This morning Tam and I went for a walk around Gilfach Nature Reserve, which is just outside of Rhayader. She met up with a best friend from school and her husband there recently and they had a lovely walk and picnic, and froze their feet wading in the river!
The scenery was beautiful - as you will see from the photos - and wild, as I like it.
The two abbeys of Strata Florida and Abbey Cwm-Hir are separated by about 25 miles. A (Cistertian) monk could ride this far in a day. I've only been to Strata Florida just the once, back in my Uni days when we had a Field Trip there, but now we live closer we shall visit this year. Abbey Cwm-Hir is closer, t'other side of Llandod, so we will go there too, although there's really not much left of it. I think all the stone went to build the village - just as Builth Castle stone built the town!
This blocked-up tunnel was once used by the Mid-Wales railway, which opened in 1864 and provided a vital route which linked the South Wales coalfields to mid and north Wales, especially during WW1. The line ran from Three Cocks (on the Hay & Hereford road) to Llanidloes. However, it was never really financially viable and was closed in 1962 (I assume Dr Beeching may have been involved . . .)
This is the River Marteg, hurrying towards the Wye, which is joins the other side of the A470. It was cutting through slate bedrock and reminded me of the River Cothi, the way it had carved out the rock.
More tomorrow. Plus our visit to Pontsioni House, where their garden was open under the National Gardens Scheme.
The slate carved by the water looks surreal. Your whole area makes me think of Lord of the Rings! Ancient, beautiful.
ReplyDeleteIt does look rather surreal doesn't it? Amazing the power of water. It was SUCH a lovely walk, and of course totally new to me. We are spoilt for choice for walks round here.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Holly. The scenery here looks like something out of Tolkien.
ReplyDeleteLots of sculpted river beds like that in Wales. Along with wind-twisted trees and craggy outcrops.
DeletePS: Sorry. I forgot to ask. What are the witch's whiskers referring to?
ReplyDeleteAhah - they are what I formerly knew only as Oak Moss - it grows on all the trees round here, as the air is so clear. At the Reserve, they had a sign up calling it Witch's Whiskers, which I loved!
DeleteHow delightful to find your blog again - it must be years sine I was last here - nit sire what happened there. I have kayaked the Marteg in full spate - what a river - and the down through the falls at Rhayader!
ReplyDeleteStrat Florida is well worth the trip - do take in the Teifi Pools too though, and perhaps a visit to the remote bothy at Claerddu - trust me, it's a fab place for a cup of tea.
Hello again Mark. Glad you found my blog again. Rather you than me kayaking the Marteg in full spate. I know what these rivers get like (having lived for 32 years close to the River Cothi). I am happy to look at water, but forget about swimming in it or doing anything on it!
DeleteTam and I will go to Strata Florida when the leaves are on the trees, and I will check out the bothy at Claerddu. We like remote.
I've added you to my blog side bar now so I can go and catch up on your adventures.
Absolutely positively WONDERFUL pictures.... so serene & gorgeous!! ~Andrea xoxo
ReplyDeleteAndrea - I am glad they give you so much pleasure. It was lovely there and I can't wait to go back when the leaves are on the trees.
DeleteWonderful photography. What a great day out. Like you, I really love wild scenery. Some of my favorite wild places are: Big Sur in California; the Twelve Bens in Connemara; the Badlands National Park in South Dakota; and the five National Parks in Southern Utah (Arches, Canyonland, Capitol Reef, Bryce, and Zion). Amazing scenery in all these places. Just not quite as easy to get to as your lovely walks!
ReplyDeleteGlorious, wild countryside. I like that it's part of an ancient monks route to Strata Florida, which I would love to see one day. The river certainly has been carving away creatively.
ReplyDelete