Diary Tywi Valley 2009

Tywi Valley For photographs scroll down to bottom
September 2009

with Paul Heppleston

Monday 7th
A good day to travel, with sunshine all the way from our minibus pick-up point in Bristol to our valley with a stop at Tintern Abbey where we had worship and afternoon tea (not in that order!) and admired the café’s runner beans. Our Tywi valley accommodation at Cilycwm was very comfortable – a far cry from the likes of early PA trips such as a tent in Glencoe.

Tuesday 8th
A damp day, but a good walk at Cwm Rhaeadr waterfalls and woodland, followed by a visit to Dinas RSPB reserve. Unfortunately the weather worsened and our walk around Dinas, the home of Twm Sion Cati (the Welsh Robin Hood) was cut short. Instead we worshipped and sang in the tiny chapel of St Paulinus nearby (he was the tutor of St David). This area formed the southern edge of the grange farmland of the great Cistercian foundation at Ystrad Fflur (Strata Florida) an abbey we were to reach a few days later.

Wednesday 9th
We were joined today by David Gleed from Tenby and Christiane Heidler, a PA friend from Llangadog; their presence enhanced our day greatly. Starting near the river Doethie junction with the Tywi, we walked alongside the river valley northwards, classic glaciated scenery with angles and hills and bracken and sky. It was mostly on the flat, but with some boggier parts (recent rain saw to that). Lunch was at a ruined steading before climbing up steeply to a rest-stop at the bwlch before a gentle descent through farmland to the wonderful Capel Soar y Mynydd, one of the most lonely chapels in Wales; still used occasionally, it is a most exquisitely maintained and evocative place beside the river Camddwr. We worshipped and sang Cwm Rhondda and took into our beings the large inscription above the pulpit Duw Gariad Yw (God loves you).

Thursday 10th
From Llandovery rail station we trained north for an hour to Llanbister Road halt in the middle of almost nowhere to start our walk southwards to Dolau over rolling Radnorshire farmland. Christiane again accompanied us and fed us with wonderful cake. Lovely gentle walking brought us near to Dolau Baptist chapel where we worshipped with the kind lady of the manse, but not before having to battle our way through brambles and nettles to reach a totally overgrown stiile which we had to traverse to reach our destination. Paul was adamant that it existed, but it took Janet on the secatuers and Christiane with a stick and brute force to enable us to pass through, though 2-3 ventured to paddle barefoot across the neighbouring stream instead. Dolau staion has won numerous awards for its prettiness and flowers; they were there in abundance, together with bees and butterflies.

Friday 11th
Three of our group decided to remain at Cwmcroiddur for the (lovely) day and enjoy its peace and tranquillity. The others, via a complex arrangement of taxi and minibus drop-off embarked on the long walk from just N of Capel Soay y Mynydd over the hills to Strata Florida Abbey. Initially over some boggy stretches and tussock jumping, the walk's later highlight was to have lunch at Garn Gron a hill from where the 360 views were stupendous, including Aberystwyth to the NW. Reaching the Abbey via a lovely stream walk and a spectacular lane of full-bodied rowan trees was the finale to the week’s exploration, both physically and spiritually.

Saturday 12th
Sadly, homeward again, but with many very happy memories of good companions on the way and much laughter. Thank you P.A.

Margaret Poolman
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