Early start.
I woke up that morning at 5.40 am excited. I was showered, dressed and ready to go by 6.10 am. I enjoyed the early morning walk to Tesco where I purchased breakfast. I then sat and ate in Marian's car: wedged in the middle of the back seat between my friend’s Bob and Marian's brother Dillan.
We arrived at Pont ar Daf car park at 6.50 am. Marian suggested that we wait for the others. We did not know where they were, or if they had even arrived yet because I was the only person who had signal. So, we decided to start the climb. We passed through the kissing gate and crossed the wooden footbridge over the river.
Part of the way up we saw our friends behind us and waited for them to catch up. The scenery was breathtaking, and the walk was not boring. We saw pregnant horses, insanely fit people running up the hill and a man playing the bagpipes! It was so much fun.
An hour into the steady climb I fell behind with Marian. Jo kept us company. The footpath was unique as part of it was a dirt path and other parts of it had been stone pitched. in addition, there were parts that had constructed culverts. So, you could imagine the intense work out I was getting in my feet.
At one point I found the climb reached maximum intensity for me. My heart was throbbing, the air seemed shallow. My legs felt like led. I was ready to give up. I told my friend, Jo, I could not do it anymore or go further. Her response to my desperate complaints was to give me water and moral support. Both helped me so much and enabled me to go on a little more. A little while later, the intensity of the climb got to me and I stopped. Jo's response to this was to lend me a helping hand. This I found to be very helpful. She helped me to a point on the path where I could rest, whilst we waited for Mariane who was struggling behind us.
The secret to how all three of us made it to the Bwlch Duwynt (the Windy Pass) was that all three of us girls held hands helping each other up the hill. With Jo the strongest and the shortest leading the way.
Once we arrived at Bwlch Duwynt (Windy Pass) it felt amazing. The wind cooled me down from the climb, I was able to breathe, and I was able to enjoy the scenery with my friends Jo and Marian. We also took loads of pictures!
We decided to walk past Corn Du and not go up it like the rest of our crew. This is because we were poofed. Apparently, from the top of Corn Du you could see the Neuadd Valley to the reservoirs that are above Merthyr Tydfil. Instead, the route we took was to stay on the footpath to the summit of southern Britain's highest mountain - Pen y Fan - at 2906 feet (886m)!
When we got to the top we reunited with the rest of our crew. Sitting on the edge of the mountain we ate the rest of our breakfast, played eye spy, took photos and listened to Knut whilst he read as a 'sermon on the mount'. It was so breathtaking.
On the way back I was engaged fully with the healthy habitat enjoying the singing of the darting birds.
To be honest, walking down was harder on the body than walking it up, but it was absolutely worth every second. Mariane and I skipped the kissing gate and the bridge because it was quicker to hop across the stepping stones in the stream.
Later that day...
Luke and I had a study session, that ended with cheeky Nando's and window shopping in Dewi Sant. It was so much fun, and I was so tired. I decided to buy bread for my lunch during the following week from Marks and Sparks. I was determined to be strict with myself,but, you know how it is. We left with our arms full of things. One of these things included a celebration cake that we managed to get for £1! So, we headed back to Luke’s to cut it up and to share with our friends who were not allergic.
By the time I got to Albert's house to drop off some cake, my legs felt like a Barbie doll that would pop off. But it was all good, I was able to chill at his for a bit whilst I recuperated and get some strength to go home.
When I got home that night, I had so much to be thankful for.
I am so blessed. Let's not talk about how I was bedridden for the next couple of weeks with my ME/CFS.
XXx.
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