I will do stupid things

I used to love going to waterfall country in the Brecon Beacons.  Most weekends in the winter you'd find me exploring the river gorges there looking for new views of the falls, and new ways to get there.  I'd come home shattered and covered in mud, but always happy.

Fujifilm X-T5, Fujinon XF 10-24mm f4 lens
1/4 of a second at f10, ISO 125
tripod, self-timed release, Kase Wolverine Circular Polarising Filter

Obviously, I've not been back there bar the trip in October 2021 when I made the short walk to the upper Clun Gwyn falls.  Then late last year I went along with the family to a couple of the more easily accessible locations.

Today (17 January) though I managed to persuade myself and my family that I could make the walk to Sgwd Gwladys.  It's a relatively flat and easy walk, and one I'd have dome without a second thought all those years back.

Now though, it's a real challenge.  And it proved to be so - a very hard day out indeed and one that made me actually question the wisdom in doing it, as on the way back my back went into spasm.

I'd been getting them all week, but really wanted to see the waterfall one more time.  And at one point I really didn't think I'd be able to get back to my car.  I didn't dare tell my family as they'd only have worried and given me a deserved row.

Fujifilm X-T5, Fujinon XF 10-24mm f4 lens
1/4 of a second at f10, ISO 125
tripod, self-timed release, Kase Wolverine Circular Polarising Filter

So, as they walked on ahead, I said that I'd be along in a bit as I wanted to take a couple more pictures.  I didn't.  I just wanted to buy some time.

Anyway, I made it back to the car and chastised myself for being so stupid on the one hand and so selfish on the other.  Why did I risk my health?  And worse, why did I put my family through what could easily have been a disaster?

Because I'm stupid and do stupid things.  That's why.

You can watch a video of our (stupid) trek to Sgwd Gwladys just by clicking on the video link below: