Return to (the Snowy) Bluff!

Saturday the 16 March 2013 saw five employees decide to return to the bluff - four weeks after the first hike. Adam T-R, Lyndon, Fred, Mark and Steve Mans all met on a rather chilly morning at 8am ready for the long hike. I'd posted this one as a medium difficulty 4-5 hour walk and in truth thats exactly what it was... although I'll say medium was an average  some parts tough, some parts easy.. read on!

Due to the steady rain and snow that had fallen throughout the week the decision was made to stick to the road for most of the walk from AndersonBrecon to the common, we were making great pace and took a little off-road footpath through the fields, as we reached the common it was clear that there was a little white stuff atop Hay Bluff. 

The short sharp ascent of the bluff was made all the more tricky as the snow underfoot was freshly fallen and slippery - but not for Fred, who was pushing the pace at the front all the way up.

We were fortunate to have a beautiful clear day and the views from the top were stunning, the green grass of the Wye valley offset by the three inches of snow underfoot made for some great vistas.

We stopped for a quick photo at the Bluffs cairn and decided to conquer the Twmpa today as well, so Fred took the lead once again and guided us  off the bluff through the stunning Gospel pass, the valley looked beautiful in the morning sunlight!

The Twmpa (locally known as Lord Hereford's Knob!) climb was slow and steady and a great chance to enjoy the surroundings, we all congratulated ourselves atop the cairn and planned our return route, it was decided to descend into Llanigon and follow the road back to the factory.

A great walk was had and we all felt the strain at the end, 12.9 miles averaging 3.4 Miles per hour is perfect pace for the three peak challenge.

Full photo album here

Brecon Canal Walk

By Gemma Lewis

Last Saturday 02 March, saw 8 employees meet again for another session of training for the Three Peaks Challenge.  Lyndon Phillips, Fred Strickland, Trish Summerfield, Steve Mansfield, Dave Hine, Mark Ayling and Gemma Lewis who hope to complete the challenge in June were joined by Craig Price and Julian Stockton who came along for the walk.

They met on a rather chilly morning at Brecon Theatre just after 8am and started on their trek along the canal.  With the intention of walking for 2 hours and then turning back the group were soon making an excellent pace of just over 3 miles an hour and buoyed on by the arrival of sunny weather decided to walk into the town of Talybont-on-Usk (approximately 7 miles from Brecon).

A very picturesque and flat walk took the group past many canal boats (some of which were in use), mini waterfalls and an array of wildlife. Unfortunately the group arrived in Talybont too early to obtain refreshments from the local pub but after a short break the group turned around and headed back towards Brecon. With the sun shining down on them the group made it back to base, taking a few photographs on the way.  Apart from a few sore and aching feet it had been a successful walk with the group maintaining a constant pace for over 4 hours.

Total miles – 13.5

Time taken – 4 ¼ hours