Epping Forest Walk – A Spring Time Stroll From Chingford

Epping Forest Walk – A Spring Time Stroll From Chingford

Another beautiful Spring morning so we decided to take Tedi up to Chingford for a 2 hour stroll covering about 6 miles around Epping Forest to test out our new child carrier. I would definitely recommend buying a Little Life Child Carrier.

I made a very short and quite amusing video of our Epping Forest Walk.

Tedi and Dad April 2011

It’s the first time we had used the child carrier properly and I was really surprised how comfortable it was, it really distributes the wieght (not that there is a lot of Tedi at the moment!) but I can see how it will work when he gets older. Tedi seemed to enjoy the ride and we got got loads of nice looks from everyone and a few lovely remarks too.

We parked the car close to The Royal Forest Brewer Fayre pub and walked across the fields and up in to the forest. There are a myriad of pathways and walks you can do in Epping so it was just a case of walking around with all the other walkers criss crossing each other.

Tedi Enjoying The Child Carrier

About an hour later Tedi was fast asleep with the Little Life Traveller giving his head plenty of support on the detachable cushion. We made our way as far as the “Bikers Cafe” where there were about 50 or so bikers parked up, enjoying tea and sausage baps admiring each others motorbikes.It was here that we discovered the new Epping Bus Service!

Epping Bus Service April 2011

We then made our way back to the car and came back home for a sunday roast and enjoyed the rest of the day’s warm spring weather. I’m really looking forward to getting back out there again with Tedi strapped to my back in his child carrier!!

Walks and Walking in Snowdon – The Miners and PYG Tracks

Walks and Walking in Snowdon – The Miners and PYG (Pig) Tracks

Our day starts driving up to the Youth Hostel at Pen-y-Pass, Llanberis, Gwynedd. The morning was absolutely beautiful and the sky was clear blue. We were all strapped up in sensible walking clothes, sturdy walking boots and much needed walking poles. Lunch and extra layers were all packed in our rucksacks and away we went!

We couldn’t help but stop at Pen-y-Gwryd to take a picture of the lake that looked like a sheet of glass and was absolutely breathtaking.

The Lake at Pen-y-Gwryd

When we arrived at Pen-y-Pass we decided to take the Miners Track up and then the PYG Track back. That way we got some really good views of the lakes; Llyn Llydaw and Llyn Glaslyn. At the beginning of the walk you can turn left along the Miners Track or right for an early climb up to the PYG Track with the walk covering about 8 miles of very interesting scenery.

The Start of the Miners Track in Snowdon

We turned left along the Miners Track which is one beautiful long, and for the most part paved, track up to the mine ruins (which is where we were supposed to turn right to join the PYG Track above us!). However, we were seduced by the frozen lake so stopped to take loads of photos and breathe in that amazing clean, crisp and very fresh air.

This is where we should have turned right to meet the PYG Track

Frozen lake at Llyn Llaslyn Snowdon

The track was built during the 1800’s to serve Britannia Copper Mines which were abandoned in 1917.  Mine Manager Arthur Lockwood drove his car to Llyn Glaslyn, and the track to this point at the lake still resembles a road so is a good walking surface. When the lake came to an end we followed some other walkers up a very steep and snowy path to where the summit lies.

Scrambling up to the PYG Track Snowdon

The view back down to Llyn Glaslyn in Snowdon from the PYG Track

The PYG Track then meets the Llanberis Path  and, at this point you turn left and follow the track to be at the top in about 10 minutes.

As with all Snowdon walks, you then turn back and walk the way you came. However, we walked back along the PYG Track to Pen-y-Pass taking one last glance back towards Snowdon and what was a fantastic and enthralling walk.

One last view of Snowdon as we make our way along the PYG Track to Pen-y-Pass

Walks and Walking – Welsh Cawl Recipe

Walks and Walking – Welsh Cawl Recipe

So, what has Welsh Cawl got to do with walks and walking in Wales?

EVERYTHING!

