Resolven walk Saturday 22nd July 2006 - Earth, Wind, Yeasts and Beasts

Our latest outing took us to Resolven, to view the waterfalls at Melin Court, discover the latest and newest windfarm in the area, and view the final stages of the Swansea Bay Rally (by accident rather than design).

The walk was a joint walk with the Swansea Outdoor Group , and both the Tawe Trekkers and the SOGs were equally represented. The Route started in Melincourt waterfall, we then walked part of the St Illtyd's walk and the Coed Morgannwg way. We then tracked down towards Resolven, making our way through Forest, Water Meadow and grass meadow that were so abundant in wildlife, it makes me feel quite itchy thinking about it! Doug spent quite a time photographing the things he could find to add to his already burgeoning collection. The merits of self cannibalisation was also discussed as well as methods to allow you to pitch a tent (and sleep) on a slope, involving pegs, ropes and a strange collection of pulleys. I think it would be easier to find a flat place to pitch my tent, personally. There was also heated debate over whether yeasts, moulds and fungi were the same. I stayed out of it.

My theme for the walk were the elements, fire, water, wind and earth. The waterfall representing water, the windfarm for the wind, a cairn stone circle for earth, and a fire break in the forest for fire. I also included and elusive fifth element, a trig point in the middle of the trees that was bloody difficult to see (if you did not know it was there already).

While we were at the waterfall, Dave from the SOGs introduced everyone to the concept of Geocaching. This is a concept where caches of treasure are located around the country a that can be found by using a GPS. Dave knew that one existed at this particular spot so he went scrambling round the rocks to find it. He brought out this plastic bag. I thought at first he was collecting rubbish, and was about to launch into a tirade against people who disrespected the countryside. But no, it was stuffed full of the bits and pieces that make up a cache. The principle being, you leave something, you take something away and note what you have done in the notebook using the pen or pencil provided. We left a safety pin, a couple of programmes, and one or two other items. Dave then carefully sealed the plastic bag and then replaced it where he found it.

I made one or two minor errors of judgement while route finding, the first one through lack of concentration, the second through badly maintained and overgrown footpaths. To get our selves out of trouble, we had to ford a river which overwhelmed us with excitement. All, I am glad to say, made it across without getting their feet wet miraculously.

There were, unfortunately, no views of the 'Big Black Beast'. When I was reccieing the walk, I witnessed what I thought at first to be a badger, but this particular badger was black, had distinct legs and a tail, about the size of a badger and leapt up the bank. I did not see its head, but it looked to me like a cat. Either it was a wild cat that lived in the forest, or it was a domestic moggy with a particularly large territory. If anyone else has had a similar experience, please let us know.

The rally was an unplanned extra, as the Swansea Bay rally was being run through Rheola Forest while I was leading the walk. A couple of the special stages actually went along the route of the planned walk, luckily, the rally had passed through by the time we were on those sections. We were held up however, as emergency vehicles had to attend an incident when one of the cars apparently went off the road.

It was an thoroughly enjoyable day, and we retired to the Rock and Fountain in Aberdulais for some well deserved refreshment afterwards (after we found our way into the beer cage).

Rob