It's Snow Joke!

This was the tricky problem facing a neighbour early this morning, when his Vauxhall slid down a bank near his house.

Needless to say he needed a breakdown truck to extract the car from its 'off piste' slalom run into the waiting hedge.

Thomastown Park - Winter

With temperatures overnight falling to -10 degrees celsius, the lowest in November for 25 years, the snow that fell during Friday afternoon provided our first taste of real winter conditions since..........well at least March!



The recent autumn conditions have quickly turned into a winter landscape, long before the solstice.



The forecast is for more freezing temperatures well into next week.



It's slightly warmer in Brisbane were the First Ashes test match of the series is currently taking place!



Even the usual dog-walkers appear to have decided to remain indoors, in the warmth of their livingroom.



Conditions on the mountains in the Brecon Beacons should be perfect for outdoor activities.



Anyone remember where this squirrel buried his winter food supply!

Brecon Beacons Mountain Rescue

During the walk to Pontsticill yesterday a real life drama was unfolding a few miles further north on Pen-Y-Fan.

As heavy snow swept across South Wales, members of the Central Beacons Mountain Rescue Team were called at 11:45 to a light aircraft crash on Bwlch Duwynt near the summit of Corn Du. A helicopter from RAF Chivenor, Devon, was called to the scene but the team were not initially needed after the pilot, a businessman from Bridgend, managed to free himself. But shortly afterwards they were called to airlift a 70-year-old man with a leg injury and hypothermia, and a mountain rescuer with a head wound.

Huw Jones, of the Central Beacons Mountain Rescue team, said it took about five hours to reach and rescue the walker at about 18:30. During the operation a rescuer slipped and suffered a head injury.

The helicopter landed on the closed road between Storey Arms and Merthyr to brief the crew. Rescuers praised "an incredible bit of flying" by the helicopter to reach the casualties in conditions they described as "more like Alaska than south Wales".

"In all my years in mountain rescue, I struggle to say when I remember seeing a helicopter crew flying in those conditions," said Mr Jones.

The heavy snow forced the crew to abort attempts to land at the nearest hospital, Prince Charles in Merthyr, and then at the University Hospital of Wales in Cardiff and the Royal Glamorgan in Llantrisant, before finally managing it at Morriston.

The 70-year-old man was treated for a broken leg and the mountain rescuer was sent home with concussion.

Mr Jones said the weather forecast for coming days brought higher risks for walkers, and said they should take crampons and an ice axe.

The Taff Trail - Cefn Coed to Pontsticill

This particular section starts at the Community Centre and alongside St. Johns Church is a very narrow path that very soon crosses a bridge over the A465.

Leaving Cefn Coed behind, rapid progress is made to the south east of Trefechan before you enter the Cwm Taf Fechan Nature Reserve. Although it wasn't snowing at the start of the walk a few small flakes started falling on the approach to Pontsarn.

The next footbridge takes you over the Glais hill before you pass the remains of the platform at Pontsarn Station. The first train came through the station on 8th August 1868, before increasing to 21 trains a day by 1873. The station was closed in 1963 as part of the Beeching review.





Almost at the end of the platform you pass under a bridge and then cross the Pontsarn Viaduct which was built in 1866 to carry the Brecon and Merthyr Railway. The viaduct, which has seven spans and is a listed structure, is 455 feet (139 mtrs) long and 92 feet (28 mtrs) high.



The trail continues the well defined route before the path ends rather abruptly at a sign declaring the next section is private land. The trial now joins the main vehicle access under a bridge then turns right past the water treatment works to the dam of Ponsticill Reservoir.





Passing under the bridge (above) this particular walk left the official Taff Trail to climb the Ffynon Dwn straight into Pontsticill. At this point it was snowing persistently and starting to stick!



The blazing open coal fire in the Red Cow invited me to stay longer than just one pint and it was tempting, but with the snow falling heavier it was definitely time to depart.