What better than to finish a strenuous hill walk, a mountain peaks walk, a long forestry walk across the beautiful scenery of the Welsh Waterfalls in South Wales than a big bowl of Welsh Cawl, Cheese and Bread?

NOTHING!

Except, of course, a few pints of the local ale!

We enjoyed a great week walking the Welsh countryside and had great experiences wrapped up in sensible walking clothes, walking boots and walking accessories.

We decided to have a sunday celebration today of our holiday in Wales a few weeks ago by cooking up some Cawl.

The ingredients are really simple but it’s the bread and cheese that really make the dish.

Welsh Cawl - Enjoying the recipe

You will need:

2lb of Welsh Lamb (Shoulder or neck)

1lb Potatoes

3 Carrots

1 Swede

1 Parsnip

2 Large leeks

2 Celery sticks

1 Large bag of Parsley

Salt and Pepper

You need to:

Dice the meat, and all vegetables but save the leeks, celery and parsley.

Put it all in a big pot and simmer for 1 1/2 hours and then add the leeks, celery and parsley until 10 minutes before serving.

Cut the bread and cheese in to chunks and serve just like we did!!

The general idea is to keep adding water to make it in to a broth, eating the meat first and then moping the rest up with the bread and cheese.

Seriously, lovely.

Walks And Walking in Swansea, South Wales

Walks And Walking in Swansea, South Wales

If you are looking for beautiful and breathtaking scenery that is very easily accessible to get to then I can’t recommend Swansea enough! Swansea is in South Wales and although it is, and has been, known mainly as an industrial area it is a brilliant location for walks and walking, at all levels.

I stayed there for a week with the family and certainly had some great experiences out in the Welsh Mountains, Coastal Walking along the Gower Peninsula, exploring Welsh Waterfalls, tasting Welsh Whisky and riding the well preserved Welsh Mountain Railway Line in a steam engine.

Sunset over Swansea Bay

Our first full day was spent walking from the Brecon Mountain Railway to the Taf Fechan Reservoir which is about 5 1/2 miles of quite easy walking. The railway journey itself was also an enjoyable experience. We finished our visit with a quick trip to the Penderyn Distillery to sample some Welsh Whisky!

Other walks included the Gower Peninsula to visit the Pennaid Pill Castle and a lovely coastal walk back to the Mumbles. A very hard going walk up to Table Mountain to see the views from Pen Cerrig-calch. Much easier walks through forestry to see plenty of Welsh Waterfalls, including the Sgwd yr Eira Waterfall and Henrhyd Falls, the highest in South Wales.

So, all in all, a very enjoyable trip to Swansea!

 

Walks and Walking: Henrhyd Falls; Walking The Welsh Waterfalls, 10 Miles Hard Walking in the Brecon Beacons

Walks and Walking: Henrhyd Falls; Walking The Welsh Waterfalls, Henrhyd Falls, 10 Miles Hard Walking in the Brecon Beacons.

Our second drizzly morning so, as with yesterday, we strapped up with gaiters, sturdy walking boots and hooded windproof jackets but this time our our hats and snoods stayed on for a while. Today was an early start as we wanted to get back to our long lost family and spend some time together on our last day in Wales so we quickly jumped in the Vito Sport and made our way to Neath and in the village of Coelbren we found the Henrhyd Falls, the largest of the welsh waterfalls in South Wales.

However, we don’t get to visit the falls until the end of our walk so we leave the Vito Sport in the car park and move on up the road from which we parked.

Walking past the mobile phone mast we continued up the road to a stile which we crossed and then followed the pathway across the fields, bending slightly to the left before we reached the same road that we had originally walked up. Turning right, we headed up towards Pen-y-cae before finding another pathway leading us to a wide road that quickly narrows before reaching another pathway.

There is only one pathway so it’s a very easy navigation up to a road that forks just after the Outdoor Adventure Centre, we go left that has a sharp left down to so gates in front of us that then lead up to gates that let us enter the Craig-y-nos Country Park.Passing some friendly Welsh ponies and keeping to the sound of the water there was a good photo opportunity by the giant stepping stones.

