The Dungeon - The 2014 Talk of the Walks
A light-hearted and irreverent view of our walks - with the photos to prove it....
It's my fault entirely....
This is my own view of our walks and completely unofficial.
So any complaints - send them to me, the webmaster, not the poor old committee.
Obviously any praise, glory or hero-worship should come to me, too....
just drop me an e-mail to :- islwynsec @ virginmedia . com (but drop the spaces!)
To see the super, enlarged version of any photo or watch a slideshow of the days events, just click on it!
This is my own view of our walks and completely unofficial.
So any complaints - send them to me, the webmaster, not the poor old committee.
Obviously any praise, glory or hero-worship should come to me, too....
just drop me an e-mail to :- islwynsec @ virginmedia . com (but drop the spaces!)
To see the super, enlarged version of any photo or watch a slideshow of the days events, just click on it!
Waterfalls, rain and mud - but not in Wales at all! - 17 December 2014
With the temperature around 28c and the humidity way up we set off for the falls down a reasonable track through the spice groves of nutmeg and cinnamon and the pineapple plants. Soon the track became a narrow path up and down steep rough-cut steps and getting increasingly muddy after the heavy overnight showers. We followed the stream for while and then came the waterfalls cascading into deep pools but instead of spakling blue water it was decidedly brown. One brave soul went in for a swim but it really wasn't very inviting. The rainforest is a fascinating place along with the crater lake that feeds the stream but I'm pleased to say that our own waterfalls and trails around Ystradfellte win hands-down for spectacle! Shame about our weather! So where is this? It's the St Margarets Falls in Grenada, West Indies (meet at Blackvein at 9:00 or Grand Etang 3 days later, plane-sharing if possible).
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They aren't all here for the walk, are they? - 30 November 2014
It's our Christmas Lunch walk and there are hoards of people and cars at Blackvein Road. I know our walks are legendary but still..... however there seem to be a lot of trainee humans in rugby kit amongst the throng so perhaps its the kindergarden internationals. We leave the littlies to it and head uphill - forever. The deceiving flatness of the canal bank gives way to a steady plod up towards Twmbarlwm, down to Pant-yr-eos Reservoir, across the ridge and back to the canal bank. Just in time for an excellent buffet lunch at the Prince of Wales.
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Seven go Mooning (Full Mooning, that is) - 22 November 2014
After a very wet night and morning just seven brave souls turn up at Blackvein Road. For once the weather forecast happens to be correct and the drizzle frizzles away leaving morning mists and autumn sunshine. However the planned destination is likely to be a lake so we just wander round to Pont Lawrence and back to Full Moon. But it's a pleasant little walk and we thoroughly enjoyed it.
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The steep climb just got steeper - 2 November 2014
At least it's stopped raining - just! so after some musical cars in the carpark we're organised and off along a nice, flat canal bank but all good things must come to an end and there's this never-ending hill.... But it's been raining and it's two steps up, one step back, and the odd acrobatic. The Punch Bowl is beautiful at this time of year but then we have to slide our way back down to the canal bank and on to Govilon. A landlord takes pity on us and, suitably refreshed, we head back with a quick shelter under a very low bridge. Luckily we Ramblers are a pretty low bunch too!
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And who's sitting down on the job? - 25 October 2014
A brave crowd turn out in blustery weather to test my leadership skills to their limit. I did want to show everyone the deep crevasses on the shifting hillsides above Ebbw Vale but we took an easier path to the top and managed to miss them completely. The weather brightens as we come off the ridge and an inquisitive flock of sheep try to follow us, luckily they can't manage the stile! Sheep are the least of our problems as a mile further on we have to tiptoe past a free-range bull but he's far more interested in his hareem than us and hardly gives us a second glance. Phew, I think I need a sit-down in this old wicker chair.
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As I Rambled to St Ives - I met 18 other Ramblers going the same way ! - 10-12 October 2014
Friday is helter-skelter down the M5 and A30 to get to Padstow through torrential rain but Padstow itself was wreathed in rainbows and stayed dry. So no hanging around for cream teas, we have Rambling to do! Off along the beach and up past the old lifeboat station to what looks like a chimney but is in fact an old beacon tower, pre-lighthouse. The route back is straight across fields of some kind of cabbage to Prideaux Place and its deer park. So as the sun sets it's time for a great plate of Rick Steins' fish and chips.