The walk was 4 miles and took just over 80 minutes to complete in snowy conditions! Again the terrain was easy underfoot with only one ascent into Pontsticill. All of the photographs taken on this walk can be viewed here. Select 'slide-show' for automated viewing.

The Taff Trail - Aberfan to Quakers Yard

This is the next stage - linked to a previous walk - along the southern section of the Taff Trail. Because this section was always likely to be a linear walk it was to commence (......and end) using public transport with a bus to Aberfan to pick up the start of the walk (.....where the first section ended) at the Community Centre.

Within a few hundred yards of joining this southern bound section the cemetery, with the headstones of the 116 children who tragically lost their young lives in the disaster that engulfed the village forty four years ago, are clearly visible from the trail.



You soon start to leave the urban sprawl of Aberfan and Merthyr Vale and return to the delightful woodland, which at this time of the year is showing its true autumnal colours.



You switch back through an underpass beneath the A470 and for the next few miles the trail runs parallel with the main trunk road, as the vehicles hurtle past at 70 mph. Surely, life is too short to rush everywhere and not enjoy the natural surroundings.

Leaving the path for a brief de-tour, a walk to the 'Giant's Bite' above Edwardsville could also be included in the trek. However, at this point the trail returns back under the A470 and shortly arrives at the quirky Pontygwaith Bridge. The camber on this is incredibly steep and would have been extremely difficult to navigate in a car. An episode of the BBC series 'Merlin' was filmed under the bridge.



Pontygwaith (in English means "Bridge of the Ironworks") was previously a small village where a Sussex Ironmaster named Anthony Morley set up a small ironworks in 1583. There is little of the original village remaining today, which was inhabited and continued to exist until approximately 1977, as a terrace of ten houses and a farm.

After crossing the River Taff to the Merthyr Vale side of the valley you now enter the Pontygwaith Nature Reserve, located on land owned by Taff Bargoed Fishing Club.



The trail now follows the historic tramroad along which the first steam locomotive in the world made its debut journey. In 1804, Cornishman Richard Trevithick adapted the design of his high pressure steam engine to build the first full scale steam locomotive.

Samuel Homfray (a local ironmaster) was so impressed with Trevithick's locomotive that he made a bet with another ironmaster, Richard Crawshay, for 500 guineas that Trevithick's steam locomotive could haul 10 tons of iron along the Merthyr Tydfil Tramroad from Penydarren to Abercynon, a distance of 9.75 miles (16 km). Amid great interest from the public, on 21 February 1804 it successfully carried 10 tons of iron, 5 wagons and 70 men the full distance in 4 hours and 5 minutes, an average speed of approximately 2.4 mph (3.9 km/h)

The nature reserve, where herons, otters, foxes and kingfisher can be seen, must be a twitchers delight with the large number of native British birds that were seen during this brief section.

Climbing a bank to leave the trail the path crosses the railway track and leads to the northern end of Quakers Yard station, where the use of public transport continued with a return to Rhydycar on an Arriva train, that was right on time!



The walk was 3.4 miles and took just over an hour to complete. Again the terrain was easy underfoot with only two minor ascents. All of the photographs taken on this walk can be viewed here. Select 'slide-show' for automated viewing.

Offa's Dyke Centre

The extremely poor weather conditions this week which prevented any outdoor activity, also provided an opportunity to visit the Offa's Dyke Centre based in Knighton, Powys.

The Centre, which was opened in 1999, forms a focus for activities based around the 8th Century earthwork built by Offa, the King of Mercia. The dyke follows the Welsh English border from the hills above Prestatyn to the Severn Estuary near Chepstow.



A free exhibition provides a wide range of information to visitors exploring the border area by car, bike or on foot.

