My first-born daughter traditionally gives me a birthday wish to celebrate the fact that I was born. It’s always my favourite present, time and company being so much more important to me than things and possessions. My wish is always to sleep on a mountain.
Luckily, Gus was able to come too, so the three of us slept in a tent big enough for all. That was interesting, actually, as it was very cold up there – a thick layer of frost decorated the ground in the morning. I discovered that being one person in a good solo tent is warmer than being ‘piggy in the middle’ in a generous three-man one. The large tent had too much free space for the three of us to warm up as effectively.
The wind raged all night, making the tent fly flap wildly, and with each blast, bouncing the rocks we used to stabilise the guys. It was not a restful night for any of us. However, as I ate my rehydrated, formerly dehydrated meal in the company of my family, listening to said wind and feeling the nip in the air, it was with total sincerity that I exclaimed: “Ah. This is the life.”
As you can see from the pictures, sunset was magic. I had lugged my tripod up there for dawn shots, but the morning was solid grey. I was so exhausted from failing to sleep that I was actually pleased to be freed of the obligation of getting up to photograph.
The wind had died down considerably after we had finished breakfast (my usual: porridge, coffee and biscuits), so packing up was no big trial. We somehow built up a big appetite on the descent, and started dreaming of lunch at the Possum Shed even before we were half way down. It did not disappoint. The trouble was, we had booked a Greek restaurant in town for all the family to enjoy dinner together, and I was going to have real trouble fitting that in.