After all that French and Italian fun in the sun. It was back to the normality of the UK.
Our first weekend back home and we took a long bike ride around our local lanes.
Even though it was overcast it was still warm enough for a quick swim in the Wye at Bredwardine.
Following weekend we took a short stroll from Longtown.
A route we discovered while sneaking out during Lockdowns.
It can be a muddy trudge in winter but at this time of year its easy going.
However this time of year is also peak bracken growth. We decided we couldn’t be bothered to thrash through to the ridge of the Black Mountains and settled for the path that runs the line between the farmland and the open fell.
This gives time for an extended lunch stop and brew which is always a much better use of time.
The skies even cleared a little to reveal some blue skies and watery sunshine.
A simple day to ease ourselves back into the UK scene.
Passing Clodock Church on our way back to the car.
A short post remembering that winter is still fresh in the memory now that we have the first signs of spring appearing.
One of our go-to short walks in the Black Mountains, a circuit of the landslip at Black Darren above Longtown. Another early start to fit in walk before the forecast snow arrived in the afternoon.
Not that many photos, partly due to the fact it was a bleak grey day and partly because it was shockingly cold. Car was showing -5C when we parked up and the brisk wind made taking hands out of gloves for a photo an undesirable experience. Easily feeling well into minus double figures with windchill.
It was bracing to be out and we had the hills to ourselves at an early hour on a chilly day.
The walk back along the lane to the car had its interest. Wet roads had frozen into solid patches of ice that needed some precarious traverses to get past. Out, walked and back home before 11am for late breakfast and our now regular weekend activity of board and card games.
With the weather being less than sunny the past few weeks, my chances to get outdoors for exercise have been few and far between (indeed its pretty awful today and not much better tomorrow). Spending most of my working day in front of laptop screen means that spending another hour doing the same thing has not been an attractive proposition, hence the blog silence for a couple of weeks.
Time to rectify that with memories of cracking day (3 weekends back I think) at the start of the cold spell.
Trying not to drive too far and with Wales out of bounds, the eastern edge of the Black Mountains was the target. We normally only take short walks on this side parking high up but after our walk from Longtown the previous week we decided to start from there and walk all the way up to the main ridge, not something we’ve ever done before.
A gorgeous morning, clear blues skies set off against the verdant green fields and a dusting of snow on the summits.
We followed the same route up to the base of the open access land that we took the previous weekend. There are plenty of paths but not all of them are easy to navigate (as we also found out the previous weekend), so knowing this was easy to follow and no muddy impediments made for an easy choice.
On a sunny day these are enjoyable sections and we didn’t see a soul all the way, another good reason for choosing this route.
We reached the same point as last weekend but this time turned the other way to head for a path up onto the main ridge.
There is an easy, if long, gently ascending diagonal path all the way to the top of the edge.
Views across the Shire.
As we climbed we reached a patchy line of wet snow.
The path reaches the edge at the point of the Black Darren landslip that we’ve climbed many times.
Almost within a few metres underfoot conditions were transformed to full winter with powdery snow and everything frozen solid.
From here on, with all the ascent done, it was a pure delight to walk along the top in the crunchy snow and ice.
I can’t be 100% sure but I think the couple of miles we walked SE along the ridge was the first time I’d done this particular stretch. If so it added and extra frisson of excitement to what was already a magnificent day.
No greater feeling than walking on crisp snow on a clear blue winters day.
And a Trig Pillar I don’t think I’ve bagged before.
I love the contrast between winter in the foreground and the green fields below.
Looking to Hatterrall Hill with Sugar Loaf in the background.
The higher summits in Wales seemed to be experiencing much more in the way of clouds and likely that’s where we’d have been in normal circumstances.
It was windy and pretty cold up top, but we did find a sheltered spot for lunch and a cuppa. It was here that we saw our only 3 people of the day, a couple out hiking and lone mountain biker taking extreme care on the icy path.
We had thought about carrying on to Hatterrall Hill but decided we’d been far enough on a short winter day. We took another diagonal rake back down to the base of the access land.
