We don’t seem to have been out anywhere terribly exciting (or sun drenched) in most of October judging by my photographs.
These first couple of photos are taken from a walk to Arnside Knott the day after we’d visited the Lancaster Music Festival. A fine event with loads of bands, many local, many from further afield and all free.
Arnside Knott always delivers a fine walk and even though the weather was on the turn we managed a summit brew and sandwich stop and a visit to the pub on the way back.
The classic view out to the Lakes over the Kent estuary.
Last weekend in October, the Prof came home for a visit. We filled the first day with breakfast at our local garden centre, a visit to see my mom and dad and then a meal at our favourite local burger bar. We were keen for a walk on the Sunday and the forecast was sunshine and heavy showers. We figured our best chance of avoiding the rain was to head away from the mountains so picked the Malverns for a bit of a walk.
It was cool and very windy but there did seem to be sunny intervals about.
We walked the middle section which what it lacks in height it more than makes up for in up/down with several small summits to traverse.
Looking back to the Hill Fort of Herefordshire Beacon.
For a while, the sun came out and it was really rather splendid.
The highest point, the Worcestershire Beacon, started to loom large in the distance.
Walking over the succession of “hills”, Black, Pinnacle, Jubilee and Perseverance.
As yet no sign of any threatened showers.
It looks very autumnal.
Although it wasn’t really shorts weather.
We decided we had time to climb to the top of the Worcestershire Beacon and set up for the long plod to the top.
Looking back we saw the first signs that all was not well with the weather.
Looking down over one the Malvern towns. There are several “Malverns”, Great, Link, Little etc. This is Great Malvern, the main town.
Looking out over the northern outliers, weather looking ok.
However, looking back south, where the car was it looked rather less than ok. The first drops of rain arrived as we reached the top.
We didn’t linger but halfway down it started to rain with a real vengeance. For about an hour it was a nasty a spell of weather I’ve been out in for a while. Proves you don’t have to head to big mountains to get a real cold soaking and feel utterly miserable
This photo kind of sums it up.
Even though it looks brighter here it only stopped for a couple of minutes after which it got much worse and the wind even stronger. It was deeply unpleasant.
Another photo making it look benign, trust me it wasn’t. We were soaked through by the time we reached the car. Cue, trying to cover the seats with an array of items to stop them getting soaked.
Sometimes it’s just about getting out and I’m glad we did. Just wished I kept a closer eye on the rainfall radar and cut our losses much earlier!
It was now a proper heatwave – by that I mean it was far too hot in the middle part of the day for any form of strenuous exercise. Keen to keep my regime going I tried an early morning walk in the Black Mountains before work.
Only partially successful. As you can see, the views were magnificent but even at 7am at a thousand feet it was still 20C with barely a breath of wind.
The steep climb to the Cats Back ridge had me sweating even at this early hour, compensated by the fact I had the whole place to myself.
Once the steep initial climb is done, its pretty much level all the way along the ridge to the summit trig pillar on Black Hill.
I was enjoying being out and wondering just how hot it would be up here at the height of the day.
Summit of Black Hill in the distance.
North over the valley that sources the Monnow river.
Across the Olchon Valley to the highest summits of the Black Mountains.
I stopped for a cuppa when I found a spot with the merest hint of a breeze.
Not a bad spot for the first brew of the day.
Time to head back down the ridge and head home – I do have a job you know!
Hotter and more tiring than I imagined but the best time of day to be out and about. Back at my desk just after 9.
Enough of grey cold days and wanders around local fields, time for some sunshine and some mountains.
Our new approach of early starts delivered big time. It was cold and foggy when we set out from home but 30 minutes later we through and above it at the Cats Back Car Park with sensational views.
Not quite as spectacular as our visit to Hergest Ridge in November but not too shabby and an altogether sunnier day.
Most of the Shire was blanketed in fog with just a few isolated small hills poking through. Not only that, at this early hour we had the hills to ourselves.
The sky was a spectacular clear blue and the walk along the Cats Back was amazing, awesome etc, choose your own adjective.
The fog bank below showed no signs of clearing so the white wonderland beneath our feet stayed with us most of the day.
I’d dressed for winter but with almost no wind and the sun starting to generate some warmth as winter recedes I was soon removing thermals.
The ridge is a pretty special walk on most days but under these conditions was truly wonderful.