Saturday dawns bright and sunny, just like the egg with my breakfast. But things go wrong almost at once, the trains back from St Ives aren't running, we'll keep our fingers crossed. More cliffs, beaches and ice-cream parlours then St Ives adds Cornish Pasties to the list of calorie consumption. A wilder walk over the headland brings us back to the station where an over-crowded and rickety bus eventually gets us back to the start. It's all too much for some poor young fellow.
Along the lanes and hairpin bends to Treyarnon Bay and Trevose Head. Rather grey today but at least it's dry. Lots of interesting coastline including this huge hole with the sea crashing in. The rest look into it while I shuffle off round the other side to take the photo . Then comes the 'lean on your best friend' competition, Clive's loses out as he hasn't actually got one - awww! Some pretty beaches, not-so-pretty caravans and a drop of refreshment lead us to the perfect end - a Sunday Roast Dinner near Bodmin.
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Dear Auntie Islwyn - 6 September 2014
Dear Auntie Islwyn
I met this guy who asked me out with the Ramblers but when we got there, we were all on our own! I was a little worried, especially when he insisted on taking my photo! I was even more concerned when he said 'Must be the wrong day, let's go back to my place for the evening and I'll show you my map collection'. Do you think he's on the level? Worried of Blackwood Dear Worried Not on that slope, he's not! Avoid him like the plague, he's obviously the sort that will whip his compass out in a flash and ask you to show him your bearings. Do send me his phone number and I'll tell him myself - personally... Auntie Islwyn
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Oh dear, Phil's brought his big one today - 30 August 2014
That's right. Today I've got my tele-photo lens so nothing will escape my eagle eye! So off we gogo on an unexpected Turner Tour along the Portishead coast with cross-channel views to somewhere called Islwyn. Shame it's all rather fuzzy today so no great views even with a big one! At least we got some good deals on fresh veg and guess where Linda picked all her blackberries? Blackberry Lane, of course! Far too early for a great sunset but here's one I prepared earlier.
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Around and around we go, never more than a mile away - 24 August 2014
One of my odd circular Rambles today, about nine miles if you unravelled it but really only different circuits of the same hill. Had to change the route as I went along as some areas were badly overgrown - brambles, too, not just bracken, but we made it with one or two false starts. Plenty of old coal workings and old farms to keep people amused. The weather was rather dull so we didn't see the canyon lake at it's best. I have to say that everyone behaved themselves, no rowdy drunkenness anywhere, shame really! Even my attempts to persuade people that cows don't bother with naked Ramblers got pooh-poohed, too much cow pooh perhaps.
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My battery's flat - what shape should it be? - 16 August 2014
Turner Tours set sail for the Gower and the weather's pretty good as well. I forgot to allow for the change of time-zone but it was worth the wait, wonderful views in all directions. Coffee in the courtyard of Pennard Castle was rather a grand setting compared with the heritage centre at Parkmill, a real Tardis, nothing much outside but a maze of rooms on the inside! Well, here's the sea - and the beach - and boots and socks are flying eveywhere, even more comes off a couple of hardy souls as we all go paddling. Getting the socks and boots back on proves far more difficult for some, getting them far wetter than intended. Still a good, hot coffee at the carpark cafe puts it all right except my car has a flat battery - no name, no blame, Mrs J - well done to the massed Ramblers for giving me a bumpstart, many thanks from both of us!
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And who's Queen of the Castle this week? - 5 July 2014
Pouring with rain at Blackvein Road, beautiful sunshine in Merthyr Mawr, couldn't have timed it better. Just for a change, we walk around the dunes in the other direction, surprising how different it looks. A couple of false starts in the dunes (they all look the same to me) and a rescue helicopter flies over but it's not for us, a youngster has fallen down a cliff but where in Porthcawl are there cliffs? And there's the sea, that cold brown bit at the end of the sand. One or two of us go paddling (even me!) when our water babes go charging in for a full-scale swim! Hope they've had their injections! But is Queen Canute trying to control the waves or her non-performing Pudsey?
