Fresh from the excitement of Ailsa Craig GM/SS-246 (Ailsa Craig SS-246), another island SOTA opportunity has presented itself. At last, Jimmy and myself have arranged our return to Bardsey Island and its summit Mynydd Enlli GW/NW-072.
Having been offered a weekend pass-out, I checked the weather forecast, which was stable and favourable for Snowdonia this weekend. I then 'phoned the boatman, who confirmed us a couple of places on the Sunday voyage out from Porth Meudwy on the Lleyn Peninsular.
The last time we did this one was July 2004, before Jimmy was licensed, and hence the need to return to get his unique. It was the second day of one of Roger MW0IDX’s SOTA camp and barbecue weekends. You can see the pictures, including a very young Jimmy and Liam, here: Mynydd Enlli NW-072
So, what to do on Saturday? No option really, other than the only one remaining SOTA summit in GW/NW that I had done as an activator, but Jimmy hadn’t - Arenig Fawr GW/NW-011. This was last done jointly with Richard G3CWI back in 2005 - Arenig Fawr NW-011
We will combine this with its natural partner Moel Llyfnant GW/NW-018, which will be a new unique for both of us - and a long walk! A B&B on the Lleyn has been booked for the Saturday night. Depending on how we are doing at breakfast time on Sunday, and the final confirmed sailing time of the Bardsey Island ferry, will determine whether we activate Mynydd Rhiw GW/NW-064 before the island expedition, after it, or not at all.
It should be good, and we hope to work many. Weather - please behave! Mynydd Enlli GW/NW-072 was recently ‘mass activated’ by Team CFJGP, so it will have dropped down the ‘most wanted’ list somewhat, but hopefully there will still be some demand.
After this, Jimmy will just need the five G/DC summits I have done to match my activator uniques record. We hope to do all seven DC summits and our remaining nine SC summits in a camping expedition sometime in 2010.
Tom M1EYP