A mile or so grassy ridges with the odd rocky outcrop. A ridge like this is very unusual in South Wales.
It took us a long while to walk its length such were the frequency and length of the stops to take it all in and capture some images.
This is looking across to Aconbury Hill and Garway Hill – two of our little local hills.
The colour of the sky is amazing at this early hour – well worth the 7am alarm call.
The ridge comes to an end at Black Hill, all too soon really.
We agreed that the walk out to Hay Bluff was worth it today. Its a long stretch but we wanted to see if there was some “above the clouds”effects in the Wye Valley.
Its an easy and pretty much level stroll so hardly a chore on a day like this.
Clouds hugging the top of Lord Hereford’s Knob.
TBF enjoying a short break on the top of Hay Bluff
And our reward, a spectacular cloud inversion over the Wye Valley
And the author enjoying the day (I find it hard to smile in a selfie)
We had bent the rules a little as the stretch across the background is actually entirely in Wales! Rest assured we parked up in England and the vast majority of the walk is either in England or along the border.
As we took the long easy amble along Offa’s Dyke atop the main ridge the mists still seemed to be hugging the low lying land to the east of the mountains.
We had our only tweak of ill luck when planning a lunch stop. The sky was still largely blue but there was a static and persistent block of cloud that obscured the sun just where we wanted to stop. The next couple of images make it look like the weather had turned but either side of this cloud bank all was sunny.
Still with expansive views across the Olchon Valley you can’t grumble.
The fog seemed to clear almost without noticing in a very short time period. By the time we were back at the car about an hour later, it had all gone and the skies were clear and blue and the sun shining abundantly again.
A superb 3/4 day out and back in time for afternoon games.
Our return from confinement coincided with the arrival of winter. We don’t see snow all that often down here, even less often to have it coincide with holidays or weekends. With plenty of the white stuff around we’d normally have head to the Welsh Mountains but they are out of bounds again for a while. Luckily the eastern side of the Black Mountains are in England so we headed to the base of the Cats Back ridge on Black Hill to take in some winter walking.
The snow line was perfectly placed at just above car park height! Driving the narrow lanes in this part of the county can be a challenge in winter conditions (as the minibus driver who got stuck as we parked up found out!)
A steep start had us quickly onto the Cats Back ridge and into the surprisingly deep and crisp snow.
The clouds and watery sunshine setting off the scene perfectly.
I’ve walked up here many times but never in snow. It’s a narrow ridge by south Wales standards, never difficult at any point but the compacted snow gave it a new sense of enhanced seriousness.
Not exactly Crib Goch, Striding Edge or the Cuillin but a fabulous walk none the less.
Its one to really savour in the right conditions as once you reach the start its pretty much level going for over a mile easy walking over the small rocky steps. To do so in snowy conditions was magnificent and a rarity in these globally warmed southern climes.
Looking back down from near the summit of Black Hill.
It’s a popular walk and most people turn back at the Trig point. We pressed on with a vague intention to reach the top of Hay Bluff.
However as hardly anyone had walked this far, the compacted snow was replaced by deep drifts and it became hard going. The clouds and low angled light more than compensated for the exaggerated effort.
We passed a couple and their very lively labrador who was having enormous fun in the snow, doing “zoomies” around us while we chatted.
We decided that it would be a long and tiresome challenge to reach Hay Bluff in these conditions so we found a sheltered spot for lunch and decided to return down the Olchon Valley.
No hardship in that, it’s a fine valley and very quiet. The steep section near the top took some care with the snow and icy rocks.
The real care was needed near the bottom where the wet snow on the slick muddy ground increased the risk of an unwanted mud-slide!
Our luck was in with self-isolation done, time at home and snowy conditions on our local hills to enjoy!
After a month of dreary, grey and wet weekends, punctuated with short walks whenever we could, we finally had a decent day forecast. Back in Lockdown again and Wales still out of bounds. Luckily the eastern edge of the Black Mountains is less than 30 minutes away by car and in England so the obvious choice for a walk.
Said forecast was for dry weather with occasional sunshine and as we wet off a blanket of cloud passed over. I decided to avoid the well known car park at the base of the Cats Back ridge and headed to the less popular spot at the base of the Black Darren landslip. Such is the new found desire among many to head to the mountains, even at just after 9am there were a few cars parked in this very lonely and isolated spot.