An interactive exhibition allows visitors to explore the history of the Dyke, its associated long distance footpath, and the border area of the Marches in general. The main features include:

The construction of Offa's Dyke
The Welsh Princes of the Anglo-Saxon period
The flora and fauna of the area
Environmental considerations
The history of Knighton
The activities required to maintain the Dyke and the Long Distance Footpath



The Centre is managed by the Offa's Dyke Association, a charity originally set up to provide help for walkers on the Long Distance Path. It also provides a base for the Knighton Tourist Information Centre and a shop.

The Centre is positioned at the halfway point of the Offa's Dyke Path National Trail and at the start of Glyndwr's Way National Trail. The Wye Valley Walk crosses the Offa's Dyke Path at Hay-on-Wye as does the Severn Way at Pool Quay, and a wide range of shorter walks radiate from Knighton. The footpath continues from the rear of the Centre.

The Taff Trail - Rhydycar to Aberfan

It was an extremely local walk this morning, under a crisp almost cloud free sky with a bright, low autumn sun.

There was plenty of company from the cawing of the magpies, to the red breasts of the robins and singing of the blackbirds.



After leaving Rhydycar within ten minutes the leisurely stroll arrives at Lower Abercanaid, first passing Quay Row some listed cottages and then Pond Row on the Upper Tramroad.



The trail was originally launched in September 1988 by Sir Wyn Roberts, Minister of State for the Welsh Office. The project was initiated and co-ordinated by the Merthyr and Cynon Groundwork Trust, with the co-operation of the local councils that the trail passes through. Financial and logistical support has been given by the Welsh Development Agency and Sustrans, a sustainable transport charity.



Arriving at Upper Abercanaid, unfortunately, it was still way too early to call into the Llwyn Yr Eos, which has been serving the locals for over two hundred years. However, I expect that Lord Twynyrodyn, Butterballs, Brownie and yours truly will make a visit during a balmy evening next summer.



Before the trail was conceived, several similar and disjointed facilities existed in the area. Taff Ely Borough Council had created cycling routes within its boundaries, Cardiff City Council had provided the Three Castles Cycle Route from Caerphilly into Cardiff, and the Brecon Beacons National Park was developing leisure trails to encourage the use of the park. The Groundwork Trust for Merthyr Tydfil and Rhondda Cynon Taf saw a need for the co-ordination of these efforts, and the Taff Trail was born.



On the short journey between Abercanaid and Troedyrhiw I passed the Dynevor Arms but it was still too early to open its doors! The majority of people that I passed were all out for an early morning walk with their dogs, which was precisely what former Plymouth Ward Councillor Ron Clarke was doing when I was passing him. We walked together for half a mile talking about various things before I also met someone that I used to work with a few years ago who was walking her parents dog - the shy but extremely handsome, Maxie.

There were also some mountain bikers (perfect route for cycling) and a few joggers.



The trail makes much use of an abandoned branch of the Taff Vale Railway and the Glamorganshire Canal. These had been built in the 18th and 19th century to transport coal and iron ore from Merthyr Tydfil and the Rhondda Valley to the docks at Cardiff and Barry. The canals had become disused due to competition from the railways, and the railways in turn had become surplus to requirement as the heavy industries upon which they depended closed. These routes, which although disused had remained largely intact, proved ideal for the needs of the trail, providing a convenient path along the narrow base of the Taff Valley.

The trail continues to follow the A470 as far as Aberfan, where it descends below the road and continues through mainly residential areas.

I briefly left the trail to visit the Memorial Garden that was constructed to remember those who lost their lives in the Aberfan Disaster of 1966, before I returned to the trail and retraced the earlier route back to Rhydycar.



This provided me with an appetite for some home made cawl for lunch, before settling down to watch South Africa beat Wales 29-25 at the Millennium Stadium, which is located just a few miles from the actual start of the southern end of the Taff Trail.



The walk was 7 miles and took just over two hours to complete. Mainly because there were no metres of ascent! All of the photographs taken on this walk can be viewed here. Select 'slide-show' for automated viewing.

