Day 1 Howgills

We left home near Carmarthen just after 0900 and headed up through Mid Wales and near Chester joined the motorways heading north. Usually we try to have a short walk to stretch the legs when our destination is near and today was no exception.

Most people know Tebay as a convenient service station on the M6, but we turned off here to park in the village of Tebay. 

Here is the route 

This walk was not a good omen for me as I forgot to take my camera and phone.  I had also forgotten to replace the footbeds in my boots and thought I had left my poles behind!

Never mind, it was only to be a short walk but this was the first time I had put a foot on the Howgills.  The views over the route of the M6 and the far eastern Lake District Fells and into the lesser known Borrowdale were a good introduction to our week to come..

Back at the car I was pleased to find that all my missing items were in place and we set off for the rest of our journey to Keskadale Farm and our cottage for the week.

Mrs Navigators stew was demolished in three helpings each!

A WEEK IN THE LAKE DISTRICT

We ( me and "The Navigator" ) were based near the Newlands Valley in a cottage on Keskadale Farm (click). The weather was mixed but good on the days we went high.

Briefly the destinations were:-

Saturday - Short walk on the Howgills

Sunday  - - Causey Pike

Monday -  High Spy and Maiden Moor

Tuesday - Newlands Valley

Wednesday - Dodd

Thursday - Borrowdale

Friday - Hindscarth and Robinson

Read on for further information and photographs.

Carmarthen Fans

The weather for the week had been mixed to say the least, but Saturday was looking glorious and so a plan was hatched to take my neighbour, Paul, on his first outing to Carmarthen Fans.

Just before bed on Friday I had a last look at the weather and it was still showing lots of yellow suns.

We arrived at the car park just below the filter beds and hatchery to find two other cars in place.

I briefly explained the legend of the Lady of the Lake and Paul thought the illustration on the interpretation panel looked a lot like Nigella.  No wonder the farm lad thought he was in luck!

Here is our route (click)

On the track up we met some folks coming down and could only assume they must have had a night on the hill.  The stream on the lright of the path was full and flowing well over the falls.

At the lake we had elevenses and then set off up the path to the first summit of Waun Lefrith with views down to Llyn Y Fan Fach and the hills beyond.

Then on to Picws Du.There was then a steep downhill to the bwlch where we had lunch in the sun.

Refreshed we took the direct route up to Fan Brycheiniog and had a look around the the circular cairn which in windy conditions is a god send.  Down below was Llyn y Fan Fawr.

We now headed back but stuck to the edge and visited Fan Foel.  

Near here is a large circle of land with some material resembling that used for weed control.  Paul suggested this was used to cover archaeology digs. See  link

The path back down to the bwlch has now been engineered and probably better than the rutted track which had previously been there.

At the bwlch we took the zig zag track which leads one below Picws Du and across the moor back to the car.

We stopped en route for a cuppa.

 Looking back at the hills we saw a para glider heading our way and he landed back at our car park which was now full. The farm, Blaenau which is just down the road from the car parking area has a cafe and I believe only open at weekends and looks very inviting, but we passed.

A good way to start October.  Hopefully I will be just as lucky a little later in the month when "The Navigator" and I head for the Lake District.

Frenni Fawr (Preseli Hills)

Owing to pre-booked appointments our walk today was planned to be a little shorter than usual.  However "The Navigator" had come up with a plan which would still make for a good walk.

We were headed for Crymych and one of the Preseli Hills outliers - Frenni Fawr.

Here is the Route (click)

We walked a short distance outside of the centre of Crymych towards the cemetery shown on the OS map and then followed a path parallel to the dismantled railway. We passed a disbanded farm and had early elevenses by the disused quarry near a lovely named farm - Jollity Farm.  We passed some pigs who seemed very happy in their muddy field.

The path was well sign posted and included a diverted path which led us near to Penlan-Uchaf before the short pull up to the top of Frenni Fawr. On the way up we came across a number of fungi of the wax cap variety which included the meadow wax cap, the blackening wax cap, the parrot wax cap and I think a hygrocybe persistens (yellow). 

This is the time of year to see these colourful fungi and they are normally found in unimproved pastures. It is of course the season for lots more fungi. If you are within striking distance of the National Botanic Garden of Wales on the 14th October there is day dedicated to all things fungi.

Lunch was consumed just off the top of Frenni Fawr but not before looking at the views towards the main Preseli Hills, Dinas Island and in the distance Worm's Head on the Gower.

The route off the top was north west following the established path down to the road. 

