From Taffarn-y-Garreg, Glyntawe. Anticlockwise round the Fan Brycheiniog loop. Along the base of the Fan Hir escarpment, climbing gently to Llyn y Fan Fawr (for coffee break) and round the higher route to Llyn y Fan Fach. Return via the north and east edge of the escarpment via Fan Brycheiniog trig and masses of flying ants. The weather was perfect and the views from Gower to Pen y Fan and further were brilliant. A great walk.

From Pengenffordd, up the incline to Pen y Manllwyn, along to Twmpa, Rhiw Wen, along the edge of the open access and return via Ffosrhys, Rhyd-y-Bont and the fields to Dinas. Stunning views, dappled cloud and pleasant breeze for most of the day…. but no auxiliary scenery this time!

Aware of the very poor forecast the walk location was changed to a lower level in the Wye Valley. Offa’s Dyke Path from Bigsweir bridge, up through The Hudnalls, Brockweir Common, then along the river to Tintern. Limekiln Wood, The Tout, Sychbant Wood to Fairoak, Glyn Wood, Butcher’s Hill, west bank of R. Wye and return to Bigsweir along east bank from Brockweir. Sun at start and finish, but rain most of the time in between – persistent around lunch time.

From A470 lay-by, steeply up incline to Craig Cerrig-gleisiad, along the edge and then south to Fan Fawr (going up from the east), 715 trig and north/north-east around the head of the Ystradfellte Reservoir valley. A little off-piste to Fan Dringarth, south to Beacons Way cairn on Fan Llia, then retrace steps to Craig Cwm Cwm-du and on to Fan Frynach (in the mist). Return to cars via Twyn Dylluan-du. Warm in the morning then cloudy and light rain after 1.30pm – blustery on top.

From Llanvihangel Crucorney church: Strawberry Barn Wood, Hatterrall Hill, a bit of route finding (to avoid the bracken on the top) down by the quarries to Blaenyoy Farm, Cwmyoy darren, Gaer Fort and a bit of brackeny route down to Coed-y-Cerrig Reserve and return via Bryn Arw, with clear paths on the top and diagonal descent. Sunny intervals, clouds and warm breeze on the tops.

From Shipham. Longbottom Farm, Beacon Batch, Black Rock, above the Cheddar Gorge, Pulpit Rock, around the Cheddar Reservoir, and back via Fry’s Hill with a very good number of various butterfly species. Overcast in the morning, with one heavy shower. Clearing and sunny on the afternoon.

From Talybont Reservoir car park. Allt Lwyd, Gwalciau’r Cwm, Waterfalls, Craig y Fan Ddu, Craig Cwareli, Waun Rydd, Carn Pica. An excellent day’s walking, with slight delay to start by v. large flock of sheep being herded down the road for shearing! Magnificent views, fine weather – sunny intervals but with complete cloud cover at times, blustery and cooler on top, and no rain! 

From car park at Blaen-y-cwm. Blacksmith’s Anvil, steeply down Tarren Yr Esgob, Nant Bwch, Capel-y-ffyn, Chwarel y Fan, Bal Mawr and return via the bracken and the woods. Low cloud, with just a tad of drizzle and a short period of blustery wind on top….otherwise, weather much better than forecast. A crisply-paced walk, with a few ‘off-piste’ sections.

Llanbedr Horseshoe, from Llanbedr, anticlockwise. Via Crug Mawr, Pen y Gadair Fawr, Waun Fach, Pen Twyn Glas, Pen Cerrig-calch, Table Mountain and all points in between. Mainly warm and sunny, with some clouds, modest breeze and wonderful views. Well spotted by Chris was a Golden Plover on the slope before Pen y Gadair Fawr.

From Cwm Gwdi car park. East via Plas-y-gaer, then south up Bryn Teg (accompanied by many horse flies), up the north ridge of Cribyn and then Pen-y-Fan and Corn-Du, Pen Milan, Llewynbedw, Cwn-llwch, and east along the edge of open access to the car. Sunny clear, (and quite warm at lower levels) pleasant breeze on the tops.

From the lay-by north of Cwmdu. Up Mynydd Llysiau and onto the Cambrian Way. Along the ridge to Pen Gloch-y-Pibwr. Then off piste down the steep Cwm with Bryniog just to our west. Down to the small stream and onto the Beacons Way. Then back along the BW to Cwmdu and the car park.

From Blaen Llia car park, across the lower hill below Fan Llia and into Nant Cwm-du valley, the Graig Cerrig Gleisiad National Nature Reserve. The valley is fenced to prevent access by sheep, and the lack of close grazing allows a profusion of wild flowers and saplings to flourish - lovely! Walking up the north side of the valley towards Fan Frynych, Brian Mahony (walk leader) experienced severe pain in his lower back. It was such that Brian could neither walk, bend or sit without being in agony. It was soon clear that Ibuprofen and paracetamol were not going to help sufficiently (if at all) - Brian would not be able walk off the hill. The Mountain Rescue were called (requiring some of the team to head towards the top of the hill to get a mobile signal). Brecon MR were very efficient and arranged for Coastguard Rescue helicopter to attend. Both arrived quickly and after some pain relief, Brian was helped to the helicopter and taken to Merthyr Hospital. Once the plan was in place, some of the group continues the walk, whilst the remainder stayed with Brian. We were fortunate to have a fine, warm day (after a chilly start).

From Llanbedr Village Hall, Crug Mawr, Pen Gwyllt Meirch, Tir Y Nant, road and up to the open access to east of Pen Cerrig-calch, Table Mountain and return. A warm sunny day with stunning views across fields of buttercups, bluebells and the finest May blossom for years.