Snowdon Marathon 2010

One of our local Police Sergeants, Richie Gardiner 37, has taken on one of the toughest physical challenges in Europe and won, setting a new course record in the process. Gardiner, who has represented Wales at various distance events over the years, beat 1,300 other entrants who came from 16 countries, to triumph on the course regarded by many as Europe’s most demanding marathon.

Setting off under bright skies, the runners were to face torrential rain, hailstorms and thunder as the race progressed. Gardiner eventually took control of the race and ran strongly through Rhyd Ddu and over Bwlch y Groes, before dropping down to Llanberis over two minutes ahead of Janes in second place.

Despite the conditions, a change of route meant a record-breaking time was on the cards and this proved to be the case with Gardiner completing the course in 2 hrs:36 mins:24 secs, the fastest for 15 years.

In a 2007 poll by Runners World Magazine, the Snowdonia Marathon was voted the best Marathon in the UK. This is somewhat ironic since it is also regarded as one of the most difficult!

Gardiner, who also claimed the UK Police marathon championship, said afterwards: "I am proud to win this race. As a Welshman it's a real honour to win this classic event. There are some great names on that trophy." He added "After the injuries and the disappointment and frustration of missing the Commonwealth Games, I had to set myself a different challenge to keep me focused. After 28 years of commitment to the sport and all the injuries, I needed to re-enthuse myself. I thought, what better way than to tackle Europe’s hardest marathon on home soil?"

Gardiner, who has been based in Merthyr for 14 years, added: "For the last seven years I have achieved many goals in my sport, including running for Great Britain and becoming Welsh Champion at all distance events. I thought it would be nice to show people in Wales what I can do on such a course."

The race, which is a challenge for the most experienced runners, follows a scenic route taking in Snowdonia’s major ascents and descents. Gardiner said: "I had a plan from the very start which I stuck to. This meant that I attacked on every piece of flat, ran strong up the mountains but took my time coming down as that is where the real damage is done to the legs. The plan paid off and apart from the poor conditions of hail in the latter miles, I felt relatively fresh finishing. I think that there is more there for me on that course."

From Llanberis, the 26-mile course winds through Pen y Pass, Nant Gwynant, Beddgelert and Waunfawr before finishing at Llanberis.

The demanding and spectacular route, encircling Snowdon, Wales’ and England’s highest peak, has given the event a unique place in the annual marathon calendar. The success has been credited to the beautiful scenery, the runners who organise the race and the hospitality of the local people.

Times they are a-changin'

The line it is drawn
The curse it is cast
The slow one now
Will later be fast
As the present now
Will later be past
The order is
Rapidly fadin'
And the first one now
Will later be last
For the times, they are a-changin'

Lyrics written in 1963 by Bob Dylan to record the radical social changes taking place at the time. Ironically in another period of significant protest and social change, with the student riot in London this week, the meaning is just as relevant today as it was at the time of the civil rights issues and Cuban Missile crisis back in the early Sixties.

Welsh International Climbing Centre, Trelewis

Rock UK, have recently re-opened the Centre and have extensive expansion plans during 2011, that will include development of the site to accommodate exciting outdoor adventure activities including an extended high ropes course, low ropes and archery and further extension of the already substantial residential accommodation.

Off-site mountain biking, climbing and walking will also be offered making use of the extensive natural resources in and around the South Wales Valleys and the Brecon Beacons.

Rock UK also plans to run water based activities at the Taff Bargoed Millenium Park which will include open canoeing, kayaking and raft building.

The Welsh International Climbing Centre was originally built at a cost of over £1m with funding support from the Welsh Office, EEC, Millennium Commission and the Groundwork Trust. It is located on the site of the former Trelewis drift mine which closed in 1989. The Taff Bargoed Development Trust then redeveloped the site in 1997 turning it into an international climbing centre.

The climbing walls are up to 18 metres high with over 180 climbing routes in the main climbing centre plus an additional bouldring area. The centre also has a world class man-made caving system with a waterfall inside it.

