I arrived, for the walk, at Blaen Cwm Car park early and was rewarded with the Hunters Moon in the Autumn morning sky, a heron in the river accompanied by a couple of playful otters. Early bird as they say. Weather was perfectly autumnal in the valley. We left the car park crossed the river and saw our first dipper of the autumn. Then climbing for over an hour up to Pen y Gadair Fawr and disappeared into the mountain mist. Losing our view we made the summit. We then followed the sheep tracks to the west dropping down to the waterfalls on Nant Y Gadair where we left the mist and had coffee. Contouring and dropping down the valley we followed sheep and farm tracks to MacNamara's way and headed up the valley. Once on the ridge we were back into the mist and on our way to the high points of Pen Tremeau and Waun Fach. We rendezvoused with Ceridwen who had stayed up high. Dropping off the summit we had lunch in the mist and the first really cold walking day of the Autumn. We needed to put on some pace after lunch to warm up. We followed the ridge above Mynydd Bwchan and the path along the Grwyne Fawr back out of the mist and into a beautiful autumnal afternoon down to reservoir. Crossing over the dam we dropped down to far side of and followed the river at the lower level with no further sightings of dippers. We then returned to the car park after a lovely autumnal walk.

A select band of 5 hill walkers gathered for a walk in the Mendips on 1st October. Despite the drive to the start being impacted by a road closure in Langdon causing detour onto very minor lanes, the walk started at 10:00 in promising weather. The walk followed the south side of Cheddar Gorge with a coffee stop to admire the extensive view. Above Cheddar Village we climbed the lookout tower for even better views. Descending the Jacob’s Ladder staircase down to the village the walk crossed the road to follow the West Mendip Way along the North side of the gorge and then onwards before reaching the summit of Beacon Batch at 325 m and with stunning 360 degree views in pleasantly warm autumn sunshine.

We started our walk at the Caerphilly Mountain Snack Bar, headed down to Caerphilly Station. A cancelled train meant a longer wait than hoped before we could continue our journey to Hengoed. From there, we picked up the trail through Parc Penallta. Unfortunately, we bypassed the impressive 200-metre earth sculpture of a pit pony as we only walked along the base of the rewilded coal heap. Following the Rhymney Valley Ridgeway Walk, we continued to Cefn Eglwysilan. From this vantage point, we looked down on Senghenydd, the site of two devastating mining disasters in the early 1900s, including the worst in British history where 440 people died (439 miners and 1 rescuer). We then ascended Mynydd Meio with a risky crossing over the busy A468. Our final landmark was the third trig point of the day atop Caerphilly Mountain before descending to the cars for a tea/ coffee back at the snack bar. The weather was fine, though with a cool breeze. Another week for fungi – especially notable being a bank of Fly Agarics.

A poor weather forecast, with rain and strong winds meant a change of venue from Craig-Cerrig Glesiad to the Wye valley – the result being a fine walk in woodland paths from Whitestones, with only occasional light rain. Walking above Llandogo, we dropped down to Whitebrook and into the Wye Valley, before ascending through Lower Hael Wood and Pwllplythin Wood and into New Mills. We returned via Trellech Common and Trellech Beacon to the cars. There were some fine fungi on display, not least some shaggy parasols and other varieties which looked highly inedible, and on the edible side a fine crop of walnuts, below Pen-y-fan.

Unfortunately, Brian and Kay had to change their planned route for the walk as a recently-introduced new bus timetable meant that a linear walk from Llanfrynach to Llangynidr would not be possible. Instead they led a walk from Llangynidr to Cwm Cleisfer and Tor y Foel, a route that Kay had led in her early days with the Hillwalkers (April 2014) when there was snow on the ground. We followed the lane up the valley as far as it went and then walked beside the stream – a bit rough and with wet bracken in part - to the pump-house and then up onto Blaen Cwmcleisfer. Dropping down towards Darren Ddu we passed a film set for a forthcoming TV drama which was complete with a very realistic-looking flat-pack bothy! Who’d have thought it! Down into Dyffryn Crawnon and then ascend again up to Tor y Foel, with some finding the path down a little bit slippy. As the rain came in we repaired to the Red Lion for some welcome refreshments and to wish Kay and Brian well for their forthcoming move to Devon. We were fortunate that the weather was far better than forecast, with some light rain in the morning and then fine until the group came back into the village.

