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.

From Blaen-y-cwm. Up through the woods to Blacksmith’s Anvil, NW along the top to meet the Cambrian Way and then SW and around to Waun Fach. Continued SE to Pen y Gadair Fawr and then a slippery descent to the valley and return to the cars. What a day! Several inches of crisp fresh snow – magnificent walking! Sun and blue skies at times, but rather murky as we crossed Waun Fach.

From Llanbedr - Table Mountain then along the 230 contour to Middle Barn / Twyn before heading north and around the east side of the Darren and along the escarpment round to Pen Gloch-y-Gibwr. Up to Pen Allt Mawr towards Pen Twyn Glas, but then SE across rough ground along the west/SW side of Cwm Banw (note the RoW shown on the map is not distinct on the ground!). Along the edge of the open access land and return to the cars via Perth-y-pia and the road. Lovely to have blue skies for a change, but great views marred by some haziness. Wonderful walking weather getting a little colder after lunch – but no wind.

A very misty walk from Pont Cadwgan CP to Crug Mawr, down to Blaenau, up to the Ascend Charlie (B-17 Flying Fortress 42-5903) crash site, Pen Twyn Mawr and return through the forest. Light mist (not too wetting, thank goodness), a bit cool at times but with no wind and lovely autumnal colours below the mist.

The walk planned for 16 Oct. We started from the Talybont reservoir CP and headed up to Allt Lwyd. This is a steep start to a walk which was not helped by recent rain and the fact that the hill sheep had just been driven down to the lower fields, making it rather slippy underfoot. Once above 500m the walking conditions improved and we enjoyed perfect autumn weather with clear views across the Black Mountains and the tops of the Beacons. The route followed the edge of the escarpment around Cerrig Edmwnt, down to Upper Blaen-y-glyn CP and through the woods to the Caerfanell for lunch. We continued up the valley via a muddy, poorly-made path before climbing up on the north side of the fence to the open hillside and headed towards the cairn, breaking off to the right at 508m contour. The return route along the side of the hill was marred (again) by the path having been churned up by the sheep drive. Muddy boots all round (and some muddy trousers) at the end of the walk!

Starting in Llangynidr CP, we walked by Court Farm and Tyle-bach along the edge of the open access land and then, having skirted a large herd of grazing cattle on the open land at the top of Darren Ddu, rounded the top end of Dyffryn Crawnon and returned via Tor y Foel. Excellent weather, with sunshine, light cloud, gentle breeze and stunning views …. but very wet and muddy underfoot in parts

With a poor weather forecast we took a changed route from the Talybont reservoir car park. Through Talybont Forest, looping round Nant Cynafon (enjoying the sight of a huge flock of goldfinches), a short road section then over the River Caerfanell and return via the Taff Trail and the reservoir dam. Mainly forest tracks (some masquerading as streams), with puddles aplenty. The weather was less-poor at times than expected. We set off, with the cloud-base at about 400m, in fine and warm weather, with lovely views across the valley, but had cycles of light rain and medium/heavy rain throughout the walk, which was enjoyed by all.