The centre is located in Trelewis, which is eight miles south of Merthyr Tydfil in the South Wales Valleys, just 10 minutes from the A470 and forty minutes from the centre of Cardiff.

Pembrokeshire Long Distance Trail

Opened in 1970, the Coastal Path was the first National Trail in Wales. 75% lies within designated conservation sites and 85% within the boundaries of the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park.

The 186-mile stretch offers spectacular coastal scenery and wildlife. From St Dogmaels in the north to Amroth in the south, the trail covers almost every kind of maritime landscape from rugged cliff tops and sheltered coves to wide-open beaches and winding estuaries.

The Coastal Path represents a formidable physical challenge - its 35,000 feet of ascent and descent is said to be equivalent to climbing Everest — yet it can also be enjoyed in shorter sections, with the small coastal villages strung out along its length offering welcome breaks and added enjoyment.

The Vikings left a legacy of place names in the area such as Goodwick near Fishguard and the islands of Skomer and Skokholm.

The Normans built massive castles at Pembroke, Tenby and Manorbier, to assert their authority. Today these castles are reminders that, despite its peripheral geographical position, Pembrokeshire once played a key role in major events. Henry Tudor (Henry VII) was born in Pembroke Castle and, following his exile in France, landed at Mill Bay near Dale in 1485 on his way to capture the crown at the Battle of Bosworth. In the 17th century, the County was the scene of Civil War conflict with Oliver Cromwell laying siege to Pembroke Castle.

In 1797 a ragged French force made an abortive landing near Fishguard only to be repelled by townspeople and the Castlemartin Yeomanry. Today a stone on the coast path at Carreg Wastad marks this as the 'Last Invasion of Britain'. Fear of attack from the west led the Victorians to build a string of Napoleonic forts along the south coast and the Milford Haven waterway.

Today the Milford Haven waterway, whose natural harbour once so impressed Admiral Lord Nelson, is still an industrial hub. Despite recent closures, two oil refineries remain with LNG installations and a new power station planned.

But these developments have little impact on the majority of the trail where the largest industry is tourism. It is in these quieter, remote and wild places frequented largely by birds and visited occasionally by grey seals, that the spell of old Pembrokeshire - the ancient ‘Land of Mystery and Enchantment’ (Gwlad Hud a Lledrith) remains.

Pembrokeshire Coastal Path

Prior to a planned long-distance walk in 2011, the coastal path has just been described as 'one of world's best walking destinations'.

The Welsh national park and the only coastal park in Britain, has been named by National Geographic as the world's second-best coastal spot, finishing above places such as the Seychelles and New Zealand.

Expert critics from the magazine assessed a total of 99 locations linked to the sea, with Pembrokeshire's unspoilt nature and beauty winning it the silver medal.

The judges describe the area as a "fabulous example of coastal protection with a very established tourism industry," as well as a "magnificent protected coastline from both ecological and geological perspectives".

Visitors flock each year to the coast around Pembrokeshire to take in the stunning beauty of the cliffs that line its coast. Thankfully, a "very mature and established tourism industry" has been preserved, rather than eroded, the qualities that make this region so unique.

Here is a representative sampling of anonymous comments from the panelists that voted the Pembrokeshire coast second in World coastal destinations. They are not necessarily the views of the National Geographic Society:

"Magnificent protected coastline from both ecological and geological perspectives. Land-based and marine-based conservation tourism appeals to all ages. Current stewardship practices maintain quality and integrity."

"Wales has done a terrific job of sustainable development, including its coastline. The newly linked coastal walk will be one of the most scenic hiking paths in Europe. Citizens work hard at making sure that their coastal environment remains authentic and unspoiled. The seafood and food grown in the adjoining fields are culinary treats."

"A future issue will be one of getting ‘loved to death,’ such as segments of the coastal path. But still magical."

"Fabulous example of coastal protection with a very established tourism industry."