Dyffryn Crawnon from Llangynidr. We started in light rain, walking into a fresh southerly breeze. The rain increased to moderate and the wind picked up as we climbed up onto the open land, with multiple streams running off the hillside. Some spectacular gushing ‘springs’ and streams emerged direct from the limestone, and for the second time in three walks we encountered table-sized areas of grass providing less supported than a soft trampoline! Today’s was balancing on top of a leaking ‘water bed’. Some respite as we headed round the top of Dyffryn Crawnon in the lee of the head of the valley, crossing several raging streams. Dropping down into the beautiful mossy wood for lunch, we continued north in lessening rain and even a few seconds of sunshine and decided to skip Tor y Foel and walk down the very muddy farm track to the east. Despite being rather damp at the end, a thoroughly enjoyable walk!

Cotwolds Walk from Crickley Hill Country Park. Along the escarpment with stunning views, the Cotswold Way to Coberley, with lunch in the porch of St Giles Church. A “glacier” of snowdrops, a hunt, and a very light drizzle saw us back for a well-earned coffee.

From Goytre Wharf CP. Gentle ascent via Cwm Wood, The Bushes and Craig-y-allt to the Cambrian Way above Cwmavon. South via Little Mountain and the War Memorial / Folly to Twyn-gwyn. North to Upper Govera, a short section along the canal towards Mamhilad and an uphill section towards Tir-croes Bleddyn. North again to Ty’r-ywen then through the very brambly Coed Howell woods (note for future walks – this stretch is definitely best avoided) and down to the canal at Bridge House, returning to the cars via the canal. Overcast for most of the day with light wind at times and good views. Good deed performed by Denise, Martin and Ceridwen to free a sheep totally entangled in brambles.

From Cwmyoy Village Hall, up by church and up to Hatterrall Hill via the western ridge. Then south along Offa's Dyke Path, coming off the hill by Three Wells. Looped around to Blaenyoy and at Ty Charles, proceeded west to Daren Uchaf, which we climbed up to inspect. Back along fields near the river. The weather was quite good, but getting a bit windy on the ridge, good views, dry.

The walk started in good weather and proceeded from Capel-y-ffin up onto Hatterrall Ridge with strong gusting winds (from Storm Jocelyn). Attempted to stay on the east (leeside) of the ridge, but no decent paths and lumpy underfoot. Early decision to reduce the walk via the paved section of the main Offas dyke path to find safe exit path as soon as possible. Proceeded to Gospel Pass and decided to stay at lower level and took the path on the lower eastern slope of Darren Lwyd. This cut the day short and we concluded the walk back into Capel-y-ffin at 2.35pm.

From English Bicknor. A figure-of-8 loop via Holly Barn, Mailscot Lodge / Wood, Biblins Bridge, below Seven Sisters Rocks and up to ‘King Arthur’s Cave’ - a cave system formed when this limestone was at sea level. Visited the small section of the UK’s most southerly limestone pavement and the Doward Hill fort enclosure’s distinctive remains. Descent via Great Doward and return to Biblins via interesting caves and iron mine remains. Along by the river to Symonds Yat East, Yat Rock and Redinthorne to the cars. Cold and overcast in the morning, clearing to sunshine and little cloud in the afternoon.

From Garway, via The Gwyn to Garway Court, along by the Monnow and up to the remains of a WWII radio direction station on Garway Hill. Continued north to High House Farm and east to Garrendale, then returning via Garway Hill, a very peculiar silver birch, Little Garway and St Michael’s church. There are records of a monastery on this site from 615 AD. In 1180, the Knights Templar built a partly round church (copying the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem), one of several in England. The round foundations can be seen clearly on the north side of the church, and the original carved chancel arch still survives. Clear and cold, with sun and some clouds and a sharp NNE wind at times. Good views across the Herefordshire countryside to the Malverns in the north-east and the Black Mountains / Beacons to the West.

From Crickhowell, up the Beacons Way to Twyn and then up Cwm Mawr to the ridge and Pen Gloch y Pibwr. Along the ridge to Pen Alt Mawr and Pen Cerrig Calch. Down to Crug Hywell, quite muddy on the way down back to Crickhowell. Weather: after weeks of rain the upper paths were pretty good but the lower farmland was very muddy. Despite a warning from Martin P, Chris tested the depth of a mud pool, knee height only! …what was the fuss about MP? Views pretty good, occasionally.

Hillwalkers’ Christmas Lunch walk from the Fountain Inn at Trelleck Grange. Up ‘The Drain’ to Whitelye, into Hale Wood doubling back through The Oaks, round by Hill Farm, before dropping via Barbadoes Wood into Tintern, and stopping for coffee at St Mary’s church ruin. Return via Butcher’s Hill, Glyn Wood, Fairoak and Cross Farm. Overcast and blustery, but quite mild for the time of year. Steve and Jill and their team provided an excellent meal, enjoyed by all.

From Gilwern Wharfe Car Park. Along the high bank of the fast-flowing Clydach and then attempted the RoW up Cwm Dyer. Unfortunately the bridge that was there in the days of the lime works is long gone, leaving the route impassable at the Cwm Dyer waterfall. A scramble up the bank brought us back to a route. Over Gilwern Hill to Llwyncelyn Farm, across to Garn Ddyrys, the old tramway and then descent to Govilon, before returning via the railway route cycle track. Cool wind and beautiful sunlight on the hills – but unfortunately it was on those on the north side of the valley.

From the Cockit Hill pass. A steep start to the walk, up to Mynydd Troed trig., south along the top and then steeply down to Cwm Sorgwm – with magnificent fungi on dead hawthorn tree. Up past Blaenau-draw and onto Pen Tir, before dropping down to the lane. Along and passing the Blaen—y-cwm farms and up to Mynydd Llangorse, before dropping down back to the cars. We avoided the low cloud / mist which shrouded Waun Fach, but did not benefit from the occasional spots of sunlight, which highlighted the slopes of Mynydd Llysiau. Cool breeze on the tops.

From Pont Cadwgan car park. Through the woods to Crug Mawr with a little mist on the tops, easterly to Partrishow and via Ty-mawr to the grey phone box. Up the track past Gaer Farm (x2) then round and up Gaer for lunch. Lovely views, but the cold wind (quite gentle) was rather cooling when seated. Along the Cambrian Way and Beacons Way to Bal Bach, with a little light snow (first of the season), then descent via Nant Bran and Cadwgan to the cars.

From the Talybont reservoir car park. Up the steep ascent to Allt Lwyd, then climbing into the low cloud/fog with increasing cold wind from the west onto Waun Rydd. We dropped down to visit the memorial to the Canadian crew of Vickers Wellington R1465, which crashed on a training flight, in low cloud, on 6 July 1942. A moving poetry reading (High Flight by John Gillespie Magee) from Martin P. As the route towards Fan y Big was shrouded in cloud, we headed north to Pen y Bryn and east into the woods, across the Clydach and returning via Tyle-Clydach and across the fields and lane to the car park. Cloudy and breezy for most of the day, with mist on the tops.