Stiff legs, sunburn and £700 closer...

Ok, this post is a bit late coming but there are reasons, my graduation week being one of them, so sorry about that but here it is...

Well, you'll all be glad (I hope) to hear that I survived the Brecon challenge (barely), not only that, but I managed to make it all the way round without:

a) falling down the mountain/ off a cliff face

b) getting lost

or c) being stampeded by sheep.

That's not to say we didn't get very close to some sheep - many sheep in fact. Genuine welsh ones. But every time we got really close and tried to take photos (cos who wouldn't want a photo of some curious looking sheep?) they ran away. Must have been scared by the sight of me in shorts (again, who wouldn't be?). However, I did not manage to make it round without:

a) getting horrific sunburn

b) doing some serious damage to my right foot

and c) eating more chocolate than was strictly necessary on the pretext of it being 'energy food'.

Anyway, the said damage to right foot I won't be going into as it's a bit grim. Feeling right foolish for not wearing more suncream because 'I don't burn' (well I do now). Other than that the weekend was a resounding success. We arrived at the campsite in Brecon at about 8.30 after only setting off at 6pm even though we were aiming for about 4.30 because Rob in his infinite tardiness had once again turned up late. not that that should have surprised me. Not that I should be winging because he drove us there and back (thanks Rob ;)). Anyway, we got there safe and sound and after an amusing tent-putting up session during which me and Lib watched the others getting lost beneath folds of mouldy tents last used during last year's festival season (and during which I was glancing sneakily at the guy in the next tent), we set off into town for some food. And beer. Much, much beer :D. Although, with a 7.30 check-in the next morning we were very good and did not get drunk. yay us! (makes a change anyway). So, waking bright and early (and to Lib's horror, the only showers had see through doors), we managed (somehow) to get Rob to register on time and eventually set off, kit checked, maps at the ready and with little wristbands with our names on. How quaint. So, carrying unnecessary amounts of safety equipment, the five of us started traipsing along a little village road. No hills yet, so far so good. Then through a field. Again, no hills. Marvellous. Then through a bit of forest. Still no hills. I was starting to think this was a bit of a joke. Then more fields. Then, around a corner, the first hill struck. Not too steep, though, I coped well. Then, already at the first checkpoint, we were feeling quite smug. I was at least, as I thought I'd end up giving up at the first hint of an incline. Lib's ultimate fitness meant she was still as fresh as a daisy, but I think Rich had begun to realise that you can't spend three years drinking beer, eating rubbish and never excercising without it having some effect on your fitness levels. Bless him. Anyway, after another ten minutes walking or so came the first Big Bastard of a hill. Didn't feel quite so cocky anymore... and it somehow seemed to get bigger and bigger. It was one of those wobbly hills where you think you can see the top, but it's actually only a ledgy bit and it's only when you're nearly there that you realise it goes on and on and on and on.... so by the time we'd actually got to the top I was looking distinctly unkempt. Which I continued looking for the remainder of the day.

Well, from this point on the story continues in a similar vein. Lots of hills, lots of fields, a bit of forest. The day's excitement was increased immensely when we nearly got lost (gasp) although some skilful map-reading skills harking back to boy scout days demonstrated by Rich and Rob and some careful conferring with another team who also seemed less than sure of where they were got us nicely back on track (I knew it was a good idea to take boys). We saw a load of white wild ponies at one point, which was brilliant. So we stopped to gawp at them while Lib and Amber went to pee behind a bush. Not the same bush, I might add. Lots of sheep too, which weren't scared of people at all, until you stopped to get a picture. The scenery was pretty incredible, which you can see because Rich has kindly put the photos here. Felt like that scene out of Watership Down when the rabbits finally reach the top of the hill and Fiver says 'you can see the whole world!' Marvellous.

Anyway, after completing the 13miles in quite an ashamedly long amount of time (and being overtaken in the process by a group of lads who were running for 26 miles - CRAYZEEEEEEE) we finally got back to the campsite and celebrated with copious amounts of alcohol. Job's a good 'un.