A Sunny Walk

Well, I wished for summer and I did at least awake to sunshine today, so I made the most of it and walked up the hill this morning.  Here are some photos as proof!!  :

The 2nd - and steeper - part of our hill.  This one has a VV marked on the map to denote steepness.  (I think it must stand for Very Very steep!!!)

A very misty view across the Towy Valley, and a barely visible Dryslywn Castle at the very back  (that hill!)

I would have liked to walk past the old farm, which I used to ride by up to the Canter Field.  However, they have always had a motley crew of dogs running loose, and last time I went by I thought I would be bitten, so I have avoided this route (it's a there and back again one anyway).  Perhaps armed with a stout stick I may try it again . . .

Looking towards Pantglas in the far distance.

A flourishing Cow Parsley in the ditch.  I saw my first Daffodils in bloom near Cwrt Henry today too!  That IS early.

More milky distant views across the Towy Valley with wooded Grongar Hill just visible in the centre (John Dyer wrote a poem about it).  Here's a link, but me warned, Dyer goes on a bit . . . If you are intending to learn a poem a week to keep your brain active, this is not a good one to start with!!

Just looking across our valley here.  The little cottage and barn in the foreground is on the hill we drive up to go to Cwrt Henry.

Gorse blooming happily.  The nicest wine I ever had was home made Gorse Wine.  Oh my, it tasted of sunshine and was amazing.

Little pixie cups growing on a damp rail.  I don't know their proper name but they always fascinate me.

Off downstairs now to enjoy a book.  I am glad to report I am sleeping better and feeling more human today and I think that bit of a cold has finally decamped from my sinuses.

Yesterday's walk

Yesterday we had sunshine, and it was far too good to waste, so I set off on a walk up the valley a little way, not intending to go far.  Here our some local lambs - that big one is a real bruiser!

The red farmhouse on the hill.  I think these folk have knitters knit some very upmarket jumpers which go on sale in airport shops.  They had a visit from HRH once (I think it was Princess Ann) - arriving by helicopter of course.

Above and below: looking up the valley.  The mist/low cloud was thinking about coming down again, as you can see.

Then I thought I would walk just a little way up the hill, slowly, to get a better photo at the first gateway. . .

The view back down the valley . . .  The light was just lovely on the fields.

Above: this is how Wales would have looked in days gone by - trees everywhere.

The Italianate tower which is all that remains of the very grand Pant Glas house which was built around the turn of the 17th into 18th C.  It is a holiday village now.

Above: I was glad I hadn't cut across THAT field!  Slurry tanker at work . . .

The lane towards home.

Back tomorrow with some recipes.

An enjoyable walk

I walked home from my neighbour's today - I had gone out for a walk, met her coming home on the way, went to hers for tea and chat, and then walked back again.  A lovely route, but a stonking hill to climb up - did me the world of good though I didn't exactly enjoy it at the time.  That said, it is actually an easier hill to walk up than our hill - don't know why as it looks steeper, but I know ours is a killer!

On the way I stopped and trespassed a bit to take a photo or two of a stream I have only walked over in the past, never along.  I changed the setting from Automatic, to the speed one on Landscape.  WHAT a difference in colour!

My neighbour's sheep were very curious at this foxglove-jacketed lady walking past!  And talking of Foxgloves, this MUST be the last one of the season.

Not too many brown or golden leaves here yet.  It was lovely walking along the lane, and I got into a good walking stride.  I should imagine it's the same for runners (or even racehorses!) when they settle into a rhythm.

This hill I can walk up quite easily - compared with ours, that is, which is a valley side.

A Rhododendron a little confused I think!

The view up our valley (above and below).

Lastly (below) my reward, and yes, it really IS that diddy.  Just two glasses' worth.   Never thought I'd see the day . . .

Saturday's walk

I took myself off for a walk yesterday, but cheated a bit as it was gone 2 p.m. when I set off, so I got my OH to drop me well up the hill.  I added 20 mins to the walk initially by climbing even higher to see if I could get a photo of Black Mountain covered in snow, but it was too soft and milky. Winter leached the colour from the landscape, so only the closest fields were in technicolour.

Mums-in-waiting were in a field one side of the lane forking off the main route up to Horeb.

Whilst the ones who had lambed were in a field opposite.

View down the Cothi valley.

Iron Age enclosure on the top of one of the steepest hills.

An old farmstead and barns have been on the market, with parcels of land.  There was work going on in the house, but two of the barns still have plans attached, and presumably no buyers yet.

But this one is finished and lived in.  It has beautiful views down the valley.

I love rough hillsides like this one.

We used to ride round this loop too.  As you can see, the lane is very narrow - one horse and cart width - so we always hoped not to meet any traffic or we would have to turn around and try and find a gateway.

Looking at the big hillfort hill, you can see I was crossing the valley at this point.

The views are just tremendous.  Big hill to the left, and looking to the far edge of the Towy Valley on the horizon.

I think this is one slope of Banc y Darren.

Now the lane plunges steeply down.  The cluster of white buildings on the brackened hillside belong to some folk seeking an alternative lifestyle - modern-day hippies I suppose.

Plenty of old plantings of Snowdrops are in flower along the lane now, and the Daffodils planning to soon join them in bloom.

Turning back towards home (to the right).  The little lane to the left just leads to one final farm.

I met our neighbour Nikky walking her dog.  He must have known we would have had a good chinwag as he straightaway laid down on the road!  Here are Nikky's two donkeys, George and Ned.  It is George who I have been halter breaking.

One last look back along the sunny valley.

Then I dragged myself up the 2nd half of a really steep hill.  By this time I had been walking for an hour and a half and my back was aching, so I decided to phone home, and get my OH to pick me up.  If I hadn't walked the first bit of hill for the view (which I couldn't get), I would have got home, as it took 20 mins and I was 20 mins from home here.  I think because I got out of the car and started walking up a steep hill before I warmed up, I shot myself in the foot rather.

Hope you enjoyed walking with me.