From Llanvihangle Crucorney, through the Church yard, across the fields and on through the woods to Strawberry Cottage, and Upper Pentwyn. We re-routed just after Blaenyoy to avoid tall, dense, wet bracken to take a lower route to go up Graig. We sheltered in Cwmyoy Church Porch for lunch, out of heavy rain which passed, then continued through Llanthony Wood and skirted Gaer. Down to The Queen's Head and over fields to get back to the start. Dry to start and finish but we got wet in between!

Starting in Stockhill Wood, we crossed the Priddy Mineries to reach the Priddy Nine Barrows. We then continued on to Swildon's Hole Cavern where John briefed us on the cave's extensive network. We were caught under a heavy shower as we crossed the Mendip plateau. We then carried on through Cook's Field and the Lynchcombe Nature Reserves. The final section of our walk was through Ebbor Gorge National Nature Reserve. After our ascent out of the gorge, we made our way back to the cars, passing near the Mendip Transmitter mast.

Our walk from Machen Village Hall headed through the open land and woods to Pen-rhiw Warren, over to Coed John-Hywel, down across the Sirhowy River and towards Mynydd y Lan. The circuit continued onto the Raven Walk, through Ynysddu and onto the Sirhowey Valley Walk. Returning to the cars via Graig-Goch and the lane into Machen.

Llangattock and Lonely Shepherd. From the church in Llangattock we walked through fields up to the Craig y Cilau nature reserve, stopping by our favourite gnarled tree for coffee. Wonderful views from the escarpment over the Usk Valley to the Black Mountains led us to a little bracken bashing. Then a climb up to the Lonely Shepherd, where we continued with fab views for lunch. The descent down through Llanelly to the canal tow path and back to Llangattock. Lovely warm and sunny day.

Starting at Llanthony Abbey, we headed up the Beacons Way to Hatterrall Hill, heading south-west along the spur (after a bit of heather yomping, having turned off too early) towards the Cwmyoy Darren. Across the valley and up past The Rock, over the ridge (crossing the Cambrian Way) and along the west side of the hill past Upper House and Ffawyddog-Fawr before ascending to Bal Bach. Descended via Cwm-bwchel to Llanthony. Another fine day.

From the mid-point of the reservoirs, we walked beside the rail track on the east side of the valley to Pontsticill before heading uphill to the disused Baltic Quarry – an excellent route for pruning practice (thank you to those who brought their secateurs)! Heading north along Cwm Criban we visited a stone inscribed with Ogham script, dating from Old Irish language of 6-9C, the outline stones of large bronze age enclosures and Carn-y-Bugail, site of a massive round cairn ~15m diameter. Descending through the Cwar yr Hendre limestone quarries, we touched on the Cambrian Way before descending through the woods of Cwm Callam back to the cars. The fine, warm day was rounded off with tea, scones and cakes at the Old Barn Tearooms – as good as always!

Starting at the parking area on the A40 outside the army training area before Crickhowell, we walked up through Rheld Wood, across the Grwyne Fawr at Millbrook Bridge and past the magnificent chestnut tree. Then a short walk along quiet lanes before turning off-road tracking up along the side of Cwm Gwenffrwd then climbing through the bracken-covered western slope of Y Fal. We then headed along the ridge to the north-west and down the slopes to cross the Grwyne Fawr again and into Llanbedr. A quick march up Crug Hywel and down along the Cambrian Way, across farmland to Belfountain Park, then back to the cars through Rheld Wood. Lovely warm weather, another day with great views.