Golden Valley Walks

The fourth heatwave of this summer is coming to an end, and I needed to clear the dust from a third Joust weekend our of my lungs. I had found a couple of walks out of the Wittiwake guide to Hay based around Peterchurch in the Golden valley, that I could combine for a longer walk.
The walks to Michaelchurch Esclay and Birchy Hill climbed both sides of the valley and started at the car park beside the church.

Kington & back

Its going to be another hot week, and getting hotter as the week progresses, so I settled for a local route and early in the week. I wanted to see what it was like to get to Kington over the fields, which basically involved going to Almeley then one of two parallel routes to Kington. I would go along one then back on the other.

Twmpa & Pen y Gadair Fawr

It is cooler today after another week of heat. I worked out a route back in the black mountains, starting again at gospel pass, but this time heading up Twmpa then along the ridge line towards Mynydd Bychan staying on the tops, curving around to Pen y Manllwyn, Waun Fach before reaching Pen y Gadair Fawr. Down to the car park at Blaen-y-cwm, before turning around, back up the valley to Grwyne Fawr Reservoir, then continuing up to the ridge above and back the way I had come out.

Hay Bluff & Twmpa

A lull in the heatwave and an opportunity to go to the Bannau Brycheiniog (Brecon Beacons) for a "proper" stretch.
I planned to follow a popular route from near Gospel pass, over Hat Bluff then along the ridge. Dropping down to Capel Y Frrin, before returning over Twmpa (or Lord Hereford's knob).

Sunday Stretch, Sarnesfield

Sue was off to church again, so I chose to go along and hen circle around o get back home - this time going north and east.
From the church heading up to Logaston, then cutting above Sarnesfield Coppice and down to the A4113/ Weobley junction. Next back towards Sarnesfield church, looping around the large house and back to the A4112 for the final mile home.