Disserth Circular, Newbridge-on-Wye

 It was mizzley this morning, but I was under 8km shy of 1600km for the year, so Bertie and I went for an explore to cross the line whilst Sue and Steph went to the supermarket. The idea was to trace a route on the old railway line for a way then find a route over to Disserth and come back on the route I had used when going over to Llandrindod Wells before.

We walked through the village and past the church, until we reached a green lane heading towards the old railway line track. through a couple of gates and onto the old track ...  very overgrown, but we pushed on to the end which was unfortunately blocked by a fence, despite what the guides say.

We retreated up the bank and followed a path through the woods on the river side and returned back towards the village. However this was also blocked at the end and we returned along the disused railway track to where we started. Back up on the main road we continued down to the old road to Builth.

Along the back road and over the river Ithon, followed by a slow climb up the hill. Near the top of the hill we took the footpath down to the A470 through a field.

The other side of the A470 we found the gate which led into some scrub woodland, however it had not been used for a long time and there was no obvious path on the other side. After bashing around in the brambles and branches for a while we gave up and went back alongside the road until we could get to a back road up to where the path should have come out. On the other side of the road was a gate leading into a field leading up to a farm. the exit from the field was into a garden then farmyard (Rheol farm), which we navigated with trepidation until we got into the fields beyond and some sign of a path.

We dropped down to a tree lined border and the stream it hid. The stream was flowing rather deeper than boot high so I had to find some where to hop from stone to stone. The far side climbed into yet another field this one with sheep in it, up to a broken down barn. 

Climbing up through several sheep fields - the last one had the sheep following us rather than running away, presumably as they expected to be fed! On to some farm track beyond that experience and past Bryn farm. Here a short chat with the farmer pointed us in the right direction of the next leg - down the farm drive.

We walked over a grass field and into a second which the map showed as a wood, but now another grass field. Then over a stile into the remains of the wood. The far side of the wood involved a broken stile on the bank of a stream - fun and games lifting Bertie over it. Then a few easy fields to the church at Disserth.

The path crossed into the church yard, and exited onto the caravan park road. Up tot eh road to re-cross the river Ithon and now on familiar territory.

Picking up the path back to Newbridge, through the fled on the opposite bank to the caravan park, and climbing up a long flight of steps in the wood beyond to climb up to the skyline. Through the woods and out the other side into a sheep field. More stiles to manhandle Bertie over and into the fields.

Over the hill and down to the farm track leading to Woodcastle farm.

From the farm it was  simply back up the driveway to the a470 in Newbridge, close the point where we had our first turnaround. Then down the pavement back through the village to Steph's place.

A mixture of a day with several setbacks where I nearly turned back, however they just added more distance to the daily total and we surpassed our target.

Garreg Ddu reservoir circular, Elan Valley

 After the early morning rain the day cleared up to blue skies, so we grabbed the opportunity to visit the Elan valley. The idea was to walk around the Garreg Ddu reservoir, starting at the highest end.

The car park at Pen-y-garreg was empty and showing the result of the overnight rain.

We parked up and set off up the road to the hairpin bend where we turned onto a tarmacked drive

The drive contoured the side of the hill in some pine tree plantation, with occasional views down the valley.

The sun made its way around the hills to light up the reservoir.

The drive ended when we reached the farm buildings of Tynllidiart. We walked around the back and across some reedy fields.

The pasture fields ended as we crossed a boggy area on a board walk as we moved into broad leaf forest.

The track wound around in the trees as well as up and down staying above the high water mark.

The broad leaf trees ended for a while as we crossed a pasture area, however it did give a good view of the bridge over the bottom end of the reservoir.

A diversion up the Nant Methan valley to cross the feeder stream. Back to the shore and the path dropped close enough for Bertie to drop down for a swim

And also panoramic views of the reservoir.

Looking across to the bridge with the sun shining on the water, before picking up a hardcore track around the southern arm of the reservoir

Arriving at the bridge looking over to the control tower.

Across the dam/ bridge and picking up the Elan Valley Way between the road and the reservoir

The EVW follows what seems to be an old rail line alongside the reservoir, with scattered benches and picnic tables.

At the end of the valley we could look up to the next dam of Penygarreg reservoir. We had to drop down to the road as the EVW continued up to the next reservoir.

Along the road was some tree sculptures in the remains of diseased larches, as we walked around and over the bridge. We walked past the car park and back up the hill to the tearoom at Penbont house for a lunchtime snack of tea and cake.

Back down to the van and return to Steph's. However we did stop on the way, at the Caban-coch dam to take a few pictures.