May 31st - Back to the Workhouse
Is it dry, or am I deaf?
I laid there hardly daring to breathe, senses straining until fit to burst. I listened intently. No, I couldn't hear any water running down the drainpipe. I opened one eye slowly hardly daring to look but Yes, Yes, I can see it, it's the sun and it's shining.
What a difference to last year when we couldn't see a hand in front of us in some parts of the run. We had gambled a little this year in that we were covering some of the route from last year because we felt the views were so good that members deserved to see them properly. 21 cars had registered for the run and we hoped we wouldn't disappoint.
They'll be coming down the mountain
We decided that for this run we'd cross a few valleys and mountain tops and enjoy some of the great views that South Wales has to offer. We started from Sarn service area, 17 cars duly turned up with another 4 cars being collected on the way. 3 were coming from the West and Bill and Lynne were driving down from Newtown.
We'd agreed to meet in a layby near Libanus, except that the layby had been closed by the Highways dept (Gary said it looked open on Google) and had to be collected at a much smaller layby further down the road.
Here comes summer
The weather was extremely good to us, everyone had their hoods down and enjoying the summer warmth. We travelled through Blackmill, Nantymoel and Treorchy before climbing our Welsh version of the Stelvio pass and stopping at the summit viewpoint overlooking Hirwaun. As soon as everyone started chatting to each other again it was time to move on (sights to see, roads to drive). It seems everyone was now looking forward to the next stop at Storey Arms on the A470 for a pit stop. Wow! Doesn't the sun bring people outdoors. The layby was absolutely heaving so just a quick stop for essentials and off we went again.
There's always one!
We moved on down to Brecon. DISASTER!
On the roundabout some went this way and others went that way (there's an ugly rumour Kevin was to blame). Totally oblivious at the head of the convoy we drove through Brecon and onto the Upper Chapel road before realising we only had half the cars we started with. After some frantic phone calls the not together group were all together and amazingly were waiting for us up ahead?? (They knew a short cut?)
We were all soon back together again and once again climbing and enjoying some great driving roads over the Epynt army range. Once again we stopped at the red kite viewpoint at Drum Ddu. Although we didn't see any kites at this point there really were some spectacular views down the valley.
A working lunch?
Down the valley we went following the group of Mods on their scooters that had passed earlier beeping their horns and waving like mad. Through Beulah, turn right at the Trout Inn to Newbridge-on-Wye then on to Rhayader and looking forward to our lunch.
The Brynafon Country Hotel, once a workhouse (see here) and looking very imposing, with an enormous car park to accommodate us all, turned up trumps and fitted us all in the dining room.
Once fed and watered we moved ouside to the courtyard to enjoy the afternoon sunshine to be amazed by the sight of large groups of red kites numbering at least 50 circling waiting for their lunch at the feeding station at the farm next door. It felt such a privilege to see so many of an endangered species in one location. (Ed: and I'm sure that they felt the same)
As the day was still young, so to speak, a number of the group, 14 cars in total decided to visit the dams. We turned left at Rhayader and completed a 17 mile round circuit viewing the Elan valley reservoirs and the fantastic scenery all around before returning home in the early evening.
We had scorching weather, great driving roads and fantastic company.
Thank you all for making the day so enjoyable.
Lyn & Dave
Dave's Gallery
Huw's Gallery
Martyn's Gallery
Credits
Route - Dave & Lyn
Pictures - Dave, Huw & Martyn
Report - Lyn & Dave
