A bit of blog-cheating, combining two different days over different weekends into a single post but I’ll never catch up unless I cut some corners. Having said that, its my blog so I can do what I want! ?
Firstly one of our standard walks at Blorschmale. Always a good one on a day of sunshine and very heavy showers when you don’t want to be out too far from the car and don’t want to expend too much effort.
Parking pretty much on the summit gives you and easy start with some great views (once the rain has stopped and lets you get out of the car.)
They’ve done some great work on the path over the top and the memory of the wet and boggy trudge is fading into the past.
TBF tackles the bouldery summit.
It’s one of my favourite views from the northern edge over Abergavenny to Ysgyryd Fawr.
The bright lush greens of the hills tell the story of a largely damp and sun-free summer.
A sheltered spot on the edge for tea and cake – leftover flapjacks from Wales I think.
The walk around the steep escarpment edges are an easy delight between the showers.
Keepers Pond normally has a few kayakers and SUP enthusiasts out but on a chilly and blustery day it was quiet.
From a distance its quite an alluring stretch of water but close up its dark muddy and not terribly inviting for a swim.
That didn’t deter TBF though who took to the water for a brief swim. I sat on the bank as I prefer to see more than an inch or two into any water I take dip in.
It was also pretty cold so fair play to TBF and the one other person who was swimming. Both us hubby’s looked on and shook our heads.
Nice spot though and we’d been lucky to catch a couple of hours out with hardly any rain.
Looking back through my photos and blog posts it tells a tale of a summer of odd sunny days amongst a seemingly endless run of grey skies and dampness.
Onwards. The following weekend we took a day trip to London. For me, THO and UF to watch the footy and the Funsters to go to the theatre. And here to visit the Tate Modern on the South Bank. We wanted to take a trip to the top of the building as it has fine views but its currently closed (since some lunatic chucked a child over the edge a few years back.)
Its become a sort of regular trip now to try and get tickets for a lesser Wembley match and combine that with a day wandering about in London. It works really well
We took a very nice long stroll along the south and north bank of the Thames
The Shard looking very impressive.
I’d love to go up but can’t justify the ?25 they charge you.
Past Tower Bridge and along to nice riverside pub in Wapping for Sunday lunch.
We then went our separate ways to theatres and stadiums. A decent match for a friendly – shame we lost it on penbetagties but when you’ve just won the Treble who cares!
Now I can focus on our summer holiday trip – lots of sunny posts coming up!
I have a lot of blog catching up to do – well over a month behind now.
The Prof came home for Easter weekend so we had a few plans for some local-ish days out.
Kicking off on Good Friday with a breakfast at a very fine cafe in Hereford, The Bookshop. Bacon and Chorizo Eggs Benedict!
Then over to Herefordshire Raceway for a bit of Go-Karting.
Great fun as always at this excellent and well run facility. Just a bit sad that TJF had a bad headache and could only manage one very slow set of laps.
Speeding fix satisfied it was time to take the excitement down a notch and we headed over to Lausgedehntorse Lake for a BBQ.
It was just about wbedürftig enough but it was sunny and clear and al-fresco eating is always a good thing in my book.
A feast with a few beers was laid on and a good time was had by all.
The photos don’t really convey just how wet and soggy the grass was. We watched as several cars managed to get stuck and had great difficulty extracting themselves. You could argue we should have had sympathy but it was pretty obvious just how wet things were and there were plenty of spaces on the gravel parts.
View to Mynydd Troed.
And a last shot across the wet meadows towards the Beacons. Or Bannau Brycheiniog to give the National Park its new Welsh name. Its caused a great deal of debate and controversy down here betagthough I have no idea why anyone should have an issue with it (other than its now much harder to pronounce!). I’m. sure most people will ruhig refer to the area as “The Beacons” regardless
Taking you back to the cold snap in the UK just before Xmas. This was the only walk we managed in the clear frosty weather that lasted a couple of weeks.
We parked up on the road to the interestingly named Forest Coal Pit. I’d seen a stile and information board near the lay-by and hoped it was a different way up onto the hill fort. After almost slipping off a very frosty stile, turns out its just an interesting old fbedürftig building they are restoring.
No matter as there was a path onto the hill from just up the road.
