Newsletter - Llandovery Walk and Programme Meeting Reminder

Hi All,

Read on for the latest, and don't forget the Programme Meeting on Thursday!

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Walk this Sunday 3rd September - Llandovery and the River Towy

This Sunday we'll be going on a leisurely 6 mile walk from the historic market town of Llandovery, passing through lush green countryside and along the banks of the River Towy. The walk is quite flat and will be enjoyed by beginners and seasoned walkers alike as a relaxing stroll in idyllic surroundings. Lindsey leads the way and you can call her on 07731440554 if you want to chat about the walk in advance.

Note: The Programme has this down as a rail ramble, but on researching train times and prices we were reminded what a terrible service our rail network provides and what little practical alternative we have but to use our cars. Thus we will be meeting at the County Hall Carpark for a 0930 departure, and from there making our way to the terminus of the M4, then taking the A483 to Llandeilo and the A40 to Llandovery. If you want more detailed directions give me (Doug) a ring on 07766652837.

The walk start point is from Llandovery's main tourist carpark at Grid Ref 766342, and we should be getting there at about 1045. Last time I was there it cost 20p to park so one of the cheaper pay-and-displays.

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Reminder of Programme Meeting - Thursday 31st Aug

1930 onwards at the Vivian in Sketty; bring along ideas for walks, put yourself foward as a walk leader or just come along to meet the crowd and see the new programme get put together!

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Message from Lis - Samba Showcase

"The Samba Showcase is this Saturday at the Brangwyn Hall. It's a tenner a ticket (on the door) and kicks off at 8pm. It's an opportunity to see me and Jo Lodge playing our bells - for those who missed us on Saturday."

Newsletter - Llanbedr Walk and Programme Meeting

Hello all,

Please read on for the latest information from the Tawe Trekkers, and note the date of the next Programme Meeting on 31st August...!

Next Walk - Monday 28th August - Llanbedr Horseshoe

This is one not to be missed. A long slog at 16.5 miles but you won't regret it.

The Black Mountains are a fabulous group of hills in the north-east corner of the Brecon Beacons and provide the setting for this Bank Holiday adventure. We'll be starting from the quiet village of Llanbedr, (near Abergavenny) and doing a lofty circular route taking in the highest peak in the area; Waun Fawr. This is one of the 'classics,' and should freshen you up after Saturday's visit to the Mumbles Beer Festival!

Here's the Run-down...

Difficulty: Strenuous.

Length: 16.5 Miles.

Meeting Points: County Hall Car Park for 0930 or Walk Start Point in Llanbedr at Grid Ref. 239203 at approx. 1100.

If you want detailed directions to the start point please give me (Doug) a ring on 07766652837.

Programme Meeting - Thursday 31st August at the Vivian Pub, Sketty, at 7:30pm

Please note the Programme Meeting is mentioned on the website/programme as taking place this Thursday (24th) but will now be running a week later on the 31st.

If you have any walks you'd like to lead for the Autumn Programme then please bring along details to the meeting, or even more preferable, email details of the suggested walk to our inbox by Tuesday (29th) before the meeting.

Information that we'd need for the programme is as follows:

1. Date(s) you are available for leading the walk.

2. Difficulty; i.e - easy, moderate, strenuous.

3. Brief Description of Route.

4. Your phone number so that people can contact you with queries about the walk.

5. Any other relevant information such as suitability for dogs.

We're keen to encourage people who are able to to lead walks and to get a variety of leaders, so if you'd like to get involved with leading but have any queries whatsoever please get in touch. If you'd like to lead but aren't sure about a route, then I have a few that I can share but it will be up to leaders to reccy the routes before their walk takes place.

For programme matters you can contact Programme Secretary, Martin on 07868737591.

This meeting was originally due to take place this week in place of the regular pub meet at the Brunswick. The usual Brunswick meeting will now still take place as usual.

Mumbles Beer Festival Update

Still meeting this Saturday at 5pm, Ostreme Centre. Still planning to sample a good few ales!

Hikefest 2006

Bookings are now open for Hikefest 2006, the annual "Big Event" gathering for members of the Ramblers Hike 20s & 30s Groups, of which Tawe Trekkers is one.

Bookings are coming in fast now from members throughout the country. Places are currently available but the event is again expected to be a complete sell out.

Full details of the weekend plus a copy of the booking form can be seen in the Summer issue of Hike. These details will also be available on the main RA website shortly at www.ramblers.org.uk

If you have any queries please contact Kevin Matthews, event organiser and RA Vice Chairman on 0115 8789830. He'll be away until 3rd September so you there'll be a delay in responding to calls up til then.

Newsletter - Carreg Cennen Walk on Sun 20/08

Hello all,

After a great Snowdonia Trip (with a trouser-browning climb up Crib Goch for the intrepid few!), we're back alive to tell you about more serene happenings in the Tawe Trekkers. Check out Laura's walk below, an easy route but with an interesting difference, and keep up to date with the busy summer social scene.

Carreg Cennen Castle Walk - Sunday 20th Aug

Set in the western foothills of the Black Mountain, This walk offers exceptional and ever- changing views of the dramatically sited Carreg Cennen Castle, perched high on an often vertical limestone outcrop some 300ft high.

This castle fits everyone's idea of what a ruined castle should be like. The walk itself has some steep but steady gradients as it crosses and re-crosses part of the Cennen Valley and is on quiet country lanes, over pleasant pastureland and along old tracks. The route also crosses some lovely streams and has a superb, steady final ascent through some delightful sloping woodland, to pass the entrance to the castle before the final descent back to the start.

