Sunday March 19th 2006 - Cwmcarn Forest Drive

Ten cars turned up at Cardiff Gate which we were very pleased about and then we were joined by two more at Cwmcarn Visitor Centre. Thankfully we hadn't lost any of the previous ten en route.

We had a quick wee stop at the visitor Centre before heading  up to the drive.

The weather was lovely and everyone was topless - although Jodie didn't take her brightly coloured bobble hat off the whole day.

We Pulled in to car park 2 to admire the view over the Sirhowy Valley toward Brecon - it was a bit windy and there was a big debate by all as to eat the picnic in the car or not. Thankfully when we stopped at car Park 3 for lunch we were sheltered from the wind and I think almost everyone decided to get out. The tables were quite far apart so we all separated in to little groups, but there were picnic baskets everywhere so no one went without.

Jodie and Thomas decided not to brave the wind and whilst they managed it out of the car they sat in front of a BBQ out of the mild breeze.

After lunch about half twelve most of us wondered around the wood carvings before heading off on the rest of the run. I think everyone seemed quite pleased to have come out on a run and still have most of the day left to go and do what people do on Sundays.

We left Car Park 3 and drove around to Car Park 4 to admire the view over the Sirhowy Valley toward Newport. By this point we had lost about 6 cars - we drove to car park 6 to admire the view towards the Severn before finally coming to the end at Car Park 7. Wendy and Tim stopped with us as they had been debating walking up the Twmpath. Unfortunately, they didn't have the right shoes on - absolutely nothing to do with the steep climb I'm sure - I however had a real excuse! 

As Steve and I left the drive last to ensure no one was left behind we ended up in the visitor centre where we mat up with Jodie, Thomas, Chris and Lindsey again. We all had a good laugh at Jodie's hat and her surprising incapability to deal with the weather - considering her cadet training. Chris and Lindsey went off to check out the cafe and the camping area, Steve and I went to the Gift shop and Thomas and Jodie went home.

Very nice day - and we managed to do the gardening when we got back.