Back from a stunningly sunny Spring weekend in Herefordshire, with Hazel and chauffeur Catherine.
On Saturday, we soaked up Friday night’s drinks-on-arrival with a nice big fry up for brunch before heading over the border to Abergavenny where we made the most of Mountain Warehouse’s sale and searched for postcards in vain before heading off to climb Skirrid (Ysgyryd Fawr). At 486m it felt a little, well, lower than my last peak 🙂
Very windy up at the top, but blue skies above made for fabulous views (although a little too hazy to see the Bristol Channel) – worth the “near vertical” climb up from the footpath the circumnavigates the mountain. According to the National Trust guide to the Skirrid Far walk, “Once you reach the end of the hill take the grassed footpath on the right hand side of the Skirrid a short but sharp climb to the top and the trig point.” – hmmmmmm, not so sure about “short” or “sharp”. Can’t quibble about the “splendid views of the surrounding countryside.” though.
Catherine and Hazel on Skirrid (Ysgyryd Fawr)
Tea and cake / cider and crisps back at base, and a little read of the papers / snooze before a fish and chip supper from The Old Stables, and the odd glass of wine or two…
Sunday was sunny from the start, so after a light breakfast in the conservatory we donned our boots and headed off on the Kerrys Gate – Bacton – Abbey Dore route, continuing on along the B4348 to Ewyas Harold for a very nice lunch at The Temple Bar Inn. Back at the cottage, dad and Jean called in on their way home from Hay just as we were packing up for what proved to be an easy motorway drive back to Catherine’s and from there the train home.
Back again in a fortnight for The Annual Birthday Party gathering.
More photos on Flickr.