u/poke_pants

I've been hiking for about 10 years and by the time I started to consider Snowdon it was post-lockdown and it was horror story after horror story, pictures of queues, shaming those on the train getting selfies etc etc. Even just two days ago I saw a popular post on Facebook by a mountain clothing company with nearly 400 comments all shaming the queuers, the train folk, TikTokers etc. It led to me assuming that anytime, weekend or weekday, it would be overwhelming busy.

Stuff like that gets clicks and generates engagement I guess. A picture of a beautiful, empty summit doesn't.

Anyway, booked 5 days up here (I'm from Wiltshire) ages ago which has coincided with some rather incredible weather. Based on all that noise I planned to do everything but Snowdon itself, a couple of nearby mountains, Portmeirion etc.

My log cabin virtually overlooks the start of the Llanberis path and it became clear pretty quickly that it wouldn't be an issue, I was expecting a constant stream of people but it's been barely a trickle. A decent amount of folk between 8-10am but really quiet most other times.

Caught the train up at 5pm on Monday and it was completely dead up there, not a soul. Headed up within seconds (most folk on the train were 'older' so a good few minutes behind) to enjoy the view. Heading down I recall seeing maybe 10 people at most ascending Llanberis Path.

This morning I walked up Llanberis at 3.45, the aim to arrive about an hour after sunrise once the folk going up for that were on the way back down. No head torch required from the off, it was over 90 minutes before I saw anyone. Shortly before the final stretch a wave of about 15 people came down presumably after being there for sunrise, and that was it. I had the summit to myself for about 20 minutes, I left as I saw a couple about to reach the top and wanted to give them the same experience I had, from what I could see of the other paths they were empty. The walk down was a little busier (although not much, maybe 20 people to the halfway point) and then a more steady stream just as I reached the bottom at 8am.

I know this goes against the trend of discouraging people and suggesting they do anything but "the mountain", but it seems with a bit of common sense it's perfectly possible to avoid the crowds and still experience it in daylight. Glad I did it anyway, an amazing experience.

My Pocket Air Mini arrived today and there was only one colour I was ever going to buy. What a wonderful little thing, not entirely sold on the 'dirty yellow' sticks, otherwise it's just fun all over, love it.

Reminds me a lot of the Retroid Pocket 2S, one of my all time faves and which I adored aside from the screen. That thing was just perfect for Dreamcast and this feels like a worthy replacement.

My favourite thing, as somebody who plays in bed a lot? This thing is silent. Buttons, DPad...not a sound.

I've not experimented with GC and PS2 yet and not sure if I will, happy to let it play to its strengths.

He's only allowed to friend his actual real life friends so this has been done organically, he's just completed the entire sprite set, he's not at obscene hours either (he's on about level 100 and does a fair bit of creative stuff).

​

He lands on the tallest rock near the middle of the island where there is almost always a sprite chest, and then often others landing with a sprite equipped to kill and steal.

​

I only wish he had that kinda luck with actual Pokémon cards, the ultimate money drain.

​

For clarity, absolutely not looking to swap!

I walk past this hotel (the Riviera in Bowleaze Cove) frequently and it's a spectacular old mess.

I've always been fascinated by a ballpark figure for turning it into a quality hotel. It was up for sale for about £5m a few years back, so that would be the starting point. Are we talking £10m, £30m, £50m?

I'm not too worried about whether it's actually a good idea or not, in fact it almost certainly isn't, but what it would cost to turn it into something pretty special.

A few possibly useful notes...it's 90 years old and Grade II listed, it's been in this state for quite some time now (you could book rooms surprisingly recently, but it's been an absolute state for a long long time now). Structurally it doesn't look awful but the entire site is a mess, it did have on-site security but they seem to have gone now and all that seemingly remains are some very rusty motion sensors that may or may not work and indeed may not have anyone to talk to anyway.

If the Euromillions comes my way, you never know...

Two packs, two Meowth!

Bought the kid two packs of Perfect Order for getting through the first few days of SATs, haven't had much luck with PO at all (even ex's) so this was one hell of a shock, he was jumping around the room! The big one in the first pack and then rounded off nicely with the regular ex in pack two.

He just needs one more Meowth to round off the page...

Thankfully at RRP from the PCUK release a few months back. Pretty sure we saw these for around £65 a box at the weekend. First box was a peach ;)