Sunday July 9^th - Wales Welcomes West London

Anyone for an extra run?

Not one of our usual Sunday runs but we turned out in force to welcome Bob, Helen, "H", Karen and "Lazza" from the West London Area. Having spent the previous day climbing hills, they have returned to their cars to meet us at Abergavenny bus station.

We'll be off in a minute

Not an unpleasant morning, but not quite as good as the forecast would have led us to believe, there was plenty of time for introductions, agonising over what to order for lunch and waiting for the late, the lost and the bewildered. (you know who you are!)

The open road at last

Well yes it was open, at least bits of it, but also undergoing major improvements (at least that's the word they use) the A465 back towards Merthyr was slow going. Although having recently driven in London, still faster than the M4 from junction 5!

Now onto the real roads as we leave the A465 behind for the time being and head for unpronounceable palces with very few vowels including Llangynidr and Pontsticill. Travelling through part of the Brecon Beacons National Park with hills, reservoirs, rivers and of course rain.
Through Talybont and to the Brecon Mountain Railway for a coffee and comfort stop.

Brecon Mountain Railway

A chance for the boys to visit the workshop and says things like "look at the swarf on that" but with no trains in sight it was a chance to discuss the route so far.
Karen's car had decided that a Sunday morning workout in the Welsh hills would involve lots of gear changing, and according to her was struggling in second gear up some of the hills but having been behind her I can't say I'd noticed.
For more information on the railway click on the link Brecon Mountain Railway to open in a new window.

Lunch

Lunch at the Tai'r Bull Inn was as memorable as our last visit there in April last year, although there was varied opinion on the vegetarian meal and Wendy was missing to share in the custard!

The final leg

With some cars heading for home at, or after, lunch it was a leisurely drive to Builth Wells and return to Crickhowell to bid farewell and a safe journey home to our guests from over the bridge.

Click on a thumbnail to view full size, click on Back to return to this page

Comments

"I don't get this many turn up for events that were organised months in advance!"
"Another bril day"
"What flavour are the hidden dips?" Presumably nobody knows, they've never been found (Ed)

Strange Moments

During a radio conversation with Mike who was trying to translate a place name that he'd misheard, we managed to discover the lost meaning of Pwllgloyw.
Loosely, very loosely after a couple of beers at lunchtime, translated to "pole-dancing miners"

Sunday July 9th - Wales Welcomes West London