Monthly Archives: July 2013

Llangadog to Rhandirmwyn and back

Posted on by under Cycling
Our outdoor adventure continued on Thursday and Friday following a day spent helping Sustrans ‘re-route NCN 4 near Burry Port and Pembrey.

The original plan was to leave the car in Llandeilo and cycle to Rhandirmwyn along the quiet lanes. Because of the hot weather I shortened this by leaving the car in Llangadog. Panniers loaded we commenced our trip .

 

We took the minor road heading north west from Llangadog and which joins the A4069 and then into Llandovery. The law dictates a stop at the West End Cafe the haunt of cyclists and motor bikers, where a welcome coffee and custard slice were consumed. A photo opportunity was taken in the town`s car park.

 
 

The next part of our trip went north west keeping the Afon Tywi to our left until we reached Rhandirmwyn where we sat on a bench for lunch. I had thought about using the camp site further up the river, but on inspection it did not inspire and the prices (2010) seemed a little high for what was offered. So back to Rhandirmwyn and the Camping and Caravan Club site. This is a perfect site, flat, well maintained with free hot showers. The cost to backpackers is less than the other site. Probably even cheaper if a member.

 
A very low Tywi
 

One warning though, it is close to the river and midges are present.  However they weren’t too much of a problem. The tents were soon erected and following a shower I found a shady spot and dozed.

Another benefit of this site is the local pub, The Royal Oak. We sampled a few real ales before retiring for the night.

 

 

Eyeing my drink
 
 
 
 Nature nudged me awake during the night and the star lit sky was magnificent.

The next day we loaded up again and set off on our return journey. This time the way back to Llandovery was on the other side of the Tywi. Another break was called for at the West End Cafe.

Carmarthen Fan
Marginal gains
Even the car is blue

From Llandovery we took a different lane which headed for Myddfai but very steep which led me to dismount and push for a while. We turned right before Myddfai just on the border where the Brecon Beacons National Park starts. This took us back to Llangadog where we celebrated with an ice cream.

A very enjoyable week with weather to match.

A Paddle on the Cleddau

Posted on by under Canoeing

On part two of outdoor week Andy and I loaded up my open boat for a day on the Cleddau also known as the Secret Waterway.

The tide was just starting to flow and with no wind the surface was mirror calm and the sun was shining. We launched from the slipway adjacent to the Prince’s Trust Adventure Centre and headed upstream for a coffee break just south of Mill Bay. One of the water side properties was up for sale – probably way beyond my reach.
 

 

 

 

 

We continued on towards Lawrenny and then into the Cresswell River probably as far as the bend by New Park and returned to Lawrenny beach for lunch.

 
 

Refreshed we headed back to our starting place

Lower Fishguard to Poppit

Posted on by under Pembrokeshire Coast
The week commencing 14th July was to be a “boys week” for my brother in law and me where we hoped to walk, canoe and cycle. Amazingly the forecast was for sunshine all week.

The plan for Sunday and Monday was for a backpacking trip from Fishguard to Newport. The car was parked near Poppit Sands on Allt y Coed camping site where a small fee was charged.. I had left Andy at the cafe where he consumed two ice creams!

 

We caught the Poppit Rocket Bus for the trip to Lower Fishguard via all the small coastal villages. We had lunch before setting off on our route north

A sculpture of herrings – Lower Fishguard
Lower Fishguard
The Fort
 

The weather was clear with good views all day.

 
Aber Bach
Pwll Gwaelod
Which way does the wind blow?
 

The headland of Dinas Head eventually came into view with a decision to go around or through the neck which joins Pwll Gwaulod to Cwm yr Eglwys. No decision really we took the long way.

Pen Dinas
Cwm yr Eglwys
Cwm yr Eglwys

At the summit we could see Newport and near there was our overnight stop at Ty`r Canol. As we walked to the site the owner told us to set up wherever we liked and he would come around later.

Tents up and food consumed we had a welcome shower. About 1000pm the owner came around and offered us a a few fingers of a very nice whiskey! An excellent end to our first day.

 
5 star accommodation
Carn Ingli
Newport Bay
 

I was awake early on Monday and the weather looked good – it was not to last. We packed up and headed down to the beach and with the tide just starting to come in we decided to wade across the river to avoid the long walk to the bridge.

 
Good idea
A novel idea
Crossing the Nevern
Almost dry boots
 

As we headed around the golf club and to the north side of the bay the sea fog came in and stayed with us until just before Poppit. As you start this stretch of the coast there is a warning sign about the difficult territory to come. Take notice as it is correct. Lots of up and the path is overgrown in lots of places.

Dinas Head
Did we take a wrong turning?
Sea fog coming in

We had lunch at Ceibwr Bay and shortly after walked past the magnificent “Witches Cauldron”, a collapsed cave. I have canoed into this on many occasions. 

 
Witches Cauldron

 

Witches cauldron

 

 

Ceibwr Bay

 

Slate bridge
 
 
From here the path seemed to go up and up. As we rounded Cemaes Head the visibility cleared with cloud inversions and with views of the Teifi estuary. 
 
An inversion?

 

 
 
We loaded the car and headed for the cafe and a celebratory ice cream.

Millenium Coast Path

Posted on by under Cycling

My wife wanted to test run her new bike basket and so we loaded up the bikes.

Although I have cycled all the path my wife is taking it bit by bit and our second section was from Burry Port to Sandy Water Park and back.

 

With high temperatures we set off reasonably early meeting lots of others enjoying the fine weather even including some swimmers.



We had a coffee and an ice cream in the Pavilion Cafe before returning to Burry Port. Unfortunately the crepe van was missing!

Nantgaredig, Brechfa, Pontargothi

Posted on by under Cycling
Once again, Billy No Mates as The Navigator was packing for the pointy bits in Austria.

A look at my local maps suggested a bike ride from Nantgaredig to Brechfa and a return alongside the Afon Cothi to Pontargothi and back to Nantgaredig.

 

The profile showed a steady climb up to Brechfa and mainly downhill on the return. Well the profile was correct, but a convenient seat in Brechfa helped the legs to recover.

It was good to see the village doing its best to keep the residents together. As I was enjoying my rest a mobile post office arrived and connected its computer to a box on a post. Across the road was a community shop and the notices on the village hall showed lots going on.

 
Cafe at the mountain bike centre
 
Brechfa Church
Back on my bike I took the first turning right and headed back with the Afon Cothi on my right all the way to Pontargothi. The river, when at the right level is a superb grade 2 paddling venue. However today it was very low with all the rocks showing.
 
Afon Cothi
Afon Cothi at Pontynys Wen
 
Afon Cothi at Pontargothi
 
Back at the car I looked over the stone bridge at Nantgaredig down at the equally low Afon Tywi into which the Afon Cothi runs.
 
Downstream on Tywi from Nantgaredig Bridge
Upstream
 

An enjoyable ride.

A Paddle on the Mon. & Brec. Canal

Posted on by under Canoeing

Although not a walk, another blog site is just too much.

It is becoming a rare event to take out the canoe but always a pleasure.  Today I had arranged to paddle with Judy, Mick, Mandy and Molly the dog, all good friends I have spent many an hour paddling with. Mick and I have also swam a goodly number of white water rivers!

Route

Today was to be a calm day on the canal, with only Molly taking a swim. We met up at the basin in Pencelli and headed west to the aqueduct at Bryncych.

Pencelli

 

There were a number of youth groups launching at the same time but they went east.  We did meet a few canal boats on our trip as well  as the tour boat.

At Bryncych we pulled the canoes from the water and walked down to the Usk for a leisurely lunch and then turned for home.

Aqueduct

 

 

Luckily Judy has a key for the bridge.

Note to self – must go canoeing more often, but there is so little time when one is retired!

Garnant

Posted on by under Uncategorized

The Sunday chat with the Navigator informed me that we were heading for the Garnant area to walk either side of the valley.  He needs to find a future route which is not right on the edge of two maps!

Route

We parked in Near Glanaman by a disused Chapel and walked over the railway to the Afon Amman and onto the shared pathway heading west and then north up the Grenig Road. We had a chat with a couple who explained about an apparent overgrown path – one we were to take.

Toward Tair Carn Uchaf

Where’s the machete – we got through

A path was taken heading towards Garnant Golf Club and up to now the paths were well signposted but we hit a problem at refce 688120 where a footpath sign had been thrown to the ground and fences erected either side of a footbridge.

Council told and now involved

Wire cutters?

We backtracked and headed back to the golf club and walked down into Garnant, crossing the main road up towards Twyn and then GlynDeri.  Here we turned west along Llandeilo Road, passing the junction of Heol Felen and then taking the footpath heading south east to pass another disued chapel where I am told Ryan of Ryan and Ronnie fame is buried..  Opposite the chapel the footpath heading south west was followed  back to the car.

Rare sight

The Navigator was disappointed at the previously mentioned footpath blockage as his plans were disrupted and Cwm Pedol will have to wait for another day.

An email has been sent to the local County Council FOR ACTION.