Snowdon Experience- 6.3.10

Well we had a camping trip this weekend with the aim of climbing Snowdon in Wales. There is a large ability range within the group ranging from those with little experience (but lots of enthusiasm) to those with a lot of experience and technical ability.
4 of us did Snowdon on the Saturday, a couple couldn't attempt it due to car trouble and recovering from major surgery. I have climbed Snowdon 15- 20 times so off we set on our Merry way for a nice trip up the pig trail (tourist route). Well I can tell you all now that it was one of the hardest experiences I've ever had on Snowdon. This was due to a lot of snow and my lack of walking poles for grip. We passed many people coming down wearing crampons, with ice axes, walking poles etc etc. I must admit I had a little snigger at the crampons on a tourist route- seemed a little extreme! I was eating my words at the top and our group all promised to buy pairs of crampons upon return.
Normally wide paths were narrow ledges and the drops seemed more extreme. The volume of people made passing very difficult and the whole picture seemed more suitable for the Himalayas than a Welsh mountain! We made it to the top with a bit of sweat and were greeted by fantastic views in glorious sunshine. We settled for returning an easier way and followed the submerged train tracks back.
The real fun was just about to begin. The next morning we were having breakfast in 'Pete's eats' in llanberis. One of the boys came in the queue, excited, saying Kate Silverton was in the next room. Who? I'd never heard of her but was soon informed she was a celebrity BBC reporter. She passed us in the queue and collected her large Teas. One of the boys got chatting to her and mentioned we were on Snowdon yesterday. Turns out she is doing the 3 peaks challenge for Sports relief. She said to us you should come on the radio and we can ask you about conditions yesterday on the mountain. I asked whether it was for TV or Radio- if it was for TV then I was by far the best looking of the group ha ha! It was for Radio and right enough someone else from the group went on the radio.
Back at the breakfast table someone commented that Sir Clive Woodward had just passed in the car. Soon he entered the Cafe followed by Sir Steve Redgrave. They were all doing the 3 peaks challenge with Phil Packer (who suffered severe spinal injuries in 2008). I sat next to Steve Redgrave and watched our mate being interviewed on the radio. I briefly told him about what it was like yesterday in the snow. I think he was expecting an easy jaunt in the sun and was beginning to worry that there may be a little more effort involved. He was a nice guy and very easy to talk to. When being interviewed he said 'I was just chatting to a chap who has climbed Snowdon quite a few times and he said yesterday was the hardest he'd ever experienced'. That chap was me so I'd had my moment of fame ha ha.
Our group made a donation to the event and we left the Cafe for home with a happy buzz at the memories that had been made. A good weekend and a great breakfast!

World Cup Quarters

With a 2 day break in the World Cup its time to reflect on who faces who in the World Cup Quarter Finals...

Netherlands v Brazil
Adrienn v Josh

Uruguay v Ghana
Cush v Josh

Argentina v Germany
Cush v Jock

Paraguay v Spain
James v Mike

FIFA World Cup Update

As we enter the final few games of the last 16 round here's a quick update on the Tacklesport world cup sweep stake.

Cush looks to be in a strong position with 3 of his four teams in with a shout of making the 1/4 finals (both Argentina and Uruguay have already sealed their places) He just needs Chile to play the game of their lives against Brazil and he will be in the money !!

Mike was not entirely surprised by France's early exit from the competition and unfortunately his 2 remaining teams meet in the last 16 ensuring at least 1 will make it though to the 1/4's.

Jock's 'patriotic' swap looks to have landed himself in a great position to reach the Semis, with Germany annihilating a poor England in the last 16.
( Goal line technology Sepp... get it sorted, this is a multi-billion industry - professional clubs CAN afford it ! Ed.)

James has to relay on Paraguay to keep him in the hunt and unfortunately they face Japan who have turned out to be a surprise package in this tournament so far

Josh's strong group looks even stronger with both Brazil and Ghana in the mix and if the Slovaks can defeat Holland he will be sitting pretty with 3 teams in the 1/4's

Steve unfortunately is down and out. Despite the host nation producing some fantastic results in their group, none of Steve's teams made it through. Even the Italians forgot to turn up and the current world champs went home early.

Adrienn is still in with a fighting chance with Japan playing some exciting football and the elegant Holland team needing to beat lowly Slovakia to progress to the 1/4's

All will become clear by tomorrow evening, so we'll update the runners and rider then.

Mike

FIFA World Cup Fever hits Tacklesport

Like many offices up and down the country we have a world cup sweep stake running but unlike the official draw back in December 2009 with its glitz and glamor which went very smoothly, it took us 3 attempts to get it right. Using our own unique process... we ditched the 4 worst teams and made sure everyone got at least one top ranked side. Everyone chucked in a fiver and the money will be split between the top 4 places. The teams are as follows:

Cush - Uruguay, Argentina, Nigeria, Chile
The South American feel to this group is only matched by the MD's salsa - and with Argentina off to a good start, Andrew is surely in for a top 4 finish.

Mike - France, Slovenia, Portugal, Spain
A group dominated by European under achievers all starting in typically poor fashion, at least 3 teams should make the 1/4s

Jock - Mexico, USA, Denmark, Germany
The Scotsman was so disgusted when he drew England he swapped it for Germany ! This was before their 4 v 0 victory so James may not be too happy.

Josh - South Korea, Ghana, Slovakia, Brazil
The rest of the teams may be average but with Brazil in this group, Josh may be on to a winner.

James - England, Australia, Switzerland, Paraguay
As the only participating footballer (Church Stretton FC) in the office, James 'received' England . With Switzerland's surprise victory over Spain James is surely heading for the prize pot only to lose out on penalties !

Steve O’ R - South Africa, Greece, Italy, Ivory Coast
A tricky group for Steve (particularly as in the draw prior to this one he had the top 4 ranked sides... “Re-draw”). Despite their average start you can never write off the Italians.

Adrienn - Serbia, Cameroon, Japan, Holland
Mrs C can be rightly disappointed in her lot, as her teams were drawn on her behalf (while she is working in Budapest). Everyone always supports Holland but they never quite make it. Better luck this year.