Ystradfellte

From about June to December, I didn't travel across the Bridge at all. In the last month, though, I have been four or five times.

On Saturday evening I opened an email from one my cycling mates, offering a space with a group going walking near Ystradfellte, near Merthyr on the following morning. After realising that a 7:30 start meant getting up at 6:30, I packed that night.

The terrain nearYstradfellte was soaked from the heavy rains we've been haing, and all the rivers were full and turbulent. The route that the four of us took included many waterfalls, three rivers, potholes, cliffs and woods. The picture shows Sgwd-yr-Eira in summer, but yesterday the flow was much greater, and the whole basin much wetter.

The walk necessitates walking behind the waterfall to cross the river, as there are no bridges for some miles in any direction. We were soaked through with icy spray, the back-draught sending drops of water up underneath clothing that was designed to resist normal rain falling downwards. We had sleet and hail during the rest of the walk, as well.

Six and a half hours of muddy plodging, through wonderful woods and valleys, made this a walk to repeat. In summer, I reckon, when it would be an absolute joy.