Famous amongst climbers and walkers alike. It’s been a meeting and social gathering place since 1978. A place where climbers record new routes, which then get written up by local activists. Most of all you feel at home and happy to sit the evening away, checking out the photo wall and listening to other people’s conversations!
There’s a group of oldies ordering the Allday Breakfast, it’s 6:30pm. Posh totty and her Mother, both throwbacks to the 60’s, that to this day are still to be found in Kathmandu, polishing off an enormous mixed grill sitting in the middle of the cafe having a conversation that everyone can hear and I think even tempted to join in. Another couple site in the corner, a Mother and Daughter, I think, eating with quite contemplation. And there’s another sad old git like me sat on his own waiting for a meal.
I’ve ordered a ploughmans, the healthy option… or so I thought, until it arrived. There must be a pound of cheese and ham along with enough salad to keep a rabbit alive for a year! I suppose it will make up for the lack of breakfast when I set out at 3:30am tomorrow morning! The posh totty and her Mother leave, all has gone quiet in the cafe, everyone hurriedly looks away, slightly embarrassed at how obvious the posh totties conversation had, had the rest of the cafes patrons enthralled.
Glamping, here I am now sitting in a Yurt, with a double bed and a fan heater on at full blast, drinking a Costa coffee. Yep Glamping is what I’m doing. Do I feel ashamed? No. The sun is beginning to set to the East of Snowdon and from where I’m sitting I can see the suns warm light bathing the summit as the temperature outside rapidly decreases. I can see the one path that I’ve never taken to Snowdons summit, snaking its way up the mountain, running parallel to the Snowdon Mountain railway. Tomorrow at a time not usually frequented by myself, or many others for that matter, I should be walking up that path to catch the sunrise. The weather forecast is exceptional for North Wales. I do have a grumble, though, a few clouds would make the sunrise more spectacular than just a clear blue sky… There’s just no pleasing us photographers! Looking forward to the walk, though, as it’s been a long time since I managed a day out and Kilimanjaro is looming ever closer.
The Yurt, home for the night
More importantly, my bed for the night! I like this Glamping.
I am going to have to say a few words about the camp site. It’s on a working farm and probably not the tidiest farm, I’ve ever come across. The reception area was unique as far as receptions go. It’s got a certain ‘Character’ like many working farms. Machinery appears to be randomly dumped, abandoned vehicles are dotted about the place and what appears to be numorous unfinished buildings. A working farm indeed and one that ouses ‘Character’ and warmth that only a British hill farm can. The reception I got was warm, friendly and made me feel at home, straight away. It reminded me of the welcome I get when I’m in Nepal from the local farmers and villages. And the Yurt is spotless and the view, as I’ve already mentioned, spell binding.
A working farm!
The Snowdon Massif