the annual bilberry haul

 

Each summer we dedicate a day to go up to the Stiperstones armed with plastic tubs to collect bilberries. We were a little late going this year, but there were still plenty to be found. Going later in the season meant we were treated to the amazing scent of the heather as it was in full bloom.

 

 The boys love to use their berry pickers and eagerly begin to fill up the tubs. However before long they are frolicking and rolling about in the springy heather, getting covered in purple splodges.

 

Their day was enhanced by doing a spot of Geocaching - something we started doing last summer. They love the quest of finding something that's been hidden away. The Geocache here didn't disappoint especially being an old ammo tin.

 

So with purple stained fingers, we headed home to freeze our modest haul of bilberries to give us a taste of the summer hills through the winter months.

blue skies

 

The biggest bluest skies at the Elan Valley earlier this week where we went for our half term ramble. The boys were keen to see the Claerwen dam (as they had watched Top Gear's Richard Hammond drive a Landrover up the front of it on TV!).

 

 

 

The winter colours were stunning, bleached windswept grasses contrasting with the blue sparkling water.

The Claerwen river flows from the dam down through a wide boggy valley. We walked along a bridleway adjacent to the river. However the track was very waterlogged in places and after a failed attempt to jump a stream with a 5 year old on my back and ending up knee deep in a bog, we turned back! 

These beautiful wild hills definitely need a return visit (and I must remember after a long wet spell, to keep to the high ground).

the last summer adventure - Cadair Idris

 

 

 

 

 

 

Making the most of the last few days of the summer holidays;

Up in the mountains;

Carpets of heather;

Big skies;

Rolling clouds enveloping the craggy summit;

Time with friends.

to the source of the river wye

 

 

 

It was the perfect weather to explore the wild lands of Plynlimon to see the source of the River Wye (thank goodness as to be up here in less than perfect conditions would not be nice).

The route we took was from the south side of Plynlimon following the track up into the hills until it ended where the terrain became too impassible. The source is above the 'V' in the picture above. How beautiful the infant Wye is. It was quite something to see it as a babbling stream beginning a very long journey.

My favourite upland flower 'Devil's-bit Scabious

holiday adventures

Holidaying in our own county! We have spent a wonderful few days exploring the Brecon Beacons - an area that I have driven through many times, as well as having worked and lived near by. I couldn't help think throughout our time there why on earth hadn't I walked these hills before.

 

 

 

We climbed Pen y Fan in the rain, cycled up 'The Gap' to Fan y Big to stand on the 'Diving Board' and discovered walks with dramatic waterfalls.
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We walked along ancient paths from Roman Roads, drover's roads and old bridleways

The boys amused themselves with creating wild bracelets with rushes and wildflowers collected along the way.

We explored ruined priories and churches.

On the days it really rained we went to see some show caves and to Big Pit, the coal mining museum. Big Pit is a wonderful eye opener to the shear hard work and determination of the miners and their families. Experiencing a little of what it felt like to go down a mine was quite moving.

We all felt like we'd got to know our county a little better after this holiday. I shall miss pouring over this map planning our routes for the next day...