Chartist Cave

A walk with a touch of history today. We were heading for the Chartist Cave on Mynydd Llangynidr.

Route

On leaving the car in Llangynidr we started the climb  following Cwm Claister. Following a coffee break we soon hit the snow which in places saw us sinking up to our knees. Despite the snow we were shedding layers.

The cave is not obvious when approaching from the north but there was a well trod path in the snow which led us to the entrance.

We turned west with distant views of Pen y Fan and then headed down overlooking Cwm Crawnon back to Llangynidr.

Boughrood - Mynydd Fforest - Llyswen

This year`s February week away was based just north of Brecon. As well as "The Navigator" we were joined by my brother-in-law, Andy who stayed until Wednesday evening.

The forecast for the week was looking at least to be dry for most of the week, the best one can hope for at this time of the year, in fact we did very well.

On our weeks away we try to have a walk on the day of travel and as we were all within about two to three hours away our first walk was a long half day.

Route

We met at the bridge over the Wye at Boughrood and walked upstream passing Hells Hole rapid a river feature I knew well from my canoeing days.

At Trericket Mill we cut inland and commenced the climb which took us eventually to Mynydd Fforest.

The descent passed Brechfa Pool and then onto a steep path (some may say a river) down to Llyswen and back to the car

Meidrim

I should have asked "The Navigator" to join Paul and me on today`s walk as this is his home patch. However as we are having a boys week next week in the Brecon Beacons I did not want to  tire him out especially as he has had a recent bout of man flu.

The weather was a perfect winter`s day with blue sky and frosty fields. In fact on the highest part of the walk we were enjoying the scrunch of snow underfoot. However where  the sun had got to work we also had the gloop of mud.

The walk was another fine route taken from the book of Alan Richards and again the directions are first class. The walk was centred on the village of Meidrim

Route

Pictures follow and to see a better definition please click on any photo.

Looking down to Meidrim

Frost and ice

Water shute

Better class of graffiti

Hamlet of Drefach

Snowy hill

More snow

Avenue of trees

The views from the higher points of the walk gave long distance views of the snow covered Preseli Hills in the west and Carmarthen Fans in the east

Pwll Gwaelod

The weekend chat informed me that the plan was to travel to Pwll Gwaelod on the southern side of Dinas Island between Newport and Fishguard.

Unfortunately Mrs Navigator was unwell and sensibly stayed in bed. Today we had the company of Paul, my neighbour and cycling buddy and unlike The Navigator is partial to visiting cafes` for cake and coffee, but not today.

The weather was dry and clear all day but with a keen wind especially on the coastal sections.

Route  (Viewranger)

Route (UK Hillwalking)

There is a gap of recording on Viewranger from the summit of Dinas Island around the coast back to Pwll Gwaelod.

We walked the coast path heading south for a while before cutting inland and then on the lower slopes above the main Newport to Fishguard road. Lunch was had along an old green road and then we descended back to the coast at Cwm yr Eglwys and followed the coast path around Dinas Island back to the car.

Click on any picture to view better photo.

Pwll Gwaelod

The cave goes right through

Abandonded boat

Old leat

Best view of these two

Looking towards Dinas Island

Anyone know the meaning of Fagwr?

Ferry entering Goodwick

Attractive feature 

Cl;apper bridge

Behave!

Splendid waterfall

Aberforest Bay

Looking north from path up Dinas Island

Trig on summit of Dinas Island

Llandeilo

With cold, clear weather forecast I suggested a walk in Llandeilo. Further afield, especially to the big hills would mean travelling small lanes , probably not gritted and discretion won.

Route

(click on any blue writing for additional information and on any photo to obtain a better view)

Although Paul had walked the grounds of Dinefwr Park the rest of the walk taking in Tregib Woods and the banks of the Afon Tywi and its footbridge would be new.

We parked next to the towns fire station and walked down the main driveway of Dinefwr Park through Castle Woods Nature Reserve and onto the Llandeilo Bridge.

From here we walked  through Ffairfach and on to Tregib. Climbing uphill we eventually turned left and then turned into the Woodland Trusts wood. This led downhill to the 2005 planted woodland to celebrate the battle of Trafalgar

Leaving the wood we walked up the road to cross a stile to walk along the Afon Tywi and over the footbridge back into Llandeilo.

With good time made we extended the planned walk and continued into the grounds of Dinefwr Park keeping the Afon Tywi on our left. We stopped for a short lunch and then continued across the fields and then cut back towards Newton House spotting a large herd of deer before heading back to the car.