In spite of the terrible forecast we were generally blessed.

The Friday evening was the start of the warmer weather with some of the women enjoying an evening walk, and most basking in the evening sun over a drink on the benches outside the Heights Hotel.

Saturday looked promising, and we took in the waterfalls over the village before making our way up the col.

The wind started to pick up and, as 2 of our group were new to hill walking, we had a short conflab before making the decision to climb Moel Cynghorion.

The views opened up and the wind started to drop.

By the time we had dropped down towards Rhyd Ddu, we were starting to strip off and slap on the sub-block.

Both beer gardens and tea shop were sampled, making the stroll along the road to the hostel more pleasant.

We were all pleasantly surprised by the exceptional standard of food and hospitality at the Snowdon Ranger Hostel, as well as the excellent range of local ale.

This enhanced the table football performance of some more than others, but eventually we decided we should let the children take over the games room!

Sunday was looking like being a wet one as we made our way up the South flank of Mynydd Mawr.

Wet weather outfits were discussed in some depth and our novice hill walker/keen golfer was generally hailed as the trendsetter for the group.

The weather started to close in on us, Rescue Remedy was administered!

By the time we reached Foel-Rudd, the group shelter was out for our lunch stop.

Miraculously, as soon as we got out of the shelter, the rain stopped, just long enough for us to make the summit before it set in properly for the rest of the day.

The final descent through the forest towards Betws-Garmon was pretty slippery, and all waterproofs, golfing or otherwise, were tested to the limit. (Sorry no photos).

After a brief scout at Plas-y-Nant to arrange afternoon teas, some decided to head straight back to the hot showers and drying rooms, while the rest of us dripped all over the floors with the proprietor non-plussed.

We were waiting for the steam train, which passes by the Hostel only a few times a day.

So when the time was right, we could flag it down and travel home in style, albeit just to the next stop.

There was a real sense of occasion - of stopping the train to let the ladies on.

The staff work on a voluntary basis, and you can tell that they love what they do.

Our last evening at the hostel was fairly raucous but short-lived, as we were all pretty tired.

Also 3 of our party, sadly, had to leave early the next day - and we'd arranged an early taxi for them to get back to Llanberis.

The taxi bus came early to pick up our luggage and most of our wet gear had dried.

The weather was stunning, and so still that there were perfect reflections in Llyn Cwellyn in front of the hostel.

We took it nice and easy up the Snowdon Ranger Path and the weather got better and better as we made our way along the fine ridge to Moel Eilio.

The views opened up across to Cardigan Bay to the West and over the whole of the Snowdonia range.

It was an inspirational finale which we savoured for as long as possible, before making our way back down to the flesh pots of Llanberis!