Ross's Brecon Beacons

CLICK PICTURE's THUMBNAIL FOR A LARGER PICTURE The larger picture may not be exactly the thumbnail and may include other photos. Designed for Monitor Setting of 1024 x 768 Pixels It works for me in Microsoft's XP to: Click to select Picture; Press F11 for Full Screen; Press F11 to restore down; Hold Ctrl down and press W to close photo Window and Do Next Photo. or Click to select Picture; Press F11; Ctrl W; next Photo and use F11 only on last Photo When choosing a map, ensure full screen is switched off for the map, maximise the display if nececcesary, and use F11 again once into the "map's" photos.
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THE BEST BIT is THE TWO MAPS OPEN THEM and start clicking on the Photo Spots They show the position and direction of the shot on the map itself It's my closest to Virtual Reality Actually ... Ross and all the photographers are good too
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It 'Aint 'Arf Steep, Mum or How We Survived the Brecon Beacons
Len Banister On Six Peaks Walk - from Roman Road Photographer: Gwenda Hoare	Our trip to the Brecons was devised and organised by the Banisters, an area they know well. It was a five day excursion, two travelling and three walking. I did not make any notes during our stay, as I was not asked to write this till our return; so if there are any factual errors, I apologise. But, hey, never let the lack of facts get in the way of a good story. Anyway, it's just a few words to accompany Harry's collection of wonderful pictures.	Julie Banister On Offa's Dyke Path (with Ross and Sally) Photographer: Gwenda Hoare
*** * Crickhowell * ***
The Castle - Photographer: Sue Coulbeck	Crickhowell from the Castle - Photographer: Roger Young	The Castle - Photographer: Roger Young
The Bear Hotel Nice food - bit up market Photographer: Sue Coulbeck	Our base was Crickhowell, a pretty and prosperous little town in Breconshire. Its main features are a fine medieval bridge over the fast flowing river Usk and the remains of a castle: not to mention some decent pubs and two fish and chip shops!	Corn Exchange - Photographer: Sue Coulbeck
Crickhowell from the River West of the "Bridge End" bridge Photographer: Sue Coulbeck	High Street Links The Bridge Inn, The Dragon Inn and The Bear Photographer: Sue Coulbeck	Crickhowell from Bridge End Bridge End Inn visible Photographer: Harry Hawkins
*** * Evening Meal at The Dragon Inn * ***
The Dragon Inn Our Home In Wales Photographer: Harry Hawkins	We were sixteen who gathered that first evening for dinner in our home "Dragon Inn". Mainly West Essex members, but also a contingent from Redbridge, described to me (not by any of them) as the "cream of that group": Ivan, Eileen, Roger and David, please note. Rosemary, Harry, Len, Julie, Graham and Barry Composite Picture Photographer: Ivan Brooks (Thrice)
Gwenda, Ross, Sue and David David, a WE man, cahoots often with Redbridge Photographer: Ivan Brooks	Eileen, George, Hazel and Robin Sally will join us tomorrow, am Photographer: Ivan Brooks	- , - , Roger, Ivan's Arms, - Roger and Ivan(!) complete the set of 16 Photographer: Sue Coulbeck
*** * Tuesday's Walk * *** A walk in the Black Mountains A circuit including Waun Fach, the Black Mountains' highest Point
At Start of Walk Just a little misty 09:50 Photographer: Harry Hawkins	Ross Moving into the Mist 09:55 Photographer: Harry Hawkins	Crossing a Stream - 2 photos when clicked It's misty up above 10:20 Photographers: Ross Millar and Sue Coulbeck
The Stream Moving quite quickly - Looks nice for a dip 10:25 Photographer: Harry Hawkins	The weather for the Tuesday, our first walk, was not good. Dark angry clouds hung low over the hills and the sky was full of Welsh rain. After breakfast and before we set off, I popped into a shop for some lunchtime provisions. The Shopkeeper greeted me with a cheery "Good morning, sir, and how are we today", (you will have to imagine the welsh accent). For once I was lost for words and just stared at the rain. The Shopkeeper filled in for me, "apprehensive are we, sir?" Apprehensive! He hit the nail right on the head.