The plan was a long circuit of the Olchon Valley, following Offa’s Dyke along the border with Wales before returning via the Cats Back. The Black Darren is a fascinating little spot and for us a very popular target when a short walk is needed. I normally tackle the “ridge” created by the landslip and its short steep scramble. On a cold damp winter day it was less appealing and we followed the boulder filled “valley” left behind.
Views across south Herefordshire and Monmouthshire.
And back across the the skyline of our planned route.
As we emerged onto the broad ridge we were bathed in bright sunshine which stayed with us most of the day. From a promising forecast delivered a super, albeit very cold and raw day.
It’s a surprisingly long way along the ridge to northern end. The broadness of the ridge restricts the views and its therefore not a walk I make very often as there are numerous better paths and routes. However in these challenging and restricted times I was grateful to have an opportunity just to walk high in the mountains and the broad path makes for an easy, uncomplicated stroll.
Even though the path through the wetter parts have been slabbed, some of them were under water after the autumn rains.
Even on such a glorious day with access limited we saw barely a handful of people along the five miles of the ridge.
Looking across to Lord Hereford’s Knob.
Out towards Hay Bluff, a lot less distinct that its steep northern aspect.
Hay Bluff is a fine viewpoint and we had thought about the out and back to the top. On such a cold raw day and the likelihood there would be lots of people up there (we could see them in the distance) we decided to start our return route. Just as well as the walk we did turned out to be plenty long enough.
The traversing path back towards Black Hill is the extreme eastern edge of the South Wales mountains and affords fantastic views over the spreads of rural Herefordshire and beyond.
North to the mountains of mid-Wales.
We managed to find a sheltered spot and settled down for the customary, indeed, compulsory, lunch and fresh brew of tea. Looking over to Black Hill from our dinner table.
The day seemed to be getting clearer and sunnier as we progressed.
This was very much in order as the Cats Back ridge is a very fine walk indeed. On a winters afternoon the contrast between the sunny and shady side was stark.
Out towards the Marches and Malvern Hills.
The narrow section of ridge.
A fellow walker providing me with a nice pose for a photo.
There were a few more people on this section as its very well known. Everybody (apart from the inevitable trail bikes) were respecting the social distancing and party number rules.
Sadly, at the bottom of the ridge, we dipped into the shade and that was the last of the sun for the day as it dropped below the mountains. A steep and muddy drop into the valley and out again and a trudge down the road back to the car.
Much like the first lockdown, I’ve been cycling more than walking for several weeks. Great for the fitness levels bit not for the legs. The last mile or so down the road was uncomfortable as various muscles, more used to pushing pedals than carrying weight protested. Still, a thoroughly enjoyable day out. My local wooded hills have provided salvation through this year but you can’t beat a mountain walk in winter sunshine.
Wales and its mountains have been out of bounds during lockdown, frustrating when you can see them from your garden as your local hills. We’ve enjoyed exploring Shropshire and the Marches but we were eager for some mountain time. There is a short piece of the Black Mountains, Black Hill, that’s neither in Wales or the National Park and we stayed away as we felt that was in the right spirit. Having seen pictures of people walking the ridge eventually on a showery day we decided to give it a go.
It was quite busy in the small parking area but we found a spot down the hill to park up. Our luck with the weather ran out and we were caught by a heavy shower as we set off.
Short-lived though and soon we were in sunny intervals and some cracking views.
Its a fine ridge, the only truly “narrow” ridge in South Wales (these things are relative, its just a walk with the odd rocky step.
It was windy and it felt great to be back in my local mountains again.
Despite the busy car park we only saw a few people out and about, it didn’t really feel any busier than when we’ve walked up here before. Everyone was polite, pleasant and respectful of social distancing.
Storms passing through Monmouthshire.
TBF enjoying the walk.
Looking back along the Cats Back ridge
The small pond on Black Hill summit
We were caught in a heavy and squally shower and as the ridge from here heads into Wales we took the path back down the Olchon Valley.
The sun came out again and the valley looked resplendently verdant, albeit due to the surging tide of bracken.
Only a short walk for few hours on a Sunday but refreshing and revitalising.
Wales is now open again so hoping to head back for a longer mountain walk over the coming weekend.
