i have now consolidated my three blogs into one, which can be found at http://bobsoutdoors.wordpress.com
Bob
Saturday, 18 April 2015
Monday, 30 March 2015
Llanddarog
Is the mantle of navigating being passed down, has the pupil become the master? Unlikely but much to my surprise and consternation "The Navigator" TOLD me that I had been nominated to come up with a walk local to me and LEAD it. This was all to do with the forecast giving rain about midday and a short walk needed.
I was up to the task and decided on a walk from near my home,taking into account field paths, Paxton Tower and the National Botanic Garden of Wales (NBGW)
Route
With rain being forecast at an early stage I cut the walk a little and we drove to the NBGW and commenced our walk from their car park.
We headed into Llanarthne where fields of sheep were crossed and up a steepish path where a coffee break was had.
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| Climbing from Llanarthne |
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| Looking north west from Tower |
The route was now down hill passing a field of Jacob Sheep and into the woodlands of Pont Felin Gat and then through the grounds of the NBGW.
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| Cascade in Pont Felin Gat |
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| Lonely mallard in the Mirror Pool in NBGW |
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| Anyone seen my parrot? |
The apprentice did good.
Saturday, 28 March 2015
Cynghordy, the Sequel
Regular readers will recall that a week ago Paul and I were foiled in our attempt to complete this walk.
Today we were back and determined to be completists.
Route (Viewranger)
Now that we knew the first part of the route we made good progress. A coffee break was had after a steep climb out of the valley at Gilfach Farm. Before long the high ground gave views down to Cynghordy and its well known viaduct.
Throughout our walk there were lots of sheep with their newly born lambs. The ewes clearly thought we were going to feed them and rushed to the fence lines only to be disappointed.
Once we reached the viaduct we were impressed on how the original builders completed this structure. A number of the huge pillars were wrapped in scaffolding where it appeared the pointing of the stones was being maintained, but there was no sign of any workers.
Immediately below the viaduct lies Gosen Chapel which was built before the viaduct which now towers above the chapel.
Near here we stopped for lunch and then heading uphill passing the dilapidated Galltygyrnig Farm and crossing the railway.
On the high ground now there were distant views of the Carmarthen Fans and the Sugar Loaf (not the one near Abergavenny).
We stopped to chat to the farmer at Gilfach Farm who said he had seen us on the outward stretch. Collies are my favourite dogs and this farmer had at least three who only wanted to be stroked.
If we have a criticism of this walk is that the last stretch is steeply uphill not something we would normally plan for!
Today we were back and determined to be completists.
Route (Viewranger)
Now that we knew the first part of the route we made good progress. A coffee break was had after a steep climb out of the valley at Gilfach Farm. Before long the high ground gave views down to Cynghordy and its well known viaduct.
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| Why an ancient petrol pump? |
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| This is nice |
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| Distant view of the viaduct |
Throughout our walk there were lots of sheep with their newly born lambs. The ewes clearly thought we were going to feed them and rushed to the fence lines only to be disappointed.
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| Feed me. |
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| Gosen Cottage and chapel |
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| A well used piano |
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| Childrens graves |
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| Galltygyrnig Farm |
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| Distant views of Carmarthen Fans |
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| Another view of the viaduct |
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| Sugarloaf |
We stopped to chat to the farmer at Gilfach Farm who said he had seen us on the outward stretch. Collies are my favourite dogs and this farmer had at least three who only wanted to be stroked.
If we have a criticism of this walk is that the last stretch is steeply uphill not something we would normally plan for!
Monday, 23 March 2015
Pwllcrochan
They are back and and there is no longer any danger of becoming lost.
We headed first for Pembroke so that the "Navigator" could look at sheds. With that accomplished we drove to Pwllcrochan to start our walk.
Route
The car park was adjacent to the Church of St Marys which apparently is owned by Texaco.
We headed south east to overlook the Pembroke river and further to the Milford haven waterway. from here we turned to the west and had lunch near to Angle Bay.
Following our lunch the coast path was joined and the route took us north around the headland where we viewed the austere Fort Popton, which is now a private property owned by Texaco.
The coast path was joined again which led us back to Pwllcrochan via the Nature Reserve.
We headed first for Pembroke so that the "Navigator" could look at sheds. With that accomplished we drove to Pwllcrochan to start our walk.
Route
The car park was adjacent to the Church of St Marys which apparently is owned by Texaco.
We headed south east to overlook the Pembroke river and further to the Milford haven waterway. from here we turned to the west and had lunch near to Angle Bay.
