Weekend in Wales

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June 6th 2008

Published: June 16th 2008

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Neddy

Blue sky, calm waters

It's Adam's birthday again - so that must mean it is time for another weekend in Wales!

This time we headed off for a canoe/walking adventure in the Brecon Beacon National Park.

Saturday was canoe day and we hired Canadian canoes (except for Pete, who was on the 'rescue' surf ski) and canoed from Wales back into England along the River Wye. The canoe adventure was a very sedate one (those of you that hear from Adam will know about his 'great UK search' for rapids) but very lovely. This also meant that we got to appreciate the fauna, including a number of ducklings and cygnets out for a swim with mum and dad.

We were well nourished during the 10 mile journey with ANZAC biscuits cooked by Sophie for morning tea, a delicious pub lunch and then an afternoon stop on a bridge pylon for birthday celebrations for the two birthday boys - Adam and Neil.

Vanessa, a relative newby to canoe travel, took to it like a natural, and no one fell in - not like some of the groups we observed, who seemed to capsize every 10 minutes (and I don't think on purpose

Team canoe

- the water was cold!!!)

That evening we all met at the Red Lion for a birthday dinner, bought the pub out of lamb shanks, managed to fit in another cake and generally had a great time.

Sunday (obviously 'walk' day) we headed to Brecon Beacon national park for a 'ramble'. Fortunately the weather was perfect as the area is well known as an army training ground where troops routinely get lost on exercises. I understand that the fog becomes very thick and, if you lose the path, you could easily find yourself slipping down a very steep hillside. Apparently the weather can change rapidly, causing problems for walkers, but we did not face asuch issues.

Never ones to shirk a challenge, we climbed Pen y Fan - the highest peak in South Wales (at a massive 886 metres - they don't have much height here, but they still love to claim the title!). Still, I have no complaints, the walk was beautiful (if a little steep in places), and just right to round off the weekend.

In other highlights, the B&B I stayed at was right across the road from a 13th Century castle. Given