A cheeky day off: Climbing Pen Y Fan with my wife...
Sometimes, life moves too fast. Between work, parenting, and the general busyness of everyday life, quality time with my wife often gets pushed to the side. So today, we did something about it—we took a sneaky day off, just the two of us.
After dropping the kids at school, we set off on a short 40-minute drive into the heart of the Brecon Beacons National Park. Our goal for the day? South Wales’ highest peak, Pen Y Fan. The early spring sun was shining, casting a golden glow over the rugged hills, and the conditions couldn’t have been better.
Pen Y Fan is one of those hikes that always delivers. It’s challenging enough to feel like an achievement, but not so demanding that it takes away from the joy of the journey. The path was dry underfoot, the wind was calm, and we were surrounded by rolling landscapes that stretched for miles.
Without the usual distractions of work or the kids’ endless energy, we had time to just talk. Properly talk. About everything and nothing all at once. The kind of conversations you only get when you’re out in the open, away from the pressures of everyday life.
The ascent took us steadily upwards, past Corn Du, the smaller peak just before Pen Y Fan’s summit. As we reached the top, we took in the breathtaking 360-degree views—rolling green valleys, distant peaks, and the vast openness that makes the Beacons so special. We stood there together, soaking it all in, enjoying the rare stillness of a moment that was just ours.
After the climb, we made our way back down, stopping for a quick snack before heading home just in time to pick up the kids from school. They had no idea we’d spent the day scaling mountains while they were stuck in class—our little secret!
Sometimes, the best days are the unplanned ones, the ones where you step away from routine and just enjoy the moment. Today was one of those days. Just my wife, the mountains, and a reminder that, no matter how busy life gets, it’s always worth taking time for each other.
Now, back to reality—until the next adventure!