While we sit through a seemingly endless series of storms and heavy rain let’s remind ourselves that we had a small taste of spring a couple weeks back. Temperatures in the high teens and beyond and blue skies.
The Malverns were a go-to spot for walks (albeit short ones) when I was a kid but we limited ourselves to a small section in the middle. I’ve always had a hankering to walk them end to end and finally an opportunity presented itself.
The Funsters were watching a play in Malvern so I jumped at the chance to be dropped off at one end and then be collected at the other. I was dutifully left by the road at the base of Chase End Hill and began my challenge.
A glorious day, warm enough to walk in shorts and short sleeves. No real distant views due to the blue haze that cloaked the horizon but a wonderful day to be out with a long walk planned.
What the Malverns lack in altitude they more than make up for with descent and re-ascent, about a dozen as I recall, most of them steep.
Next on the list was Ragged Stone Hill. Just a handful of people but as good a view point as anywhere else in the range.
Looking north towards my next summit.
The obelisk on the unnamed hill just off the main ridge.
Onwards, downwards and steeply upwards to Midsummer Hill. Time for a break and a look at the next series of bumps and dips.
I wandered out to the obelisk to take a look.
Through some muddy forest and on to the next rise, Swinyard Hill.
And then Hangmans Hill.
And finally to Herefordshire Beacon, also known as British Camp.
Looking over British Camp Reservoir and the Vale of Evesham.
Time for a longer rest, a cuppa and a piece of cake while looking at the seemingly endless roll of Malvern summits.
Refreshed I pushed on along the hardest section due to its constant ups and downs over a list of summits, Black, Pinnacle, Jubilee and Perseverance Hills.
The blue skies were replaced with grey overcast ones and the wind picked up making it suddenly feel like February which of course it was.
Last but far from least is the highest point, Worcestershire Beacon. Even though I’ve walked in the Malverns many times, I don’t think I’ve ever been up here and therefore another new summit and Marilyn to add to my collection.
It was getting late and the texts from the Funsters started to arrive telling me they were done and ready to pick me up. Hurrying on was not a problem as I it was getting pretty cold by now.
Over the final three summits at the north end of the ridge (Sugar Loaf Hill, Table Hill and the predictably named North Hill) and down to meet the family.
And I’d made it. It felt like the hike was longer than the 11 miles my maps software told me (probably as I’d walked with only a couple of stops for about 5 hours). My legs did feel every bit of the 3500 feet of ascent. Not bad for a ridge that never goes above 500m. Cracking day.
A short post from a week or so back onto one of my nearest and dearest strolls in my local Black Mountains
It was warm and humid and I figured another early start and breakfast on the hill might beat the heat of the day
Wrong! Even at 9am it was sweltering hot on the steep climb up onto the ridge
It’s a fine ridge however and worth the sweaty effort
I walked briskly along the ridge hoping for a breath of wind to keep cool and have breakfast alone (without the company of insects)
I passed the summit pillar in totally calm conditions but when I reached the grassy spot where I’d camped with TJS last year the was a gentle breeze and I set up my kitchen
Bacon and Egg butty on the mountain
I took in the circuit around the Olchon Valley but declined the out and back to Hay Bluff this time. Wild ponies kept me company from time to time
A steep descent into the valley, brought a lighter tone to the gloomy skies
And the short steep climb back to the car
8 mile round trip and back in time for a short rest before joining the Funsters at Bredwardine for a cooling dip in the Wye
I’ve been making promises to myself to get out and do more back packing and wild camping. I read lots of blogs and trip reports about cracking trips, mostly short to take advantage of quality weekend time but I never seem to get around to it. That’s all going to change. Armed with a new tent and after a rushed packing/eating session we’d eaten tea and were out walking in the Black Mountains by 6pm
It was great to be out after work. Less than two hours after shutting the lid on my work laptop at home I was on my way up the Cats Back ridge
As we raced up the sun went down
The light was spectacular and of course at this time on a Friday we had this most wonderful ridge to ourselves
We hurried on past the trig pillar on Black Hill towards our intended overnight stop
I’d had my eye on a spot a mile so beyond for several years. A small sheltered area of grass just off the path. Its always been dry but after the recent snowfall and heavy rain it was very soggy. We managed to get the tent up and settled inside just as it got dark.
