ON A glorious mid-April morning six walkers joined leader William for the trip up to the stunning Grwyne Fawr valley to begin their 12-mile walk in the Black Mountains from Blaen-y-cwm forestry car park, which as its name suggests stands surrounded by forestry at the top of the valley.

 

Heading uphill along a narrow path through the dense forest before emerging onto open moorland and climbing over the ridge before descending steeply down a rock strewn path, they arrived at the small hamlet of Capel-y-ffin or Chapel at the End, which is situated in the Honddu Valley.

Joseph Leycester Lyne who was better known as Father Ignatius attempted to buy Llanthony Priory from the Landor family but failed, so he purchased 32 acres of land at Capel-y-ffin and on St Patrick’s Day 1870, the foundation stone of the rather long-winded Llanthony Monastery of Our Lady and St Dunstan, Llanthony Tertia at Capel-y-ffin was laid. He wanted to restore the Benedictine monastic way of life back into Wales and with help from fellow monks and local masons; he succeeded in creating Llanthony Tertia, where an eccentric version of monastic life continued until his death in 1908. Lyne is buried in the small monastery church, where the foundations and mortar were so badly laid that the building began to disintegrate and after being neglected for years is now partly ruined.

Then from August 1924 until October 1928, Eric Gill the renowned stone-carver, engraver and graphic designer along with his family, friends, followers and hangers on lived in the former monastery at Capel-y-ffin. Whilst living there he designed the Gill Sans typeface which came into being in 1928 and was adopted by the London and North Eastern Railway for use on their locomotive nameplates, station signs, timetables, menus and posters.

Leaving the Honddu valley along the Nant Bwch a tributary of the River Honddu, they entered a beautiful steep-sided valley festooned in bright yellow flowering gorse that winds up towards the Black Mountains escarpment before passing a shepherdess, skilfully moving a small flock of sheep and lambs to higher pastures. Then pausing for mid-morning break in a lovely meadow at a bend in the stream, the only sound was spring birdsong which completely filled the air.

Continuing up the valley and gradually climbing past waterfalls falling down the steep valley sides where the Nant Isaf and Nant Ganol join the main river, another trek across open moorland to join the escarpment resulted in fantastic views across to the Wye Valley. Then a stop for lunch with stunning views across to the central Brecon Beacons as a red kite displayed nearby and a couple of buzzards soared high above, accompanied by the rather strange and unexpected sound of artillery fire coming from the Epynt ranges.

Continuing their journey across the hillside to the trig point on Rhos Dirion, which at a height of 713-metres was the highest point of the walk, a glider was spotted riding the thermal currents above the ridge towards Waun Fach and turning southwards and locating the path, the group headed back down through the Grwyne Fawr valley, passing the reservoir and descending back to their start point.

On April 25, a train ramble will begin from Rhoose Railway Station at 10:10am for the nine-mile moderate walk to Llantwit Major Station then a train ride home. If you intend making the whole journey by train to the start point at Rhoose, the train will leave Cogan at 9:48am, Dinas Powys at 9:53am and Barry at 10:03am and please remember to buy a return ticket to Llantwit Major; contact Geraint on 029 2051 5278.

On April 26, meet 9am at Cogan Leisure Centre for a nine-mile moderate waterfall walk from Pontneddfechan; contact Clive on 029 2065 4156.

Wear suitable clothing, preferably boots and carry waterproofs, food and drinks. Some degree of fitness is required and if you are in any doubt, then please contact the walk leader for advice.

To follow the group log onto www.penarthramblers.wordpress.com. Programmes and membership advice can be obtained from Pam on 029 2025 5102.