Thursday 11th June 2015

Thursday 11th June 2015 - Swansea Bay/Henrhyd Falls

A bit dull to begin, but hopes of brightening we set off for Swansea, with bikes on the rack, with a plan to look around Swansea and a cycle along the prom to Mumbles. It's about the same distance/time as Cardiff from Brecon, around an hour or so.


  We managed to park near the marina. There's a long dual carriageway set back from the sea front and marina, and after a few wrong turns we found it and eventually ended up on the right side of the carriageway for parking near the marina. The centre of Swansea is then a short walk over the carriageway and through the indoor mall. We did not spend too long as we were a little underwhelmed with the shops in comparison with Cardiff. So after a fairly short walk around and a bite to eat in M&S cafe we headed back to the car park and the bikes.


A bridge (going through it) led onto the marina, and this led out via some zig-zagging steps onto the sea front. Turning right and following the excellent walkers/cycle path we headed for Mumbles, about a 5 mile easy cycle ride.

The views were great across Swansea Bay, and out to Mumbles in the distance. The cycle path ran alongside the beach for a while, and then alongside a rather busy main road, before it became quieter again and widened, following the beach once again.

The beach here was nice and sandy and you can see Swansea now in the distance.

Then looking in the other direction the view towards the headland at Mumbles.
The path was quite busy in places with both walkers/joggers and some other cyclists.

As we approached Mumbles it became even busier. We dismounted, used some facilities, wheeled the bikes past a rather large nice looking cafe/restaurant, then sat on the small harbour for a while admiring the views around the bay.

We then headed back the 5 miles, pausing once or twice to take a few more pictures and admire the beaches.

Once back at the car park we loaded the bikes up and set off back to Brecon but via Henrhyd falls as it was not too much of a diversion from the route back.


Henrhyd Falls

Not too far off the beaten track we found the car park with a few others there. I picked up my camera gear and tripod and Susan waited while I indulged myself in a few pictures of the falls.
The way down to the falls was easy to find and a fairly steepish but well trodden gravel path about half a mile or so.


http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/ShowUserReviews-g1475028-d6495878-r206651626-Henrhyd_Waterfall-Coelbren_Powys_Wales.html

When I arrived there were a few others there, some just having a look and a walk behind the falls. I spent a few minutes chatting to a couple of other like- minded amateur photographers who were just finishing and packing up their gear.

I waited a while as a few people were behind the falls, so set up and planned my shots.
Took the one above with long exposure, 10 stop ND filter and polariser while the shot was clear.

Soon after more people arrived and sat behind the falls for a while, so I got bored and took a long shot anyway. Due to their lack of movement during the exposure, they appered in shot.

A closer shot using 70-300mm zoom.

Finished with another long exposure, but if you look at the bottom of the shot, some bathers had decided to have a splash around and it was clear they would be some time, so took the shot anyway and their presence can be seen at the bottom near the tree. Packed up and headed back as Susan was waiting and I had already been a while. The hike back up was a bit more strenuous uphill, arrived back to the car a bit hot and ready for a drink!

Travelled back to Brecon ready to pack for the journey back home Friday, having had a good week in South Wales.

Wednesday 10th June 2015

Wednesday - 10th June 2015 - Waun Fach (2700ft)  8.5 Miles

An early start with fair weather forecast, this walk was to be a solo effort as it would be too much for Susan's still recovering ankle. So it was a set off at 06:30 (ish) from the cottage and about a 25 minute drive to the start. 

The day was bright and after paying a few quid into the car park honesty box I found myself descending down a steep muddy bank at the back and onto a wide track. Crossing a stile into open fields, the route then ascended up quite steep grassy slopes to the ruins of an old hill fort.

It was quite hard work for so early in the morning, and several stops to admire the views were made.

"Me and my shadow" - There was no one else, in fact, I did not see anyone for the whole duration of the walk.

The light was good this early in the morning, casting long shadows on the rolling green hills.



The scant remains of parts of the hill fort.

The path levelled for a while and several wild horses were encountered in the distance. Turning right off the main path the way was following a grassier less distinct track towards the goal of Wan Fauch. Despite the bright day, the wind had picked up above 1500ft, and progressively increased with height.

The grassy track then joined a more distinct rockier path, that steepened towards the summit.

This, however, was a false summit, and the actual summit was still a little way ahead. Some person was obviously not happy with their boots! The wind was also much stronger now as 2500ft was passed.

The actual summit of Wan Fauch at 2700ft was something of a disappointment. Not only was there no cairn, just a rather flat top with uninspiring views. The better viewpoints were actually just lower than the summit and going down on the opposite side.

I did not hang about too long as the wind was strong, and the views not too brilliant.

Once over the other side and below 2500ft, the wind eased, and the views were much better looking down the rolling valley.

I paused here for pictures and eats, though the wind was still gusting.

The picture below shows the path I desecended and by now below 1500ft, the wind had eased. 

Thr descent path down was very pleasant indeed, not too steep or rocky in the most part, and good views all the way.

Wild horses encountered in very close quarters and quite tame really, obviously used to hikers, though there were no other hikers today, yet.

Down at 1000ft, the wind had dropped right off and it was warm. I found a nice spot to relax for 20 mins or so, to eat, drink and take more pictures. There was even a glider came along into view and i watched it drop its tow rope and glide off into the distance.

A couple of miles or so of green tracks and I came off the hill for the final mile along country lanes and views back from where I had been.

A good walk with hard going to begin and going up, windy towards the top, but a very pleasant walk back down over the other side in a loop. In particular the initial views going up and then most of the way down were spectacular.

I finished just after lunch time, and drove back to ther cottage to tell Susan of my endeavours.

We drove to the Mountain Centre in the afternoon, for a well deserved Ice-Cream (for me anyway).


My Walk Score: 7.5/10