PORT TALBOT AREA

Living down West I have had many journeys up and down the M4 and have often thought about the hills which overlook Port Talbot: clearly, I must have mentioned this to the "Navigator",  as this week's walk was to have an "adventure' in this very area.  Now, the word "adventure" usually means a machete would be a useful tool and just because paths are shown on the OS maps does not mean they are in fact visible.

Here is the Route (click) as far as I can recall as there was a certain amount faffing about.

We parked up just outside Jersey Park. We had a pleasant walk through the park down to the main road to make use of our bus passes for a ride to Port Talbot bus station.

As one would expect the "Navigator" had a few problems getting from the station to the start of the walk proper:  to be fair my limited skills fall down badly in built up areas.

We were just about to take to a riverside path when we met a chap walking two springers.  This was fatal as Mr and Mrs Navigator also own one and notes were compared.  Luckily the chap told us that the riverside path we were about to take had some construction work taking place and suggested an alternative which he kindly guided us to.

It was now past elevenses time and we found a view point overlooking a weir on the river, where I picked up a little friend.

Although not shown on our OS maps there is now a cycle path which takes you all the way to Afon Argoed Country Park which is  something I have filed away for future reference.

For the next hour there was a fair amount of faffing when published paths failed to make an appearance just south of Cwmafon.  Were we down hearted?  YES!

On regrouping we took the path towards Nant y Glais.  At a farm gate there was note warning locals that anyone found shooting etc without permission would be sued and that they were not entering a country park!  There were way mark signs so we continued . At the farm we met with the owners who explained they had had major problems with some individuals culminating in one of their horses being shot.

Just after the farm we stopped for lunch.

Our next objective was the lower slopes of Twyn Dinas  where we had  excellent views overlooking the coast. It was surprising that up here there were signs for the Wales Coastal Path.  The heather along the path was blooming.

We then headed down to Blaen Baglan and turned north east on the minor road and then into the woods at a farm shown as Bwlch. 

The forestry tracks led us back to the car.  Another triumph (of sorts) for the Navigator. 

SENNYBRIDGE AREA AND GLAMPING

Today's walk was really an aside to helping Janice (Mrs Navigator) erect her huge tent for her stay in Brecon to visit the jazz festival.

However The Navigator thought it would be useful to aid my rehab. if we made best use of the day and have a walk with some up and of course down.

Here is the  Route (click).

We parked in the public car park in Sennybridge, crossed the A40 and over Pont Llwyncyntefin. Quite some time ago I used to kayak from near here and paddle over the three weirs.

There is a riverside footpath here heading upstream which leads to a minor road.  Near Beili Bedw we took the green lane - wet in places..  This lane took us back to the A40 where we had to walk for a short time before crossing over and heading for Pontysgallog. We now had about 1.5 of road walking, but it was reasonably free of traffic..

At Nantyrharn we took the bridleway which takes a north easterly route up onto Forest Fach and then to the trig point 381.

We did stop for lunch just after Nantyrharn.  There were some good views of the Brecon Beacons from the central ones, where no doubt on this fine day there were probably loads of walkers and then over to the westerly beacons.

We left the trig point and headed down via the track shown to the left of the disused quarry.  On the way views of Sennybridge appeared.

When we reached the minor road we turned right and at Trephillip Bridge took the footpath upstream on the Afon Senni back to to the car. There was an amusing sign in the river.

It had been a good walk if not a little on the hot side (musn't grumble!)

The next task awaited us just outside Brecon town where Janice's home from home was erected without much trouble.  This is camping but not as I know it! Palatial and a a Z bed which makes a neoair look like a board.

The Navigator and I headed back west leaving Janice to hopefully have a "cool" weekend

LLANSAINT TO CARMARTHEN

Continuing my rehabilitation following my knee operation today's walk was to be longer and include some rougher ground. The plan was to catch a bus to Llansaint and walk back to Carmarthen using the Wales Coastal Path.

Route (click)

We parked our cars in Morrisons and caught the 0923 bus to Llanelli which went via Llansaint - a free ride courtesy of our bus passes.

This route would all be new to me as I had never been to Llansaint before and had not walked on this side of the Tywi estuary either.

The village of Llansaint put me in my mind of a small Cornish fisherman's village with narrow streets and cwtched in around the church. The history board shows the village was famous for its cockle women despite it being on a hill and a fair way to the sea.

A potted history can be found on the link below.

Llansaint (Click)

We were on the look out for the Wales Coast Path logo, which on the whole were visible on the route but with a number of annoying omissions.

Our first stretch took us along a path leading to Pengay Farm which had an impressive bell in the courtyard gateway - mention of this in the wiki notes above.

Looking out to sea we had views of the Gower and Worm's Head and carried on along footpaths which lead into a hidden valley and then on to Ferryside  and its beach.

Ferryside (Click)

In days gone by one could catch a ferry to Llansteffan on the other side of the estuary where there are fine remains of a castle.

In Ferryside there is a wooden carving celebrating those who fished using a seine net.

Our walk continued along a quiet lane and footpath to join another lane near Cwmburry.  This lane was followed  to the ruined farm of Pentrecwm and into the woods where the map shows "Hydraulic Ram". This was either some experiment to do with sheep or more likely water, but we did not see it.

