Dont seem to have a huge amount of time these days to write proper blog entries but there again at least I am getting out and about for walks (no overnighters as yet though). Thought I’d post a few pictures of my March travels and I apologise in advance that its mainly a photo collage not a report 🙂
Wye Valley Sunrise
A favourite spot of mine is Bigsweir bridge. It still has a turnpike cottage on the Welsh side of the bridge and although it is in need of a bit of TLC, its understated majesty as it arches over the Wye is always a sight I look forward to when driving that way. Ok,”majesty” might be too strong a word for this bridge but I do like it nonetheless
Bigsweir Bridge
Also views from the bridge both upstream and down
The Wye looking towards Monmouth
Looking downstream
Now a few photos of my walks in the Brecon Beacons these past few weeks…. I have been out for half a dozen walks in the past month which is pretty good by my standards. The early part of March saw me catching the last of the snow on the flanks of the highest peaks and ridges. The latter part of the month catching the early signs of spring. All in all a good month to be in the beacons. Now then, just to get in a few overnighters and I will be happy!
The last snow on Waun Fach
The funny thing about yomping through the very last snow on Waun Fach was that at times the snow was really hard and compacted and then at other times I felt myself breaking through the icy crust and ending up waist deep in an innocuous looking drift. Good fun though, kept me guessing all the way to Pen-y-Gadair Fawr 🙂
Grynne Fawr Reservoir looking towards the little bothy at its source
The bothy at the head of the reservoir is a tiny but well endowed little place. It can sleep 4 at a push in the rafters (via a ladder) and has a magnificent wood burner in the main (only!) room downstairs. There is a table and chairs and thats about it but it has a certain charm and is well used. In the tradition of bothies, people bring firewood and kindling with them and leave small items such as candles to help the next visitors along. Magic little place and you get the morning views over the reservoir all to yourself
Grynne Fawr Reservoir
The reservoir nestles quite close to the plateau at the head of the Black Mountains to the North and is a wonderful spot to camp, bivvy or bothy before wandering around the exposed windswept high places.
On the slopes of Mynydd Llangorse looking towards Llangorse lake and the central Beacons
Not an area I visit that frequently but a very pleasant walk and superb view of the lake and Pen-y-Fan in the distance. Walks in this area can often be grouped together to give easy circular routes according to taste and ability.
Talybont Reservoir from Tor-y-Foel
Another reservoir……yes there are a few around here. This time its the mercurial Talybont Reservoir. At times this is a tranquil and beautiful reservoir to rival any I have seen and then at other times it can be inward looking, grey, murky and reluctant to open herself up to the casual visitor. The picture is taken from the “summit” of Fan-y-Foel. Although only 551metres in height, if you climb it from the pathless North slope it is a test of endurance that feels twice the height gained! Again not a place I often walk but I was in the mood for a different perspective of the reservoir as I normally view it from Cairn Pica on the way to the central massif of the Beacons.
There you have it, a short collection of pictures of my recent forays. It has been great to get out and about so much recently and I have to confess that walking in early spring is great as I am not a fan of high summer and the discomfort that brings to walking and backpacking. But that’s just me……
Saddlebags and Backpacks - a brewer's outdoor adventures 
Great photo’s – lovely part of the world that I keep promising myself to get down to more often seeing as its just down the M4. Sounds like you’ve been out more than me recently!
thanks for the comments Nigel. You say you must come down here more often….well do it man! 🙂
Keep finding new bits to view and visit and sometimes just new ways to see old haunts. March has been good fun it has to be said
Lovely photos all around, Dave. I like the bridge and the view from it, and the bothy at Grynne Fawr Reservoir sounds very nice.
And it is spring in Wales! While we have now some plus degrees, the land is still covered in snow, while the streets are now covered in grit – hate that. But it looks like another four to six weeks and we’ll have snow free forests here =)
definitely snow free here in South Wales now Hendrik but I think that the north of the UK is about to have a last late taste of winter this week
Really nice pictures Dave, which compact are you using at the moment?
Hi Shamus,
using a Panasonic Lumix LX3 at the mo although the occasional mobile phone photo (Nokia N95) also slips in
🙂
No need to apologise for the photos Dave – awesome pictures are enough for me so no trip report required.
I often wish I could just get out locally to satisfy the thirst but I’d be hard pushed to get anything close to that at my back door!
thanks Marcus. I do feel very lucky indeed to have both the Wye Valley and the Brecon Beacons very close at hand.
Sometimes I drive to work a different (longer) way just to take in some of the views of these areas. Walking in them is much better though!
These pics remind me of my time in UK a few years ago.
What camera gear do you use?
Mainly the Panasonic Lumix LX3 but I am not a serious photographer……I havent got the patience! 🙂