Today’s walk was based on Pumpsaint better known for its connection to the Dolaucothi gold mines.

Route

We had bee promised that most of this walk would be new to us despite having walked in the area on a number of occasions. We would see.

Immediately after parking the car we set off in a direction that I had not been before and so the “Navigator’s” pronouncement was proving correct.

In Wales it is frequently the case that farms carry the same name but distinguished by the suffix lower (isel,) middle (ganol) or higher (uchaf). Someone’s knowledge of geography had however gone awry as Penarth Uchaf was at the bottom of the hill and Penarth Isel was at the top! perhaps it was done to confuse the Romans.

This is not Penarth near Cardiff

The old fashioned milk churn stand

Although the weather was dry the clouds were low and not the best for photos of the landscape and hence none in this blogg.

Near Froodvale Farm we headed east to cross the A482 and onto the village of Caio. From here the route was north west to overlook the old gold mines and then into the grounds of the Dolaucothi Estate.

Carmarthenshires Yukon

We did try to follow a signed public footpath across a field but there was no exit and we retraced our steps to head north and uphill to the spot height of 283.

Well well.

Politics being discussed

Paul trying to sneak into the “Navigator’s” rucksack

Our high spot

This would have been a good viewpoint of the surrounding countryside but the misty weather thought otherwise.

Our route back to the car was through a woodland. The “Navigator” had been correct as the only part of this walk I had done before was that part within the estate.

Some weeks ago Paul and I were walking in our local area near Carmarthen and looked across the Tywi Valley to Merlin’s Hill. This was one I had not visited but the “Navigator” was about to change this.

We parked near Carmarthen Museum and began our walk heading through Abergwili village. The footpath sign showed our proposed route but because a of large flood prevention scheme the path was clearly not available. There were no diversion signs and so we crossed a number of fields in the general direction the “Navigator” had planned.

Abergwili and Carmarthen beyond

An old stone stile

Route

Since the last ascent by the “Navigator” a local landowner had opened a Merlins Hill Centre and the public footpath sign was somewhat overgrown as compared to the paid for visit path sign. A little further along the public path was the remains of a stile now blocked by a wire fence and a lot of baler twine.

Compare and contrast to the stile in previous picture.

We were not put off and adjusted this obstruction to carry on to the summit of Merlins Hill. there were some good views of the surrounding countryside.

Carved stones protecting a spring

Views from Merlin’s Hill

We retraced our steps down the hill and carried on towards our turning point at Llanfihangel Uwch Gwili and followed quiet lanes back to the cars.

Chapel at Llanfiangel Uwch gwili

Plain and fancy gates

An email has since been sent to Carmarthen Council concerning the path blocked by the flood defence and the uninviting obstructions on Merlin’s Hill.