Brecon Beacons Training Weekend

Brecon Beacons Training Weekend 29.04.06 to 01.05.06

Here are some pictures from our recent training weekend in the Brecon Beacons - part of our preparations for the hiking and buggying part of our River Wye Source-to-Sea challenge. We arrived at the Grawen campsite at lunchtime on Saturday, and then had a gentle stroll (6 miles) along the forest walk and nature trails around the nearby Llwyn-on Reservoir. Sunday's walk provided more of a test: a point-to-point hike across the Brecon Beacons, from the Storey Arms Centre to Talybont-on-Usk – a distance of 14 miles. The first part was the toughest section, with the ascent to the main Brecons ridge, and the peaks of Carn Du (873 m) and Pen y Fan (886 m). We had some fine views from the tops. Some also did a third peak: Cribyn (795 m). After descending, we had a few miles of walking along country lanes, and finally along the canal towpath from Pencelli to Talybont. Needless to say, we were ready for a few drinks and a meal at the canal-side Star Inn. Many thanks to Colin for ferrying us backwards and forwards at the start and end of the walk. On Monday we had a leisurely day, stopping for lunch at the Boat Inn on the River Wye at Redbrook (which of course will be on the route of the Challenge – the point where we disembark from the canoes), and then a visit to Much Marcle village.