Llyn Brianne

Back from sunnier climes "The Navigator" was once again back in charge.  The Sunday evening chat left things up in the air as the forecast was not looking good. However at 0800 on Monday morning the game was afoot.

The decision was to head to the hills in the Llyn Brianne area near Rhandirmwyn.  Although I had walked in this part on numerous occasions, today would see me for the first time,walking across the reservoir dam and visiting the the hideaway of our own local Robin Hood, Twm Sion Cati.

Route

Just after we set off we came across a small runaway herd of Welsh Black cattle strolling down the road. Thankfully they ran up into the trees when a van came down the road.

You looking at me?

We crossed  the dam and looked down  the spillway on which brave (stupid?) kayakers have been known to slide and which runs into the Afon Tywi. It has been said one of the contractors employees was the first to carry out this manoeuvre by sliding down sitting on his shovel!

The spillway

After walking along the track we cut up into the wood where we came across a pair of shoes in perfectly good condition.  I must admit to looking up but thankfully no hanging bodies.

A mystery

As we exited the trees there was a strong and cold wind which blew off and on throughout the walk. The route took us down to the Doethie valley and back towards the road leading up to the reservoir.

Heading down to the Doethie

 We had lunch overlooking where the Afon Doethie meets the Afon Tywi.

Confluence of Afon Doethie and Tywi

 Along the Doethie river there are 5 homes but a large civil contract was underway laying down a new bridge. Apparently the current one is unstable.

Looking upstream of Afon Tywi

Afon Doethie

We turned off the road into the RSPB reserve of Dinas and walked around the hill, but also taking in the cave where Twm Sion Cati was said to have hidden.

The two rivers from Dinas Reserve

Desirable residence?

What I saw showed it to be a most uncomfortable place.The route around the hill is very picturesque and we were soon back at the car.

St Paulinus Church

The board walk from this car park leading into the reserve is currently closed.

Board walk closed

Llangadog to Llandovery

With The Navigator sunning himself in Mallorca I had to guide myself.

Thankfully I was in the capable hands of Mr Alan Richards and his excellent book, Great Walks in Carmarthenshire Vol 1 and the linear walk from Llangadog to Llandovery via Myddai.

Route

I parked in Llandovery, £1.50 all day and caught the bus to Llangadog and then followed the guide book. His directions are always spot on and an OS map could be left at home, but you won't!

I met a number of farmers who were happy to chat despite this being a hectic time for them seeing to the lambing.

The walk included footpaths, bridal ways, green and sunken lanes and paths through woods, nice and varied.

Pictures follow.

Looking back to Llangadog

Busy time

Remains of Sardis Chapel

Bannau Sir Gar in the distance

Closed Mondays!

Loads of fungi on waste sawdust

Disappointed sheep as I was not carrying feed

Looking down to LLandovery

Racial harmony

Llewelyn ap Grufudd ap Fychan

Yet again a good day.

Mon and Brec Canal

This blog has been hijacked to tell of a canoe trip.

Judy had requested a pootle on the canal and with at long last a weather window opening we agreed to meet on Friday at the slipway at Pencelli and paddle east.

An attractive route map

The lane leading to Pencelli gives excellent views of Pen Y Fan and Corn Ddu which with clear tops was probably crawling with walkers.

We set off leaving a mechanic ponder over why a motor boat just would not start. Feeling smug we dipped our paddles in the water and set off.

Notice on canal bridge

Pencelli

We stopped not far from Talybont for coffee where Judy grabbed a bunch of young nettles which led to some cursing.

Judy has a key for the various bridges and the one at Talybont also has road gates to close to avoid sudden emerges by unwary motorists!

Talybont

We paddled as far as the Ashness Tunnel and as neither of us had the required torches we turned here and headed back stopping for lunch and finally back to Pencelli.

Ashness Tunnel

The council cuts are hitting home as the public toilets by the White Hart in Talybont are now closed, but a notice indicates an alternative should be open later this year. What to do in the meantime?

A nice day was had and plans loosely made for another paddle in due course.

A fine Alan Bridges design and build

Dryslwyn Circular

With Mrs Navigator needing to be back home in time to doll up for the monthly W.I. meeting, The Navigator decided on a walk close to Carmarthen and chose a walk from Mr Alan Richards book Great Walks in Carmarthenshire Volume 1 .Mr Richards has two such volumes and come highly recommended from us.

We met up in the picnic area by Dryslwyn Castle overlooking the flooded fields adjacent to the Afon Tywi. From the road the castle may just seem a small ruin but if you climb up to the castle you can see the extent of this fortification and the extensive views of the Tywi Valley.

The reason why the castle is in ruins

The walk took us along a minor road and then up to the woodland below Grongar Hill (click the link for a related poem) and down to Aberglasney Gardens and on to the village of Llangathen where we had a coffee break in the church yard.

Any idea what this is for?

Aberglasney

View back to Grongar Hill

We deviated from the guide book here and took the footpath down to Berllan Dywyll Wood  and rejoined the route at Cilsan bridge and then across the field into the agricultural college grounds.

Afon Tywi from Cilsan Bridge

Frogs have been at it

This led to the main road which we crossed and then into the grounds of Gelli Aur, our lunch stop. The path through the outskirts of the grounds showed the extent of the recent storms with many trees uprooted.

Once back on the road we headed west on a mixture of lanes and off road paths, a muddy experience, and back to Dryslwyn Castle.

Good old Dr Beecham