25°C, strong sun & light breezes, very dry

Journey: Why so long? It’s 120 miles by the route I chose but 3½ hours. The M6 was jammed as was the M56. In each, there was no visible reason apart from the density of the traffic. Cotswold shop suggested I phone the campsite because the last person to ask found it full. But they’d rang on a Friday. Say no more.

Gwern Gorf Isaf, Campsite : This has really updated well. There are lots of facilities that weren’t there last time; about 12 years ago. There are electric points to charge devices, the showers are nicely done out and a coffee hut (a horse box). The Caffe has a proper Italian machine and the coffee itself was very good.

Hike: behind the camp, there’s a grassy hanging valley that leads onto the Glyders ridge. The idea was to scope out a location for Wednesday’s eclipse. It’s 1½ hours to get on the col, had a wander around and made the descent East of Tryfan. This is a really good route down and I may use it again.

Back at camp. The sun was fully visible at the crucial 7pm, it shone along the valley making a hilltop vantage unnecessary. I had the camp to myself that first night.