Bring a torch! If we go into the castle then we can visit the dungeon/cave which is quite dark. It is believed entrance to the castle is about £3 so bring some groats with you.

Distance: 4 Miles

Difficulty: Easy

Meeting Points: Meet for a 0930 departure at County Hall Car Park or meet us at the walk start point, the car park for Carreg Cennen, at about 1030. Grid Ref for the walk start point is SN 666 193.

For more info please call Laura on 07968 109145.

Beer Festival - Update

We're still planning to meet on the Saturday for the Beer Festival in Mumbles, but it's the 26th August, not the 25th. I must've been drinking too much of the Old Dead Badger when I wrote the last message. Still 5pm at the Ostreme Centre unless you hear anything in the meantime to say otherwise. Give me a ring on 07766 652837 for more info.

Pontardawe Festival

The Pontardawe Festival is running from Aug 18th to 20th in Swansea in the fields by Ponty Leisure Centre and there'll be people from Tawe Trekkers and Tiger Bay Ramblers going along for the Craic. The event is a lively and varied mix of music, dance and culture with an alternative twist.

Day Tickets are £5 and weekend tickets with camping are £40.

Full details can be found at www.pontardawefestival.com and you can also contact Lindsey on 07731440554 for more info.

Weekly Newsletter - Snowdonia, Sustrans, Shakespeare and More!

Hello all,

To improve communication to members we are now aiming to send a once-weekly newsletter out which includes all you need to know about what's going on in the Tawe Trekkers: Walks, Social Events, and any other items of interest.

We hope this will make it easier for you to stay up to date with all that's happening, and please don't hesitate to give feedback on ways in which we keep in touch with members.

Snowdonia Trip - Fri 11th to Mon 14th August

It's finally come around; the epic odyssey that is the Snowdonia Trip sets off this Friday. We have twenty people going from the TTs and the Black Country Walking Group, and there's some great walking planned. If you really want to get on the trip last minute then there are literally a couple of places left at the bunkhouse. Give me (Doug) a ring on 07766 652837.

If you're not going to Snowdonia with the TTs, but you still want to get out in the fresh air a bit closer to home, then why not go on a walk with one of the other local Rambler's Association Groups such as West Glamorgan, Bridgend or Llanelli. Have a look on their websites, and remember, if you are a bona fide RA member, you are entitled to go on walks with any Rambler's group.

Social Event - Hamlet at Oystermouth Castle - Wed 16th Aug

Lindsey's already covered this in her last message, but just to remind you:

Oystermouth Castle are showing their next outdoor production which is Shakespeare' s "Hamlet" on Wednesday Aug 16th at 730pm.

Contact Lindsey on 07731440554 for more info and to tell her whether you are going 'to be, or not to be' going.

Social Event - Mumbles Beer Festival - Saturday 24th August

A date for your diary: A few of us are planning to go to the Mumbles Beer Festival on Saturday 24th August.

What's more; as that weekend's walk is on the Bank Holiday Monday, we'll have longer to recover from our excesses on the Old Man's Knob, Warty Beaver, Mother Clucker, and other such intriguingly named concoctions.

As well as lots of beer, there will also be some of Swansea's best local bands and musicians featuring at the venue playing some suitably rollocking tunes.

Provisional meeting time: Would 5pm outside the Ostreme Centre be OK? Confirmation of this will follow nearer to the time.

For more info contact Doug on 07766652837.

Sustrans North Gower Workcamp 2006

Here's an item from our resident cyclist, Laura.

The abovementioned will take place from 19th August – 3rd September 2006 between Penclawdd and Gowerton.

The purpose of the workcamp is to involve volunteers in the construction of part of the cycle route between Penclawdd and Gowerton. This is the second stage of a route which will eventually go from Llanmorlais to Gowerton, and link with route 4 of the National Cycle Network.

The route will be very important for local people and visitors alike, and will provide a safe route for cycling and walking off the main road, and a wonderful way to enjoy the delights of the area.

If you want to get involved in the workcamp, please call Laura on 07968109145.

I've heard from people who've been on it before that's it's great fun and camaraderie, and there's BBQs and beer a-plenty after a day doing this enjoyable type of graft.

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That's about it for this week; I hope this format of email works well for people, please say if you think so or otherwise.

All the best,

Doug

This Sunday's Walk - Fan Gyhirych 6th August 2006

Here is the walk info from Jude, note that this replaces any other infor you may have received.


"Leaving Swansea County Hall at 0930Hrs. Travelling up A407 towards Craig-y-Nos. 1/2 Mile out of Pen-y-cae turn right up to Penwyllt. Follow road up to Penwyllt Stone Quarry. Cross cattle grid and travel along metal road to car park at Ogof ffynnon Ddu National Nature Reserve - just before South Wales Caving Club (grid ref:SN856154).

Walk will start here.Walk itself is easy to mod. 9miles approx. Follows dismantled tramway a long slow gradient to Fan Gyhirych. Then a bit of a hike up the hill along the ridge, then steeply down ( poles would be useful) to old Brecon-Swansea railway. Following the B-S railway to car. Underfoot the ground is easy. Most difficult bit is getting down the mountain as it it steep.

Jude"

Don't forget the usual, proper footwear, food and drink and extra layers. Check out the weather forecast on the homepage as we are entering mountain territory.