Having enjoyed the hottest April on record the weather typically was forecast to turn during the May Bank Holiday. Nevertheless a solid 23 folk showed up at the Caerfai Bay campsite for the Meet. Nick, Debbie, Beatiz and Michael arrived just before 11 and so decided to wind down with a sharpener at the Farmer's Arms. There they were delighted to find a cross dressing party in full swing and extended opening hours.

Michael was in awe of some of the outfits the men were wearing. "Wow that bloke almost looks like a woman" he was heard to say. Debbie then pointed out that it was in fact a woman.

Eventually everyone seemed to find eachother back at the campsite and tents were erected and everyone fell gratefully asleep.

The weater had been predicted to turn on the Sunday so everyone was keen to get some climbing in lest it was rained off the next day. With a significant contingent of inexperienced people on the meet just about everyone went to Porth Clais which has a good selection of low grade slabby routes. Unfortunately it appeared that all the other climbers had had the same idea and there appeared to a monstrous crowd swarming over the crag. However on closer inspection it was observed that while there were a lot of people they weren't actually doing much climbing. So with ab ropes set up numerous ascents were made of varous routes in the severe range.

Nick, Paras, the two catherines and Debbie decided to seek out a little more peace and quiet after lunch and so went back along the coast to Port Ffynnon. There Nick led the excellent Aquaplane (E1) and then took the catherines and Paras up it.

Paras then took a turn at leading on the slabs on the other side of the crag.

In the evening a hugely enjoyable communal barbecue was somehow organised swilled down by bumpers of red wine. Thereafter everyone went to the pub.

Sunday morning and the weather forecast seemed to have had some truth in it. While not exactly raining there was a dankness in the air and squalls were observed whipping their way up and down the coast. This did not seem to discourage most people who started up a spirited game of volleyball in the campsite that somehow then morphed into football. Despite the occasional thump of ball on car or brush with a tent this continued most of the morning, the final score being something like 92 - 17.

Meanwhile various climbing pairs had gradually snuck off with Simon A and Janet going to Port Ffynnon and Nick and Catherine going to Carreg y Barcud via Caerfai bay.

At Caerfai Bay Nick ticked off the excellent Armorican (was HVS). Then they went off to the best crag in the area, the Bar Code. Carreg y Barcud was busy but the harder grades there kept the real tyros awayso there was plenty to choose from. The weather had been graduallly worsening and so not wanting to commit themselves to anything really hard they climbed the immaculate Ethos (HVS). Meanwhile Paras had persuaded Catherine O'C to top rope him up Sinecure (E1). Then the rain which had been threatening all day started in earnest so a policy decision was made to go for tea in St Davids. On the way back to the campsite they met up with the footballers who had decided to go for a walk. Tea then followed in the Cathedral Refectory where Nibbles in the Cloisters were also on offer.

After tea it was nearly time for dinner so rather than cook in the damp campsite most people ended up in the pub. Viciously aggressive games of Uno were played. Neville seemed to determined to ruin the game for everyone until he got permanently excluded.

The weather on Monday was a distinct improvement and just about everyone went to Carreg-y-Barcud. At this time of day the tide was on the ebb but still with a long way to drop. Nick abbed in and nimbly stepped round to the base of Non Perrier followed by Beatriz. Simon M-C then followed but was caught by a rogue wave which comprehensively soaked the bottom half of his shell suit.

Having climbed out the tide had receded somewhat which then exposed the base of Metmorphosis (HS). This is an excellent slabbly climb and saw a number of ascents.

Nick then decided he felt brave enough to lead Be Brave (E1) which had a beautiful technical thin crack to start and a bold delicate slab to finish. This was then toproped by Beatriz, Catherine O'C and Paras.

That was about it really, it was a shame that the weather was not a bit better but all in all everyone seemed to have a good time. Loads more pictures available here

Nick