17th- 19th March 2022 Black Mountains Trip
Organiser: Maggie
Alan, Claire, Ann, Paula, Jill, Simon, Gary, Jean, Thomas, Phil and Julie.
This was our third attempt to go to South Wales, as the first two were cancelled due to Covid rules. We then found out that the National Trust Dinefwr Bunkhouse had structural issues so we had to find other accommodation. However, we were not disappointed when we found Tylau Lodge, just outside Hay on Wye on the edge of the Black Mountains. Sleeping twelve people, it had lovely views from the open plan kitchen and lounge and was definitely a comfy sofa trip!
The weekend started with Paula and Ann leaving early, only to get stuck on the M4 due to a safety incident at bridge near Swindon for 7 hours! They even enjoyed listening to the bird song on the side of the motorway.
On Saturday most of the group started from Gospel Pass and did a circular walk of almost 20 miles along the ridge to Llanthony, which included Hay Bluff (677m) and then back to Lord Hereford’s Knob (690m). We were lucky with the weather as there was not a cloud in the sky, however it was quite windy. Maggie did a shorter route and Alan and Claire, who had a bad ankle, just did Lord Herefords Knob. The day finished with a great meal including a meat and vegetable chilli, pavlova and rhubarb crumble.
On Sunday some of the group did the spectacular Dragons Back (7miles) with superb weather. Others took it easy and enjoyed the sunshine on a canal walk.
Yet another great weekend, we will be back!