Giant Stepping Stones near Craig-y-nos Country Park

Expecting a grand entrance, it is more of a side entrance to the park curving round to our left we join the main park area before reaching it’s main entrance by a small lake. We turn left outside of the entrance by the Craig-y-nos Castle, which looks like a good venue for weddings rather than one of huge historical importance. Crossing the road we needed to get up on the hill and rather confusingly there is a sign that points us in the right direction, yet says “No access to the hill”!

We continue down the road until we see the correct access and this is where we also find a myriad of pathways. So, the general idea was to walk up the hill to Cribarth, walk over the hill and then walk back down the hill on the same side we went up. I had to get the walking poles out for this climb as my legs were quite tired after 4 hard walks this week!

Walking up Cribarth, so many paths and options to choose from!

Confusing? Yes, but that’s the idea… to explore the hillside and it’s geology. We walked away from the peak of Cribarth to explore the shake holes below us.

Shake Holes on Cribarth

We zig-zagged up, down, over, across and back over until we reached the bottom in sight various sign posts. If you can see the church from the top of the hill then that’s the easiest navigation point down. The road is where we needed to get to so we followed one of the signs down through the Abercrave Wood through Abercrave Farm to reach the road turning right to find Abercrave Bridge. We have now entered the residential area of Abercaf and wlak between the school and the fire station turning left and keeping left again we follow the road to Llech Bridge to find a very clear signpost to Henrhyd Falls on our right.

Once on this track we simply followed the river up to the falls up and down through the beautiful woodland noticing various waterfalls along the way and stopping off for belated and very welcome cheese and pickle sandwiches!

Stopping off at Craig Llech near Henrhyd Falls

Shortly after our stop we reached a sign that takes us to our car park or invites us towards the Henrhyd Falls itself. A few steps up and down we are at the falls and they are very impressive. As the falls are very accessible I made a short 2 minute video walking in to, behind and out of the Henrhyd Falls so you can see what the Henrhyd Falls look like.

Henrhyd Falls

We then retraced our steps back to the car park signpost and walked steeply up to the Vito Sport and, my god, after 5 1/2 hours walking on top of a whole week of walking the Brecon Beacons, it was a sight for sore eyes!!

 

 

Walks and Walking – Walking The Welsh Waterfalls in the Brecon Beacons.

Walks and Walking: Walking The Welsh Waterfalls, 8 Miles Hard Walking in the Brecon Beacons.

It was a little drizzly this morning and cloudy compared to our last few days of clear blue skies. However, a little rain would top up the rivers making it a good day to walk the welsh waterfalls!

Anticipating the mud we strapped ourselves up in gaiters, sturdy walking boots and hooded windproof jacket but as soon as our hats and snoods were on, they were off again as it brighten up typical British weather! Revving up the Vito Sport as we made our way up to Neath and the beginning of the walk at Clun Gwyn Farm and Bunkhouse, 3 miles up from Ystradfellte.

From the car park we followed the clear signpost to Sgwd Clun-gwyn Waterfall, had a quick look, and then carried on up the track to cross a footbridge where we climbed a steep rocky path up and then turned right following the footpath back down the other side of the Afon Melte River to look at the waterfall from the other side.

Looking back down the river from the footbridge at Sgwd Clun-gwyn Waterfall

Next we followed the red way markers to the Sgwd yr Eira Waterfall. Although the zig-zag steps down were a little damp it was absolutely fine and safe to walk down the steep descent to the waterfall. I decided to video the approach to the waterfall and as it was just as easy to walk behind it and up the other side I also made a short video inside the waterfall.

After an exhilarating visit, the walk up the muddy and rocky ascent was completely exhausting but when we reached the top we both had very big smiles on our faces at what was a great experience with beautiful scenery. Keeping to the obvious pathway we headed through the forest encountering gorse, pine, bogs, welsh ponies, stream crossings, views of the wind farm, the Cilhepste-fach and Cilhepste-cerig ruins and then continuing to head south along the path until we came to Craig Dhinas (Dinas Rock Great Forest Geopark).

