Friday, February 02, 2018

A Walk in Wales



February is probably my least favourite month. I get restless. I want to start new projects and not finish them. My winter wardrobe is boring. This year, I'm tired of the incessant rain. Dreary. Grey. I want to go somewhere sunny. 

I'm going to take some virtual trips. Would you like to come along? Let's go to Wales. Wales, you say? Wales - where rain falls all the time? Yes, Wales. 



On a very sunny, hot morning in July we left our cozy room in Woodmancote, bravely setting our GPS (Sat Nav) for Lampeter, Wales. I wrote a little bit about the trip here. We arrived in the town of Brecon and thought to find a place to take a short walk before lunch. Our rental car trundled over the bridge (very narrow) and up through the winding streets out of town, looking for something that resembled the walking path we saw on our map. 

"Quick! Turn here!" And we veered sharply to the left, which isn't as dangerous as it sounds in Canada, because we were driving on the left hand side of the road already. Actually, we were in the middle of the road; there wasn't enough room for a left and a right lane. 

We parked in a little pullout off the main (narrow) road, and walked down the steep lane. To the right the bank rose sharply up to the road and Welsh sheep stood in clumps on the incline. 

At the bottom of the lane, a black and white Welsh cottage drowsed in the heat. Don't you just want to knock on the door and be asked in for tea? Instead, we followed the curving path to the left and crossed a small river - the Honddu. From the stone bridge, the path went left or right; which should we choose?



Left, we decided. We walked, slowly, because it was very hot. The trees provided shade and the trickle of water in the river gave an illusion of coolness. Mere illusion. The path led out of the woods and along a field with a farmhouse in the distance. 



After a short while, we arrived at this stile. The path continued through the field, but we chose to turn back for two reasons. One was the heat; we couldn't bear to be out of the shade. (I write this while sitting beside the fire, looking out at the rain falling down, and I can hardly imagine it now.)



Here's the second reason. That cow on the left didn't look too friendly. We thought that perhaps the heat was making her irritable. Choosing discretion over valor, we stayed on the woodsy side of the stile. 



Back we went, in the direction of Brecon. Did I mention the heat? So hot. 



The path led alongside the river, where sunlight filtered through the trees and made pretty shadows on the water.



We had no intention of walking all the way back to Brecon, so we returned to the car, trudging up the steep lane. A row of houses lined the right hand side of the lane. White cottages, lavender, and stylish doors caught my eye. Forge Cottage is the name, and if you "google" that name, Mr. Google will take you to the very lane. 



Lavender! Can you imagine it? I'm tempted to take the photo out to my shorn, flowerless plants and show them what's in store for them in a few months. 



Back to Brecon where the Welsh flag flies above the Brecon Castle Hotel, built snugly against the ruins of the 11th century Norman castle. 

I'm feeling brighter, are you? And outside, the rain has stopped and there are patches of blue. February isn't so bad, after all.


29 comments:

  1. Lovely. I'm headed to Wales this summer. I can't wait.

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    1. How lovely. I hope you have wonderful weather, too.

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  2. Lovely photos, thank you for the mini winter vacation sharing your trip

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  3. What a beautiful place! Thank you for taking me on a walk with you. It is sunny here but only 27 degrees F here today.

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  4. That is a lovely group of English Longhorn cattle. They originated in the north of England during the 17th century, and although they might look quite fearsome with their long horns, they are actually considered to be quite docile.
    I loved the feeling of the hot weather radiating from your images on the computer screen, and like Katie I am heading off to Wales for a few days but in April.

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  5. What stunning images, dear Lorrie, this place is truly wonderful!

    With sincere gratitude
    I'm sending blessings on your weekend

    XOXO Daniela

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  6. Lovely photos. I so prefer snow to rain!!

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  7. What a wonderful tour that you took us on, you obviously have some great memories.

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  8. Enjoyed your story and the photos!

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  9. Sigh...thank you for this little escape to Wales. Loved it all. I'm a bit weary of the rain but I'm leaving on a jet plane for Southern California for a couple of days so I can't complain. Have a good weekend.

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  10. I can’t imagine it hot there! Lovely photos as always.

