Hi fellow Trekkers,

It seems that summer is finally upon us and God in his mercy has bestowed upon us some life giving rays! Long may it last! The Friday evening walk took a group of nine trekkers on a tour of Gnoll Country park in Neath. This park plays host to a reservoir (conveniently situated as a doggie paddling pool) as well as a large pond and the well kept ruins of the house to which the grounds once belonged. Although much of the once beautiful woods have been taken away due to disease, the park remains a proud and much used escape from suburbia and offers great views of the town below. Inevitably, our intrepid party, tired from the inescapable heat following our stroll retired for a well earned drink in the Dryffin Arms near Bryncoch. Thanks to all who attended this pleasant evening.

Sunday's walk (led by myself) also boasted hot weather which made the long climb through forest to the open moors of Mynydd Twyn-glas above llanfach a sweaty one. We were rewarded in abundance however by the views from the top, the green, lush forest stretching away to the valley floor. The lunch spot was no less enticing with great views of the small town below us, part industrial, part dwelling. As Dave (Horton) noted there is something about the feeling of looking down upon a Welsh town from above that is undescribably intoxicating, the sense of being privy to, yet seperate from the buildings and people below.

After lunch our group meandered slowly back down through the forest on the other side of the valley, stopping to admire a large boundary stone set to one side of the path. There is some history to this stone, it being engraved with the name of the man who designed Big Ben in london, the son of the once land owner. Further interest was provoked by a tree in the unmistakeable shape of a rutting deer (I kid you not) which some of our group (myself included) found childish pleasure in sitting upon, as one would a beach donkey!

The walk took just over four hours and we rewarded ourselves with a much deserved pint in a local tavern before returning to our predictable lives back home. Thanks to all brave enough to let me lead you, and so far from home to boot!

Next week's walk should be a beauty, with Andrew Bevan leading us around the Usk reservoir near Trecastle. Andrew can be contacted on 07968 677 463 for details. Alternatively, come down to the Civic centre at 9.30 a.m. on Sunday morning.

That's all from me fellow trekkers.

Bye for now,

Paul Harris