Crossing the bridge we followed the road down to The Angel Inn at Pontneddfechan where we were going to get half a local ale to eat with our sandwiches outside but, alas, there is a sign saying “No Muddy Boots” so we turned right by the ornate gates that head northwards alongside the Nedd River.

A few minutes walk on the right is a short pathway down to the river where we finally got our sarnies and a drink down us, sitting on the rocks in a little sun trap observing all of the different rocks and crystal clear water.

The view from our lunch time spot

We then continued to walk upwards following the signs and river marvelling at waterfall after waterfall… after waterfall after waterfall… after waterfall after waterfall!! We took our time for lots of photos to really breathe in and absorb the beautiful and unique scenery.

We reached the picnic area and car park by Pont Melin-fach turning right up the road to reach a distinct stile by the buildings of Glyn-mercher-uchaf where we met some very friendly sheep!

Very friendly sheep at the end of our Welsh Waterfalls Walk

Following the clear sign posts we crossed farmland until we reached sight of the road where we had parked and joined the road by the white chapel building and grave yard just by the very old fashioned petrol station.

A few minutes later, and after walking for 5 hours, we were back at the Vito Sport, chucked our muddy boots in the back and shot straight back down to The Angel Inn for a welcome pint of Rhymney’s. What a wonderful pub, such a shame we just missed out on some Welsh Cawl!

 

Walks and Walking – Walking Table Mountain and Pen Cerrig-calch

Walks and Walking: Walking Table Mountain and Pen Cerrig-calch, 8 Miles Very Hard Walking in the Brecon Beacons.

Awaking to a beautiful sunrise it was yet again perfect walking weather. Although it looks like high summer outside it is still freezing cold…. it was actually -5 Degrees in the Brecon Beacons last night. Sturdy walking boots are essential for today, as is the compulsory windproof jacket and sensible layers.

Wales is a haven for mountain biking and we passed quite a few in the Vito Sport as we made our way up to Llanbedr.  We found a parking space on the Great Oak Road, from Crickhowell, right next to the right hand turn sign for Llanbedr and just before Ty Mawr Farm.

Walking up to Ty Mawr Farm there is a track signposted “Perth y Pia and Table Mountain”. We then prepared for an exhausting and very steep walk up a concrete track to the Perth y Pia bunkhouse. After a metal barred gate the way becomes steeper again until we reached a way marked stile and then followed the right hand of the field edge up to a stile to the left of an old rusty metal barred gate.

Table Mountain is now in clear view and is the first stop off point for us to savor the panoramic views and breathtaking scenery…. and catch our breath!

 

The Route From Table Mountain To Pen Cerrig-calch

Pen Cerrig-calch is our next destination and so we continued up to Trywn Ysgwrfa, looking up we continued towards Pen Cerrig-calch using the most obvious pathway.

We then reached a natural rocky stream bed path that looks as though it gets very muddy after it’s been raining. We then followed this straight up, for what seemed an eternity, until we reached a large pile of rocks. I contributed to the pile by placing a large rock on the top!

Continuing further uphill we reached the top where there is a Rain Gauge and a huge circular rock shelter. We thought this was one of the Shake Holes on our map. (A Shake Hole is a natural depression in the Earth’s surface caused by water eroding the mud around the limestone under foot causing large holes to suddenly or gradually appearing on the landscape).

We decided to stop in the shelter for our sandwiches knowing all of the very hard walking had now been done. We then continued along our path until we came to a steep rocky climb down the edge of Pen Cerrig-calch and the beginning of Pen Alit-mawr. He we turned a sharp left around a natural pathway/animal track until we found another large circular rock shelter.

