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.
