We arranged this trip sometime in December as a mark, maybe a small milestone, to help us to come to terms with the loss of our Dave.  We plan to do this type of trip on a regular basis.

 

 There are many reasons that we felt that we had to go here, one of them being that this was Dave's favorite mountain in Wales. Although we were keen on the idea of climbing this mountain we realised that, due to time and probably more importantly our fitness (or lack of), the 'climb' would be only a small one, but to reach our first goal of getting there, it didn't really matter.

 

 The plan was to take a small momento that was personal to Dave and bury it somewhere where he loved going. We thought of many things that would be appropriate, but due to the very nature of our quest and our respect for the places we where going, we chose to take along one of Dave's carabiners'. To those of you who don't know what this is, it's a metal clip, sort of oval shaped with a sprung catch, that is used by mountain climbers to secure themselves on ropes as they climb. Since Dave was well known for his ropework (or lack of it) I think this was a perfect choice as this was one of his oldest and as I must say, well used, pieces of equipment.

 

 Again, because of timing and to be more accurate, who could fit in the car, only myself, Jon, Eddie and Sharon set off on that Monday morning from Bolton. Elaine and the kids wanted to come too but also the problem of our nights accommodation hadn't been sorted out yet and they decided to stay at home.

 

 We set off about 10am and as we knew it would take us at least 2 hours to get to our starting point at a place called Ogwen Cottage, we planned on having at least a couple of hours finding a spot on the mountain for our ceremony.

 

 One tip, don't let Jon lead the way (Ha ha Jon) unless you want to walk for an hour in the wrong direction! Yes even though the directions probably made sense to those who had written them (take the path, turn left at the big tree, opposite the large rock) there just happens to be loads of big trees and large rocks scattered around the Welsh mountain side.

 

 Anyhow, maybe we needed the practice and the dummy run did us some good after all as Sharon finally realised that our advice NOT to wear such a well insulated jacket (she looked like the original Michelin man but in blue not white) was good advice after all, and promptly changed when we got back to the car for our second attempt.

 

 This time we started at Ogwen Cottage, this is where everyone starts, (got that Jon?) Its really quite easy, and it's best NOT to argue with the tour guide at the starting point (Jon again) HE really does know the mountains like the back of his hand! Anyhow, we quickly found the path, and the big tree opposite the large rock, and it wasn't long before we reached what is known as a 'scramble'. I suppose this bit was the REAL start to the mountain and it did start to get a little harder to ascend at this point. Walking, although very difficult uphill walking, became a scramble, the obvious path became not so obvious rocks and the breathing became panting.

 

 We clambered on up between the rocks with a small waterfall to our left, we knew that our goal was near because we where heading for a small lake. As we reached the lake we stopped to take a rest and congratulate ourselves on our feat. We had only climbed a few hundred feet but this was what we had come here to do. The summit of the mountain was a thousand feet above, maybe we will go there some day and see Adam & Eve (two rocks that stand alone that a climber on reaching them, has to jump from one to the other and back again to complete the climb).

 

 So I think a point was realised as we arrived here. Climbing mountains is no easy trip, fitness, strength, determination and most of all a head for heights is required and as Sharon pointed out 'Dave used to do this for fun!' and we all laughed at just how right she was. Now all we had to do was chose a spot, I suggested a place over near a large boulder and everyone agreed.

 

 All this time Jon had been carrying a small spade in his rucksack and we found some soft ground and began to dig. Only a small shallow hole, just big enough to fit the carabiner in. It was quite a strange time and we were all surprised that we didn't cry although there were different feelings. Don't know exactly what they where but the nearest I can describe them as is 'strange'. We all said a few words, had a toast to Dave with the drinks that we had, vimto I seem to remember, took a few photos and then just spent a few moments looking around and thinking.

 

 Maybe it was the silence or the desolation and distance from the busy world, but I really can picture Dave here. It's a great place to come. Fresh, bleak, exhilarating, a place to challenge, but only yourself.

