urban75 country weekend: Walking around Abergavenny, south Wales.
Photos and words © urban75 editor, June 2006 (updated 01/2007)

Some photos from the urban75 walking club's weekend in the Brecon Beacons, south Wales, June 2006.

We stayed at the self-catering Middle Ninfa Bunkhouse, part of a small farm halfway up a steep hill close to Llanelen, Abergavenny, on the edge of the newly-designated Blaenavon World Heritage Site.

PART ONE


Stopping off at the service station on the way up from London.


Arriving at the farm, which is sat up a hefty hill and affords picturesque views over the Usk Valley, the Skirrid mountain and the Monmouthshire countryside.


The bunkhouse!


Time for tea.




Relaxing by the camp fire.


We managed to go through our entire weekend's booze supply in one night. Whoops!




DAY TW0


Early morning at the Bunkhouse - ready for the walk!


Climbing up through the ferns at the start of our 8 mile (13km) walk.


Scrambling over a dried up river bed towards the Blorenge.




The Devil's Punchbowl. The Punchbowl is in fact a large pond with a small islet in the middle, and was once a popular venue for illegal bare knuckle fights.

A 1889 fight between David Rees of Nantyglo and William Williams of Brynmawr went on for 42 rounds and lasted an hour and 42 minutes - all for a £10 purse!


Heading to the summit.


Weary walkers after a hefty climb.

Open countryside.


Single file stampede!



The walk passes White Horse farm and then on to Upper Barn.


It was hot. Very hot, and the dead sheep lying around were a bit off-putting.


Seeing as the area was renown for its charcoal industry, we figured that these may have been the remains of ovens. But what do we know!


Walking along along the side of a deep cwm.


Another lovely view by Yew Tree farm.



With the pub in sight, the pace quickened!


The Goose & Cuckoo pub (formerly the new Inn) was a very welcome sight.



Enjoying some cider and local ale.


The landlord.


Team shot outside the boozer.



Ready for the off.


Heading down the valley.


The walk took us back along the Monmouthshire and Brecon canal towpath.




Sleep time!


Along the canal.



Old cast iron signpost.