On we went through Towy Castle now a care home and no evidence of a castle.  There were some expensive cars in the car park and if belonging to the owners I cannot see my sons placing me here!

At the end of the footpaths we came across the most attractive style I have seen, probably because it leads into a garden, but it is the path.

We came across a place name and an adjacent warning sign which made me chuckle.

More footpaths, some quite muddy, led us to a green lane  and eventually to a minor road which led us to Croesyceilog and then back to our cars on the outskirts of Carmarthen.

Not a bad test for the knee as the distance was about 10 miles and the ground was quite rough in places with some ups and downs.  We are off to Brecon area on Thursday for further testing!

MEIDRIM

The knee op took place on the 17th July and seems to have gone well and walking up to now up to 2 miles and a 3 mile bike ride. The surgeon told me that he had found "age related" wear and tear and a mangled cartilage. All now tidied up and I should be fine.

The "Navigator" was back from a walking holiday in Chamonix and suggested a gentle half day walk near his homestead in  Meidrim

Here is the  route

I had forgotten the camera in my haste to start back walking, albeit just a half day.

There was only one stretch of off lane walking and that was a bash through some overgrown brambles etc.

Thankfully no after affects and hopefully a longer walk next week.

LLANSTEFFAN AREA

With a month of poor weather and cabin fever not far away, not to mention the dodgy knee I was keen just to get out the house.

I telephoned my mate Chris for a chat and he mentioned that he was going for a short walk this afternoon to look at the ruins of the Pilgrims Rest at Llandeilo Abercowyn. I pleaded to go with him and  he agreed!

Route http://www.ukhillwalking.com/logbook/e.php?d=20120629&u=129274

We parked the car near  Cwm Celyn farm and started to walk towards the farm.  The owner who was playing with his JCB said that his son had found a body that morning and the police were in attendance and may not let us through the land.  However we carried on through the farm and onto the footpath through the small copse and onto the Pilgrims Rest and the ruins of St Teilo Church.  The owner was very helpful and showed where the chapel was and gave some background to the Pilgrim's Rest.  The chapel was somewhat overgrown but the farmer hoped to take a strimmer to the growth soon.

The map shows the path going through the farm and then north along the Cowyn.  However there is now a short detour which leads east along the road and within a small distance a footpath sign puts you back on route.  I have to say this area is poorly sign posted especially as it now forms part of the Wales Coast Path, not to mention the ground was very muddy and full of holes made by cattle - but this is West Wales.

We turned right at the road at Pont Ddu and after about a half a mile at the T junction headed along the well signposted path into the woods.  Just past Gelli we turned south down the lanes back to the car just in time to miss the rain.

A 5.5 mile walk which gave me no knee problems and helped to blow away the cobwebs.

No pictures I am afraid.

St Helens Circular via Seaview

A holiday on the Isle of Wight for the week commencing 26th May saw me tentatively trying to walk without the knee protesting. I tried a one mile route along lanes and fields with no problem and with other short walks things were looking OK. On the Thursday I thought it was time for a longer walk and decided on a circular walk from our base in St Helens, cross country into Seaview and back along the coast.

The route can be seen here.

We followed a footpath north from the Field Lane caravan site, passing a well hidden trig point (49).  It is usual to find these on hill tops not hidden in a wood. In one of the fields was a collection of cattle including bison, highland cattle and some unknown white cattle.

This path led to a road where we turned left and continued on into Attrill's Lane with spring flowers still blooming.

It is a feature of the Isle of Wight to see all footpaths sign posted with most showing a route number and destination.  I wonder if anyone from Carmarthenshire County Council is reading this!

We turned off this path and headed past Park Farm and then onto Calthorpe Road where we stopped at the Duke of Westminster for a shandy.  Much to our surprise the landlord was from Llandybie a village not far from our home and we had a short chat in Welsh!

The path next to the pub was then taken which led past a wildlife park and onto the coast. The coast path led into the quiet town of Seaview where we bought some posh sandwiches and ate them on the promenade next to the yacht club.

An interesting fact here is that the sign posted public toilets are actually in the local hotel!

Now refreshed  and toileted we continued our walk along the coast walking on the sands of Seagrove Bay and Priory Bay, attractive beaches backed by woods.

We stopped at the latter  for a sun break and read before continuing on to the beach just east of St Helen's.  This did include a rock scramble as the tide was heading our way.

Once safely across we arrived at the area known as The Duver where yet another stop was had to consume ice cream.

We crossed the causeway which overlooks Bembridge Harbour and walked back into St Helen's across the village green where we had already seen a couple of cricket matches.  It was now getting ready for the jubilee celebrations with a marquee erected. Unfortunately we will miss one interesting event which was billed as a "jelly fight" taking place on the Saturday.

Some 6.5 miles later and the knee was doing well albeit it was not a strenuous hill walk but still good to be out without pain.

Stop to Procedures

Following a major knee ioncident prior to Easter 2012, my walking has come to end (hopefully just for now).  Off to see a (no doubt pricey) consultant on 8th June to see what can be done.  Thankfully I have found that cycling is pain free - see http://randombikerides.blogspot.co.uk/

Also hope that I can keep canoeing albeit not kneeling.