I’ve been working on a lot of water sports this week, so there’s been a lack of photographic evidence of various paddle boarding and more coasteering antics. On Sunday, I was up and out early to make an ascent of Cader Idris. Usually, a late start would be fine at this time of year, but an incoming weather warning meant that leaving before sunrise would maximise our chances of summit success. It was that or postpone, but the students promised they’d get up early and go for it, so good on them!

The skies were an ominous blue grey as we made our ascent and the clouds and light were flattened by the wind.

It was staying dry and we pushed up into the ever increasing winds.

Much to my amazement, our early start was paying off and we reached the top, with great views, with the base of a very dark cloud, hovering just above us.

We had to literally hang on to the summit trig point as the winds buffeted us about.

But we found shelter just below the top, and for a few fleeting moments, the sun appeared in a halo. As an extra element to the ascent, I had a science teacher with me who had carried up a portable HAM Radio Kit. In the shelter of the summit hut, we made several broadcasts and spoke with other radio users in Pembrokeshire, Bala and even Wicklow in Ireland!

I was nervous about staying too long on the top, despite the excitement of the radio calls. We stayed as long as I dared, then we scampered back down with the aid of a strong tail wind. The rain started when we were just about to reach the minibus. Phew!

Torrential rain followed and a wind strong enough to displace the garden furniture at The Cottage! We hunkered down as the wind howled around…