And we're off! First time away from The Cottage this year and while we really love The Cottage, it's been unbelievably refreshing to be somewhere completely new. We still have to stay within Wales, so have had to be a bit creative compared to our usual plans, but we have been able to find some new places to visit.
Despite there being a decent sized guidebook for the Central mountains of Wales, there's not really much 'good' climbing to be had - especially when you are coming from Snowdonia! However, after picking up a copy of the book from our local shop (ordered online and picked up form the backdoor - thanks V12Outdoor in Llanberis!), we set off in search of somewhere new. The weather was dreadful and we were buffeted by wind and rain as we headed south, with the promise of a nicer afternoon.
We found the small quarried cliff of Chwarel Ponterwyd in the Pumlumon area after passing by over twenty sets of tempoary traffic lights!! It's always a slow road though mid-Wales, but the council end of tax year spending on roadworks was quite incredible. We passed another ten sets before reaching our accommodation near Brecon later on!
As mentioned in the guide, the rock was 'friable' and we broke off two handholds while climbing there for an hour or so! There was still a bit of a misty drizzle in the air, but the breeze it looked just about dry enough? Clare got the rope up on a fairly bold lead as it was not as dry as it looked! We did the two driest looking climbs. Left of us there were some more, which were well bolted, but covered in green slippery slime. The rock really doesn't get many customers out here it seems!
Still, we had a great time and we back at the van without getting wet, having got ourselves up a couple of new climbs in a new place, so were happy with that.
After driving the remaining hour and a half, we were delighted when the clouds finally lifted and the Black Mountains came into view.
The later afternoon (and now evening, now that the clocks have changed), felt like a completely different day in a completely different country. Not dis-similar to our usual Christmas trips when we arrive from wet and windy wales into the windless blue of a Mediterranean village.
We're staying in a village called Talgarth, on the edge of the mountains and after a brew in the garden as the final clouds cleared, we went for a walk around our new neighbourhood.
There's an ice cream parlour, bakery and pub, but only the ice cream place is open. Fine by us. There's also a Coed y Parc!
A magic finish to our first 'day away'! More plans to be made....
Chwarel Ponterwyd:
- The Milky Bar Kid, 5
- The Man Who Sold the World, 6a+*
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