Ten Tors 45 mile route 9th to 10th May 2015

Saturday 9th May 

After a busy day route planning for the Explorer Scout teams the previous day it was Chariots of Fire over the tannoy at 5 am on Saturday morning, followed by numerous motivational tracks to get you out of your sleeping bag and set up for the day and a bit ahead.  The teams were ready for their walk up to the start line by 6:30 and the rain started before the start.  The helicopters did a fantastic display, dropping soldiers down a rope to fire the starting gun.

Then starts the big wait.......with waiting ........and more waiting.......with limited tracking data being received for team VH.  At least the rain did not last long, turning into a bright sunny day.

Sunday 10th May

A windy night turned into a misty morning - not the best conditions for navigating. Numerous visits to the hanger for team updates and lots of cups of tea later in came team VH - still surprisingly full of energy.

Next stop was the medal award on the podium and the long awaited pasty - 45 miles plus is a long way to walk to get one!

Brecon Beacons

3rd and 4th May 2015

Sunday 3rd May 2015

We thought we would have an overnight visit to the Brecon Beacons over the bank holiday to walk up Pen y Fan.  After a stop for lunch in Portishead we traveled across the Bridge to Wales.  We drove to Pontneddfecen and after a visit to the Water Fall Visitors Centre we traveled on up towards Nant-y-Carred to walk the waterfall loop.  The highlight was walking behind the Sgwd yr Elra falls.  It was a really wet afternoon and it was good to take shelter behind the waterfall!

Next stop was going to be Brecon, although a yellow sign to the Cotswold Tent Show at the National Park Visitor Centre lead us on a detour.  A whole variety of tents at brilliant prices - we will be back to have another look in the day light.  After a yummy Chinese for tea at the Red Dragon and we were all ready for bed wild camping in the well hidden car park by the Cwm Gwdi training camp at the foot of Pen y Fan.

Monday 4th May 2015

An early visit back to the tent show lead to James splashing out on a Vango Force Ten for back packing.  It was taken on our walk today with a practice pitch on the way up Pen y Fan.

It was a lovely clear day and the views were fabulous.

The summit was busy, and there was even a queue for photos at the peak!

We walked on to Corn Du, with lovely views down to Llyn Cwm Llwch.

It was then back to the car and on to Brecon to visit the May Day fair in the town centre.  As it was a sunny day we stopped for ice cream at Llanfaes - the fruit cake ice cream was lovely :)  It was then a trip home, stopping of at the Sugar Loaf view point before crossing the bridge and back home on the M5.