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  11. I'm reading the Irish Country doctor series and just love imagining the area where the stories take place. Wales is close enough to satisfy me. Have a good weekend! I hope the skies clear soon!

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  12. I really did enjoy this walk! It is such a change from the grey snowy skies, trees and fields that surround our house. The wind makes the already cold temperatures so much colder. It felt like -29 today. Thanks for cheering me up!

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  13. Lorrie - we had similar posts today ... recalling sunnier, warmer times where flowers bloom! I giggled out loud at the mention of your 'shorn, flowerless plants' - they do look miserable at this time of year, don't they? My hubby and I have walked through many a field with a bull or other cattle, and it always makes me a bit nervous - those horns could do some damage! Have a 'sunny' weekend!

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  14. What a wonderful treat--I felt like I was right alongside you---heat and all because I am using a heating pad. lol It is cold here and supposed to snow tonight. Jan and Feb are NOT my two favorite months...sigh....at least I think of February as being a romantic, feminine kind of month. lol xo Diana

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  15. I have such lovely memories of walking in Wales and in Shropshire on a September holiday not so many years ago. Your photos are such a great reminder of summer and all its delights. My sister and I are planning a walking holiday in Wales and Northern England and I think she'll enjoy this post.

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  16. It was nice to take a trip to Wales through your photos, Lorrie. I never imagined it could be hot there. Somehow I always think Great Britain is cool and rainy. It was nice to see it sunny and flowers in bloom!

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  17. Wales is beautiful, and perfect for dreary February. I agree about being fed up with the winter wardrobe, I want to move away from sweaters and wear bright and cheerful capris and tops

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  18. What a delightful walk in Wales. I’d never catch on that it was such a hot day because of all the green, most especially along the woodland brook. And the white house looks cool like snow.

    We all get restless in February. Your restlessness will be resolved, but mine will go on for another two months. I have decided to tackle several big projects that I have been avoiding. That should take up the month quite well.

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  19. Beautiful photos. Such a good idea to think about happy holidays when it is dull and grey outside. I've been to Brecon a few times as a friend used to live near there:)

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  20. Yes, I did feel as if I was along on your walk in Wales! What a lovely walk you (we) had, even in the heat . . . and despite the disposition of a certain Ms. Cow. :)

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  21. What a delight to read this post as the rain patters against the windows and the wind howls. I could almost smell the lavender and feel the warmth of the sun. We are hoping to get to Wales in May. The trip we were meant to do in September and then cancelled because of storms. Hope we get sunshine like your lovely stay. B x

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  22. Lorrie, I travelled with you to Wales, a place that I've never visited. It looked so pretty with the lavender and the picturesque buildings. You must have enjoyed your walk and it's a delight in February
    to visit sunny and maybe even hot places. Enjoy the bright grey today!

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  23. Definitely brighter!!! Thanks! The picture on the stream with the little bridge reminds me of a place of my childhood. I had to laugh at showing the flowers to your pots to tell them what to expect. I am with you on walking in the heat, I don't like it. Keep warm and search for the light for spring will be here in another month. I agree February is a hard month.

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  24. Dearest Lorrie; Thank you SO much for your invitation to the trip for Wales♧♧♧
    The cow with long horns sure look irritable p:-) The beauty of Lavender's sure made me bright er and warmer(^_^)ï½–
    Sending Lots of Love and Hugs from Japan to my Dear friend, xoxo Miyako*

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  25. Such a lovely post, Lorrie! Very cheering...so many beautiful pictures, sunshine and lavender...lots to look forward to. I love how you capture the places you travel to, you have a real talent for it. Wishing you a happy week ahead. xox

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  26. Thanks for the armchair travel, Lorrie. The lavender images were my favourites.

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  27. Beautiful memories to brighten a gray day ... The lavender is wonderful and the tiny cottages. We watched a BBC mystery series set in Wales (I can't think of the name right now) but I remember it reminded us of Oregon (or the PNW in general ... green, but rainy often). I don't envy your gray days now, but that sun peeking through is a reminder that Spring isn't too far away ... and when that season comes to you, I'll definitely be fighting my envy!

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  28. A lovely post to read on a freezing day! Sarah x

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