Cardiff Wednesday 10th July
After the long walk Tuesday, a more relaxed day was in order for Wednesday and a visit to Cardiff.
About 1 hour, 20 mins away from the cottage we arrived in Cardiff late morning, and aprked in a very high (and full) multi-storey near Cardiff Bay. From here it was about a mile walk into the centre, along a very long and wide pedestrianised walkway.
We spent a few hours looking around the many city centre shops including a fairly large indoor shopping mall. Lunch was taken at TGI Fridays burger emporium, and we trudged back in the warmth of the afternoon sun to the car park. After been mugged by NCP for about £7, we relocated the vehicle with attached bikes to a more open car park near to the white water sports centre further over the bay.
The barrier across the bay used to control level of water into the bay. Great wide road over the barrier, and the trail was not too busy here.
We stopped for a drink at a cafe near the light ship, then wheeled our bikes into the Mermaid Quay area and locked them. It was really busy here as there were lots of newly qualified students throwing hats in the air as they attended their degree awards ceremony somewhere nearby. The quay area here is mainly cafes and restaurants with a few quirky shops - no shortage of places to eat! We took it wasy at Cadwalders ice cream emporium and tucked into strawberry ice cream sundaes whilst looking over the bay.
From there is was a short cycle back to the start to complete the 6 mile loop, and we finished late afternoon around 17:30, then nearly an hour and a half drive back to the cottage. Maybe not such a relaxing day after all!!
Our Cycle Ride Score: 8/10
Thursday 11th July
Llangors Lake
Llangors lake is a large natural lake located to the south east of Brecon. We drove to the main car park near the common and sailing centre, parking mid-morning in the grassy spaces adjacent the common and opposite the lake.
The cycle ride took us back out the road we came in on and then out along the B-road before turning off onto quieter lanes after passing through the village of Llanfihangel Tal-Y-Llyn.
Along these lanes and after a short stretch of climbing uphill there were views down to the lake and the hills in the background.
Passing through some further small hamlets of Talyllyn and Pennarth we turned off left downhill enjoying the cool wind and free-wheeling down to the lake shore at Llangasty Talyllyn.
We rested here for a short while enjoying the lake views and abundant wild life on the lake.
From here it was back uphill in low gear, and then continuing left through the village of Cathedine before joining the main road again taking us though the larger village of Llangors and then back to the car park.
The common was host to several horses wandering freely around the parked cars.
We ate a plate of sandwiches and chips and drank ice cold coke to cool down at the cafe before heading back mid-afternoon to Brecon, then the cottage.
Our Cycle Ride Score:7/10
Thr next day Friday was time to head home, and after abrief stop in the book town of Hay-On-Wye we crossed the Wales/England border heading north east and home.
Brecon Beacons had impressed, and there is still much left to explore another time whether it be rain or shine, and we will no doubt be back for another visit in 2014.
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