Well this is fun, I’m warm, it’s not raining, but the wind is blowing a hoolie. The tent is coping well but the noise of buffeting is keeping me awake so I’ve decided to have a midnight feast (a cold “hot cross bun”) and kill a bit of time. If it keeps up I’ll break camp at dawn and head down towards Hay on Wye, and have a leisurely time down there. I’ve always wanted to go and browse the bookshops so here’s my chance! It’s half an hour past midnight.
It’s a full moon tonight and every so often it clears from the cloud and casts a strong beam of light into the tent. I’ve been out to tighten the guy ropes with a slight improvement …. Or maybe that was just a temporary lull in the wind.
It’s amazing the different sounds the wind is making with the tent - from chair timpani to a sail flapping aimlessly in the breeze, and all the variations in between. I’m quite pleased that part of the tent is rigid but the long slanting sides I think would inevitably have some slack unlesss the ground was 100% horizontal. Being single skin with midge proof inner netting it’s bound to be draughty. The wind is getting underneath the groundsheet so that too billows at times. I’ve got the foil reflective sheet lying loosely on top of the sleeping bag to provide wind proof layer without getting too much of the condensation I got when I wrapped it round tightly. So all in all I think I’m getting a system that works quite well. Unfortunately the mountain forecast predicted poor visibility up here rather than strong winds otherwise I’d have dropped lower down. Never mind. At least I’m snug! Another attempt to sleep coming up ….
Up before 6 broke camp and away by 7. The visibility through the clouds was about 25 meters. I came down in the cloud but gradually emerging at 500 metres with light drizzle and tempting views through the swirling mist. A scenic road led to wide grassy swathe and a rider cantered past whilst a rainbow was cast over the valley.
Through more pasture I arrived at Hay on Wye admiring the castle, marketplace and bookshops but my mind on a capuccino and brunch. Having tried to get through the half door of the Cozy Cafe, I eventually squeezed in taking the backpack and sat down to coffee, brunch and then hot chocolate and bara broth while sending out the Day 21-30 update to LinkedIn and Facebook. I called the owner of the Racquety Campsite who was fine for me to come early and advised a sheltered spot out of the wind. I felt as though I was almost sleep walking by this time, and having bought provisions at the local co-op I walked across the Wye bridge to the site and took my time pitching the tent to ensure minimum flapping and then had a 2 hour siesta. I must have gone out like a light!
By 17:30 I was ready to wander back into town and get some supper - having not put 2 and 2 together and realised it was Sunday the only place seeming to serve food that evening was the Blue Boar - which happened to be excellent. Although the local camaraderie of the Hunter’s Moon was sadly lacking. The parsnip soup and eels lamb chops were just what I needed before heading back to camp and having a peaceful and almost warm night - a light frost was due, but my setup worked fine.
ReplyDeleteOh dear! I suppose this was to be expected in April and a reminder that in these conditions it is only sensible to seek a b-and-b if possible - unfortunately not an option in the Black Mts. Hopefully weather will be less wild as you get into May. Soon have G and Ma to keep you company and then Mn in the Peak District.
Much love Dad xx