From Crickhowell car park. Up the south side of Table Mountain, Pen Cerrig-calch, Pen Allt-mawr and Pen Gloch-y-pibwr - still frozen underfoot, in parts. Fortunately, the rain stopped as we arrived at the car park, but walking in a very cold southerly wind, fog on the tops (above 450m) and thick clouds.

Covering some paths new to most of the Hillwalkers we walked east from Pandy to Great Park and Little Park then returned to Llanvihangel Church for coffee break. Continued by Strawberry Park Wood and fields to Blaenyoy, up Hatterrill Hill to ODP, then south to Trawellwyd and the cars. Some very muddy fields, slippy stiles and overcast sky with coldish easterly wind for most of the day.

From the Dinas Castle Inn (now £5 for parking), along the track and lane (unfortunately, we were unable to walk on the planned route alongside the river Rhiangoll due to unpassable fords. Well done for recce’ing on Monday!) to Ysgubor Ganol and then up and across the hill to the cairn and Waun Fach. Down to the east side of Mynydd Bychan, around Cwn y Nant and return via the Dragon’s Back, with most of the group heading over the hill with the remains of Castell Dinas. The weather was excellent at first, but as we passed through 700m upwards, the sky clouded over and the temperature dropped with a brisk and cold north wind.

Starting from Porth y parc car park near Abergavenny we walked via The Park, Parc Lodge Farm, a loop past Fro car park, Pontyspig (and pleased to see that the holly next to the stile had been cut back!), up via The Pant (and a slippy muddy path!!), down through Coed-Cerrig NR and up onto Bryn Arw. We were rewarded by seeing a couple of early skylarks, trilling as they rose – and a cool breeze. Down into Cwm Brynarw, via Great Gott and the Deri, back to the cars. Lovely walking weather, but cooling a little in the afternoon, and with some interesting stream-crossings.

Walking from English Bicknor, we headed via Holly Barn and Mailscot Wood to the Wye, Biblins bridge, NW by the river and up to Arthur’s Cave (formed by the sea, before the land was uplifted and the river cut down through the limestone). North towards SY West, then dropping down to Lord’s Wood and back over the Biblins bridge. Riverside to SY East, up to the lookout and then by the river below Coldwell Rocks before returning to the cars. Chilly, but pleasant walking as little wind.

Artists of The Vale of Eywas - a walk from Llanthony, led by Martin Perkins. We walked from Llanthony to Capel-y-ffin via Cwm Bwchel, across the fields and then contoured along the edge of the open access below Bal Mawr and Bwlch Isaf. We returned to Llanthony via Blaenau and The Vision farm, Offas Dyke across to Loxidge Tump with a descent into Llanthony and Court Farm. As we approached Nantygwyddel, the farmer, out to round up sheep, pointed out that none of the rights of way to the farm traverse the farm-yard. He gave us directions across his upper field which took us to the edge of the open access land.
Martin’s talks highlighted the artists that have come to the Vale of Eywas to work, paint and write. JMW Turner came to Llanthony Priory at the end of the 18th Century. His paintings and drawings were part of the Romantic movement during which artists came to discover the power of nature. Martin illustrated how those in the Romantic movement had changed our perception of the wilder places in Britain to places of beauty rather than fear. An artists’ colony was established at Capel-y-ffin, led by Eric Gill in the 1920’s, with David Jones a prominent member: painter, engraver and poet. Jones’s experiences of the 1st World War influenced him to become one of Britain’s leading early 20th century artists and poets: his Great War poem about the life of Private Johnny Ball, In Parenthesis, draws heavily on the Welsh folklore which Jones felt was prevalent in Vale of Eywas. The talks also discussed Eric Ravilious, Edgar Donnely, John Piper and Derek Costanduras – with illustrations of their works. Bruce Chatwin’s On The Black Hill is the story of the 80 years of two brother who lived on the Black Hill in the Vision farm. Chatwin effortlessly and with great charm paints a hymn to the Black Mountains through the experiences of the brothers. We finally had some poetry from Alan Ginsberg’s Wales Visitation which was written whilst staying in the Vale Eywas.
Interesting talks complemented with lovely bright January weather.

From Llangynidr, Cwmclaisfer, up to the Chartist Cave, the 541 trig, Twyn Disgwylfa, then descend to the canal for the return to Llangynidr. Cold but dry, higher terrain frozen underfoot, great views to snow covered Beacons & Black Mountains, fab to be out in the hills post the festive season. Reports that Chris was “saving souls” whilst out on the hills! …. But it might have been helping to mend Truda’s meandering sole! – well done Denise for coming to the rescue.

From Tutshill, through Tidenham to Devils Pulpit and back along Offas Dyke. Wet at first, but dried up second half and a good lunch in the pub. A brisk walk at a cracking pace!

No group walk on Christmas Day.

Christmas Lunch at the Lion Inn, Trellech, with a pre-lunch walk. A route via Trellech Hill, Trellech Common, Manor Wood, Pen-y-Fan, Cuckoo Wood, with return to Trellech via Beacon Hill and Upper Barn. With 31 booked for lunch, we split into 2 groups for the walk, covering the route in different directions. An excellent meal and service from the team at the Lion Inn – thank you. We did well with the weather, missing the early rain and strong winds, and back before the afternoon rain.

A walk with a plethora of leaders! Barry planned the walk, but was unable to lead due to a heavy cold. Chris led the first section from the Llanfoist Crossing car park to Cwm Craf, past the Punchbowl, up to the Blorenge trig and on to Cefn y Galchen. Ceridwen took over the lead – heading north and dropping down to the road to Carn Dydrys. Southwards past The Tumble, above the Pwll-Du quarries, noting the historic 1800m tunnel which carried carriages to take limestone to Blaenavon iron works; Neil found a path (blocked by fallen tree) to the railway path, and we made our way back to the cars along the towpath. A grey day, with a cold wind on the tops.

Starting from the Tintern Wireworks Car Park, we headed south towards Butcher’s Hill and Glyn Wood, dropped down to Fairoak, along Gethin’s Grove and down to the Angidy Valley before heading up to Teresa’s to enjoy mince pies and mulled wine – thank you to Teresa for hosting. Along the NE edge of Barbadoes Woods and down to Botany Bay. Continuing through Gurllus Grove and Coed Beddick (with a slightly off-piste section!) before crossing Bigsweir bridge to Madgett Hill and ODP. A quick excursion to the Devil’s Pulpit and return to Tintern. Overcast and mild with no wind made for pleasant walking with only a few muddy sections.

From Pontypool Leisure Centre. Up the path to Pen-y-park (thankfully flushed clear of mud by the recent rain, as were several other sections of steep path), up to the folly, continuing NNE to Coed Ithel and along the Cambrian Way onto Mynydd Garn-wen and Mynydd Garnclochdy. Dropped down to Pistyll-gwen and the Goose and Cuckoo. Returning via Graig Ddu, Cwm Wood, Greenmeadow (the field not quite as mushy as feared!), Upper Govera and Pen-y-park via the tunnel back to the cars. Overcast with chilly wind on the tops in the morning, but cleared to sunny intervals on the return and warmer at lower altitude. Some great views towards Skirrid with sun on the hills in the morning.