The last to Cross Just before Harry's Dive 10:25 Photographer: Ivan Brooks	Harry's a Little Wet After the Stone Wobbled 10:30 Photographer: Sue Coulbeck	Capturing the Mist Just above the Stream 10:35 Photographer: George Davies
Pen Twyn Glas - Inscribed Boundary Stones of: Mrs Macnamara and Sir Bailey Bart - 19th Century 11:50 Photographer: Sue Coulbeck	Onto Waun Fach How do they name Mountains 12:00 Photographer: Roger Young	Vaguely Clearer It won't be for long though 12:05 Photographer: George Davies
A Soggy Path Enjoying a path before crossing squelchy Heather 12:05 Photographer: Ivan Brooks	Waun Fach, the highest point in the Black Mountains was the focus of the walk. Thick mist and heavy rain were our companions all day. The going underfoot was particularly tough, boggy heather and deep mud. We are lucky to have these photos as Harry decided to check how waterproof his camera was by falling into a swollen stream. As you can see, both camera and operator survived. I, for one, was very pleased to get back to the cars, I began to wonder if joining the Ramblers was such a good idea after all.	Al Fresco Lunch We were all huddled in a natural hollow 12:40 Photographer: Harry Hawkins
The Army Exercise - What a bleak Place Some Soldiers do not seem to need a Jacket! 12:55 Photographer: Sue Coulbeck		Suspect Blister Forming Len Banister says always treat these immediately 13:45 Photographer: Harry Hawkins
Who's That There? . . . Baa-aa 3hr 5min and no one took a photo bar the blister Photographer: God Only Knows!	Could be Clearing - no one has lost their Spirts Sue said the day was . . "An Experience" 16:00 Photographer: Harry Hawkins	Drying out the Boots While we all have a nice dinner somewhere Photographer: Gwenda Hoare
*** * Wednesday's Walk * *** A walk in the Brecon Beacons covering six peaks Including the Brecon Beacons highest peak - Pen Y Fan
Neuadd Reservoir's Weir By the Car Park Photographer: Gwenda Hoare	Looking at the Ascent - from beside Reservoir Path is right of Tree Area then leftish Photographer: Roger Young	Struggling Up Walking past the Tree Area Photographer: Roger Young
Looking Up the final bit and .. .. Looking Down - two photos when clicked Photographer: Ross Millar (twice)	A Group Photograph From the Trig Point - looking towards Cribyn Photographer: Len Banister	By first Trig point Just People Photographers: Sue, Roger; ? Gwenda's Camera, Len
Reservoir and Eileen Views to Cribyn and Fan y Big Photographer: Ivan Brooks	This map allows you to click on a "Hot Spot" from near where a photo was taken and gives rough direction of shot. Click for Day 2's map and its extra 74 photos	Shepardess; George_Hazel; Going Up Corn du is around the corner of the lower images Photographers: Sue, ? Georges Camera, Sue, George
Wednesday the skies had cleared and we had a wonderful day. One I shall remember for a long time. The walk started with a very steep climb up to a ridge. We were rewarded with great views of a series of lakes, the Neuadd Reservoirs stretching below us. The terrain was easy for a while and we met some shepherds and their dogs gathering the sheep. Then began a wonderful roller-coaster of five peaks, including Pen y Fan (the Highest of the Beacons).		Corn Du - Quite easy to climb ... ... except perhaps the boulders near the top Photographer: George Davies
Bird - Could it be a Woodlark? Taken from the Top of Corn Du Photographer: George Davies	A Steep descent from the Top A sit down (if clicked) then .. Going Down from Pen y Fan Photographers: Roger and George	Drinks Break At the foot of Pen y Fan Photographer: Gwenda Hoare
Views - Pen y Fan: ahead; behind; well behind; lower slope. All With Tiny People Photographers: George, Sue, Roger, Roger	Robin makes Cribyn Top . . and Barry comes through too After 2 mins rest, they'll be fit again (badly stiched images!) Photographer: Len Banister (Twice)	Resting on Cribyn Towards: 754 point; 754 point; 754 point and Fan Y Big Photographers: Sue, Gwenda, Roger
Across the Reservoir From the Roman Road Photographer: Sue Coulbeck	The weather was perfect to enjoy the stark beauty of the hills with the strong sunshine throwing the beacons into sharp relief. My appetite for walking was restored.