We then walked in a diagonal direction down the long slopes of the Pen Cerrig-calch using the Welsh pony and sheep tracks as a guide back towards Table Mountain until we reached a disused Butt by the field edge at the bottom of the slopes. Keeping to the field edge we walked back up to Table Mountain, past Crug Hywel Fort,  and walked round the right hand side until we came to a very clear pathway down.

We then followed the way markers which are all very clearly signposted first turning right, then left, straight ahead, left again and then right where you can walk down the shallow stream (and clean your boots at the same time!) and entering the road through Ty-yn-y-wlad.

The Route Back Down To Table Mountain

Turning left we walked back up the road to the Vito Sport exhausted after our 4 hour walk and feeling very thirsty for ale. We did hear that The Red Lion pub in Llandbedr was the closest watering hole but when we got there, at about 3.30pm, it was closed. So we drove back down to Crickhowell’s The Bridge End Inn which is a wonderful pub serving local ale’s and with exceptional hospitality.

 

Walks and Walking – Walking from Oxwich to the Mumbles

Walks and Walking: Walking from Oxwich to the Mumbles, 10 Miles Hard Walking in the Gower Peninsula.

The weather was cold but the sky was clear blue, so absolutely perfect weather for a 10 mile walk along the beautiful Gower Peninsula’s unspoilt coastline. I wrapped up warm for this one with some sensible layers and a windproof jacket. Sturdy walking boots are also recommended as the terrain is quite interchangeable. Although most guides say you only need lightweight boots, you definitely need ones with good ankle support…. so with sturdy boots you can’t go wrong!

There were loads of people orienteering today and also a large group mountain biking.

So, back in to the Vito Sport for the 30 minute journey to Oxwich, where I decided to put my gaiters on as there was quite a lot of gorse and the tracks didn’t look too well defined.

The idea was for me to get dropped off in Oxwich and then meet the rest of the family at the Mumbles 3 hours later, and then all walk back to Swansea. However, I rather underestimated the journey time as I didn’t actually get to the Mumbles until 4 ½ hours later! We then decided to get the bus back to Swansea (£13.20 for 4 adults – scandalous!).

The general route was to follow the Coastal Path all the way and if you keep the sea on your right and don’t lose the sound of the waves then you should get to the Mumbles sooner or later. On the whole it was a very easy walk to navigate and with some great experiences and scenery.

I started off at Oxwich and crossed Oxwich Marshes until I reached Three Cliffs Bay. You can then see Pennaid Pill by the Pennard Golf Course. I got a little distracted here and went to have a look at the remains of the castle and then walked across the golf course and wandered off the path… If you do and have a look at it then take the path to Southgate afterwards and you can then get straight back on the coastal path.

After Southgate it’s a just a case of following the path, as close to the cliffs as you can, to Caswell Bay. So far it has been fairly unspoilt coastline but from Caswell to the Mumbles you reach the more traditional seaside bays with plenty of refreshments and facilities. Resisting the urge to stop for chips I carried on until I reached Langland Golf Course and then Langland Cliff where the pathway is all concreted until you reach sight of the Mumbles. When I arrived, I had a quick look at the lighthouse and pier and then met the family at The Pilot of Mumbles for a very welcome pint of the local ale.

Here’s a few photos from my walk:

Walks and Walking – Walking Brecon Mountain Railway to the Taf Fechan Reservoir

Walks and Walking: Walking from the Brecon Mountain Railway to the Taf Fechan Reservoir, 5.5 Miles Easy Walking in the Brecon Beacons.

The weather was cold but clear for this trip so hats, gloves and windproof jackets were the order of the day. We travelled up to the Brecon Mountain Railway from our apartment in the Swansea Marina. It took about an hour in the Vito Sport, which is the perfect vehicle to throw all your gear in the back and enjoy the drive. Even the 275 mile journey from London to Swansea yesterday was really comfortable!

First, we booked our tickets for the railway trip which takes you from Pant Station to a temporary terminus where the train engine turns round and takes you back to Pontsticill Station for a 25 minute break. The total journey time was about an hour and cost £40 for 4 adults and is well worthwhile as it is a great day out with plenty of refreshments and facilities, all immaculately maintained.