For a time we were full on into the face of the wind and out of the sun. It was perishingly cold and I pretty much ran down to reach the sun again!
The path along the base of the edge was better than I thought. Rather it being the mud-bath I’d assumed it was more rocky and therefore running with water, effectively a stream and easy to stay dry. Where it did turn muddy there was a grassy field to traverse just above it that gave a very pleasant walk.
We dropped down to the valley bottom and crossed more delightful fields to Clodock and its church.
We’ve stopped for a picnic with the kids here a few times and as with all our local churches it gives a fine backdrop to a blue sky.
Apart from one extremely muddy stile the walk is finished by more fields of sunshine.
Back to our new favourite walk start point at Longtown village hall. 8 miles of winter wonder.
So back into Lockdown we went. As with everything this government does with the pandemic the rules and guidelines are vague, ambiguous and confusing. This is especially true when it comes to outdoor exercise. Having checked the legislation, travel and the associated distance to take exercise is not specifically limited. Its just states “local”, wahtever that means – different things to different people. Personally I don’t see an issue at all with a short drive to take a walk, providing you take your common sense with you. Here are two walks on consecutive days to illustrate my point.
On the Saturday we needed some food shopping and drove into Hereford, our nearest location for Supermarkets. We decided to take a walk while we there, trying to follow the guidelines to keep it local, much as we would have done if we lived in the City. I’d worked out a walk along both banks of the river that would likely be about 3-4 miles and give us some fresh air and exercise on a largely gloomy day. We parked up in a far-flung and quiet corner of the car park.
Despite having lived in the area for 18 years I know little of the city outside its shopping areas. It was nice to take some time out to see the local sights. Some classic views of the cathedral and old river bridge and this pedestrian crossing, named either the Jubilee or Victoria Bridge depending on who you talk to.
We were lucky to take the walk when we did as a few days later this entire area was completely underwater after heavy rains. As I write those floodwaters are rising again after another wet weekend.
Sadly the walk didn’t work out as well as expected. The riverside path on the south bank is no more and looks like its hasn’t been there for years. We had to resort to walking through housing estates, along busy main roads and then cycle paths to reach this, the Canary Bridge (no idea why its called that)
An unusual construction and not something I even knew existed although TBF uses it a lot as she works round there and uses her bike to get to work some days.
We squelched back into town across a few very muddy fields (likely they get regular deluges of flood water). There was a path along the north bank but the first section is by a large sewage works so I didn’t fancy that.
Some more classic views of the cathedral from the Victoria Bridge. Finishing the walk through Castle Green Park and the very pretty back streets that surround it. Again not an area I’ve ever strolled through before.
So keeping it local. Number of people encountered or passed during the walk, I’d estimate around 100.
Next day we did the unspeakable thing of driving a short distance (around 10 miles, maybe 3-4 miles further than we drive to collect shopping) for a walk from the small village of Longtown. It was a cold and dreary grey day so we planned a walk across the fields and along the base of the Black Mountains ridge and then back.
While there I took another chance to see a local sight I’ve never visited before. Longtown Castle. Its small and free and would make a very nice spot for a summer picnic.
There is a local myth that there is an underground passage from the castle to Llanthony Priory on the other side of the Black Mountains ridge. This would be a major acheivement seeing as the castle actually sits on a ridge of its own that falls away a few hundred feet down to the valley floor before the ridge rises. Its a nice story though!
There are a whole array of paths across the fields so its always something of a voyage of discovery as to how easy they are to find and how muddy they might. The route up was excellent, paths well marked and not all that muddy. This is the path that runs along the bottom of the access land and for a half a mile or so was a rather fine grassy trod.
It then deteriorated into more of a mud-bath with a built-in water supply so we decided to head back down. The route across the fields from here was the best part of the day with some fine walking across dry grassy fields with expansive views.
Our planned route down was via the church and riverside walk at Clodock. However one of the fields had a mix of dense crops protected by an electric fence with sheep that had turned the rest of the field into an extreme muddy mess. Not fancying a slide or electrocution, we just headed back down, happy with our walk and the required exercise and fresh air.
