A linear walk from Hay-on-Wye to Talgarth. Up past Cadwgan Farm, (pleasantly warm through the lower levels) to the Hay Bluff trig point (a bit cooler with cloud and brisk wind …. but no mysterious object!), then along the edge of the escarpment to Gospel Pass. The path was much busier from here with an army training exercise and several D of E groups. The army group were running uphill and down (when they could), carrying 50lb packs - very impressive! Continued along the edge via Twmpa, and Rhiw y Fan before dropping down to Rhiw Cwnstab, across the fields and Cwm Pwll-y-wrach nature reserve (‘Witches Pool’) before the lanes into Talgarth. A little lower cloud and light rain after lunch, but excellent walking weather.

After M4 traffic chaos and a diversion to the start, we set-off in the rain from Cwmcarn Forest Drive up towards Twm Barlwm. Just after reaching the top, we were delighted to see Truda and John emerge from the low cloud and drizzle having chased us down after their delayed start due to the traffic challenges. With continuing drizzle and poor visibility, we adjusted the route after Cefn Rhyswg to take us across open ground and the forest trail at Pen-y-pant back towards the car park. For the last mile, we enjoyed dry weather and clear visibility, which enabled us to enjoy the valley and forest views...at last!

Up Skirrid and then north to Llanvihangel Crucorney for a coffee stop at the church. On display on the church tower was a magnificent banner of embroidered and stitched flowers on a 3ft wide roll of green mesh. A local craft group, operating from the church, had the idea to raise funds for the church, that, for a donation, one could have a leaf written and laminated, and attached to a particular flower in memory of a loved one – person or pet. It was lovely. Then, on to Stanton and up to the Bryn Arw access land, where it was decided to avoid the full sun and heat on top of the hill and walk in partial shade along the side of the hill – albeit with some bracken, brambles etc. to contend with. Well done Helen for packing the secateurs! Back via the lane and fields to the cars. A very warm day, with a little breeze at times.

Beacons Way, Stage 4. Llangynidr to Storey Arms. Along the south side of Tor y Foel and the tramway to Blaen-y-glyn. Up to Craig y Fan Ddu for lunch, meeting Stewart who had walked from Storey Arms to provide a lift for drivers back to their cars. Across the flat top of Gwaun Cerrig Llwydion, Fan y Big, skirted the south side of Cribyn (I think we’d forgotten what a rocky path this is), Pen y Fan, Corn Du and down to Storey Arms for a well-earned ice cream. Very good weather for walking – some sun, some cloud and breeze.

From Pont Cadwgan, we walked up through the Mynydd Du Forest, seeing, after two miles, a footpath closure notice - which explained the impassable piles of brushwood blocking some of the tracks. We found a route through the forest and eventually emerged onto the ridge, via the gate just north of Pen Twyn Mawr. Cutting off to the NE (perhaps a little early) just short of Waun Fach summit, we descended to the Grwyne Fawr reservoir dam where engineering works prevented us from crossing – so a little more descent to the valley floor and ascent up the zig-zag by the dam wall. Some rough-ground walking up to the ridge path, where Martin (well ahead) was asked by two walkers, seeing us traversing the rough ground “Is that a D of E group?” – ah! if only. Along the lovely ridge to Bal Bach and then return to the cars. Excellent walking weather, some cloud, some sun , pleasant temperatures and not too much wind.

Llanbedr Horseshoe – an anticlockwise circuit, via Crug Mawr, Pen y Gadair Fawr, Waun Fach, Pen Trumau, Pen Twyn Glas, Pen Allt Mawr, Pen Cerrig Calch and Table Mountain. Nearly perfect walking weather, but with some cold blustery winds with cloud cover. The weather improved to pleasant sunny walking in the afternoon, with great views.

West from Ystradfellte, crossing and then picking up a short section of the Beacons Way, before heading north on the Cambrian Way to the top of Fan Gyhirych and eastwards to Fan Nedd. SE off the nose of Fan Nedd and followed a slightly boggy path via the boundary stones towards the road. A short section up to Carnau Gwynion, before returning to the cars. A bit cold and blustery around lunch time, and just a very short light shower at coffee break.

Up the lane from Llanfrynach, skirted the west side of Pen y Bryn and up to ‘the crossroads’ with a blustery wind from the west. Around the edge of the cwms to the Fan y Big windbreak for a quick, early lunch as light rain had started. Descended via Cefn Cyff and returned to the cars along the Three Rivers Ride. Cool and blustery in the morning, 1hr+ of light rain during/after lunch. The afternoon much warmer at the lower levels and even a bit of sun tried to break through.

The walk started from North Malvern (Clock Tower) after taking a taxi from the Hollytbush car park. South along the Geopark Way via Table Hill, Sugarloaf Hill, Worcestershire Beacon, Upper Wyche, Perseverance Hill, Jubilee Hill, Pinnacle Hill, Black Hill, British Camp (Iron Age Hill Fort), Millennium Hill, Hangman’s Hill, Swinyard Hill, Gullet Wood, another large area of iron-age fort and return to the cars via Midsummer Hill … a lot of hills, with magnificent views over the surrounding countryside. A very scenic walk, with pink granite outcrops in parts – and warm, with sun and periods of high cloud cover.

Beacons Way, Day 3. From Crickhowell to Llangynidr. After a bus shuttle from Llangynodr, we climbed from Crickhowell to about the 400m contour and followed the path around the lower SE and E slopes of Pen Cerrig-calch and Pen Gloc-y-pibwr. Across the Rhiangoll at Cwmdu, up the valley to Blaen-y-cwm and west to the saddle, before heading south to Cefn Moel and dropping down to Bwlch, returning via fields and the lane to Llangynidr. Lovely to have some spring-like weather (at last!) and lovely display of bluebells at lunch-time.

As so few of the group were able to join this walk on 17 April, Denise kindly offered to repeat it today.
From LLanellen village hall, up through the forestry area to Coed-y-Prior Field and the Blorenge, along the Cambrian Way towards Upper Llanover, returning by Blaen-Ochran and the very pretty vale at Cwm-celyn. The morning was overcast, but mild and very little wind, and some low cloud. Afternoon much brighter with some sun and very pleasant walking conditions.

Beacons Way, Day 2. From Llanthony Priory, Cwm Bwchel, Bal Bach, gentle descent via Garn Wen to cross the Grwyne Fawr. Up to Crug Mawr via Partrishow and down to cross the Grwyne Fechan before final stage via Table Mountain to finish in Crickhowell. A little cool wind at times, but mainly sunny and lovely views.

From LLanellen village hall, up through the forestry area to Coed-y-Prior Field and the Blorenge, along the Cambrian Way towards Upper Llanover, returning by Blaen-Ochran. Mostly sunny morning, with blustery northerly winds, followed by a few rain and hail showers in the early afternoon. After last week's start of the Beacons Way walk, the 180 degree view of The Skirrid along different parts of this route was particularly rewarding.