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Short little post-ette from a snowy walk up on Hergest Ridge above Kington.

I thought this walk was from way back in the deep mid-winter but looking at the photo dates it was March 11th, only a few weeks back.

As I’m a few weeks behind I thought when I got around to writing this it would be in warmer weather thinking back to cold winter. Seems that warm weather is taking its time to arrive this year.

This was a bitterly cold Saturday morning, all deep snow, drifts and icicles on the trees and all that.

By the afternoon the temperatures had risen and the thaw was well underway, all gone by the following morning.

Its not been a great winter, weather-wise, at least in the Shire. Largely grey and damp/wet, not much in the way of clear frosty days or proper winter snows.

I’m ready now for some warm sunshine, outdoor eating, beers in the garden etc.

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It was time to play properly with our new purchase!

We really wanted to go for an off grid night and the area around the Nant-y-Moch reservoir in the mid Wales Cambrian Mountains seemed to provide lots of options.

The weather forecast was pretty poor but we didn’t really care as we were just looking to spend time cosied up in the van. When we arrived the weather was worse than forecast with a persistent drizzle and we were in the cloud with a chilly wind. No matter, we found a sheltered lay-by at the far NW end of the reservoir and had a relaxed lunch.

We did head out for a walk for a couple of hours but it was pretty grim. We were in the cloud the entire time although it was a decent stroll anyway. Things enlivened by a stream in the forest we had to wade through! This was the scene just before we settled down in the van for the evening.

Our home in the wilds of Wales for the night.

It was great! We put the heater on and cooked up some soup for evening meal.

We felt we were the only people out here (and most likely were on such a wet and dreary night) and we enjoyed a great supper.

Chores to be done.

And then time to relax and chill while the mist swirled around us.

We had a great nights sleep and the van is so much warmer and cosier than the trailer tent.

By morning, the weather had improved and we were no longer in the clouds.

After a leisurely breakfast we headed out for a walk. There are several small Marilyns out here I haven’t climbed so a good time to tick one off. We headed out along the broad track around the lake shore. You can make out the van in the middle of the photo, just below the trees.

Whilst still a grey day it was at least bright.

And Nant-y-Moch makes for a good photo subject and views when its full in the winter. Reservoirs can look a little ugly and something of scar on the landscape as they empty through a dry summer.

Our target for the day, the small and perfectly formed hill of Drosgol.

I was scouting out and looking for the easiest way to break through the tussocks (they can be a real challenge in this largely trackless and untamed part of Wales). We found a quad track that seemed to be taking us through the lower levels and in fact twisted and turned its way pretty much to the top making for an easy ascent.

Considering how poor the weather had been the previous day the views were pretty good.

And we had a view from the summit, something of a surprise after such a grey couple of days even at this modest height of 550m. The summit has a rather odd spiral cairn.

The weather seemed to be turning again, cloud lowering and drizzle in the air.

Time to head down.

A circular route wasn’t an option as the fingers of the reservoir are long and sinuous and stepping off the path involves bog and tussocks in irresistible combination.

Back to the van for another warm and cosy lunch before heading home. When we bought the van we agreed that we needed to use it regularly and through the winter to justify the expense. As we keep it well stocked and “trip ready” it only takes an hour to pack and be ready for a short overnight trip. This first outing was a resounding success and we’re looking forward to many more short trips like this as well as our usual longer camping trips through the year

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After returning from my ski trip I was at leisure on my own at home and took a trip out in the van to the Brecon Beacons.

Even just for a day out its great to park up and cook breakfast in warm comfort before heading out to the hills.

A gloomy start to the day but with some hope that maybe it might clear away from the summits.

Its still a grand promenade along the edges to the south of Corn Du. The crowds began to gather as I approached the twin main summits. The usual collection of poorly equipped and dressed people and on this occasion two different parties asking me if this was Pen y Fan when I was stood on Corn Du. I set them straight. Another couple spent at least 20 mins wandering about on Pen y Fan looking for their way down without seeming to have a clue which was the right way or even where their car was! They did have a map and compass but it didn’t seem to be helping them much.

I was able to watch this unfold as I waited around in the vain hope the clouds might clear and I’d get some spectacular views. Whilst it tried very hard to clear and there were glimpses of clear blue sky but this was as good as it got and then, only for a couple of seconds.

When I decided I’d been daft enough sitting around in the cold foggy wind for too long I headed down. Once below the clouds scudding over the summit the views did improve.

And the blue sky did appear – just not above me.

As luck would have it, Cribyn is a brutally steep climb that warmed me up after the chills on Pen y Fan.

As I wandered away down the ridge (the summit was also busy), I was treated to my first proper sunshine of the day, looking back towards the summit.

The perfect glacial valley of Cwm Cwnwyn.

After a well earned lunch stop I was quickly up onto Fan y Big.

A great viewpoint to admire the mass of Cribyn and its edge.

The ridge of Cefn Cyff.

These are the edges that run eastwards from Fan y Big and one of my favourite stretches in the National Park.

The wild valley of Cwm Oergwm.

Looking back to the high summits, Pen y Fan still re-assuringly cloud capped, justifying my decision not to hang around.

I cut across the Beacons Way to another superb edge, Craig y Fan Ddu above the deep Caerfanell valley.

By this point, the clouds had really begun to clear and there was more abundant blue sky and sunshine.

The views from this edge are fantastic, another of my favourite stretches of path and much quieter than the main routes in the Beacons.

Reluctantly I headed back down as the sun began to sink and the light fade.

Time for some arty sun/tree shots.

And a brief sit down by the stream to pause for thought and then head back to the van for a post walk cuppa in comfort.