We soon turned off heading for Cidigill.  On this lane we noticed a sheep who had managed to get its head stuck in the wire fence.  As Mrs Navigator approached, the sheep panicked and pulled itself free.  Judging by the dirty fleece it had been there some time and was clearly very hungry.

By Cidigill we made a detour as our planned path was blocked by a farmer who was loading cattle into a trailer.  This led us back to the main road where we spotted the rare sight of the shy Welsh dragon.

 We then turned onto the minor road leading back to our car.

A DARK KNIGHT RISES

After spending 14 days in the Algarve with wall to wall sunshine it was back to normality, with stories of floods and other aspects of doom and gloom.

Anxious to put the boots back on I telephoned "The Navigator" to seek permission to join him and his good wife on their Thursday walk.  Permission granted.

The plan was to travel towards Ystradgynlais and walk the hills towards the south and take in Henrhyd Falls on the way back.

Route (click)

We parked the car in Caehopkin and headed south to the minor road which also forms part of the cycle route 43. This path gave some excellent views including to the east Fan Gyrhirych and Varteg to the west.

We stayed on this path until the turning after Hendre Ladis. Just after the latter  was a waterfall.

The way upwards towards Bryn Llechwen was through waist high grass and unseen holes and a real struggle.  To recover, we stopped for lunch with views over the Nant Helen opencast mine where huge lorries could be seen carrying out the coal and into the Dulas valley and the town of Seven Sisters.

After lunch we followed the the path to Cwm Mawr and onto Coelbren.

Our next target was the waterfall Sgwd Henrhyd the tallest one in South Wales. Click for info including the filming of the latest Batman movie. We met up with a local and he and "The Navigator" exchanged stories about the great freeze of 1986 when the falls froze. The local chap went indoors to bring out a photo of the event which was impressive.  Apparently it was way back in 1940 when it last froze to that extent.

The walk continued downstream back to Cae Hopkin. 

OUTDOORS MAGIC MEET DAY 2 WATERFALLS

During the night the weather had changed and on waking, the rain was once more falling . It was clearly not a day for the tops and it was decided to have a shorter walk and look at the Waterfalls of the Afon Mellte and Afon Hepste. 

Route (click)

We started from the Ystradfellte end and visited a number of the falls with the jewel being Sgwd Yr Eira (The Snow Falls).  We were able to walk behind the fall and look out through the falling water.

This is a stunning area one which I have visited on a number of occasions.  Care is needed as the ground is steep, muddy and the stones wet.  We did see an accident waiting to happen when one lad had decided to look closer at a fall and was clearly not wearing appropriate shoes and did slip.  Fortunately he recovered and walked away.

One of our members is a member of the local Mountain Rescue group and told us that at least once a month they have to rescue people who have fallen and had lower limb problems.

We did come across a group of people clearly (and safely) enjoying gorge walking, which looked good fun.

An enjoyable weekend and hopefully  there will be more.

OUTDOORS MAGIC MEET BRECON 31st to 2nd Sept

For some time now I have been reading the forum on Outdoors Magic (OM) and thought it would be an idea to join one of the meets. Since Easter I have been crocked with a knee problem but following an operation good progress was being made and I made the decision to join the Brecon meet which was to be based at the Dan Yr Ogof  campsite

I was looking forward to this year's first spot of camping and I can recommend the site.  Good pitches and facilities and a restaurant on site.  Not far away a pub with real ale and food.

The tent was erected and after some introductions the early birds set off for the pub, where near to closing time some more from OM joined us.

Saturday started misty with the clouds below the tops and after a leisurely start - some had made the decision to start the day with a Welsh fry up in the restaurant, we set off to walk the ridge taking in Fan Hir all the way to the end above Llyn Y Fan Fach.  The route back was south to join the bridleway which led all the way back to Dan Yr Ogof.

 route (click)

My pace is basically a steady plod and regular stops on the way for photos and food.  I was not sure how this would fit in with those I had not met before, but there was no forced route march.  We even had time for a short snooze in the sun.

We had been warned that with all the rain we had had in recent days there could be a problem crossing the Afon Twrch but feet were kept dry. At grid reference 807191we came across a swallow hole which was too tempting for some to have a an explore.  A little further on we came across a number of cavers who were exploring in more depth and were excavating inside a hole hoping to find a way through.  This is one pursuit I have no interest in!

We then followed the path and arrived back at the site to find a few more arrivals.

Following a shower the BBQ was lit and a feast of meat was devoured. The night ended with a spectacular firework display as the site was celebrating 100 years of the caves being discovered.