So driving 10 miles out into the countryside to take a walk. Number of people encountered or passed during the walk, an exact 4. I know which walk I think was the best and safest option in the circumstances.
When you have a new toy you just have to go out and play! Keen to try and use my camera properly I’ve been heading out at every opportunity to learn it’s potential and mine!
A video compilation and some photos from a couple of local walks, one on Merbach Hill and one to Longtown back in September and October. I’ve posted walks a few times for these so if you want read up you can check them out at the links at the bottom of this post
TJF climbing trees again
Celendine I think?
Parasol Mushroom
Fungus on a grand scale
Blackberries
Weird fungus
Crane Fly
Black Mountains from Longtown
Buzzard – again I think?
Clodock Church
Holly
Fields above Clodock Church
TJS tangles with the overgrown stile!
Chestnuts (not bad taken in the shade with a zoom lens!)
A little postette and a few photos from a short walk I did with TBF and D a couple of weeks back.
Cats Back & Black Hill
L was off at the Pantomime (Oh yes she was!) so we took a quick dash to the nearest high level walk I know. I’ve posted about this walk before so you can read about it here.
The death of Autumn
Safe to say it’s a short, sharp and sweet stroll – or in this case very cold and windy stroll – up on to the eastern-most ridge of the Black Mountains, along Offa’s Dyke for a mile or so and then back down through an old landslip area to the car.
Snow shower
Sugar Loaf & Black Mountains
I’ve done this walk many times. It’s ideal for a short time span, an after work walk or a short weather window. You get a great reward of views for very little effort and the scenery amongst the wreckage of the landslip is fascinating. We were forced to wait out a snow shower in the car before we set off and although it was darker and gloomier than the forecast there were enough shafts of sunlight playing on the fields and hills to make splendid views.
Black Darren & views across Herefordshire
Shafts of Sunlight
It’s great that D is a real mountain man now and seems to appreciate the mountains even in the less than perfect conditions. I’m taking great pleasure from his ever-increasing confidence and appreciation of the mountain environment and sharing my passion for the outdoors with him. TBF enjoys it too of course>
After the less than hedonistic New Year celebrations, New Years Day dawned dark, gloomy and unpromising. After a very leisurely morning and much wasted effort trying to persuade the kids to go out for a walk, me GM and Jane decided to go out anyway. I’d wanted to introduce GM to the delights of the Black Mountains so we headed for the steep slopes above Longtown for a little amble around the Black Darren
Black Darren, 1,000 feet of ascent, 3 miles
This is a walk I’ve done a few times in the summer when the east facing slopes still catch the sun and it provides a short walk onto the tops from a high start. The weather looked very threatening with dark skies all around and wind howling through the trees but it wasn’t all that bad and reasonably clear albeit dull.
Jane, GM and Black Darren
The climb up to the main ridge is relentlessly steep but the cold wind pushed us on.
GM climbs the steep slopes
"Lean"
In summer the lower slopes are smothered in bracken and the paths resemble Hampton Court Maze with long avenues of fly filled vegetation. No such problems today but when we hit the ridge the wind was ferocious and we barely paused as we strode down the ridge awhile
Patchwork fields of Herefordshire
The best part of the walk is the descent through the cliffs and rocks of the Black Darren. The “Darren” is local term that seems to relate to features caused by landslips off the steep slopes. There are several in the Black Mountains and this is one of the most impressive, creating an mini-alpine feel of narrow ridge and boulder strewn valley not unlike a glacial moraine. We found a bit of shelter just above them and spent time playing with the camera settings and taking various artistic shots.
More Patchwork
Jane looking quirky
Monochrome patchwork
We then headed down and along the “arête” formed by the crest of the landslip, an unusual and airy experience.
The valley of rocks
The "arete"
The end is quite a rocky scramble which Jane wasn’t too impressed by but GM compensated by posing for a photo on the edge.