For the first 600 yards the line which is built to the narrow gauge of 1′ 11 3/4″ follows a totally new alignment some of which was cut through solid rock. On the hills beyond the gorge can be seen Vaynor Quarry from which most of the track ballast for the Brecon Mountain Railway was obtained.

Across the valley, forward of the train as it passes a disused quarry can be seen the village of Pontsticill. The train now enters a wooded cutting crossing several streams which tumble down the rocky hillside. On leaving the cutting the Taf Fechan Reservoir comes into view for the first time with as a backdrop the three peaks of the Brecon Beacons. The middle Peak is Pen-Y-Fan which at 2906-ft is the highest peak in South Wales. To the left is Corn Du and to the right Y Cribyn.

As the train approaches Pontsticill Station the Reservoir Dam can be seen. The Reservoir was completed in 1927 and can hold 3,400 million gallons of water. The water flooded the vicarage and 15th Century Capel Taf Fechan, Bethlehem Congregational Chapel, some cottages, small holdings and land belonging to eight farms. In times of drought the remains of some of these buildings appear above water level.

The area is ideal for walking or for simply spending some time taking in the marvellous scenery so I changed out of my walking shoes and put my walking boots on.

Leave the station by the gateway at the bottom of the ramp and continue straight ahead along the road to the start of the dam. Turn right across the dam, joining the Taff Trail and follow the road around to the left until you reach a road junction. Turn sharp right and follow the road.

The road climbs gently up hill, with trees appearing first on the right and then on the left. About 30 yards after entering woodland completely, fork left onto a wide forest track, signposted Taff Trail. Follow the path for 1.1/2 miles to a waterfall on a stream, bear right and proceed down hill through the forest. On reaching the road bear left and continue to the road junction. At the junction continue straight ahead, leaving the Taff Trail and cross the dam of the Pentwyn reservoir, continue along the road until reaching the railway over bridge. Immediately before reaching the bridge turn right onto the bridleway which drops to the shore of the reservoir. Continue on the bridleway close to the railway boundary fence until reaching Merthyr Tydfil Sailing Club.

Continue straight ahead along the track way adjacent to the reservoir. Follow this route until reaching the outward route at the Pontsticill station gateway. Turn sharp left through the station gateway.

After our visit we then jumped back in the Vito Sport and headed to the nearby Penderyn Distillery who make the only Welsh Whisky available as well as Brecon Gin. Both of which are absolutely delightful!!

Walks and Walking – Walking from Broadstairs to Ramsgate

Walks and Walking: Walking from Broadstairs to Ramsgate, 2 Miles Easy Walking in Kent.

This isn’t the most wildly exciting of Kent walks, especially as it is also my first blog post, but it is a walk nonetheless! It is however, a very windy walk, so whilst you can keep your walking boots at home for this one, I recommend a windproof jacket…. and shield your eyes from the sand that blows in your face!! That’s the natural variety of walking in the UK.

It is a very simple coastal walk along the sea wall from Broadstairs, through the King George VI Memorial Park and then along the sea wall to Ramsgate so you really don’t need any sort of map for this walk.

Broadstairs is a coastal town on the Isle of Thanet, East Kent, and is situated between Margate and Ramsgate. The town’s crest motto is “Stella Maris” which means “Star of the Sea”. The name, which coincidentally was the name of a house I lived in on the Isle of Wight (small world), was derived from a former flight of chalk steps in the chalk cliff, which led from the sands up to the 11^th Century shrine of St Mary on the cliff top.

Once in Ramsgate we had Fish and Chips at Peters Fish Factory.

Ramsgate is a seaside town and was very popular in the 19^th century as a member of the Cinque Ports confederation. It has one of the largest marinas on the English South Coast and the port has provided cross channel ferries for many years. In February 2011 there was some redevelopment work along the sea wall with art provided by the local residence, I thought the best one was this: