I’ve left the familiar Cottage scenes for a few days up on the Denbigh Moors – a new place for me really. I’ve driven across them a few times, but there is a significant wilderness area up there – perfect for assessing a Duke of Edinburgh’s Award group!

A final walk along the track before departure revealed that wild strawberry season is upon us!

The team started out in unbelievable conditions past the Allen Resv. The heat wasn’t at it peak of the past few days at this point and it felt like optimal hiking conditions – even a cooling light breeze to keep the midge away!

The views of the Snowdonia skyline were amazing. It felt super wild up there, even though I could identify all the distant peaks.

I joined the group to camp near an old hunting lodge of Henry VIII. A stunner view/sunset combo. Beautifully warm. Not your average Welsh expedition experience!

I slept soundly until the heat of the sun woke me and forced an exit from the tent just like being in the alps! It was nice to have a gentle start with a classic ‘Dad Brew’ while the team got sorted.

The group did really well in the heat and managed to stay cool after adding a few Kilometres to their journey due to a wrong turn! There was a bit of drama later – a situation I’ve not encountered before – where I was unable to get to the camp due to traffic jams! It just goes to show that an expedition really is a journey with an unknown outcome and that it’s good to be self sufficient!

I had to return a pupil to Llandudno, where it turned out the A55 was closed. The reported 40,000 vehicles that use the tunnel daily were backed up all across Gwynedd and I unwittingly got stuck in the middle of it all! It took hours to cover single miles – in a hot van at 30°C! Before I returned to the group, I cooled off in the sea!

It was 23:00 by the time I rejoined the team, who had checked in, fed themselves and were getting into bed – all good independent skills as per DofE guidelines!