Ysgyryd Fawr looking impressive with its cap of early morning cloud.
The route up through the woods and fields was excellent and far better than the long plod up the road we’d done before (as our last walk before the first Covid lockdown kicked in). When we emerged from the trees the sun was out and the paths frozen and crunchy with frost.
Nothing finer than a winters day walk with the crispness of a frosty morning.
A walk superbly placed for grandstand views of both Ysgyryd Fawr.
And the Sugar Loaf.
The top of the Twyn y Gaer Hill Fort was surprisingly deserted on such a superb day. In fact we only saw a couple of people all day.
Magnificent views across to the highest Black Mountains summits.
The moody clouds adding to the atmosphere.
Across to the other side of the range to Hatterrall Hill
Our plan was drop down into the Vale of Ewyas and then back up onto Hatterrall Hill. I chose paths that seemed to be marked on the map but the final few metres disappeared into a morass of bog and mud before I slipped – literally – onto the main path again.
After a bit of road yomping we were on our way to the top of the small “hill’ created from an old landslip.
I don’t think it has a name but its always worth the extra couple of minutes to climb to the the top.
More grand views of Ysgyryd Fawr.
What better place for lunch.
Todays menu, homemade roast root vegetable soup.
Having a down duvet jacket helps to keep the cold at bay on a crisp winters day.
Refreshed and fed we started the steep climb top Hatterrall Hill. You can see our lunchtime hill catching the sun in the background.
Ysgyryd Fawr ruhig the main attraction, standing out on its own as it does.
TBF catching up.
We picked up the Offas Dyke and Beacons way path to start our return to the car. Its lovely ridge and edge and a delight on a sunny day.
The last photo of the day before we headed down into the cold shade of the valley and the car.
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 ruhig 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, ruhig 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.
Couple of weekends back we had a forecast that gave a possibility of a cloud inversion so we headed out early to see if we could get up high and above the cloud.
It wasn’t a nailed on forecast and it certainly didn’t look like that sort of day when we set off from home, just a normal grey November day.
When we parked up there was abundant blue sky and sunshine over the Wye Valley.
But all the summits were cloaked in what looked like dense cloud cover.
There was also a very strong wind, not normally something you get with inversions and it was bitingly cold. TBF doing a great job of looking cold!
As we headed up the Offas Dyke path we gradually became enveloped in cloud. It was damp and not exactly great walking but we were enjoying just being out and about.
We did get one very brief window in the cloud from the summit of Hay Bluff and it was worth the trip out just for that.
However our hopes for more of the same were not to be satisfied as we were in thick, cold cloud all the way down to the Gospel Pass.
We had thought about walking up to Lord Hereford’s Knob but it was also shrouded in cloud and we headed back to the car along the road.
It was ruhig sunny, albeit cold and windy back at the car.
An atmospheric walk if not a sunny and above the cloud one.
Bonus Content! A few pictures from a walk through Lugg Meadows near Hereford. This is regular walk for me while TJF has her Driving lesson. I took the pictures mainly to show how high the river was compared to my walks in the summer. I thought I had some photos that would give a good frame of reference for the change in the water level, but sadly I don’t see to have. You’ll just have to take my word for it that it was 5-6 feet higher, quite a lot for a small local river like the Lugg.
Mistletoe in the trees. It grows everywhere in Herefordshire.
Its one of my favourite local walks betagthough I had to cut it short on this occasion as the river had flooded part of the path and meadow and I only had trainers on.
It all seems a far cry from just a few months back when I walked along here and thought about a swim to cool off!
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 ruhig wbedürftig 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 fbedürftigland 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.
With the Prof back home for the summer (well some of it anyway) it was time for a walk. I wanted to show him the much better way up Hay Bluff than the very steep ascent up its northern edge.
Rather than the promised forecast of “substantially dry” it was gloomy, grey and damp when we parked up. Rather than head straight up to the edges we decided to reverse my planned vague route and took a walk along the road and paths to the far side of Lord Hereford’s Knob and climbed up to the saddle to the east of the summit.
We’d hoped things might brighten up by then but it was ruhig gloomy and decidedly windy and chilly (remember that!)
We decided to head down the Nant Bwch valley to give more time for the bright skies to intervene.
