Friday, September 06, 2013

Making a Splash…



Sue and her colleagues from work completed their Tri-Challenge and have currently raised over £5,000 (there is still time to donate if you wish) for charity.

It was a full weekend of activities that started on Friday lunchtime with the long journey up to Wales (that felt even longer for those in the Mini-Van I was driving as it was speed-limited to 63 mph). Still we got to the Snowdon Ranger Youth Hostel safely and in time to get unpacked, changed and have a welcome drink before dinner.

The main event was on Saturday and started early in the morning with the cyclists setting off at about 6:30am to circle the mountain. They returned for breakfast and to change into their walking attire to head up the Snowdon Ranger Path towards the summit.

The support crew drove to Llanberis where we took the SnowdonMaintain Railway (the only way to ascend) to join the others at the top.

The views up the mountain were spectacular until the last few hundred metres where the mountain was shrouded in freezing clouds. Apart from one injured soul (suffered on the cycle ride and bravely continued up the mountain) who took the train, the rest of us descended the Llanberis Path back to the foot of the mountain.

It was then on to the lake where canoes had been roped together to make three double canoe rafts to take five or so people each. The instructors then took the teams out across the lake to practice their skills culminating in a race back to the pier. Several people had opted for the wetsuits or had changed into other clothes but Sue (who wasn’t sure she was going to join in this event) didn’t, and as she started to climb out of the last boat she lost her footing and ended up in the water. Luckily the water was warm and many hands soon had her out, and all this was captured on film too.

After the unexpected dunking (unexpected be everyone apart from those who know just how steady Sue is – not – on her pins), we repaired to the hostel for warm showers, some fortifying beverages and a hearty curry before everyone gathered in the lounge for drinking games (I excused myself as I was driving back the next day).

Congratulations go to the hardy souls and a well done on raising the money for the worthy charities - Children with Cancer, Queen Elizabeth’s Foundation and the Pilgrims Hospices

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