Following our lunch the coast path was joined and the route took us north around the headland where we viewed the austere Fort Popton, which is now a private property owned by Texaco.
The coast path was joined again which led us back to Pwllcrochan via the Nature Reserve.
Friday, 20 March 2015
Cynghordy
Confession is good for the soul. So here goes.
With the "Navigator" on his way back from Austria, Paul and I decided on another walk from the book of Alan Richards. This was one of his shorter walks and took Cynghordy as its centre.
Route
It started and finished well but the bit in the middle did not happen. As has been said on previous occasions, Mr Richards instructions are spot on and an OS map is almost unnecessary but today we were confused within about half an hour. Try as we might we could not find the way which led down to the valley bottom. We could see the farm we needed to get to but path there was none at least where we first looked.
We followed one path and then retraced our steps not realising we had passed the required path twice!
Following a coffee and much map pondering including some electronic gadgets we set off again and by sheer luck found the hidden path which led us to the valley bottom. We had by now lost so much time we headed back for the car knowing we would have to return another day.
From the start the bridalway was signposted and again part way along our route but when we hit a bulldozed forestry track the signs disappeared and clearly two were needed and I think that Mr Richards instructions could have been clearer which is so unlike him.
Despite the above it was still good to be out on such a beautiful day and as someone famous once said "I'll be back"
With the "Navigator" on his way back from Austria, Paul and I decided on another walk from the book of Alan Richards. This was one of his shorter walks and took Cynghordy as its centre.
Route
It started and finished well but the bit in the middle did not happen. As has been said on previous occasions, Mr Richards instructions are spot on and an OS map is almost unnecessary but today we were confused within about half an hour. Try as we might we could not find the way which led down to the valley bottom. We could see the farm we needed to get to but path there was none at least where we first looked.
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| The farm we wanted in the centre. |
We followed one path and then retraced our steps not realising we had passed the required path twice!
Following a coffee and much map pondering including some electronic gadgets we set off again and by sheer luck found the hidden path which led us to the valley bottom. We had by now lost so much time we headed back for the car knowing we would have to return another day.
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| View back up valley |
From the start the bridalway was signposted and again part way along our route but when we hit a bulldozed forestry track the signs disappeared and clearly two were needed and I think that Mr Richards instructions could have been clearer which is so unlike him.
Despite the above it was still good to be out on such a beautiful day and as someone famous once said "I'll be back"
Thursday, 5 March 2015
St Dogmaels - Cemais head- St Dogmaels
I had recently mentioned to "The Navigator" that I had seen an episode of "Weatherman Walking" where Derek had undertaken a walk in St Dogmaels. I knew the river side area well as we often canoe down the Afon Teifi either to egress at St Dogmaels or paddle past it. However I had not visited the town and its Abbey. Lo and behold this was to be our destination for our Monday walk.
Route
We parked up and our first stop was the impressive ruins of the Abbey.
I could not persuade "The Navigator" to have a cake at the information centre/cafe and so we walked on and up the scenic Cwm Degwel and then by way of minor roads to the coast at Pwllygranant.
It was on our descent to the coast we met a Belgium tourist walking up from the coast who had somehow missed the path on his route to Newport. We managed to ensure he walked back down to the coast path and continue his journey.
We turned north heading for Cemaes Head.
The weather was blue sky but cold and on the coast extremely windy, thankfully at our backs. In places we estimated at some 100 feet the wind was blowing the sea up the cliffs and onto the path.
Once we turned the corner at Cemaes head we were sheltered from the wind and headed back with views of the Teifi estuary.
Route
We parked up and our first stop was the impressive ruins of the Abbey.
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| Impressive yew tree |
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| Abbey ruins |
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| Mill pond near visitor centre |
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| St Dogmaels |
I could not persuade "The Navigator" to have a cake at the information centre/cafe and so we walked on and up the scenic Cwm Degwel and then by way of minor roads to the coast at Pwllygranant.
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| Cardigan Island |
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| Rock formation |
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| Looking south towards Newport. |
The weather was blue sky but cold and on the coast extremely windy, thankfully at our backs. In places we estimated at some 100 feet the wind was blowing the sea up the cliffs and onto the path.
Once we turned the corner at Cemaes head we were sheltered from the wind and headed back with views of the Teifi estuary.
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| Another view of Cardigan Island |
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| Teifi estuary |
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| Well it was just after St Davids Day |
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| Teifi Estuary |
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| Feeding time |
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| St Dogmaels |
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