Out for a walk

We walked down this valley today and then we walked back up.

At the top we walked through knee deep snow and at the bottom we saw very little.

This is a valley near Dylife, once a mining settlement home to 1000 plus people, with several pubs, blacksmiths and associated commerce. It was home to the biggest waterwheel in Wales, a grisly murder and apparently willingly accommodated the oldest known profession!

All gone now, just a few houses and a pub.

The valley was first carved to a U shape by glaciation and then refined to a V shape by the river. It's home to a few farms and a yurt encampment which is very much for the alternative lifestyle as opposed to luxury holidays. Clearly the alternative lifestyle is seasonal in this case as the encampment was deserted!

We met a great farmer in the valley - 70 years old and passionate about farming. He knew everyone in the area and was keen to tell us that his lamb went to Waitrose (apparently a very good buyer). He described how it was a hard but rewarding life and that farmers aren't loaded as some people might suspect. Hill farming in Wales can't be lucrative and it certainly isn't easy.

After a half hour chat in which I learnt a vast amount about a fascinating way of life we climbed out of the head of the valley through very deep snow, kicking steps all the way up.

We jumped a fence at the top to avoid two aggressive, snarling farm dogs and made our way back to the van.

Soon home and the boys had arrived.

An hour of snowball duty outside, construction of a snow wall and then a treat of a shower with the two of them.

Gorgeous dinner from mum and then slumbering on the sofa. Good Friday? Oh yes, very good.