We really believed it was windy the other day when the Path defeated us with the gales and gradient. But those winds were nothing compared to how we spent today.
Apparently, today’s breezy bits were leftover from Hurricane Katia, and if this was just the fallout, I’m sure glad we weren’t anywhere near the real thing.
The wind never stopped gusting and blowing all day. The UK Weather Office issued a severe weather warning, reporting gusts up to 75 mph, though Kevin is sure we were being hit harder than that up on those ridges.
Thankfully, the rains stayed away and our only problem was making sure we weren’t blown off the path. Our walking sticks saved the day more than once, helping brace us against the force. Almost every time I lifted my foot, it landed somewhere different than I was aiming for.
Lunch was spent hunkered behind a rock wall while the rest of the time we just kept looking at each other and shaking our heads in disbelief at what we were doing. We had to yell to hear each other, and as you can see in the video of Kevin, he was yelling very loudly at the camera but the wind just ripped those words out of his face and flung them in the heather.
More times than I care to think about, I looked ahead and thought, “This is impossible.” But then I remembered the words from a recent yoga session, where the instructor said, “Remember! No one is going to rescue you!” She would laugh (a tad maniacally I might add) every time she said it.
It’s SO true. There was only one way to get out of the situation and that was to go through it.
Altogether, we walked about 19 kilometers of steady steep ascents and descents with spectacular views everywhere we looked…all of it accompanied by howling winds, intent on knocking us asunder. It was a great penultimate day! Tomorrow is the final assault 
Wales is a beautiful country and we used to go hiking there whenever possible. We always looked at the weather forecast beforehand but even how sunny it was, it always felt windy on top of those hills. With a 75 mph wind you could easily have fallen off the ridges but you made it. Your perseverance had paid off.
I still look back on that trek as one of the most epic adventures I’ve had. It was crazy.
Dear Colleen,
I see from today’s post that you did it! Congratulations. Now rest those poor legs a while!
Bob Titley
We certainly did! We’re in London now…walking:)
The video of Kevin made me laugh out loud. Very effective way of communicating auditorially what you wrote! You must have good Internet if you are uploading even snippets of video… The posts have been great fun to read, thanks for the daily updates to all your collective pals at home.
Thanks Laurie. It was a pretty crazy ride out there
Internet has been pretty good, though spotty at times (like today). We’re now at the Irish Sea. It is done!
Wow, you sure must be wondering how you got in that situation with the winds accompanying you on your journey. The country looks beautiful. You’ll look back on this windy time as an experience of a lifetime. Maybe be able to crack a few jokes as well. Hope it settles down for the remaining time.
Joan, the country is absolutely stunning. When we’re at the top of these mountains, I feel like I’m looking out an airplane window down on the perfect hedge-rowed fields below. And yes, we’re laughing about the wind
Fantastic! Loved the videos. You are so brave!
Ruth. I think there is a fine line between brave and stupid
We might have crossed it, but it sure was fun!