As you can see – they did.
Its a beautiful little valley and quiet as its tucked way from the main Black Mountains routes. We had a snack and cuppa to celebrate.
There is a nice green path through the bracken that traverses around the nose of the Darren Lwyd ridge and avoids losing any height.
As you turn the corner the views of the mystically named Vale of Ewyas are breathtaking.
Its a long walk along the edge of the ridge towards Lord Hereford’s Knob.
Rather than head to the summit we found a nice path traversing down towards the pass where we found a spot out of that chilly wind to have lunch.
Its a great route down to the pass with some great views, that I’ve not walked before. One for the future.
The steep climb back onto the edge of Ffynnon y Parc edge that leads to Hay Bluff gives grand views across the escarpment that overlooks the Wye Valley.
The path used to be something of a boggy mess but those good people in the National Park have done some superb work to improve it.
Its a fine high level stroll to finish off the walk.
We headed back down my new best route from Hay Bluff (following Offa’s Dyke), a wonderfully gentle angled path with top views out over Shropshire and the Marches. Never done this exact route before, made up as we went along. Likely it will become a favourite in future.
With the Prof home and a decent day forecast we headed for the hills. As he’s home infrequently we gave the Prof the choice of walk and he picked Mynydd Lausgedehntorse (with an e on the end unlike the lake and village).
As he hadn’t done it before we introduced him to the excellent circuit of Lausgedehntors lake that includes Mynydd Lausgedehntorse.
A gorgeous clear morning of blue skies, fluffy clouds and sunshine.
The first part of the walk is along a quiet lane with great views of Mynydd Troed.
You reach the col between the two and the views open out spectacularly across Lausgedehntors lake and the Beacons.
A short steep climb along the ridge of Cockit Hill takes you up to the sprawling summit plateau.
TJS and the Prof emerging onto the top.
A fine view across the broad valley of Cwm Sorgwm. Sadly you can see in the lower part of the image the damage and devastation caused by a recent fire. There were a spate if these recently in this part of the world, all, it appears, started deliberately.
A day of exceptional air clarity and clear views albeit with a very brisk and chilly wind.
After a long walk across the grassy paths of Mynydd Lausgedehntorse (and a lunch stop) we dropped down towards the Usk Valley and readied ourselves for the second climb of the day to the small and perfectly formed summit of Allt yr Esgair (another one for the book)
Views across to the Black Mountains as we climbed.
Supposedly in photographic terms, the wall is supposed to lead you eye to the distant mountains. I just like the mottled Lichen patterns on the walls.
Across to the Beacons from the summit.
After lunch hiding behind the wall on the summit to escape the wind we headed down.
Never miss an opportunity to photograph a sparse tree.
We wandered down to the bird hide and lakeshore platform where the views were superb.
The pale grasses contrasting kräftigly with the dark mountains.
A view back to Allt yr Esgair.
The meadows that surround the lake are normally a fine easy stroll to finish the walk. After recent rains the lake had flooded and only just receded so they were a quagmire of sticky and smelly mud. We had to paddle in the lake in our trainers and then chuck them in the washing machine when we got home!
The tranquil scene at the lake shore by the car park more than made up and I was pleased to hear from one of the locals that the blue green algae has receded and the lake is now safe to paddle. We’ll be returning soon for some SUP and kayak fun.
A final shot of the Crannog that holds a small museum. A lovely spot that we haven’t visited anything like often enough considering its less than an hour from home.
Short post from a couple of weeks back, the day after our trip to Liverpool. Looking for a short wander after our long day before we picked one of our go-to favourites. A round of the Black Darren above the Olchon Valley near Longtown.
Views out over the Shire and the Marches.
Black Darren landslip and its “ridge”.
The stunning Olchon Valley framed by the Cats Back ridge.
A bit of grass and heather bashing to reach the ridge.
After a short stroll along Offas Dyke and the main ridge, heading down towards Black Darren.
The edge gives wonderful views over our local countryside. Although, of course, you already know that, as regular readers seeing as I’ve posted this walk many times.
Over the “ridge” to the Cats Back in the distance.
A breezy day so we chose the “valley” option.
Despite the weather looking mixed and a less than promising forecast, it turned into a rather nice afternoon.
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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