Strolling home

I had an afternoon off work yesterday so decided to pop down to Ystrad, around 4 miles away to visit a friend, and then have a stroll back in the sunshine.

For once I didn't have my camera so all these photos were taken with my phone.

Even the back lanes look lovely in the sun with the Gorse in flower.

 Crossing the river in Treorci.

 Walking behind the allotments. Everything seemed to be thriving in the lovely spring sunshine.

 

 Looking back along the path I've just walked.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Looking for dippers. None around today, just a little pied wagtail that wouldn't keep still for a photo!

 I love this mural painted by local school children.

And back into Treherbert.

Not too strenuous a walk, but the valley was definitely looking it's best!

Easter Sunshine

It's always nice when the weather behaves over a Bank Holiday, and this Easter was glorious. I had a few days off work so decided to head out into the sunshine for a few walks around the Upper Rhondda, my home village.
I started out on Good Friday by leaving the house and heading on to the A4061 Rhigos road and walking around the first bend to turn in to the forestry.

 

From here it's a not too steep path up through the forestry. For once I didn't have the path to myself.

 As the path winds it's way up the views down the valley begin to open up.

My plan had been to walk down to the farm and up onto the mountain at the other side, but when I got down to the stream I couldn't see a way to cross or a path on the other side, so I stayed on the same side and followed the stream for a little way as it flowed down the valley.

There were a few spots of rain in the air by now and a light mist was begining to roll in, so as I still couldn't see a way to cross I decide to re-trace my steps and go back the way I'd come.

 The bird song was amazing as I stood here taking in the glorious views. The mist didn't seem to be getting any closer, but the clouds were getting thicker.

So it was time to head back to the main forestry road and head home.

 

Sunday brought a much brighter day with glorious sunshine, and warmer breezes, perfect for a walk up onto the mountain on the opposite side of the valley. A fairly steep climb up through the trees and the view down into Treherbert was glorious.

 From the top of the path the forestry road leads gently down back towards the valley

After a brief stop to admire the views it's a gentle stroll all the way back home.


After a rather too large Sunday lunch it was time to head back out, this time heading up to the top of the valley to Blaen Y Cwm, where I met up with my cousin Barbara for the afternoon.

This afternoons walk was just a gentle stroll following the stream, but as always in the Rhondda the views were beautiful 

 The end of the walk and it's time to turn and head back home.

The late afternoon sun striking the top of Penpych.

Coming back down into Blaen Y Cwm

And the last stretch of woodland before I come out on to the main road for the last mile home.













Easter Monday was another beautiful morning so I left the house early and walked up the hill behind my home and on to the side of the mountain. The old reclaimed tip here is now a lovely meadow with beautiful views out over the valley in both directions.

 Spring was definitely in the air, with lots of buds making an appearance

After walking around the field and admiring the views, I decided to follow a little path leading up into the woods.

 The path was easy to follow and not too steep. I past plenty of fallen trees along the way but luckily none of them blocked the path.

A break in the trees and a view over the Valley to Treorci below.

Then the final stretch of the path to the top.

Getting to the top I decided to climd this stye, and walk over the field the other side. I'd seen it many times but always walked past it before.

It was well worth the extra walk, the view was superb.

 

from there it was back on to the forestry road and an easy stroll back down in to Treherbert.

As I walked down the path I was looking over the valley to the mountain I'd walked on the previous day, at roughly the same time the day before I'd been standing on the top of that mountain in the distance.

Gorgeous blue skies as I came down into the valley.

 On to the Rhigos road for the final stretch home.

The beautiful daffodils that line the road as it comes down in to Treherbert.

 

And there ends my weekend of walking. The Rhondda is a wonderfull place for walking, I was never more than an hour's brisk walk from my front door, all the walks were roughly a two hour round walk from home.