Beyond the halfway point in my first exploration of Sugar Loaf mountain hill, I’d reached the hamlet of Llangenny and was looking for a place to stop for lunch.
I’d hoped to stop somewhere near to Millbrook Bridge, beneath this towering old tree. But there were already a couple of people paddling in the river beneath me and I was craving something more in the way of solitude.
Following the river, I would continue.
Sugar Loaf. A mountain or hill? However you may regard it, this was one of the peaks of the Brecon Beacons that I’d been intending to conquer for a good couple of years.
I came across an eleven-mile route on the Walking Englishman’s website some time ago and that provided the impetus to get me going. There are so many ‘short’ walks available online… I always prefer to do something worthwhile, when bridge tolls and ninety-minute drives are required.
It’s been about a year since I purchased my current day-hiking backpack, the Osprey Manta AG 28 and, quite recently, I’ve been having thoughts about whether I might actually require something larger.
Somehow, I persuaded myself that 30lt was big enough, twelve-months ago and, in an effort to reaffirm my believe, I’ve been looking at ways to reduce and minimise the essential load I currently carry.
So, before driving off to Snowdonia, I purchased a SIGG Metal Box Plus S aluminium food container.
For the fourth consecutive year, I’ve completed the thirty-mile route of the Mendip Challenge, which is an annual fundraising and challenge event organised by and in support of Weston Hospicecare.
These days, I mostly do it for the challenge and for the feeling or participation. A couple of friends also take part each year. A well organised event that always justifies taking the Monday off work!
Walks With Olly 