Sunday August 28th - Less Than Nine Reservoirs

A Shortened Version of an Old Favourite

With 9 cars assembled for the run, plus Derek who had only come to say hello - from Carmarthen! Hopefully we'll see you again soon Derek.

   

We set off from Asda car park with everyone going the same way down the A465, unlike last year, we came off towards the mountain railway and being uncertain of the road to take went around the roundabout twice. It was comforting to hear Martyn's voice on the 'phone confirming that I had taken the wrong road! After the first U-turn of the day - I keep telling people, we have standards to maintain - we set off on the "right" road.
"There's Kwik Save" says Marilyn. "Oh yes" said I, thinking we don't have time to go shopping, but then realising we should have turned there. Oh well, keep going I'll bet most of them aren't looking at the route anyway.
So following the mountain railway road we arrived back on course at Pontsticill with me pointing out the first reservoir of the day.

A Welcome Break

On then through Talybont to Brecon where the plan was to stop on The Promenade for coffee and a comfort stop. Now I should say at this point that I had never been to The Promenade, and working off a map was relieved to see the sign. However, the relief was short-lived - someone had put a building and barriers in the way.

     

Nevertheless my dedicated followers had driven with me into this cul-de-sac for the second U-turn of the day. Some of you, knowing the area better than I, had followed in the belief that I might have known something you didn't. Oh well, you'll learn. Having found the right bit of The Promenade it was time for a cuppa, a chat and a short walk to the other car park for the toilets. OK, the other car park had toilets, but we had a nicer view.

The cars, as usual, generated some interest from children and adults alike, including one lady that was very interested in what George had under the bonnet.

         

Picnic Anyone?

Leaving Brecon we made our way to the Cambrian Woollen Mill www.cambrian-mill.co.uk just outside Llanwrtyd Wells. Now, according to an e-mail from them, they have a picnic area. In fact there were 2 tables outside the shop entrance, so after consulting the map we moved on to a picnic area a few miles down the road where they had 3 tables, 2 on one side of the road and 1 on the other. Dennis and Jennifer had brought their collapsible picnic bench, some of us had brought chairs and everyone had seats in the car so picnic we did.

           

Nobody provided an answer, or even questioned the note on the route "What World Championship Event takes place in Llanwrtyd Wells?" which we missed by 1 day.
I told you they weren't looking at it!

Next stop Llyn Brianne - and it's not raining

Having promised a comfort stop here, my heart sank as I pulled into the car park. This was not the reservoir I had been thinking of, there were no toilets, no bridge over the reservoir and no ice cream van. A quick discussion with Martyn revealed that this was indeed the right reservoir but the wrong car park. Nevertheless, the view from this car park was stunning and well worth the stop before moving on a few more miles to the "real" car park.

     

Having said our farwells here we headed back to Llandovery to go our seperate ways home.
Another fantastic reservoir run and less taxing, but no less enjoyable, than the fully blown version of previous years.
Did anyone count the reservoirs we passed?

Click on a thumbnail to enlarge

Credits
Route - Mike
Pictures - Dennis, Martyn & Ray
Report - Ray