From the Black Hill car park, we walked via Blackhill Farm and across Olchon Brook before climbing to ODP and then dropping down the west side (through more bracken than hoped for on both sides!) to Vision Farm and then up to Capel-y-ffin. Up the steep ascent to Darren Lwyd and on towards Twmpa. Across Gospel Pass to Hay Bluff before heading south on ODP and branching off towards Black Hill. Glorious colours of heather and gorse as we came down the Cats Back rather spoilt be the cold blustery wind and slight rain in the afternoon. Sun at times in the morning, but always on the cool side with strong breeze for most of the day.

From Llangatock, west across the fields to the south of Coed y Cilau, then south to pick up the Cambrian Way, through the Craig y Cilau Nature Reserve (with peregrines soaring above) and up to the tramway which served the Llangattock limestone quarries. Up the Darren Cilau and across the tuftiness/bogginess to the Twr Pen-cryn trig point. East to the Lonely Shepherd, and gradual descent via very poorly maintained rights of way to Coedcae Uchaf Farm and return via Wern Watkin and Ty Mawr to the canal and the cars. Gentle breeze, a bit more humid in the morning, but v. pleasant in the afternoon.

We started from Llanthony Priory car park with a steepish walk up Loxidge Tump and then south along Offa's Dyke Path – with a couple of light showers and a very cold blustery wind at times - to Hatterrall Hill and the Queens Head. The return on the west side of the valley was via Garn Wen, Bal Bach and Cwm Bwchel, with much improved weather – warm and sunny

With a change of route to avoid the unshaded heat of Sugarloaf and Crug Mawr we walked from Trellech Beacon, via Trellech Common, the Whitebrook valley, a bit of the Wye Valley walk, Manor Wood, Parson’s Allotment, Cuckoo Wood and Cleddon. Warm, but with welcome shade from the light cloud cover (at times) and the woodland.

We walked along tracks, lane and path from the Dinas Castle Inn via Cwmfforest to the col south of Pen Trumau (McNamarra’s route). Across the bilberry hillside to the upper sheepfold and along the sheep-tracked contour to the Nant y Gadair waterfalls, continuing to the standing stone Maen Llwyd. Up into the mist to the Pen y Gadair Fawr cairn, along to Waun Fach, Pen y Manllwyn to the Mynydd Bychan cairn and round the top of Cwm y Nant, before dropping down Y Grib (Dragon’s Back) to the cars. Lovely views (when we were below the cloud) of the valleys and cwms when seen from below the top ridge paths. Mainly overcast with occasional light rain, but low cloud on top.

From the car park half way up Talybont Resv. Up to Allt Lwyd, then off-piste down to the Caerfanell and along the river to upper Blaen y Glyn. Followed the Beacons way, with great views over to the main Beacons. We returned along Craig Cwareli to Carn Pica, the back down the hill to the cars. Dry, cloudy and a bit of sun.

A linear walk from Hay-on-Wye to Talgarth. Up past Cadwgan Farm, (pleasantly warm through the lower levels) to the Hay Bluff trig point (a bit cooler with cloud and brisk wind …. but no mysterious object!), then along the edge of the escarpment to Gospel Pass. The path was much busier from here with an army training exercise and several D of E groups. The army group were running uphill and down (when they could), carrying 50lb packs - very impressive! Continued along the edge via Twmpa, and Rhiw y Fan before dropping down to Rhiw Cwnstab, across the fields and Cwm Pwll-y-wrach nature reserve (‘Witches Pool’) before the lanes into Talgarth. A little lower cloud and light rain after lunch, but excellent walking weather.

After M4 traffic chaos and a diversion to the start, we set-off in the rain from Cwmcarn Forest Drive up towards Twm Barlwm. Just after reaching the top, we were delighted to see Truda and John emerge from the low cloud and drizzle having chased us down after their delayed start due to the traffic challenges. With continuing drizzle and poor visibility, we adjusted the route after Cefn Rhyswg to take us across open ground and the forest trail at Pen-y-pant back towards the car park. For the last mile, we enjoyed dry weather and clear visibility, which enabled us to enjoy the valley and forest views...at last!

Up Skirrid and then north to Llanvihangel Crucorney for a coffee stop at the church. On display on the church tower was a magnificent banner of embroidered and stitched flowers on a 3ft wide roll of green mesh. A local craft group, operating from the church, had the idea to raise funds for the church, that, for a donation, one could have a leaf written and laminated, and attached to a particular flower in memory of a loved one – person or pet. It was lovely. Then, on to Stanton and up to the Bryn Arw access land, where it was decided to avoid the full sun and heat on top of the hill and walk in partial shade along the side of the hill – albeit with some bracken, brambles etc. to contend with. Well done Helen for packing the secateurs! Back via the lane and fields to the cars. A very warm day, with a little breeze at times.

Beacons Way, Stage 4. Llangynidr to Storey Arms. Along the south side of Tor y Foel and the tramway to Blaen-y-glyn. Up to Craig y Fan Ddu for lunch, meeting Stewart who had walked from Storey Arms to provide a lift for drivers back to their cars. Across the flat top of Gwaun Cerrig Llwydion, Fan y Big, skirted the south side of Cribyn (I think we’d forgotten what a rocky path this is), Pen y Fan, Corn Du and down to Storey Arms for a well-earned ice cream. Very good weather for walking – some sun, some cloud and breeze.

From Pont Cadwgan, we walked up through the Mynydd Du Forest, seeing, after two miles, a footpath closure notice - which explained the impassable piles of brushwood blocking some of the tracks. We found a route through the forest and eventually emerged onto the ridge, via the gate just north of Pen Twyn Mawr. Cutting off to the NE (perhaps a little early) just short of Waun Fach summit, we descended to the Grwyne Fawr reservoir dam where engineering works prevented us from crossing – so a little more descent to the valley floor and ascent up the zig-zag by the dam wall. Some rough-ground walking up to the ridge path, where Martin (well ahead) was asked by two walkers, seeing us traversing the rough ground “Is that a D of E group?” – ah! if only. Along the lovely ridge to Bal Bach and then return to the cars. Excellent walking weather, some cloud, some sun , pleasant temperatures and not too much wind.

Llanbedr Horseshoe – an anticlockwise circuit, via Crug Mawr, Pen y Gadair Fawr, Waun Fach, Pen Trumau, Pen Twyn Glas, Pen Allt Mawr, Pen Cerrig Calch and Table Mountain. Nearly perfect walking weather, but with some cold blustery winds with cloud cover. The weather improved to pleasant sunny walking in the afternoon, with great views.

West from Ystradfellte, crossing and then picking up a short section of the Beacons Way, before heading north on the Cambrian Way to the top of Fan Gyhirych and eastwards to Fan Nedd. SE off the nose of Fan Nedd and followed a slightly boggy path via the boundary stones towards the road. A short section up to Carnau Gwynion, before returning to the cars. A bit cold and blustery around lunch time, and just a very short light shower at coffee break.