Blogs from Powys, Wales, United Kingdom, Europe - page 49

Alex and our neighbour Karen went down to Welshpool yesterday, for the first air show at our local air field (very small). There were lots of helicopters, but the Spitfires couldn't come because it was too windy for them to take off - lucky they didn't have windy days in 1940! Actually, they are getting on a bit now, and can't get the parts if a bit breaks. Anyway, a good time was had by all. ... read more

July 1, 2008 The Monmouthshire Brecon Canal footpath/cycle path The Monmouth Brecon Canal footpath/cycle path is just a few hundred yards from the campground, so we are off on our bikes to Brecon. Brecon is a country town at the north edge of the central Beacons. Historically this canal was used to move coal, today hikers, bikers, fisherman and recreational barges use it for transportation and fun. It is only 4 miles or so to Brecon, but the trail has sheep/cattle gates to open and close and bridges to walk under or cycle under, and they are very low, so the going is slow. The sheep think the grass close to the canal is tastier! This time of year, many high school/college "kids" are out for a week of backpacking. This is something more high school/college ... read more

June 29, 2008 Chepstow to Brecon Beacons, Wales In Sedbury, we are staying at a B&B, in the field behind the house. Today we joined in for an English Breakfast before leaving, it was enjoyable. Sedbury is a short distance to Chepstow, but Sedbury is in England... and Chepstow is in Wales. In Wales all of the signs are in two languages...Welsh and English. The Welsh language combines unlikely consonants and very few vowels, the words don't roll off one's tongue. As a Welshman told us... you need to spit a bit! The campground is only about 50 miles or so from Chepstow; and is located in Pencelli, a small village near Brecon. Brecon Beacon is a National Park in Wales and we plan to do some hiking tomorrow and some biking the next day. It ... read more

Day 16 Gospel Pass - Hay - Kington - Presteigne - Knighton 33miles (475) Another bright day with a lift to the top of the pass to start with an easy down hill run. Five and a half miles in fact down to Hay covered in about 20 minutes! After a quick look around Hay I cycled on along the Wye valley for a few miles to cross the toll bridge. A canoeing group were enjoying the river under the rather rickety old wooden bridge. After a short piece of main road I climbed up the minor roads for the scenic route over to Kington coming down from the hill with good views of the Hergest ridge. Good views of dipper, grey wagtail and kingfisher in the river where I stopped for a brew. Kington ... read more

Today being my day off, Mum, Alex and I set off for a jaunt round Welshpool. First stop, the Old Station - as its name suggests, it was once the station, but when they built the by-pass, they moved the rails, so the lines don't go near the platform any longer, and the station has become a shop, with cafe. On to Coed y Dinas to buy a money box for Alex's savings - a friend of mine told him she'd saved £500 in one like the one he chose. Does he realise you need to put the money in yourself? We tested out the sandwiches there. Then to the supermarket, the bank, pet shop and the plastic box shop! At last, home and a cup of tea. Dad had a lot of peace today!!!!!... read more