Meeting New Friends

Since I started my blog over 13 years ago, one of the real pleasures has been striking up virtual friendships not only in the UK but as far aways as Colorado and Washington State in the US and Queensland, Australia. Its always a nice lift when someone takes the time to read my posts and writes a nice comment (just one negative one!). I’ve never actually had an opportunity to meet up in person but that’s now been put right.

Since coming across the Treks and Tors blog some years ago I’ve been able to learn a whole load of stuff about Dartmoor and the coastal paths of the south west and even been able to plan some of my own walks in that area that were all superb (apart from one utterly miserable wet day when the forecast sold me down the river). This year I was finally able to meet up with its author/owner (whatever the write title is for a blogger). Steve and his partner Linda were on a trip to south Wales and this time I was able to join them and show off a bit of my home patch.

Steve and Linda were wonderful company and we were immediately chatting away like we’d known each other for years, which, in a way, we have I guess.

We’d discussed some routes beforehand and had settled on a round of the Grwyne Valley, taking in the highest points in the Black Mountains. We’d set off early s the forecast had been for an ok morning but deteriorating later. Sadly the weather was looking grim as we approached the top of Pen y Gadair Fawr, enveloping us in cloud and heavy drizzle.

A group summit photo and I look a lot happier than when I take my selfies!

We thought we were in for a bit of a soaking but as soon as we left the top the rain stopped and it brightened up a little and even gave us some views over the Black Mountains.

It wasn’t a day for long stops so we covered the ground pretty quickly. Its kind of re-assuring that people who share you own passions for the outdoors and walking make such easy and fun company. Had I been out on my own on a day like this it would probably have turned into a bit of dreary route march (or more likely I wouldn’t have gone out at all). As it turned out I look back on the day with great memories of a fine day in the mountains with new friends. We had a good laugh at many points and I was particularly reassured that both Steve and Linda also “go to the pictures” when heading out to watch a film (and not go to the Cinema as the young people now say and roll eyes when I use the correct term!)

My only regreat is that I was so busy enjoying the walk I didn’t take all that many photos. Steve took a lot more so you might get a better idea of the walk from his write up of the day here.

Steve is very much a man for a post walk pint so after we finished the walk we headed down to the wonderfully named Llanvihangel Crucorney and The Skirrid Inn. Its supposedly the oldest pub in Wales and what a fine old place it is, all old slate walls and character (and a fine pint of Butty Bach). Surprising therefore that its the first time I’ve been in despite living in the area for 22 years

Steve and Linda were off back home to Devon so we bid our farewells and parted company. Really hope we can meet up again either in my patch or theirs. A really great day out.

As expected the forecast for the next day was much worse and the weather actually much better!

Just a few photos from a very short solo walk on my local Garway Hill.

Very muddy and wet up there still at the start of March. I would be hoping the recent nice weather would dry things out but its been raising at home all day today – again!

Ysgyryd Fawr and the Sugar Loaf

Black Mountains and Hay Bluff.

Out over Herefordshire.

And the summit remains of the WW2 Radar Tower.