Two Sunday Strolls.

The weather wasn't great this morning, there was every chance it was going to rain, so My walking pal and I decided we'd stick to the roads and just do a circular walk down to Treorci, around the start of the Maindy and back up to Treherbert.
I didn't take my camera so these were all with my phone.

The views from Tylecoch over Treorci are lovely even on a dull and overcast day like today.

And Druids Close always looks lovely with the stone circle in the foreground and views of Treorci in the background.

The steps down from the Maindy can be quite slippery on a damp day, and today they were quite overgrown as well 

Back in Treorci and heading for Treherbert the walk took us past the allotments on the path between Lidl and Lo-Cost. I always love passing these allotments especially at this time of year when the flowers are in bloom.

Walking up the factory road behind Ynyswen. I love this railway bridge, and the Rose Bay Willow Herb looked glorious even though there was still no sunshine.

And back to Treherbert past this glorious field of wild flowers :) 

The second walk of today . A 5 mile walk from Treherbert, going up on to the Rhigos and walking up  to the stream above Fforch Farm. 

This is a fabulous walk, uphill most of the way which can be warm going in the summer. I soon stumbled across a patch of wild raspberries which were delicious, and shortly afterwards spotted a Southern Hawker dragonfly. It was so peaceful by the stream I stopped for 10 minutes and sat watching a pair of dragonflies dipping in and out of the water, and a few swallows flying around.

I love this meadow. I have heard it called "The battle field" but I have no idea why.

Looking down towards Fforch Farm. I love this view.

 Enjoying the tranquility

The last downhill stretch on the way back home 

 The sun hiding behind a tree as I get back to the Rhigos.

All these photos were taken with my phone but I did take my camera with me this afternoon so hopefully I got some decent pics that I can post in a day or two.

Blaenllechau Circular Walk

What an absolutely stunning walk today. We caught the bus to Blaenllechau and walked up Aberdare road into the forestry. Our aim was to walk in a circle and come out on Llanwonno and for once everything went according to plan and we didn't get lost.
The views were incredible over the Rhondda Fach as we set off, and as we got higher up we could see out over the Rhigos in the distance and past that to Pen Y Fan and the Beacons. As we turned and walked towards Llanwonno we had fabulous views over the Cynon valley and eventually the Bristol Channel before reaching Llanwonno road and walking back through some amazing countreyside and back into Blaenllechau with more incredible views over the Rhondda Fach and Penrhys.
The walk was 8.7 miles, but that included a small detour towards the village of Llanwonno, but we decided to keep that for another day.
I'll post the link to Endomondo here in case anyone wants to look at the route .
https://www.endomondo.com/users/431324/workouts/1358398536