Club Trip to Brecon Trip, 9th-12th September 2022
On our way to Nythfa House, our HF accommodation in Brecon, ten of us met up at Llangors Lake (the largest natural lake in South Wales) to stretch our legs with Bob Hurn leading the way. Driving over the Prince of Wales Bridge the change in scenery was evident and I knew we were to experience stunning views and walks. The welcome rain of the previous days had made the ground somewhat slippery as we climbed but a less arduous descent and views across the lake and Black Mountains were to be followed by the traditional welcome tea of scones or brownies on our arrival at Nythfa House.
We settled in and met our three HF walk leaders, Dot, Maureen and Deirdre for the two days of “Tread Lightly Walking”. A new initiative enabling us to walk from the front door and return at a leisurely pace through the town stopping off to enjoy sites of interest such as the cathedral or Heritage Centre.
At the briefing in the lounge or “ballroom” before the evening meal I decided on the medium option walk on Saturday. A pre-breakfast swim and breakfast set me up for our walk via Llechfaen and Groesffordd across farm fields unused to regular walks and over challenging stiles and paths. This led to hamlets with ancient wells and drove lanes with huge fallen oaks and then on to more familiar walking along the Monmouthshire and Brecon canal into the Brecon Basin. A very popular barge route on a nice weekend for visitors. Why not enjoy a cuppa and relax in town or at the cathedral? Some of us did both. Others in our group had walked via Twyn-y-gaer, an Iron Age hill fort before returning to Brecon for delicious ice creams at the local ice cream parlour (40 flavours to choose from).
On Sunday while some ascended Pen y Fan those of us less ambitious had great views of Corn Ddu and Pen y Fan as we walked out of Brecon to Pen y Crug and its trig point where there were peaks all around us. Lunch on a golf course and then onto Y Gaer Farm and the site of a Roman cavalry camp.
So to be returning home on the Monday to welcome the new monarch King Charles III and the new Prince and Princess of Wales having experienced so much history over the weekend. Of our group of seventeen those who weren’t so eager to leave either spent time in Brecon, a visit to the cathedral again perhaps or on their way joined Colin’s walk from Bwlch, the Beacons Way and another view of Llangors Lake.
All in all a very enjoyable time, very friendly and comfortable accommodation. I shall miss my early morning swim. We were well looked after thanks to the leaders and managerial staff. Along with the superb walking weather, it couldn’t have been a better weekend.
Hilary has yet again arranged a superb trip away and with Bob and Colin’s help some lovely walking. We can already look forward to the next HF led walking break in Selworthy in 2023. See you there.
Written by Judith Qualtrough