From Pengenfford. Headed  east up Pen Trumau, then onward up toWaun Fach and Pen y Gadair Fawr. Down the into the valley to the Grwyne Fawr and up the pretty river towards the Grwyne Fawr Resevoir. Along the reservoir to the bothy. Up Y Das and along under Mynydd Bychan and back to the cars at Pengenfford. Weather: some rain and wind on top, mist stayed high all day but great views across to the Beacons in the afternoon.

In view of the weather forecast for the day the scheduled walk from Llanfrynach was postponed and an alternative (lower level / more sheltered) walk was attempted - parking at the Queen's Head in Cwmyoy and climbing up Hatterrall Hill. With heavy rain, wind, low and rapidly declining visibility, and the forecast saying that even worse was to come, the walk was abandoned after 1.5 miles and 300 meters of climbing! The landlady of the Queen's Head opened specially for the group - to provide coffee and cake - which was much appreciated by all. Well done to the brave team of 5 that ventured out on Wednesday.

From Llanfoist Crossing, over the canal (the path up to the tunnel was being re-concreted), south along the lower slopes of Llanfoist Wood to Castell Prydydd (with v. barky dogs), through the lower edge of Ffrwd Wood and round Cefn-y-Coed. Along the lane and byway to the cattle grid, then the tramway(ish) to the northern and western edges of Blorenge to Keepers Pond. Down past the burbling stream and lovely spring lambs into Cwm Llanwenarth to Maes-y-Felin, up the byway, across the Blaenavon road, cleared woodloand and fields to the boathouses and cars. Blustery wind with some sun and mainly clouds, but the rain started only as we drove out of the car park. Lovely views and a very enjoyable and well-recced walk taking many of the group on lesser-known routes round Blorenge.

Parking in Tretower, walked along the flood plain toward and up Cefn Foel, joined the Beacons Way to Mynydd Llangorse, down to Cymdu via Pen Tir. Up the opposite valley side and along the edge of the open access land on the Beacons Way and back to Tretower. Martin demonstrated ancient Celtic customs with Tanya under the mistletoe! Weather, overcast in he morning and showery in the afternoon.

With a few inches of snow on he ground, we postponed Helen's Dursley walk and walked from Tintern Wireworks Car Park (although mainly taken up with the bridge repair offices/kit there's still room for 7-8 cars to park). Up through the delightfully snow-draped trees and undergrowth of Barbadoes Wood and an early morning break at Teresa's in Whitelye (thank you Teresa and Mark). Across to and round Wain-y-parc farm (very muddy round the sheep feeders), up by the side of the Fountain to Tump Brake and then beside the upper stretch of the Angidy. After a bit of failed navigation aid and very random missed turnings we walked down the side of the Angidy back to Tintern. Light (dampish) snow all day, verging towards sleet in the afternoon - but not too cold.

From Gilwern via Llanelly,, Pant y Rhiw, Hen Dy-aderyn, Lonely Shepherd, Ty-yn-y-coed, Blackrock and return via Clydach valley. Slight drizzle and cold wind in the morning - but improved in the afternoon weather. We have subsequently learnt that the fine brown bear (see photo) was made by a wood sculptor from Presteigne. The owners of the house liked his work and commissioned the bear to celebrate their anniversary. It is hoped that in time it will become greyer in preference to the orange.

From the Black Hill Car Park along the east side of Black Hill to Craswell church (a Norman church with C18 modifications to convert part to a school room and add a west gallery). It is the highest church in Herefordshire (elevation, that is (310m); not in an ecclesiastical sense). Onto Craswall Priory which was a monastery of the austere Grandmontine order. It is the only site in England where the characteristic architecture and ground plan of a Grandmontine priory can be examined in detail, and it is the highest abbey (378m) of all English monastic sites. The morning provided mixed weather - always a cold north wind and occasional light showers, but the afternoon improved as we ascended Hay Bluff, with warming air, sun and light high cloud. As always in these conditions, the walk down the Cats Back, with its profile and fine views, was wonderful.

From Queens Head car park in Stanton. The walk began at a low level across fields and lovely woodland up Coed-y-Cerig and up Cwm-Coed-y-Cerig through the nature reserve. JL points out late medieval buildings), then north past Pentwyn and across the valley by the Baptist Chapel. MP tells us this was one of the first non-conformist chapels, built in 1837, not long after non-conformist religious establishments were permitted. Then to the Church of St Issui at Partrishow, dating from 14 & 15th C, for coffee. Up onto the Beacons Way and Crug Mawr. Walking off the hill via Blaen yr Henbant and back east along the greenway. Along the NE flank of the Sugar Loaf (Y Fâl) through wonderful oak wood and down to Forest Coal Pit. MP tells us “Forest Coal” was the old name for charcoal. Back along the valley floor to Stanton. Weather start sunny, but clouds over with a little rain.

From Blaenavon. Mynnyd Farteg Fawr, Blaenmelyn farm (Melyn is yellow in Welsh - we wondered whether named after the yellowish colour of Nant Ffrwd stream, in the valley), Craig-Ddu Wood (very pretty), the Dog Stone (above Varteg), Gwastad, Coety Mountain. Return via Field Farm and Big Pit. Interesting to be walking amongst the industrial heritage - with insights from the local farmer, with family connections to the mining era. Glorious weather, with cool breeze on the tops. Such a shame that motorbikes are churning the paths and tracks.

From Llangynidr, along NW side of Mynydd Llangynidr, above Dyffryn Crawnon, around the head of the valley, with several fallen trees, a landslip and patch of deep mud to negotiate. Return via Tor y Foel. Weather mainly overcast and quite blustery wind, but reasonably mild.

In lovely sunshine (at times) from Crickhowell, via Llangattock, Coed Waen-dwrch, Cwn Onnau, below Craig y Cilau passing the cave entrances. The mist and low cloud closed in at lunch time, so we continued towards Waun Watkin, where the weather brightened. Headed to trig at Hen Dy-aderyn and returned to Crickhowell via Ty'r-ywen, the gas depot and Hen Castell. Thanks, Ceridwen for the history and plan of the Castell, showing buildings and moat. Apart from the brief low cloud at lunch time, great weather, but still frozen underfoot on north and east-facing slopes.

Tricky approach for cars to Llanthony, up snowy roads, then Beacons Way, Llanthony Wood, upper Henllan, ridge to Gaer Fort, west side of Bal Bach and return on slightly shortened walk via a challenging steep and slippy-underfoot Cwm Bwchel. Well done Helen and Kay H. for great sledging demo. Lovely (in the main!) to be walking with 1-2" crisp and crunchy snow underfoot, spring-like sunshine and only occasional cold wind, Editor's note: I've never been stood up 4 times on a single date before! It's the lonely hearts club for me.

Route changed in the the face of very poor mountain weather forecast - but conditions better than expected. From Cwmdu VH, across east side of Cefn Moel, onto Beacons Way and Mynydd Llangorse, returning via edge of open-access land to Pencaeau Farm. The r-o-w path from The Darren has been cleared and marked - but not a good path. ~45 mins of light, but steady rain in the morning, then fine and further shower around 1pm - not too bad, but very wet underfoot!