Corn Du; Pen Y Fan; Cribyn Looking Back from the Roman Road Photographer: Sue Coulbeck	Robin on the Roman Road And the saddle between Cribyn and Fan Y Big Photographer: Gwenda Hoare	Sue, Barry and Robin Further down the Roman Road Photographer: Gwenda Hoare
Going up Fan Y Big The resourceful group move on Photographers: Gwenda and George	A Break from The Wind Soon to be Turning East then South West Photographer: Roger Young	No Wobbly Stones, no Swimming Today Stream on the final Descent Photographer: Ivan Brooks
*** * Thursday's Walk * *** A walk along Offa's Dyke Path in the Black Mountains Including a visit to Llanthony Priory and a walk down the Cat's Back
This map allows you to click on a "Hot Spot" from near where a photo was taken and gives rough direction of shot. Click for Day 3's map and its extra 54 photos	The Hotel Car Park Preparing to leave - note castle in the trees Photographer: Ivan Brooks	Trig Point 464 and Looking Back (South) - Photographers: Sue; - Sue; Roger
	Vale of Ewyas - west of Offa's Dyke Path Llanthony is in the foothills round to the right Photographer: Sue Coulbeck (Two merged photos)	The party splits Several stay on the hills - the rest go to Llanthony Photographer: Gwenda Hoare
Horses above Llanthony By those that stayed on Top Photographers: Gwenda; Sue; - Gwenda; Gwenda	At fifteen miles, Thursday was our longest walk (Len also described it as our hardest). But day three was a fitting end to our holiday. It began with the familiar stiff climb onto the Offas Dyke Path. As the morning advanced we descended through some difficult terrain to approach the romantic ruins of Llanthony Priory, set in a lush green valley.
Priory Approach Looking forward to Lunch Photographers: George; George - Roger; Roger	House and Priory People are Lunching Photographer: Harry Hawkins	St John the Baptist Church The Priory Church Sue , now atop hill, took photo last Monday
Llanthony Priory House - A Small Hotel Just 5 rooms (in the tower), and has a bar Photographer: Sue Coulbeck	LLanthony Priory Arches Offa's Dyke Path on Hill - Two photos if clicked Photographers: Roger and Sue	4 Priory End Views. Inside; Outside - Left Inside; Inside, down the Arches Photographer: Harry; Sue - Sue; Roger
As time was pressing, we only had a brief time to enjoy our only pub stop of the week. Then, as we had descended, it was payback time as we had to retrace our steps upward. What a climb! It seemed never ending as we worked our way back up to the ridge. That afternoon, we had to keep moving as we had a rendezvous with a coach which would take us back to the cars. We were observed, while we slogged along by a group of wild ponies, that live in the region. In truth, they treated us with indifference - they had seen walkers before.		Leaving the Priory. Start Gate; Tree, after 200yd; Priory; Priory in Welsh Valley (Southerly View) Photographer: Roger Young (All Four)
Two Horses - Vale of Ewyas in background Taken whilst resting on the Steep Ascent Photographer: Harry Hawkins	Meeting Up after Lunch on the Ridge Horses to see; resting after the Steep Climb Photographers: Sue; Sue - Gwenda; Sue	The Top is 5 miles from Meeting Up 1/3rd done but we are running late so it's a slog Photographer: Sue Coulbeck
A Drink's Break We've cut across to the Cat's Back Path Photographer: Sue Coulbeck	The last couple of miles we covered the "Cats Back". A narrow ridge which drops away sheer on both sides to show magnificent views. What a great way to end our few days in Wales.	Cats Back Path 5 Photos if clicked. Go up 5 Photographers: George; Gwenda; Harry; Ivan; George
Nearing the Peak 5 Photos if clicked. Go up 3, go across 3 Photographers: Gwenda; - x3 George; - Harry	Eileen and Lemmings Cat's Back Peak; then going down Photographers: Ivan; George	Small Group - waiting for a mini-bus (honestly) 1.2Mb: Sue; Gwenda; - Group; Large Map Photographers: 3 Sue; Gwenda's Camera;
*** * Evening Meal at Bridge End * ***
Bridge End Inn Entrance The start of a pleasant, relaxing Evening Photographer: Sue Coulbeck	Ivan - Probably our "Pub" Court Photograher A pity I'm incapable of showing his Walk Videos Photographer: Ross Millar	The last night we gathered for a "last supper" in the "Bridge end Inn" a lovely old pub on the banks of the Usk. It was a chance for us to thank Len and Julie for giving us the opportunity to experience this wonderful country.
Most of the Party Just Ivan; Hazel; George; Graham missing Photographers: Ivan, Gwenda; - Ivan; Ivan	Including: Hazel, George and Graham Sally's gone - crossed the boarder to her sister Photographer: Ivan; Ivan	Bridge End Inn - Concludes a Wonderful Break Time for night-caps, others a well deserved rest Photographers: Harry; Sue
*** * The Author * ***
Thanks Ross for writing this at the last moment. (My couple of additions are in italics) And thanks to everybody for their photographic contributions (although it did make my job even harder in choosing and sorting). I've counted that I have used 266 out of 459 photos. Harry Hawkins	Ross Millar Our Author Photographer: Gwenda Hoare	Ross Millar