Ange's Birthday Bash

What better way to celebrate a 40th birthday, than going for a run in the beautiful Brecon Beacons with 8 other Hotfooters (some of whom were Pen-Y-Fan virgins) on a bright, but still chilly, May day. And so it was, after much organisation by first Carl, then Jules, a tiny bit by myself and yet loads more organisation for poor Jules - Claire, Slinky, Shaun, Tina, Emma R, Tim, Emma B, Jules, Suzannah and her two impeccably well behaved labradors and myself made our way to Llwyn Cwm Llwch car park, just outside Brecon. From here it was a beautiful and not too strenuous (I hope!) walk up to Corn Du and Pen-Y-Fan, passing little Tommy Jones's obelisk on the way.

Not even a few hail stones or snow pockets could deter this intrepid crew as we made our way up to the summit for that wonderful sense of achievement, chocolate, biscuits, photos and of course, the view, though it was a little hazey and cloudy. For three of us, it was the second bout of mountain climbing in a week, having just spent the previous weekend in Snowden, training for the Welsh 3000 in July.

After a lovely downhill run, it was back to the cars for the now familiar strip-wash-change-pub routine that is to be asscoiated with a Hotfooter outing. A brilliant morning was rounded off with a superb meal at the White Swan, Llanfrynach - many, many thanks to a certain Hotfooter who couldn't make it on the day, but who paid for my meal and provided champagne and cake! Cheers mate! Thanks also to Jules for her monumental efforts to make it all run smoothly. I was only slightly suspicious at all the nods, winks, nudges, messages passed on bits of paper.....oh! and the "where's the card?" comment as we left Hay! Thanks aslo to everyone who took a day off work or time out from their busy lives to help me celebrate turning 40 and for all the cards, presents, texts and e-mails wishing me well. It was a lovely day,

Thanks very much.
Ange X