As I started day 3, I expected a slow day, aiming for 12 to 15 miles. I woke around 2:30 am to a beautiful night sky, though my camera couldn’t capture it. After getting up  properly at 6 am, I delayed getting out of my sleeping bag due to the cold and fatigue.

After breakfast and chatting with other campers, Martin, a keen hiker and mountain leader, offered me coffee and introduced me to his wife Fran who walked across Iceland. We discussed hiking, with Martin diagnosing me as “insane” due to the weight if my bag! That’s about right.

I set off around 9 am, enjoying the sunny climb and later with majestic views of Yr Wyddfa and glimpses of the sea.

Descending to Rhyd Ddu, I stopped at a pub for a chocolate bar and apple juice before heading slowly to Beddgelert.

Despite enjoying the woods, I felt mentally fatigued. Concerns about finding accommodation and essentials like water and power troubled me. At Beddgelert, I couldn’t find anywhere to top up my power packs but charged up my devices on the charge I had left.  Refueling at a café (bara brith and coffee ) improved my mood and I started to feel brighter as I walked along the riverbank, feeling refreshed. Even my bag didn’t feel that heavy.

The day’s path was drier overall. I had occasional cloudy weather but mostly sunny.

This is when I had what is perhaps the best mile I walked in my life.

Negotiating boulders and paths over the side of the river was exhilarating. Despite the challenges, I felt happier and more confident.

It goes to show about impermanence of situations. I’m not saying you should always push through  but having a go at the next step before giving up is so important because you don’t know what’s around the corner.  In my case from being tired and wanted to call it a day to exhilarating happy moments on the trail.

Hiking is always here to remind me of these life lessons.

Passing through Nantmor and Bwlchgwernog, I struggled to find a suitable camping spot due to wet ground.

Also, after the fun buzzing part, I had a “moment” of awe when in a proper wild unspoiled area with majestic views.
I’m very lucky to have experienced this.

Eventually, I pitched my tent on a windy hillside above Croesor.

Limited phone connectivity made communication difficult, but I managed to send some messages before struggling to keep warm and falling asleep around 11 pm.

You won’t believe what happened in the night… Wait until the next blog, later on, you will have a good laugh at me!