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Back to the endless grey skies of the UK winter and a chance for an overnight in the van.

Back out to the wilds of mid-Wales and the hills around the Nant-y-Moch reservoir.

We parked up in decent spot with a view across the lake, had a spot of lunch and then headed out for awander.

Last time we walked around here we were in the cloud the entire time so it was nice to see it it in all its austere glory.

Our objective (well, primarily mine actually) was this small hill, Disgwylfa Fawr, a Marilyn missing from my collection.

Once we left the main track I’d feared we were in for a serious bout of tussock and bog bashing, in fact we found a decent sheep track on to the flanks of the hills and very little sogginess.

Views over the collection of small lakes towards the coast from the top.

We took a more off piste route back to the van. Something of a gamble in these parts especially with fading light.

With some judicious use of small ridges we avoided most of the tussocks and again it seemed mostly dry.

Looking back to Disgwylfa Fawr.

Nant y Moch reservoir.

And the final stretch down to the van parked up below.

A nice little stroll over some little walked terrain but I quite like it round these parts.

We settled in for a pleasant evening, a nice meal and a couple of beers for me.

Next morning was glorious when we awoke with a light frost.

Beautiful early morning pink skies and a mirror calm lake with reflections.

Its a lovely spot by the reservoir and we were enjoying our good fortune for such a splendid morning.

Until within a few minutes of these images it started raining and stayed wet for a good part of the rest of the day.

Still keen for a bit of walk we drove over to a car park at The Arch near Devils Bridge.

It was actually a pretty miserable and dreary trudge, out and back on a seemingly endless forest track. Just the occasional view over the steep valleys below the forest.

These wind turbines loomed out of the mist with their eerie sound as they turn.

And we eventually reached our/my goal of another un-ticked Marilyn and Nuttall, Pen y Garn, in a sleet shower. Its the highest point in this part of Wales but on a day like this a grim achievement.

We headed back to the van and unsurprisingly the rain stopped and the sun came out weakly.

The Arch after which the car park is named. You used to drive through it when I was a kid. A somewhat grey and damp weekend but fun nonetheless.

A an extra bonus addition to the post for you.

From a few weeks later some photos from a local stroll up Garway Hill.

Sun setting over a hill, it has a name with not enough vowels which I can’t be bothered to type!

Not as warm as the summer visits where we watch the sunset with a beer.

I’d forgotten about these photos and the walk until Im opened the Flickr album to write the post.

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Slowly getting further and further behind with blog (probably just as well its been a pretty dismal winter and spring so far or I’d be miles behind!)

Back to March for our second little adventure in the van. We were heading to Llyn Brianne having never been before and there looked like some decent spots for an off grid overnight.

We stopped off en-route at the Irfon Pool, a spot I’ve wanted to visit for a while as its in my wild swimming guide book.

And a fabulous little spot it is. A narrow gorge with deep pools and a much broader pool just at the gorge exit.

Even for a short stop, the van really comes into its own, allowing us to make a cuppa with lunch and retreat inside in comfort when the odd shower came over.

We spent a happy hour here exploring the river bank and enjoying some spells of bright sunshine.

Being out in the middle of nowhere and still in the closing days of winter we had the place to ourself.

Chilly weather, ice cold water and a river in spate meant swimming was not yet on the cards.

We had a drive around the narrow roads and valleys that surround Llyn Brianne, spying out numerous possible overnight spots before eventually pitching up at the car park near the dam. The weather had been a bit grim while driving but as we parked it looked a little brighter so we took a short walk.

Unlike the Elan Valley reservoirs, the dam here is earth with a broad and rather dramatic overflow channel. We walked over the bridge at the base, mesmerised by watching the “waves” flow down.

We scrambled up the edge of the dam and walked back across to the bridge at the top for a different perspective.

Looking back to the reservoir.

I’ve found videos of people kayaking down this although the water is very shallow. They were old videos so I’m guessing they discourage you from attempting it. One of those occasions when the signs warning how dangerous it is are correct. I’ve even seen videos of people cycling down it when its dry. Madness!

There was a small hill below the dam so we managed to find a way through the woods and bracken to the top. Great views back to the dam and reservoir.

And further south to the hill of Dinas which we’d visit later in the weekend.

On the way through we’d spotted what looked like a perfect overnight spot ona spur above the reservoir. I was worried someone might have bagged it but we managed to secure it for ourselves, likely as the weather was so grey and dreary.

There was another spot down by the shore that was also in my swimming book so we took a wander down the lane for a look.

It was a lovely little spot for a picnic and water based fun in summer. However on a wet and drizzly day we decided we’d park that idea and headed back to the van for the evening.

Another cosy and peaceful night, snug and warm, a nice chicken stew and a beer or two. The van is really delivering for us in terms of impromptu little breaks to break up the long winter.

Next morning was still damp and grey but we were happy in our quiet isolated spot

After breakfast we took a stroll around the forest tracks and down to lake shore.

The weather improved a little and we had some grand views along this little known yet pretty large and imposing body of water.

We found another little beach that would make a great spot for a swim.

We also tried to follow what looked like a path to the top of the crags overlooking our camp spot. It quickly disappeared into a tangle of trees and brambles so we gave up that idea.

A much better use of our time to have lunch.

With a cracking view from our “pitch” overlooking the lake.

After lunch we drove to the Nature Reserve that surrounds Dinas Hill.

There looked like a nice path that followed the river and so it proved

The river Tywi is a pretty dramatic sight, flowing through a steep sided valley and tumbling over boulders creating frothing pools and small falls.

An awkward walk in places with handrails and a great place to explore and possibly take a swim on a warmer summers day.

It was a fine walk to fill the after-lunch period and one that’s well worth the effort to seek out.

We took the little side excursion up steep steps to visit Ogof Twm Sion Cati. Its a cave used as a hideaway for some kind of local Robin Hood figure. This wasn’t really worth the effort though, just a damp and muddy hole without a roof. I’d hoped to maybe force a way to the top of the hill from here but the summit seemed to be surrounded by cliffs all the way round and I never saw anything resembling a path to the top.

Still a fine end to a great little weekend break.

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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