 

 I can imagine what its like to be higher in those mountains, I've even been to some, but not the highest that Dave went to, you become humbled at the shear size of things and realise just what a small part you are in this world, and that's what we all are, we only become bigger as we touch other peoples lives.

 

 So here we were, looking around, searching, picturing Dave climbing on the steepest slopes around the lake. I even challenged Jon to a swim in the water, 'no' he said 'but I know of a man who would have done it' and he was right, we all do!

 

 We packed up and set off to leave, I slowed back from the others and turned around, I'm sure the others felt exactly as I did just then, we had done something, something that we promised to do, and it was a great feeling, but also a sad one, like I said before 'strange'.

 

 As we set off back down we could see Llyn (Lake) Ogwen it looked like a large blue puddle, so far away and the road that we drove on to get to the cottage where we started.

 The trip down has a different effect on your legs and in some ways it can be more tiring but we headed down the rocks, found the path and worked our way back down to the car.

 

 We changed out of our wet clothes at the car and headed off towards our stopover. We also planned a visit to see Frank & Sylvia whilst here in Wales and also to spend new years day (and also Franks birthday - 21 again) with them.

 By now we were all quite hungry - no more so than Jon (who has to eat every 2 hours or he turns into a stick). It only took us about 20 minutes and we were knocking on the door and Sylvia let us in. We greeted them both and I introduced everyone again. Sylvia made us all a hot drink and some food and we sat in the front room and told of our day.

 

 I was glad to see Frank & Sylvia and they too us, they have been working non-stop on a new project and the house was full of equipment. Sometimes they get so involved with the work on the computers that they go for weeks without venturing outside, except when needs must and although its hard to pull Frank away, a trip to the pub is always a good excuse! Jon decided that more food was needed and promptly headed off to Betws-y-coed to find a restaurant with a promise to meet us later and we stayed behind until Frank was ready to go.

 

 Sylvia dropped us off at the New Inn in Llanrwst and we promptly headed out to The Shed (basically a patio table with a large umbrella in the New Inn's back yard) for a pint and a 'smoke' with Franks friends Karl and Sas. Just then I realised why Frank takes 2 coats out with him, it's bloody freezing out there and hardly surprising he gets a cold every time he goes out for a beer!

 

 After a while Jon & Eddie showed up and we settled down to some proper drinking. Although Llanrwst is only a small village there are 7 pubs within a 50 yard walking distance and it gets extremely busy especially on new year. Sharon started on the wine, Frank started on the Guiness, Eddie started on the Brandy, I started on the Vodka-RedBulls, Jon started on the Britvic Orange and Karl started on just about everyone that came in arms reach! He introduced himself to a rather shocked Sharon as 'I'm the mouth around here!' and I have to say he's completely right! but it was all just harmless fun, and we all got on really well.

 

 Sometime after 12 Sylvia picked us up and took us back to the house and we stood in the kitchen drinking coffee and chatting. Seeing everyones coffee cup half empty, Frank topped each one up with Baily's Irish Cream and we moved into the lounge. Jon and Eddie decided it was bed time and left for the summerhouse with a grin, but the party had just begun. We turned to the computer and logged on to our favorite website and spent the rest of the night singing along to Dave's favorite tunes, taking turns to chose, Frank first, Sharon and then me. It was like a heavy metal karaoke party. Good job there's no neighbours near by as the speakers didn't half get some hammer, even managing to drown out the noise from the summerhouse!

 

 We must have stayed up till about 4, singing, reminiscing, talking. Frank and Sharon got on really well, but even I had had enough and so I left them both at the computer and headed off to the summerhouse. In the morning, Jon & Eddie got up and woke me. I had fallen asleep as usual on the chair, legs up in the air and a coat for a blanket as usual, Jon & Eddie got the double bed and Sharon had slept in a nice comfy bunk back at the house.

 

Jon says he could have sworn he heard me talking away to someone in the night.... maybe he was right!