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There's a lot of catching up to do - 28 June 2014
Definitely a game of 'catch' today as we seem to have divided ourselves into two groups due to misunderstandings about where to meet and park. But it wasn't a problem in the end, we all managed to find the pub at the end eventually. The walk itself turned out much better than the weather threatened, we avoided the rain and, in fact, it got rather warm on top of The Garth. Passing through the farm, a lady was applying sun tan lotion to her horse's nose as he'd got sunburnt!
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Midsummers Day - and the sun shines - 21 June 2014
But it's the morning after the night before and, following an excellent meal at The Darran, there are precious few Ramblers about. It's a shame as it's a beee-autiful day and Swansea Ramblers have found a lovely walk along the leafy Taff and the secretive Morlais Castle. It starts oddly with total strangers wandering around the carpark asking "Are you Ramblers?". I admitted nothing but the boots gave it away and they sussed me out. The secret room under Morlais Castle caught us all out and the odd sport of car-washing in country lanes raised an eyebrow or two - water rates must be very high here! So thanks to Wayne and the other folk from Swansea for a grand day out.
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When the going gets tough - Bramblebusters! - 9 June 2014
It's bramble time! and they're springing up everywhere but our fabled Bramblebusters are out and about.... The fightback is gathering momentum. So here are some photos of these valiant souls, venturing every first Monday of the month (except this month, of course, it was a Bank Holiday and that means double time and we don't pay that!).
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Oh no, Not more Industrial Archaeology! - 1 June 2014
And over here we've got a tunnel and over there we've got a tramroad and right over by there we've got a viaduct but you can't see it because it's 70ft under your feet. Gosh, you learn an awful lot when I'm around. But it's not all fun, we do have to do some rambling in between all these wonders. So we deserve our breaks even though we have to fend off predatory horses intent on stealing sandwiches. But the only sandwich thief is one of our own - Ralph, we're watching you, young fella!
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Just a beautiful walk in a beautiful country - 18 May 2014
Not much to say today, a very peaceful walk in beautiful weather through beautiful countryside, best not mention the beautiful Ramblers, they'll only squabble....
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The best beach in Britain? Hmmm! - 4 May 2014
They do say that Barafundle Bay is the best in Britain so this is my chance to find out, but I'm disappointed, it's nice enough but next door is Broad Haven and the Gorilla Rock. Now that's a beach! Loads of seabirds live on the cliff ledges but few believe my suggestion that they're rare North Atlantic Penguins. Around the corner mad people launch themselves off the top of the cliffs with just a bit of string to hold them up. We launch ourselves down the 75 steps to St Govans Chapel hanging on tightly to the handrail. And, as it's Star Wars Day, May the Fourth be with you!
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And the world champions are...... Islwyn Ramblers!! - 28 April 2014
At last! After getting so close a couple of months ago and being abject wooden-spoon holders last year, we have finally triumphed, putting the rest of Islwyn to shame. There was a rumour of a 'secret weapon' from North Wales joining the team but managed perfectly well on our own, even though I had a couple of 'Mark Twain' moments. So when John announces the next quiz, come along and help us retain our crown.
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To the top of the world - and beyond!! - 11-13 April 2014
Time to climb the highest mountain in England, Wales and the Bahamas - unfortunately it's in Wales, not the Bahamas so we're in Llanberis, not Nassau. But the afternoon warm-up walk leaves me puffing and panting like a beached whale after a 500ft climb. Perhaps I should admit defeat now and retire to a nice, quiet bar. But then, look at all that Industrial Archeaology!!! As Simon says, I'm like a child in a sweet shop, though he wasn't quite so polite....
Our starter for 10 is the Welsh Matterhorn called Cnicht, pronounced 'Nicked' after knight apparently. Having passed the Highland Light Infantry on their way to the Khyber Pass (where's Dennis? He would have loved it) it's a pleasant walk up to the clouds. Suddenly the path gets steeper and then it gets steeper and then it gets.... hands and knees, footholds and fingergrips, it's all too much for Jill who lies down for a quick nap on a large, flat stone, best not mention that it's the sacrificial stone, we'll wait and see if she survives. Oh, we're at the top, Oh no we're not, Oh, we're at the top, Oh no we're not. Yes we are!! Back down, Simon's got his compass out. 132 East, 87 North, there should be a gap in the fence - and there is!! Well, I'm impressed. And then the Industrial Archeaology arrives in bucketfuls and I lose all interest in Rambling..
