LIFETIME of WALKS by DEREK HARWOOD

Midland Hillwalkers  No. 59              Total 730.5 miles
'A'  Walk led by Jack Waddle

Time Taken:  6.00 hrs   Distance:   Enjoyment:    Weather:  Hazy Sunshine
   9:30 am - 3:30 pm       15 miles           80%             Misty and Warm

Temp:     Cloud:     Rain:    Visibility:    Ground Conditions:     Wild Life:
  15oC        15%        0%    Hazy Sunshine       Very Dry       Red Kite, Lambs

Total AA:    Total MH:   Total LD:    Total AW:     Other:    Total Distance:
676.5 mls    730.5 mls      1674 mls       100.5         889 mls      4070.5 miles

Companions: (Derek) Ken, Keith, Lynn and the contents of Trevor's bus.

Points of Interest:
Knighton         Knighton Clock Tower     Creignant       Lanlluest
Beacon Hill Common         Short Ditch         Poole Hill    
Stanky Hill       Ty'n-y-ddol        Fron Top       Llanbadarn Fynydd

Bailey Hill		1178 feet (422m)
Beacon Hill	1501 feet (547m)
Black Mountain	1322 feet (482m)
Warren Hill	1390 feet (507m)

General:
First day's walking on 'Glyndwr's Highway'.  0 miles to 15 miles.
Started from Knighton Town Centre at 9:30 am. Brisk pace past Clock
Tower, through town and up steep lane to Bailey Hill. Passed an unusual
Welsh garden gnome outside cottage near summit. Walked over railway
tunnel near Llancoch but unfortunately didn't spot the track or any
rolling stock. Mike would have noticed any trains within miles.
Lunch at approx 1pm on lane near boundary to Beacon Hill Common, close
to Information Board. Vegetation very dry on Common, easy to start a
fire in very dry conditions. It was so dry the wind was blowing dust
off the tracks into the air. Sometimes walked upwind of the track to
avoid the dust at head height. The bird spotters in the group noticed
a Red Kite flying in the distance over Beacon Hill. I couldn't disagree
but I beleived them. Excellent views down the valleys from the Common,
pity the sunny conditions were so hazy, partially spoiling the views.
Steep descent from Black Mountain. Stopped at bottom to bunch up the
group. We all copied a lady and sat down just like sheep. Spotted one
sheep that was staying close to a lamb (or piece of wood) that was very
still. Crossed bridge over stream in valley bottom near farm and
waited for bird spotters to catch up. The none spotters notice two crows
hanging from the trees by the lane. Long steep lane after Warren Hill
into Llanbadarn Fynydd and a welcome pint at the New Inn. Changed in the
childrens play area on the rope ladder.
Thanks once again to Bill and his leaders for another wonderful day on the hills.
 
Hazards:
Keith in full stride when in front.
Usual care required crossing moorland to avoid holes between tuffs of
grass and heather when no obvious path around.