A fire alarm wake up call highlighted those that overdosed on port, and some members were still unappreciative of the extra few minutes sleep Matt generously allowed us. Four groups braved the less than desirable weather and success was strictly 50-50. One group made it to the top of Snowdon and another scrambled to the summit of Tryfan. Hail forced the second Snowdon group to pay an early visit to the café at the bottom, while the low level group found floods prompted a bus ride to Bangor.
A sure sign of a successful day is that everyone makes it safely to the drinking establishment of choice. We did- after a couple of phone calls requesting pick-ups. Good food, great beer, shame about the locals' sense of humour and their taste in music. Piggyback pool is a decidedly questionable activity according to on looking locals, but great fun for participants. At first a live singer seemed like a welcome break from the over-priced, under-equipped jukebox, but then he sang. He even refused to sing 'American Pie', probably because it wasn't programmed in to his keyboard. A quick exit soon followed and it was back to the barn to continue the festivities- after a slight (and deliberate?) detour due to Claire and Becky's navigation (not influenced by alcohol consumption in any way!). An unusual combination of alcoholic beverages topped up with orange juice provided an unexpectedly palatable concoction, and accompanied by copious amounts of wine gum-laced vodka jelly, it ensured we were warmed from the inside for the night. A battle of the sexes game of pictionary saw victory for the boys, but in defence the girls were heavily outnumbered and the aid of the 'honorary' girls was dubious. The President's sexual behaviour was again a focal topic as he was literally caught red-handed attempting to unzip John's trousers with a porn mag in his hand! Was this incident, or dodgy scampi responsible for John chundering? Perhaps it was Criss taking Richard's cherry in full public view...
A generous half an hour extra sleep and a leisurely hung-over breakfast, not involving any of the remaining vodka jelly, proved to be perfect timing to observe Remembrance Sunday's two-minute silence. The day's activities started on the tourist trail with a visit to Llanfairpwllgwyngllgogerychwyrndobwlllantysilliogogogoch, the town with the longest name. Next was a short drive down the road to climb the column of the Marquis of Anglesey and then it was back to the serious hiking (or rather gentle strolling) with a trip to Aber Falls. Scree running led by Richard and a powerful natural shower were entertainment for the afternoon, before the fight for a ride in Dr. Marcus' Lotus on the way to Chester. The historic city provided refreshment, liquid and otherwise, in a pub cheaper than the Union bars, and one final rendition of our favourite song courtesy of a busker. The final leg of the journey offered a challenge from the President and despite choosing the quicker route his minibus was left trailing. Yet again another great weekend- cheers guys, see you for the Christmas party in Yorkshire in December.....