Carn Pica

I'm liking evening walks at the moment. Friday night is usually 'dead' time so what better way to kill it than out on the mountains? Beats Big Brother hands down!


Friday just gone, Nicholls and I did Carn Pica from the Talybont reservoir dam. 5 miles up and back, with a really steep section to end before you reach this most impressive of cairns in the beacons. There was a pretty strong breeze blowing on the top and it was much cooler than down in the valley - pretty much as you'd expect really. Some excellent views of the Black Mountains were on offer...and all for free! Love it.

Sugarloaf sunset

Spur of the minute decision to take a short walk up the Sugarloaf (a local extinct volcano near Abergavenny (which means ''Town at the foot of the fire breathing behemoth' in Welsh)) yesterday evening to watch the sunset. It proved a good idea...the temps had dropped enough, the light was great, the hill was deserted, which meant I could arse about with the self timer at the summit, and generally just enjoy the experience.

Sunset over the Black Mountains


Wife pointed out that it was unsual to see me with an impressive erection between my legs...

A light jacket was needed later on as the breeze picked up...or maybe I'm just soft as sh*te..?

The sheep wouldn't keep still for the pic...

Last walk of the year

A New Years Eve walk in snow and ice! What better, invigorating end to the year?

We set out early this morning and headed towards the Beacons with a few routes in mind. What we hadn't planned on was the amount of snow on some of the side roads. The road from Pontsticill towards Taf Fechan Forest started off okay, but become more snow laden as we drove North. We eventually (after getting stuck temporarily in a small car park south of the Neuadd reservoirs) settled on parking at the north end of Pontsticill reservoir. We then decided to take a route up onto a hill that neither of us had been up before, Pant-y-Creigiau - not particularly high at 565m but it meant we were beneath the clouds and there were some great views.

On the map at least, it didn't look a particularly taxing route, but it turned out to be tough going due to the conditions, both underfoot and the relentless wind on the exposed sections.

As well as snow, everything was encrusted with ice - the trees, the grass, the trig point, my face! It really was quite picturesque. A real enjoyable walk to end the year with.

Now, please excuse me, I have an appointment with 15 bottles of cold Budweiser.