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!
Sunshine has been in very short supply of late and it seems a while back in November when the sun came out to any meaningful degree.
A frosty day back in early November and me and TBF were out and about to make the most of a glorious morning.
A circuit of the Grwyne Fawr valley in the Black Mountains. The autumn colours on the trees as we set off was magnificent.
I think this is the first time I’ve walked this route at this time of year so it was a delight to see it in full technicolor glory.
My O/S mapping wasn’t working properly so I crossed the river a bridge too soon and the boggy walk through the forest was not ideal. With views like this it didn’t matter too much.
Onwards and out onto the open fell and the only real ascent of the day onto Pen y Gadair Fawr.
Fabulous, crystal clear views all around.
TBF joins me on the summit.
A view south over towards the Sugar Loaf, Bristol Channel glinting in the distance
Summit panorama looking westwards towards the Brecon Beacons.
Waun Fach, the highest if not the most impressive of the Black Mountains summits. Pen y Gadair Fawr is by far the more impressive peak and looks higher from everywhere else than Waun Fach itself.
Zoom shot over to the Brecon Beacons.
And another panorama, this time looking east.
They’ve done some superb work up here on the summit plateau. What was once peat hags, black soil and soggy bog is now wavy grass with an excellent path. Easy going over what was once a really wet and tiresome stretch. Always good to seen the ponies as well.
Looking back to Pen y Gadair Fawr and its more distinctive summit.
We didn’t linger on Waun Fach and instead pressed on looking for a decent lunch stop.
I think you can agree this one was a bit of a cracker.
The clarity of the air was amazing and we could see for miles. The clouds hanging over the mountains making fro some dramatic effects.
Always pleases me to take a stop in this area with a view to my very first mountain, Mynydd Troed.
Suitably refreshed and relaxed we moved on. Fine views along the Dragons Back ridge of Y Grib, a route I’ve not done for quite a while.
The clouds that had created such fine views earlier raced across and obscured the blue skies from earlier, heralding the next spell of wet weather that arrived the following day.
It stayed dry for us though. We took in a stop just by the reservoir dam for second lunch. A great little spot overlooking the Grwyne Fawr valley.
A fine stroll along the easy path above the valley and back to the car to finish the day.
Just realised I haven’t posted anything since early November. Been busy with other stuff, major purchases, trips abroad etc. Now I have my blog mojo back its time to catch up.
So back we go to mid November and the first decent sunny day of the winter. TBF was working so it was a solo outing to the Sugar Loaf and then see how long until the forecast grey clouds rolled in.
A stunning clear morning. Bracken is hateful stuff but it does lend a rather gorgeous deep brown glow at the start and finish of a winter day
Despite the sunshine there was hardly anyone about even though it wasn’t especially early.
A small bank of cloud rolled over the sun but soon drifted away to return me to more blue sky and sunshine.
Sugar Loaf showing its more pointy facade.
I spiralled in to the base of the the southern ridge, taking me through this marvellous spooky wood.
When I emerged the sun was back out and the Sugar Loaf looked great if a long way off. I was hungry and was planning breakfast on the top.
I like the way the green grassy path is picked out in this image.
Looking across to Hatterrall Hill.
And Ysgyryd Fawr.
I was expecting the summit to be crowded on such a fine day but it was largely deserted.
This lady gave me a nice mid-ground for my shadow summit photo.
Summit Trig Pillar looking across to the Beacons.
I had my pick of spots for breakfast (Mexican Beef Stew seeing as you asked) so I perched on the small rocky ridge at the northern end. Lesson Learned, my lightweight chair while comfy, gives you a cold bum so back to sit mats in winter.
I love this short rocky “arete”, especially on a winter day when it catches the low light so well.
Looking back across the rocks to the summit.
Time to move on as the Saturday crowds were beginning to arrive. Weather still looked well set so I decided to take in Crug Mawr as well. Looking back to the Sugar Loaf from my route down.
Bracken rolls catching the sun. Not sure if they are used for fuel or animal feed (or whatever).
Its quite a long way down as you have to descend and cross both the Grwyne Fawr and Grwyne Fechan rivers which separate both mountains.
Consolation was some gorgeous views of the mountains and late autumn colours in the trees.
Looking up to Table Mountain and Pen Cerrig Calch.
The fields down by the river were idyllic, still catching the sun and again, pretty well deserted.
I had to leave this all behind as its a long steady climb back up to Crug Mawr.
The forecast cloud starting to feed in as I climbed.
Still gloriously sunny on the Sugar Loaf.
By the time I’d reached the summit ridge the cloud had mostly obscured the sun where I was.
I stopped for a quick cuppa in the last of the sunshine before heading to the Trig Point on the top and headed back down to the car.
Long day this one with two summits and a big drop between but great to finally do a decent walk on a decent day after a few weeks of ordinary weather.
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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