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Spring Walk June 2018 Brecon Beacons,
7/06/2018 - 10/06/2018
Thursday 7th June.
Travel day.
All apart from Phil (who was travelling by train and bus) made their way to the Lamb and Flag at Llanwenarth near Abergavenny to meet for lunch and a warm up walk. The walk was up Sugar Loaf starting from a car park at Mynydd Llanwenarth. To get there was challenging as you had to drive up a narrow lane off the main road. There were several cars coming down the lane preventing our progress but as we were turning off the main road they had to reverse, harder for some to achieve than others. Once at the car park all but Pete set off on the walk up and round Sugar Loaf. On the walk Dick (who had a dodgy knee) turned back to meet Pete in the car park and await the return of the others. The weather stayed fine though it was very cloudy with a hint of drizzle in the air but not too much wind though the views were restricted.
After the walk we moved on to The White Hart Inn at Talybont-on-Usk, meeting Phil on arrival, as we were staying in a bunkhouse attached to the Inn. Once settled and changed it was down to the bar for refreshment and sustenance both of which were up to a good standard. Roland and Alison met were on holiday and staying just down the road at the Usk Inn so joined us for the evening, eating, drinking, talking and watching England play a friendly just before the world cup. Whilst we had been in the bar it had rained but as we only had to go a short distance no one got wet.
Friday 8th June.
We woke up to a fine but overcast day; it stayed fine all day warming up in the afternoon with a bit of a breeze. It was nice to wake up and have a Tea/coffee by the canal first thing in the morning. Breakfast was taken in The White Hart Inn, during breakfast Ben said he was in training for the commandos (he had packed everything apart from spare underpants). John also became concerned as his boots were still in Dick’s car and was worried he would not have them to walk in, however all became clear when he was told he could get them when he put his bag in after breakfast as we were moving on later. After breakfast we stowed our gear in the cars and moved them on to the Village car park before starting our walk. All would walk apart from Pete who went for a cycle ride arranging to meet us at the lunch time stop.
The days walk was across the canal from The White Hart Inn on to the Taff Trail, then along the Bryone Tramway (an old disused track that had brought mined goods to the canal at Talybont-on-Usk) until we reached the Beacons Way which we took to the base of Tor Y Foel where we stopped for a few minutes. It had been a steady climb all the way with some good views of the Talybont Reservoir on the way. Once we started walking again we split into two groups Dick, Pat and Ian continued on the Beacons Way the rest went up Tor Y Foel then down to Pen-y-bailey, Beacons Way to the canal at Llangynidr and The Coach and Horses our lunch time stop. Dick and the others had some problems on the Beacon Way as after Bwlch-y-waun it was very muddy and wet until reaching the road at Maes-y-beddau then back to normal walking along the same route as the others to meet the others for lunch. Here Pete, Roland and Alison (who had walked along the canal from Talybont) met us for lunch. All went back along the canal to get the cars before moving on apart from Roland and Alison who had another night in The Usk Inn before going home. During the walk Dick saw some very big hairy sheep in a field (they were Alpaca’s). Once back we got the cars and moved on to the hostel at Llwyn-y-celn. After checked in, ablutions complete, we got the bus to Tai’r-Bull and The Bull for food and refreshment (Superb home cooked Faggots). Roland and Alison also got a bus there to join the others for the evening meal. At the end of the night all got a taxi’s back to the hostel/hotel where they were staying for the evening.
Saturday 9th June.
We woke up to a very misty morning this gradually cleared as the day went on. It was dry all day with little wind getting very warm in the afternoon.
After breakfast we split into different groups Paul, Andy, Ben, John, Steve, Graham and Phil left the hostel to pick up the Taff Trail down to the Storey Arms before going on up to Corn Du, Pen y fan, Cribyn, and Fan y Big. There were lots of people up top as it appeared there was a charity event taking place. Then back down to the Storey Arms, stopping for a well earned cup of tea with cake (at a mobile tea wagon parked opposite The Storey Arms), and then back to the hostel. A good walk, with lots of hard climbs which took its toll on Phil though all felt it by the end.
Dick and Ian were meant to take the Taff Trail but took a path before crossing the Afon Tarell up to Old Glanrhyd to join the Taff Trail to Brecon. When they got to Brecon they stopped for lunch at the Drovers Arms. After lunch they returned on the Taff Trail picking up the bits that were missed on the way out. There were lots of ups and downs (though not on the scale of the other groups), twisting paths, missing sign posts and many flies. Both were bitten several times.
Pat and Pete went for a bike ride stopping at The Royal Oak at Pencelli for lunch meeting us back at the hostel later.
It was into Brecon for dinner via the bus (free on Saturday and Sunday) at The Clarence Inn. The food and beer were very good. Later, returning by taxi to the hostel. Dick and Ian went in Dick’s car as Dick had a large blister and had difficulty in walking. During the night Ben had to get up and sleep in the lounge as John was snoring so loud he could not sleep.
Sunday 10th June.
Another misty morning though not as bad as the previous day the sun coming out as we had breakfast turning into a great day. Again we split up into different groups. Andy, Paul, Steve, john, Ben and Graham walked from the hostel via Twyn Dyiluan-ddu, Fan Frynych, pile of stones, Fan Dringarth, Nant y Gaseg, Nant y Gwair, Fan Fawr ( where Ben laid down and fell asleep, snoring though not as loud as John the previous night). It was then on to the Storey Arms before returning to the hostel.
Dick drove into Brecon to the basin of the Monmouthshire and Brecon Canal so that Ian, Phil and Pat could walk from there to the Royal Oak at Pencelli for lunch where he would meet them later and take them back to the hostel. Pete went for a bike ride and met them there also.
We all got back early as we had to get the bus into Brecon for 18:00, as it was the only one on a Sunday evening. Again we went to the Clarence Inn for drinks and food before moving on to the Brecon Tap for a nightcap, getting the taxi from there back to the hostel. John went into self imposed exile to sleep in the lounge as he had kept people awake the night before.
Monday 11th June.
Home day
After breakfast we made our way to Hay on Wye for a look round and cup of tea before driving home. All travelling home uneventfully though Dick, John and Ben did see a large Red Deer by the side of the road; luckily it stayed there and did not leap into the road.
Another great walk 21 years since the last time we had been there as a group bringing back many memories.
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