Landscapes – Page 2

Allt-yr-Esgair Hillfort

November 27, 2017 By Valerie Davies

Today I visited an area of the Brecon Beacons between Llangorse Lake and the A40 as part of my Brecon Beacons Ambassador scheme. There are many hillforts in the area, one of which Pen y Crug which is very close to the coach house. The Iron Age hillfort we visited today does not have the five rings where the embankments were but does have an ancient burial mound.

Allt-yr-Esgair is a hill with panoramic views of the Usk Valley to the west and south and across Llangorse Lake to the Black Mountains to the northeast. In Welsh, Allt-yr-Esgair means wooded slope of the ridge. Locally, the hill is known as The Allt.The summit (393m) is crowned by a hillfort presumed to be of Iron Age origin, one of several in the Usk Valley. The Roman road that links the Roman fort of CICVCIVM at Y Gaer, Brecon and Gobannium at Abergavenny runs along the ridge.

The actual area had become overgrown with bracken and trees and was no longer supporting the wildlife. The farm adjoining the Allt proposed a clearance plan and introducing Highland cattle who are able to graze these exposed areas. Within a few years the grazing has restored the Allt to the open upland it used to be, along with the wildlife.

Gliffaes Country House

November 10, 2017 By Valerie Davies

Today we went on a guided walk in the beautiful grounds of Gliffaes Country House Hotel. It is full of specimen trees dating back hundreds of years. The weather was really kind and there was still a lot of autumnal colour in the leaves. We then had lunch in the restaurant which has magnificent views of the River Usk below.

You are able to walk around the grounds and maybe finish with a drink in the condervatory or treat yourselves to a lunch. You will not be disappointed.

Gliffaes Hotle — Tree walk at Gliffaes Country House Hotel

Westonbury Mill

August 31, 2017 By Valerie Davies

Visited Westonbury Mill Water Gardens today. There are a surprising number of small gardens tucked away that are open to the public. This is a little further afield but worth a visit if maybe combined with a drive through the black and white houses route around the outskirts of Leominster. The gardens are built around the water ways of an old water mill. There are 3 follies all very different and built by the owner once he had learnt the various skills required! He sells the plants and has a cafe serving homemade lunches and snacks

Elan Valley

July 19, 2017 By Valerie Davies

The Elan Valley is just 22 miles from the coach house over a glorious mountain road. It consists linked dams and lakes supplying water to Birmingham. The dams in full flood look like a series of waterfalls flowing down the side. The area is a haven for wildlife.

It is also a very good place to view the night sky with no light polution being so remote.

We were also very lucky to come across one of the sheep roundups. Approximately 4 times a year the hill farmers get together and round up all their sheep from the hills. On this occasion it was to shear the sheep. It is quite a sight to see man horse and dog working together and a few quads but that is progress?

Year Of Legends – 2

February 20, 2017 By Valerie Davies

The legend of Llyn Cwm Llwch

In the shadow of Corn Du is the isolated beautifully preserved glacial lake Cwm Llwch.

There is a fairy tale of an enchanted island invisible from the shore of the lake. A passageway leading from a rock to the island was said to be open on May Day each year. Those who had the courage to pass through the doorway would find themselves in a beautiful garden on the island inhabited by fairies.

The fairies would play enchanting music and tell stories of future events, and present visitors with flowers and fruit. Each guest was told nothing must be taken from the island.

One May Day a greedy visitor placed a flower he had been presented with in his pocket. When he emerged from the rock the flower vanished and he lost all his senses. Since that day the door to the island has never opened.