLeanne – A Slice of My Life
That's brilliant! Well done. I know that it must have been frustrating with the weather, but at least the baton got a taste of the mountains. Despite the weather, it looks beautiful.
It looks freezing Claire – well done on all not giving up.