Because I’m still struggling with broadband and/or computer issues that hindering the frequency of which I am able to upload blog posts, I’ve decided to produce a ‘weekend review’ of the early May Bank Holiday break that is now (sadly) behind us.
I’ve had a great weekend and have clocked in more than thirty miles in less than three days!
I’ve done it! As of last night, I’ve officially completed my #walk1000miles challenge and with one whole month to spare!
On the Wales Coast Path, last month.
At the end of October, I had 922.25 miles in the bag. Let’s take a look at how November 2017 went.
I’ve just spent the past few days in Pembrokeshire, towards the south-west of Wales. Last weekend, I crossed the Severn Bridge to attend a walk leader and navigation course in the Brecon Beacons.
View from Mynydd Llangorse.
This is something that Brunel Walking Group organise at this time every year (I was supposed to go in 2013 or 2014 but cancelled) and the course is led by Andy Cummings of Manzoku; an experienced mountain leader, hill walker and climber.
As I reached Pen Trumau, close to the halfway point in this walk, I’d achieved a height of around 700m above sea level.
Waun Fach, the highest point in the Black Mountains range, could be reached by climbing only another 100m or so.
This was a ‘Joint Walk’ led by Brunel Walking Group, where both age groups were welcome to attend.
I’d been to the Brecon Beacons a few times and had always covered the same range of heights (Corn Du, Pen Y Fan, Cribyn…). But this walk promised to offer something slightly different and less frequented by the flip-flop wearing Storey Arms tourists.
Beyond the halfway point in my first exploration of Sugar Loaf mountain hill, I’d reached the hamlet of Llangenny and was looking for a place to stop for lunch.
I’d hoped to stop somewhere near to Millbrook Bridge, beneath this towering old tree. But there were already a couple of people paddling in the river beneath me and I was craving something more in the way of solitude.
Following the river, I would continue.
Sugar Loaf. A mountain or hill? However you may regard it, this was one of the peaks of the Brecon Beacons that I’d been intending to conquer for a good couple of years.
I came across an eleven-mile route on the Walking Englishman’s website some time ago and that provided the impetus to get me going. There are so many ‘short’ walks available online… I always prefer to do something worthwhile, when bridge tolls and ninety-minute drives are required.