Also had a new tent to play with. Since the demise of my Quasar I don’t have a two-person tent (other than my Lightwave which is really for 3 people and is pretty heavy). Bring on the Nigor Parula 2. I’m pretty impressed as it’s amazingly light for a two-person tent (around 1.8kg) and fits my needs for two porches and an ability to sit up in comfort. I’m still getting used to its pitching subtleties (especially the porches to stop them sagging) but so far so good. It did pass my first major test in that the very light and thin groundsheet was pitched on some seriously wet ground without any water ingress. I should however point out that seriously impressive tents are seriously expensive!
Not the driest or flattest pitch but we slept well through a cold night.
We woke the next morning to a frosty and damp tent and glorious sunshine
I left TJS to snooze while I wandered about to soak up the scene. I can almost see our village from the top but it felt a world away up here.
I smiled as abundantly as the sun shone, and settled down for a hearty and not very healthy breakfast of bacon butties and jaffa cakes. TJS joined me eventually and we savoured the morning and a long leisurely feast
Packed and ready for the off we considered our route. It was only a one night outing as I’d planned some cycling in the Peak District the following day. Originally we were just going out to Hay Bluff before returning to the car via a round of the Olchon Valley. As the weather was so grand we decided to extend the walk by taking in Lord Herefords Knob and heading back to the car via Capel y FFin
The high level path along to Hay Bluff was superb
The views from the summit over the Wye Valley to the Brecon Beacons and Black Mountain even better
We both seemed untroubled by the heavier packs than we’d use for a day walk and made swift and easy progress to the summit of LHK.
The views were still superb but there was a very keen and very cold wind so we didn’t linger. Rather than walk along the Darren Lwyd ridge, right into the wind we opted for the Nant Bwch valley for some shelter
Its a lovely valley with a series of small waterfalls and grassy patches for a lunch stop. Make a decent camp as well although its only a few minutes from the end of the road
The Vale of Ewyas is one of the finest valleys in the UK in my opinion. A walk along it or above it as always a pleasure especially on a warm sunny day. Spring really did feel in the air down here
The downside of the walk extension was having to climb up, over and down one of the Black Mountains main ridges. Sheltered from the wind it was a steep and sweaty climb. I was beginning to think I should have brought shorts
That changed swiftly as we reached the ridge. We were exposed to the wind and thoughts of shorts turned to thoughts of hats and gloves. It was bitterly cold and we had to move quickly to descend the other side to try and reach shelter from the next ridge
Ample compensation was provided in the views across the pastoral Herefordshire countryside and the ridge we’d walked the night before
One last steep descent and one last final climb back up to the car completed a very fine short overnight adventure.
TJS hasn’t been out much recently and he really seemed to enjoy the trip and the long walk in the sunshine. He’s badly out of shape though and was stiff for the next day or so and struggling to keep up with the old man on the ascents. He does take over on the downhill bits but I have my bad knees excuse for that
First part of adventurous weekend for me. More two-wheeled outdoor action planned for the Sunday
Back to a gloomy January day in the UK. Our first weekend home after the holidays really made us feel at home. Grey skies and seemingly endless drizzle. Well not totally endless as it did stop for a couple of hours allowing a quick dart up the Cats Back ridge in the Black Mountains with TBF
The weather changed pretty quickly from gloomy to a rather impressive interlude of watery sunshine and above the cloud effects
Any walk of this local ridge is a fine one, being one of the very few narrow (ish) ridges in south Wales. We were lucky to catch such an atmospheric interlude
As we reached the summit of Black Hill the lower cloud was starting to dissipate and the blue skies were being replaced by gloom again. We had thought of extending the walk but it looked rain was heading back so we did as well
It may have been a short walk but it was a nice one all the same to liven up a typical January weekend
I spend alot of my time surfing the web looking for ideas on places to go, walking routes, travel ideas and tips to plan the perfect holiday or day out. (I'm a project manager I like to plan). I thought it was time to share my own experiences and contribute to the vast amounts in information that's already out there.
I'll also add in some gear and tech reviews and when something irks me I may even use this forum to have a rant - I do that pretty well I'm told.There are a few pages at the top that give a bit of background to what I like to get up to and what you can expect to see in my posts. I'm not exactly a creative writer but I hope some people will find my stuff useful or inpsiring or at least enjoy some of my photos.
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