GM Posing
The rocky prow
As we reached the easy slopes the rain that had threatened all day finally arrived and it chucked it down for the dash back to the car. Not a bad day all in all and a few beers and some mulled wine well earned
The Jones family tend to get out and about a lot in the summer so naturally my activities outpaced my ability to keep up with the blog. Consequently I was WAY behind on my blog by the time I returned from summer holidays and I’ve spent every waking moment – well not EVERY one – trying to catch up and now I’ve done it. Surfnslide is now fully up to date. God knows if I’d ever have caught up if my employer hadn’t relieved me of most of my duties so be thankful for small mercies.
Mind you I’m sneaking off for a long weekend with a couple of pals tomorrow. Stopping off for a day out on the eastern edges of the Peak District tomorrow followed by a day’s caving with GM on Friday, watch Man City at home (and a Rusholme curry) on Saturday and a day in the Lakes on Sunday. Lots more blogging to catch up next weekend then. Mind you it’s nearly 11pm, I haven’t packed yet and it’s pishing with rain. B*llocks
I know you’ll all suffer without a dose of my ramblings and photos so here’s a few photos from a couple of family rambles to Merbach Hill and around Longtown. I’ve blogged these before so just click the links if you want some background to both
This is one of my all-time favourite walks in the Black Mountains. I’ve done it perhaps half-a-dozen times since I moved to Herefordshire in 2002. Whenever I’m stuck for an idea or struggling for choice this one always seems to win. I have numerous walking guides but this walk or a derivative doesn’t appear in any of them. I find this strange as it’s such an obvious looking circuit when seen from Ysgyryd Fawr as in this photo taken a few years ago:
Hatterall Hill from Ysgyrd Fawr
It’s a relatively short walk and having got lucky with a chance to leave work early I took my chance, parking at Cwmyoy village hall. After crossing the river and fields you come to the sleepy heart of the village with its ancient church, leaning tower and bent roof to the fore.
Cwmyoy Church
Cwmyoy Church
The views across the fields to Ysgyrd Fawr are top notch.
Ysgyryd Fawr
The walk goes past a small table-top hill created by an old landslip.
I must take an alternative route and actually climb this one day. For reasons I’m not entirely sure of I always do this walk in the same direction. If I reversed it I’d see the path up this little knoll on the way down rather than on the way up when I’m already above it. Lesson learned. In no time the path is high up on one of the arms of the valley and it’s an easy stroll towards the main ridge, passing some excellent views up the Vale of Ewyas towards Capel-y- Ffin and the Gospel Pass.
Vale of Ewyas
The ridge was incredibly windy as it has been for several weeks so I had to drop down on the far side to get some shelter and admire the views over the Herefordshire countryside. In this photo you can make out Clodock Church which we passed by on our Longtown Lambs walk a couple of months back.
As part of my recovery program from my knee op I decided to drag the kids out on a walk. It was a lovely warm spring day so we decided to take stroll round the local village of Longtown. It’s a walk we’ve taken a few times, nice and easy for the kids with plenty of wild flowers and great views up to the main ridge of the Black Mountains – and this time we hoped we weren’t too late to see some spring lambs.
The route is below and I’ve created the map for free using a combination of some GPS Sports tracking software on my mobile, Bing Maps which now has OS 1:50,000 and 1:25,000 maps and some freeware screen capture software. I’ll put a post/page up to describe how it works so any of you budding walking bloggers can add maps and routes for nowt. Not quite as clear as using proper map software but not bad for free
The walk takes you from Longtown village down to and across the Olchon Brook. From there it’s a pleasant stroll over fields, stiles and streams towards the main ridge. It only ascends about 100m so easy with the kids. Both D and L were thrilled to see that the fields were filled new lambs and plenty of “aaahhhh” moments.
D & L, Black Mountains behind
Spring Lambs
The walk then crosses the fields down to the lovely old church at Clodock where we had a leisurely lunch in the Churchyard in the sun.
Clodock Church
Clodock Church
D & L with a healthy lunch of crisps and biscuits
The walk then follows the river Monnow (where we saw a horse rolling around on the bank and then back through the fields to Longtown.
That's how scratch that itch...
It’s a perfect family walk with lots to see and do and neither too far or too steep. Combined with a sunny aspect and views up to the Black Mountains it’s perfect for lazy day out. Flickr photos here
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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