The PenyFan walk

So. Capt K and I have decided - PenyFan or bust, the memberships have rolled in, and the first-of-it's-kind Nordic Walking Club is born. Throwing myself with enthusiasm into it, I design a logo. Actually, I design about 20 logos all based on the same idea and bombard Karen with them, who is frantically trying to organise her stand for the imminent Grand Designs Show in London.
Over the coming weeks, e.mails zip back and forth.
Keep waking up worrying that I've missed somebody and envisaging a sad little soul abandoned with their Nordic Walking poles expecting to be collected from somewhere....
End up setting up office in the Barefoot Studio shop with my laptop, entering all the membership details, chatting to waiting customers - "no, I don't work here, but I've bought just about everything in here, so, what can I help you with?" whilst Paula tries to deal with the sudden rush on her 'quiet' day. Eventually, we pronounce ourselves happy with the preparations.
And on the day, everything goes like clockwork! Everyone appears on time, in the right place, with all the right stuff. The weather is perfect.
We gather in the car park at the foot of PenyFan, kit up, make some introductions, and whilst warming up, set a few ground rules about 'if you don't play follow the leader we won't let you play any more', and then we're off! To the toilet, mainly. But then, full of expectation, through the gate leading down to the footbridge over the stream, I mean, how much more picturesque can the start of a walk be.
It's a long, long climb, in some parts needing a fair bit of puff, and the group begins to string out. Karen and Paula and I have anticipated this, and Paula, assuming her 'sheepdog' role, drops back to encourage the slower walkers. I'm in the middle, and trying to get to the front to slow the front runners down, trip over a stone and fall flat on my face. I didn't cry though.
We re-group to take photos, admire the view, and got Avril to set the pace from the front to maintain a comfortable ascent.  I try to speak to everyone on the way and get all their names wrong, calling Diane  Michelle umpteen times.
In the lee of Corn Du, the second highest peak by a whisker, we call an elevenses break. "Elevenses?" squeaks Paula's metabolism. "It's lunchtime, surely!" So the quick snack turns into a leisurely lunch, whilst we immerse ourselves in the spectacular views. We decide at that point that Karen will take those who want to up and over Corn Du, and those who want to save their energies will come with me on the by-pass route, meeting up to go onto PenyFan together.  The temperature has dropped quite dramatically up here, and gloves and hats are needed.

Avril, who struggled a bit up the long climb, opts for the by-pass, and then is not to be out-done and makes a sudden decision to go up Corn Du.

Jubilantly photographed on the summit of PenyFan, the group surveys the National Park spread out before them, and we identify other walk options for the future, with BIG climbs.  'bring 'em on!'  says Avril.
We set a spanking pace to return from the summit, and walk some way along the horseshoe to take in another view over the reservoir.  
If the climb had spread the group, the descent proved even more of a challenge. For some of us with creaky joints, it was quite slow going, and tough on muscles unused to such a pounding.
For a group of this size, we definitely need 'top and tailers' to keep everyone together. The track is so well marked, that it was very easy for the front runners to march off, but I guess this will be curtailed by less clearly marked walks. All a learning curve.
I felt quite sad to get to the bottom. The van provided a most welcome cuppa, and we all sat on the wall, peacefully enjoying our achievements.
Our meeting at the Bear Hotel last week was well attended, with plenty of feedback, and dates set for the next 12 months. Lots of volunteers to lead walks as well, which is brilliant.
The next walk on June 22, is to be led by Karen. If you'd like to book onto the walk, contact her at karen@barefootstudio.co.uk.