BARRIE from Penarth and District Ramblers filled in at very short notice for a cancelled walk by providing a linear walk along with a bus ride.

Setting out early and even arriving at the Storey Arms car park by 9am it was almost full and although the morning was dry, there was a cool brisk wind upon their arrival whilst the surrounding hilltops were covered by low cloud and mist.

After filling in time and reminding themselves that the Storey Arms was once a tavern and coaching inn before boarding the bus, the group of 12 walkers enjoyed a pleasant ride to the outskirts of Brecon alighting at Newgate Street.

Joining part of the Taff Trail on Ffrwdgrech Road, an almost two mile tramp along the reasonably quiet road led them past the entrance to Held Wood with its various walking trails and where goose eggs were on sale at the Bothy and Garden House.

The woodland covering around 220 acres is on private land but allows access to the public with ancient woodland trails through native trees and with areas that have been restocked with trees that were felled during the two world wars along with Douglas fir and more exotic species such as Red Cedar and Coastal Redwoods.

Nearing Pont Ffrwd-grech over the Nant Gwdi, a large dog unexpectedly and excitedly barked out a warning after jumping up behind the boundary wall of a house making everyone jump and continuing onwards to Pont Rhyd-goch it was time for morning coffee.

Below the bridge the Nant Cwm Llwch tumbles down into a wooded valley via a delightful waterfall and having partaken of refreshments and circumnavigating Waterfall Cottage situated on a sharp bend above the bridge, with daffodils and scarlet elf cup fungus decorating the garden, a stile led them into neat hedged fields.

With sheep and new spring lambs bounding around and views across the Usk valley towards the noticeable hump of Pen-y-crug to the north of Brecon and Pen Milan to the east, a series of stiles and muddy tracks led them through the valley towards the bunkhouse and cottage at Penstar with low cloud and mist still shrouding the valleys.

Re-joining a quiet lane above the Tarell valley and gradually dipping downhill in a south-westerly direction past several groups of eager youngsters taking part in the Duke of Edinburgh scheme, the farmhouse at Old Glanrhyd stood at a road junction above the river.

Currently up for sale this huge old cottage was once a tavern and brewery and a stopping place for the drovers taking their sheep to market at Brecon as well as on the coaching route from the Midlands though Brecon and Merthyr Tydfil to Cardiff during the 18th century.

Leaving the Taff Trail and crossing a wooden footbridge over the Afon Tarell into the pretty Glyn Tarell valley and heading through kissing gates and footbridges over pretty streams crossing the footpath, then down steps and through deep mud, a huge fallen tree bough ahead signalled a stop for lunch.

Then crossing more wooden footbridges and through a path covered in bracken eventually led them to a waterfall below a footbridge over the river and re-crossing the Afon Tarell above Blaenglyn, a short climb led to the old drover’s road and a return onto the Taff Trail.

Heading uphill past yet another minor waterfall cascading down the hillside led them back to the Storey Arms just as the mist was beginning to sink lower across the hillsides.

On Saturday 25, meet 9am at Cogan Leisure Centre for a 10-mile moderate walk in the Tonyrefail area; contact Rachel on 01446 410545.

On March 26, meet 9am at Cogan Leisure Centre for an eight-mile mod/hard walk taking in Y Gyrn and the Glyn Tarell Valley in the Brecon Beacons; contact Robin on 029 2051 4051.

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 please log onto penarthramblers.wordpress.com or Facebook. Programmes and membership advice can be obtained from Pam on 029 2025 5102.