Today's the day... To the Top, visibility = 0, wind = 35mph, chill factor = minus 14. Sounds promising. And it is... a nice, level path past a couple of lakes but then it starts going up, and up. Claire suddenly annouces that next time she's going topless! Calm down! Calm down! She means 'no more tops' and I can see her point as, on top, the wind-chill is absolutely cutting! It's no wonder that people get killed up here, some lunatic rushs downhill with a baby in a front papoose and a toddler in a rucksack behind. One slip and that's dead baby... Just unforgivably criminal... As we leave the summit, the sun comes out and views spread all around. Including the Pyg Track we've just climbed, "We haven't just come up there" says Liz, Oh Yes we have! The Llanberis Track is easy, a coffee shop at Halfway and mulled wine at the foot, It's a Ramblers life for me.
On the way home we stop at Portmeirion and across the bay is Borth-y-gest. Us Ramblers were having lunch over there just 12 months ago on our Llandudno trip. And today the sun is out and there are perfect views of both Snowdon and Cnicht. It's a small (but far too tall) world.
But I'm not the only one who can work one of these new-fangled digital cameras. I thought cameras were always digital - you've always had to use your fingers... but back to business. First in with her photos is Liz with a couple of crackers , well, they're in the second photo, the first is Simon...
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Monknash, on a damp Thursday, but it is the seaside - 3 April 2014
Not often that we hear about our mid-week walks but today all that changes. So many thanks to Maggie for these excellent photos. Unfortunately I hear that one member of the party fell top over bottom into a pool of very muddy water but sadly we don't have a picture as the anonymous victim was holding the camera!
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Manmoel Ridge, freezing cold, blowing a gale - 23 March 2014
Lovely in the shelter of the valley but up on that ridge..... A strong North wind with attitude right in our faces! but are we down-heartened? Too right, we are! So it's with great relief we shelter on the lee-side of Y Domen Fawr overlooking Ebbw Vale (a new hill for me) and duly refreshed head back down towards Manmoel. Well, that blew the cobwebs away....
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At last, It's the Llanbradach Pyramids - 9 March 2014
I've seen them from the other side of the valley but, until today, I've never got close to them. So here I am, on top of the Llanbradach Pyramids. Along with a bunch of antic-performing scramblers determined to get to the top, most of them do but one fails dismally and slides all the way back to the bottom. That'll hurt his pride, if nothing else. It's a lovely day and a lovely walk but it's a shame to see how much rubbish has been dumped. As these places are blackspots for dumping a forward-thinking council might put an empty skip at the bottom of the lane, might minimise the problem considerably. All we need is a forward-thinking council.....
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And it's Silver for Team Ramblers !!! - 17 February 2014
Well, if we can't go Rambling we'll go quizzing instead. We're at Crosskeys RFC for one of John and Sue's Folk Group quizzes. And it's triumph for our first official Ramblers team - we came home with the Silver Medal. Yes, second place was ours, just two narrow points behind the winners. The questions were certainly thought-provoking but not impossible for these magnificent minds even if we did lose a couple of sitters, no-one mention Mark Twain to a certain somebody for a few weeks please, it could be damaging to your health.... Next one should be in April so if you fancy a great social evening watch out for for an e-mail.
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I remember this ! It's called Rambling !!! - 15 February 2014
So, let me get this right, you just face the way you want to go, put one foot in front of the other and repeat, again and again. No, can't say I remember it but it seems to work. What a clever idea.
This is the first proper Ramble of the year, the only other walks being a hastily re-arranged local walk to Full Moon and recce'ing this walk with Jill. Even this walk wasn't quite as Jill had planned it, some fields would be better described as swamps. At least we didn't sink to our necks in Tarmac. Up through Pant-y-resk we went then slithered through a field or two. Even the lane to the church was flooded, making it a temporary ford. The church had suffered too, with missing rooftiles and broken doors. Back down to the steep and stony track to the Spiteful and then the dry forest road to Abercarn. Job Done! Now, come on, Jet Stream, move over!
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