Well, I think most people had pretty horrendous journeys getting to Pembroke, with football fans and the Bank Holiday combining to do their worst with the M4. Best not to dwell on that, nor on the rain and fog that greeted our eventual arrival.

Saturday morning turned out to be beautiful. The usual faff was increased slightly by having to search for MMC folk in every corner of the campsite but it wasn’t too late that most people set off for climbing and walking.

Paul, Rob and Jane walked west along the coast to Porth Clais, a large friendly slab where they top-roped a few routes before Rob led the two-star Red Wall. Their peace was shattered after an hour by the arrival of many more MMC folk. Too many for me to list out here. You know who you are. AG, having left his rack at home because of the weather (?!?!?!) led Cath up a vague line on Paul’s rack. I led Lou and Hilary on some other vague line before the tide came in and it was top roping all round with a few people climbing Red Wall too.

Andy and Cheryl also joined the crowds at Porth Clais, climbing Red Wall (S) and Red Wall Right-Hand (VS) before moving on to Porth -y-Ffynnon for Cracked Wall (VS) and Technical Ecstacy HVS. Cheryl, on belay, took a soaking at each. The joys of tidal climbing.

Nick and Neville took the shorter walk to Caerfai Bay. They climbed a few routes, including Amorican (**HVS) before moving on to Carreg y Barcud and climbing Metamporphosis (HS) and Ethos (**HVS). Mark and Ivone had a similar day, climbing Armorican & Bryn (HVS) at Caerfai Bay, followed by Ethos at Carreg y Barcud.

Kate and Ricardo also headed to Caerfai Bay. Kate continues to subject her kit to rigorous testing, well beyond the EC minimum. Her entire pack was found to float for a sufficient length of time to allow for rescue. Perhaps a bunch of party balloons and some string might be employed for extra assurance next time.

A large, and exclusively female, group of walkers: Claire, Sarah, Karen, Zoe, Delphine, Elsa and Laia took to the coastal path. It seems this group were on the pull, with Karen managing to get propositioned by a tourist with a bunch of flowers who thought he'd add her to his holiday album. She gave him a kiss on the cheek for his efforts, but the rest hauled her out of there when his four friends thought they'd get in on the act too.

Needless to say, all the walkers regaled me with stories of tea, cake and ice-cream.

Jules and Graham were also walking the coast from Caerfai stopping briefly on the way for a cup of tea at Porth Clais, then on past St Justinian to Whitesands Beach.

Barry and Rhian (with Ben in hand) arrived on Saturday, after a comfortable night at a superior campsite somewhere near Monmouth. Similarly, Norie and Ian arrived that morning and had a gentle day in the sunshine.

The day wound down with barbecues in the campsite (or fish and chips for some) and quiet reflection on the benefits of sun cream. Even for the Spanish.

Sunday was equally sunny. Many folk headed over to Carreg y Barcud. Mark and Ivone, climbing Sinecure (**E1), Metamorphosis (*HS) and Beyond the Azimuth (**E1). Nick and AG were there too, Nick climbing with a hangover, led Be Clever (E1 5c) which was going fine until he lobbed off the 5c move at the top.  That must have cleared his head as he re-climbed it successfully. 

AG, inspired by this, led Be Brave (E1 5b) in fine crisp style, his first E1 lead.  Nick also led Sinecure (E1 5b) despite initially going completely the wrong way. Joined by Chuck they then ab’ed down to do Ethos again which AG led.  Feeling quietly chuffed with their performances they then went to climb the Expanding (or was it Fermenting?) Telescope (HVS). Nick started leading it having carefully managed to keep his feet dry and got a 1/4 wire in a dubious placement about 4 metres up.  After that the gear looked so pathetic that Chuck lowered him gingerly off it and they top roped easily to retrieve the wire.

Andy and Cheryl, avoiding a soaking, climbed Metamorphosis (HS) and Roger the Pigeon (VS) before cycling over to Whitesands Bay to watch surfers and eat ice-cream. Also at Carreg y Barcud Rob Brookes and myself introduced Nancy and Katie to abseiling, something they took to extremely well. Along with Lou and Rob Johnston we then climbed a couple of unmemorable routes. An afternoon of top roping was much more worthwhile (or dozing in the sun for me). Many people had a go up the Fermented Telescope (HVS) and the interesting Just Fits (HVS). That’s interesting in the Climber’s Club sense of the word - very nice if you fit, hard work if you don’t.

Paul and Geraldine had one of those days where route finding, tides, gear and all else seems to conspire to leave you back where you started at three in the afternoon with only one route to your credit. All was not lost though, and Paul led his first Severe of the year - Red Adair at Porth Clais.

Hilary joined the experienced trio of Tom, John B and John P at Porth Clais. Amidst anecdotes from Mothercare as well as mountaineering, they demonstrated they still have what it takes by climbing Red Wall.

Rob M had a transient day, climbing Submairne Slab (HS) at Caerfai, a route at Purple Slab and finally the MMC weekend favourite - Red Wall.

A reduced group of walkers - Sarah, Zoe, Cath, Caroline and Geraldine took a circular walk to Whitesand’s and then inland to St David’s. Yes, they had ice cream, but they also covered a respectable eight miles, so despite appearances to the contrary didn’t deserve to be rudely awaken by passers-by.

Norie says has never been cycling before, but this didn’t deter her and Ian from renting bikes for the day. Not only did she survive, but seems to have enjoyed herself too. Also cycling were Clare and Karen, detouring via pottery and craft shops to Solva.

Jules and Graham joined Miles in the water at Newgale – Miles in his kayak and Jules and Graham in the surf on boogie boards.

Monday unfortunately had few highlights. Hilary boldly set off for a rainy walk along the coast while most of the climbers headed off on an abortive attempt to climb at the Wye Valley. Personally I made the most of a good breakfast in St David’s and getting home early enough to survive the week.

MF