This is my 1000th post! 
Having some days off booked, I did a solo walking trip along the Wye Valley Walk last week.
It started with a 6 hour bus journey up to Rhayader (90mins by car).
The Wye at Rhayader (which means waterfall, but the falls that it is named after are no longer there)
Saw 6 Red Kites within the first hour (and I was not heading towards the feeding station).
After a climb I had my first good view of the valley.
In the lanes I encountered a hedge that was webbed like this for about 20 feet or so. Anyone know what it is?
A light meal of pasta, salami, and foraged greens (sorrel, cleavers and young hogweed)
I ended up with a stealth camp in some riverside woodland. The tarp was erected more as a screen to hide me from passers by - it didn't cover the bivi bag, but the night was dry.
I got badly midged that night (I still look like a join-the-dots) but this was the view from where I was, so it wasn't too unpleasant. Seeing a goosander with 9 large chicks the next morning helped too.
Day 2, as always on a walking trip, was hard work, and the weather was at its worst for the trip, which is to say it was grey, overcast and windy, but it didn't rain. Not much good for photographs though. I camped at the top of the steepest climb on the walk, in a field corner. I was completely exhausted, but happy. This shot doesn't show the considerable wind, but my 'storm set-up' with my little tarp is very effective.
I slept well, again, and the next morning took a kit shot whilst packing up. I'm an untidy camper.
Naturally there were loads of good riverside views, but this one is probably the best of them.
One of my favourite things about the walk - The Llanstephan suspension bridge.
The official plate. The bridge is one of the very few remaining wooden-slatted suspension bridges in Wales.
Yes, it's a road bridge, and no-one takes a blind bit of notice of the speed limit. The noise as cars pass over it is incredible. It's positively scary if you are in the car because the planks move and the bridge sways. I could make it sway as a pedestrian!
Camped up at an official site for the third night, with some bacon from the post office shop and some field mushrooms from a roadside verge. There is no situation that can't be improved by a bacon and mushroom sandwich.
Sunset view of the Black mountains from the campsite. The hill in the centre goes by the local name of "Lord Hereford's Knob"
My set-up, using my cape as an extra side for privacy, and a stick for more room.
On the last day, climbing out of the Wye valley. If you look closely the river is just visible.
Facing the other way, a view down towards Bronllys village, where I had arranged to meet my wife for lunch, so she could take me home.
The photos don't do justice to a fabulous trip. It was great to get away for a few days and just chill. A recommended trip, ladies and gents. Thanks for looking.
Having some days off booked, I did a solo walking trip along the Wye Valley Walk last week.
It started with a 6 hour bus journey up to Rhayader (90mins by car).
The Wye at Rhayader (which means waterfall, but the falls that it is named after are no longer there)
Saw 6 Red Kites within the first hour (and I was not heading towards the feeding station).
After a climb I had my first good view of the valley.
In the lanes I encountered a hedge that was webbed like this for about 20 feet or so. Anyone know what it is?
A light meal of pasta, salami, and foraged greens (sorrel, cleavers and young hogweed)
I ended up with a stealth camp in some riverside woodland. The tarp was erected more as a screen to hide me from passers by - it didn't cover the bivi bag, but the night was dry.
I got badly midged that night (I still look like a join-the-dots) but this was the view from where I was, so it wasn't too unpleasant. Seeing a goosander with 9 large chicks the next morning helped too.
Day 2, as always on a walking trip, was hard work, and the weather was at its worst for the trip, which is to say it was grey, overcast and windy, but it didn't rain. Not much good for photographs though. I camped at the top of the steepest climb on the walk, in a field corner. I was completely exhausted, but happy. This shot doesn't show the considerable wind, but my 'storm set-up' with my little tarp is very effective.
I slept well, again, and the next morning took a kit shot whilst packing up. I'm an untidy camper.
Naturally there were loads of good riverside views, but this one is probably the best of them.
One of my favourite things about the walk - The Llanstephan suspension bridge.
The official plate. The bridge is one of the very few remaining wooden-slatted suspension bridges in Wales.
Yes, it's a road bridge, and no-one takes a blind bit of notice of the speed limit. The noise as cars pass over it is incredible. It's positively scary if you are in the car because the planks move and the bridge sways. I could make it sway as a pedestrian!
Camped up at an official site for the third night, with some bacon from the post office shop and some field mushrooms from a roadside verge. There is no situation that can't be improved by a bacon and mushroom sandwich.
Sunset view of the Black mountains from the campsite. The hill in the centre goes by the local name of "Lord Hereford's Knob"
My set-up, using my cape as an extra side for privacy, and a stick for more room.
On the last day, climbing out of the Wye valley. If you look closely the river is just visible.
Facing the other way, a view down towards Bronllys village, where I had arranged to meet my wife for lunch, so she could take me home.
The photos don't do justice to a fabulous trip. It was great to get away for a few days and just chill. A recommended trip, ladies and gents. Thanks for looking.
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