Brecon & Monmouthshire Canal Cycle Ride
The weather was set to be roasting for the whole week, and we decided unless setting off really early walking in the heat was not that pleasant. So we opted for cycling instead, and chose to explore the easy towpath out of Brecon along the canal.
After the 7 miles drive from the cottage, and the maze of single track lanes we arrived at Brecon Canal wharf around 10am. Pay and display car park cheap at £1, the bikes were lifted off the towbar bike rack and we set off along the canal bank on a beautiful Sunday morning.
The route was simple, just follow the canal towpath (shared cycle/pedestrian) which has been widened up to the lock, around 2 miles. The Brecon & Monmouthshire canal runs almost alongside the River Usk through and out of Brecon. The canal then crosses via aqueduct over the river after this lock.
The aqueduct is seen in the picture below. After the lock the canal must be crossed via a small bridge to access the towpath, which is now much narrower and more of a track than a wide asphalt path. Still reasonable to cycle on though on probably any type of bike.
The cycle ride was very pleasant, passing narrow boats, looking out for wildlife, and the path was not too busy, even on a sunny Sunday.
After several miles we stopped at the Royal Oak pub in Pencelli, right on the towpath, and had drink and plate of Sandwiches. (Very good they were too). The rest of the ride took us further along the path to the small town of Talybont-on-Usk. Here, we turned around after a quick ride through the town, and cycled back to Brecon via the same route.
Arriving back at the wharf at Brecon early afternoon, bikes stowed, we had an ice cream as by now the temperature was around 28°C, and we needed to cool down.
The afternoon was concluded with a quick walk around Brecon, and back to the cottage to chill out and relax.
Our Cycle ride Score: 7.5/10
Monday 8th July 2013
The Elan Valley
We had read about Red Kite feeding near a place called Rhayader (Gilgrin Farm), and having seen these birds of prey swooping above us at the cottage on a few occasions, descided it would be good to see hundreds. This place about an hours drive away, north of Brecon, and near to the Elan Valley. Here, we had picked up on some cycle trails along reservoir paths. Sounded good.
We parked at the Elan Valley visitors centre, paid the parking (£2), and picked up a trail map from the information centre. The route was straightforward once you found the cycle path. Back out to the main road entrance and turn left slightly uphill adjacent to the road.
The cycle path is nowhere near the bridge shown here, which we crossed and tok some pictures of. Do not cross this bridge, carry on past it as if going out of the centre back to the main road!
Having then cycled a short distance after turning left near the entrance and uphill you reach the first dam. All very scenic.
The path is a shared cycle/pedestrian good path for a mile or two, then after passing through several gates and crossing the main road (which crosses the 2nd dam), the path becomes narrower and more of a track than an asphalt path. It was not very busy though, so no problem.
We cycles for about 4 miles, stopping occasionally to enjoy the views across the reservoirs and valleys. As we had to drive to the kite feeding for before 3pm (feeding time every day at that time in the summer), we did not go the full length of the trail (about 6 miles), so turned back and headed to the centre for lunch.
A sandwich and some cake at the cafe we then drove the short distance back to Rhayader.
Gilgrin Farm is well signposted form the main road out of the town .
Gilgrin Farm Red Kite Feeding
Arriving at Gilgrin farm around 14:30 we were met by a parking attendant, who took our money (£4.50 each) and directed us into the small parking area.
There is a small shop, toilets, and information centre near the car park. Then a short walk of several hundred yards can be made to the wooden hide huts for the Red Kite feeding at 3pm. There are several of these large wooden buildings overlooking the feeding area.
The Kites began circling around just before 3pm as their internal clocks seemed to tell them feeding time was approaching.
On time at 3pm, a tractor pulled into the feeding area and began dispensing much beef!
(appearently half a ton is fed to the birds every week)
Very soon the kites began to swoop down and grab the meat. They were unbelievably quick (and accurate!)
There were several hundred circling and swooping arounf, and perched in the nearby trees in between feeding "runs".
It was quite difficult to grab shots of them actually taking the meat as they were that quick, even using an SLR camera and IS stabilised zoom lens. However, quite a few good shots were taken as they swopped around higher.
We stayed for well over an hour in the hide, as for a while it would go quiet as they perched in the trees, before swooping down again for another feed.
We left having marvelled at the number of birds feeding and their speed swooping down to grab their "prey". After an ice cream (had to be done!) we left having had a good day both at the reservoirs and witnessing nature in action at Gilgrin farm.
