Aberystwyth hinterland.
Plinlimon.
Walk distance 5km
Height climbed 408m
3.5 hours
Second weekend of explore Britain with me. Journey from Worcester started well with blue sky and a full moon. Within minutes of entering Wales on the A40 I saw a red kite. Stopped off at Ty Morgans bistro in Rhayader for coffee and a hot sausage roll. Turning off the A44 the drive along the single dead end track to the east end of Nant y moch reservoir is impressive. The dam is a real wonder of engineering. I parked near Maesnant. Walked East to the small ford at Nant Y Llyn whuch I crossed with no problems. Two walkers from Sussex who I chatted with at the summit both had missed their footing and fell into the stream. The wind was much stronger by now and frequent banks of rain cloud passed through, and in between there was blue sky and the odd rainbow. I had read that Plinlimon is desolate but I thought over wise. Its vast sky and open space, patchwork of bronzes, browns and greens made me smile and feel alive. Everything was clothed with life, even the rocks were covered in numerous different lichens. Nourished by rainfall the moss under foot oozed water. Each step sunk into the sphagnum. Underground rivulets and streams could be heard all around. With in the first half hour I had seen a kite, then a buzzard (which has a 136cm wingspan) drifting low along a crag. Below the tiniest bird, a wren, with a wingspan no greater than 17cm ranging an alarm call either at me or the buzzard. By the time I reached Llyn Lygad the weather closed in and the skies darkened. The lake backed by high crags looked dramatic. The rain then started to drive in the wind. The steep climb to the top of Plinlimon at 752m made more exhilarating by the gusts. Amazingly the clouds passed by and as I neared the top the sea and Cardigan Bay became visible. The views were terrific and even Cadar Idris appeared briefly to the north. I could see the next hill where the river Wye commences. On the way down the Maesnant stream I walked over several bogs characterised by the dead flower stalks of bog asphodel. I thought I would see carnivorous plants but they were not obvious until I got down onto my hands and knees. Being colder the sundews had entered winter dormancy and only their tiny buds (3 to 5mm) were visible in the peat. (right of stone)
Back at the car I had to change completely and despite only seeing 4 walkers a car went passed at that awkward moment when trousers are half off and I was balancing in the grass. The walk took 3,5hours and covered maybe 5 km
Nany Yarian Forestry Commission visitor centre is just a few km down the A44. By chance I arrived when they were feeding the kite and I counted over 200, most flying, some perched in trees and some swooping to take meat.
Arriving in Aberystwyth, I walked along the sea front and ate fish and chips under the castle, before checking in at Glyn Garth Bed and Breakfast.
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