Rhymney Ridgeway Walk

The Ridgeway  is an old walking path, not one of the newer pathways made from the disused railway lines.

The walk is overgrown in many parts with brambles and ferns, making for a scratchy progress.

This horse seemed quite perturbed by our appearance on the trail.  Not many pass this way.

Ystrad Mynach Christmas Fayre

With the main street through the village shut and the shining sun brought out the crowds.

 Our local butcher was doing a roaring trade.

Christmas deco for a dog.

Male voice choir.  I must take Gek to hear the real deal sometime soon.

First Frost or was it Snow?

November the 21st and the van is iced.

But nothing daunted, we donned our all weather gear and set off up to the Penallta Park.

 Passed a space ship just landed.

 Where did all the autumn leaves go?

Away on the wind.

To leave beauty behind.

A frosty shadowie for you know who.

 The wind was biting atop the hill, it be snow on them far hills.

Fabulous.

Very Lord of Rings down here.

Home for a hot drink.

Nottingham via Hooke

Cottage style accommodation at Hooke.  Since i had 'misplaced' ie lost, my Canon battery charger there are no pictures of the hair raising ride Dylan gave me in his Lotus 7 look-a-like  Tiger something or other.  White knuckle doesn't really cover it.

After a couple of homely days with Sarah and family, we motored up to Nottingham via Tewksbury,

stopping in the town for a bite to eat.  This is full size, not in miniature scale.

D'em Boots are Meant for Walking

After getting our feet soaked on the last couple of outings, we decided to invest in more appropriate foot wear to cope with the pathways in Wales's autumnal weather.  Guaranteed for 5,000 miles. Should be just about enough for us.

As well as booted, Gek is suitably suited in a Gortex, all weather coat, complete with woolly hat. Looks the business, does she not.

The first test for the boots was a rather easy walk across the Hengoed viaduct.  Ystrad Mynach is at the junction of four railway lines built in the 19th century, only one of which is still used by trains.  The other two have a new lease of life as cycle and path ways, including the one that was carried by this impressive viaduct.

The views up and down the valley from the viaduct are quite something, even in the mist and rain.

On the other side, back to the overgrown railway cuttings which go on for miles.

Caerphilly Castle

This photo gives you some idea as to the size of Caerphilly's castle, the second largest in the UK after Windsor.

Ystrad Mynach - Parc Penalita

Five minutes walk from our front door.

A long disused  railway line turned into a cycle/walking pathway into the valley

An Ystrad Shadowie, for you know who.

Just look at that sky.  Autumn colours are being blown away and trees take on another hue, silvery this time.  Love the changes wrought in temperate climes.

Kestrel View, Our New Home?

 

A bungalow with a view, not only for Kestrels.

This was our third visit to The View in two days.  I think we like it. We are to buy.  On this visit we chatted with the immediate neighour, Rob and the opposite neighbour Ron.  I had told Gek before we left Penang that within hours of moving into a street in Wales, the neighbours would be round for a chat.  In this case, we haven't moved in yet and within 15 mins we are on friendly terms with next door.

Five minutes walk round the corner the local pub.  Very local pub it is too.

On the very top of Hengoed Hill a chapel established in 1710 with the present building going up in 1829.

 From the foot path behind The View.

Gek in her new Berghaus all weather coat.  Could be doing a bit of rambling by'er in the coming  months.  And yes, that is a blue sky you see there.

Welsh Weather

Sunday, clear and bright,

Tuesday, cloud and wetting mist.  The way of the weather in Wales, but beautiful whatever the Atlantic throws at us. Those are low flying crows, not the old RAF Black Arrows.

Caerphilly

And Caerphilly at last, together with Marni's postcard house.  Now the search is on for a house to buy.

Tetbury - The like lads

 Isaac looking for the scrum.

Noah having a little difficulty with his damaged knee.

Tetbury - Westonbirt

 Stunning Autumnal show.  Enjoy the picture show.

No you cannot take it home, Gek

Nottingham

A day in the city.  On a walk up to the castle, you pass the oldest pub in the England, yE Olde Trip to Jeruslem,  selling ale since  1189 or 1650, depending who you fancy to believe.  Old anyway!!

Another Tudor building a little further up the hill,

just before you meet his nibs.  No prizes here for knowing who this is.

And finally you arrive at the castle gates.  Still being a little jet lagged we passed up on the opportunity to visit, perhaps on our next visit.