ON A beautiful spring day with some warm sunshine, nine walkers joined Clive for a visit to Skirrid to view some bluebells.

After arriving at Llanvihangel Crucorney near the Skirrid Inn, they set off across the A465 and headed down the driveway to Llanfihangel Court, taking a slight detour in order to view the front of this lovely house set in its own grounds, where the garden leads down to a pond with a newly planted avenue of trees down to the orchard.

Llanvihangel Court is a historic 16th century Tudor manor houses, which contains some fine 17th century panelling and plaster ceilings as well as a magnificent oak staircase and was reputed to be the hiding place for King Charles I during the Civil War. Then retracing their steps to the rear of the house they were able to view a large barn with some fine examples of pegged mortise and tenon joints, which are an ancient form of construction still in use today that produce very strong joints.

After pausing to view the large resident peacock feeding on the grass they moved on along a tree-lined lane to enter fields before following the lane to Pen-y-parc and a stop for morning coffee.

Approaching the gentle ascent of the Arwallt then moving to the base of the north end of Skirrid, translated from the Welsh Ysgyryd Fawr which describes the shape of the mountain as ‘shattered’ there are many legends that abound as to how it got its name. Some say it split into two at the time of Christ’s crucifixion, but in actual fact the distinctive shape of the mountain with its jagged western side resulted from glacial action during the Ice Age. The mountain is sometimes referred to as the Holy Mountain or Sacred Hill and folklore has it that earth from Skirrid was very fertile and holy, so it was taken away and scattered not only on fields, but also coffins and in the foundations of churches.

Joining part of the long distance Beacons Way which led them to the northeast of Skirrid, they climbed up to the ridgeway passing through what once was an Iron Age hill fort and also the remains of St Michael’s Church reputed to be the secret place for the celebration of Catholic Mass during the 17th century, when Catholics were persecuted for practising their faith. Reaching the trig point at 486metres from this vantage point there were clear panoramic views of Abergavenny and Sugar Loaf Mountain, across to the Blorenge, the Malvern Hills and the fields of Herefordshire as well as the twin peaks of Pen y Fan and Corn Du outlined on the horizon away to the south.

Following the ridgeway to its southern end and gently descending to a small grassy area about halfway down they paused for lunch. Then refreshed, they continued their steep descent to the base of Skirrid, before entering a forest which was stunningly carpeted with fragrant bluebells for about a mile and passing through the valley of the rocks and entering fields, their return was via some woodland back to the Skirrid Inn.

This famous inn has stood there for nine centuries and was also used as a courtroom where it is alleged many convicted felons were hanged from an oak beam above the staircase and after learning a little of its history and an enjoyable drink they made their way home.

On May 30, meet 9am at Cogan Leisure Centre for a 9.5-mile moderate/hard walk in the Wye Valley, taking in King Arthur’s Cave, the one-man ferry across the river, Huntsham Hill and Yat Rock; contact Joy on 01446 737131.

Wear suitable clothing, preferably boots and carry waterproofs, food and drinks. Some degree of fitness is required and if you are in any doubt, then please contact the walk leader for advice.

To follow the group log onto penarthramblers.wordpress.com. Programmes and membership advice can be obtained from Pam on 029 2025 5102.