It rained!

Enough said. Maybe tomorrow will be better!

Walking in Devon

After our time in Brecon we have had several weeks without walking due to various circumstances. However we were able to walk near Stover in Devon last week, about 8kms through woods and then road and field tracks near the River Teign. They serve good coffee at Sampsons Farm, Preston, where we stopped for a short break. They also serve meals but it was too early as we were there mid-morning. The weather was fine and became quite hot, with the temperature up over 30C by mid-day. One view was of the cows going into the farm to be milked, fortunately just beyond the entrance to the farmhouse and garden as there were so many of them.

For those who have followed our times on the Camino the ruts near a field gate brought back memories of 2010.

We followed this with a more road based walk on the Haldon Hills, also on a warm day. Then we needed to spend some time at home, doing some housework!! More walking hopefully, if it doesn't rain again, later in the week.

Walking up Pen Y Fan

The walk up Pen Y Fan starts in a number of places but we chose the path which starts at the Park car park near, but not at, the Storey Arms.
The ascent here is fairly steep to start, crossing a bridge over the stream and then heading uphill. It is quite rough in places as well as steep and reminded us of some of the places we had walked on the Primitivo. We walked up past Corn Du and onto the summit of Pen Y Fan, then returned the same way. The return downhill reminded us of Buspol but without the need for zig-zags. The view from the top is wonderful and it was clear enough to see across the Bristol Channel. There was a lovely little lake, in a valley just below us, which we photographed.

The start of the walk

Approaching Corn Du

The last climb to the summit of Pen Y Fan

Llyn Cwm Llwch from the summit

Brecon Beacons

Our week in Wales was often damp, however we walked along the canal side to Brecon itself. A lovely walk and not too wet or muddy. Then we visited Talgarth where the water mill has been restored and is again milling flour. The cafe uses it to make their own bread. Just upstream from the mill is a little waterfall.

The mill gear ( in motion) is based on the design it would have had in 1860, with alternating wood and metal to lessen risk of fire.

Next day was cold and threatening rain so we went on the Brecon Mountain railway, and walked from its station at Pontsticill, returning to catch a later train back to the station at Pant.

For those who have followed our other blogs this is 'not the FEVE'.

From the train it is possible to see the highest peak south of Snowdonia - Pen Y Fan, which we later climbed.

Local walking

We have walked locally, mostly on the road due to the weather. On one walk we were delighted to see two pairs of lizards on the bridge supports. This pair looked as though they were holding hands.

Monte Pedroso (May 2012)

Our walking at present is very similar to our training walks for the last two years so here is a walk from our time in Santiago

After the end of our pilgrimage we had a few days in Santiago itself. We walked part of the 'Route of Routes' going over a Roman bridge and up Monte Pedroso. A walk of around 7kms from our starting point at the Cathedral, with some road walking, then track uphill and through the trees. We ate our dinner at the top where are views across Santiago and beyond. (While on our pilgrimage we had walked over some of the hills in the distance.) Then we followed a line of Cruceiros on the track back down into the town, finally coming onto the road. There was a lovely little bar on the outskirts of town where we had a drink and some home processed sardine bocadillos (sandwiches). They were excellent. Then we walked on across a park, back to the Roman bridge and up the hill to the Cathedral again.

A few photos from the walk.There is also a selection of photos on Flickr at Walk from Santiago de Compostela up Monte Pedroso

View down to the Roman Bridge and the church

The carving on the church wall

The track through the trees

and nearing the top

The view from the top, across Santiago de Compostela

The road nearly back into town with the Cathedral

Still walking

We have started a new blog as we are still walking but will not always be either training for, or walking on, the Pilgrimage routes of Spain.
First a walk up Monte Pedroso, post Pilgrimage
Our next trip will be the Brecon Beacons.
Watch this space