Brecon Mountains.

64.1 Miles. Now at Perriswood Archery and Falconry CL near Swansea

Gypsy Rover at Perriswood Archery and Falconry, Nicholston, Wales.

We were underway fairly smartly this morning as we planned to make a stop at the Brecon Mountain Railway near Merthyr Tydfil. The first train of the day was 1100hrs and we wanted to catch that train. We had read that there was a large free car park next to the station so there would not be a parking problem.

Brecon Mountain Railway.

Brecon Mountain Railway. The Caboose at the end of the train.

Rolling stock wheels ready for their next tour of duty.

Travelling over the Brecon Beacons National Park was phenomenal with breath taking scenery and fantastic roads, better than anything we have travelled over in England. We got to find out why there are so many reservoirs in this part of Wales. Heavy downpours of rain which went as fast as they arrived. Despite this rain we found that upon arrival at Perriswood Archery and Falconry, our next campsite, they had not seen a drop of rain in weeks.

Brecon Mountain Railway. The end of the line and the loco run's around the train for the return trip.

Pumping station on the reservoir.

Yours Truly with the Graf Schwerin-Lowitz loco German loco on the Brecon Mountain Railway

The Brecon Mountains Railway trip was an hour round trip along the hill’s above the Pen-Twyn reservoir heading up into the Brecon Beacon National Park. At the Pontsticill station I got to chat with the engine crew and once they realised I was from New Zealand the topic of conversation changed from Railways to Rugby. The shunter actually plays for a local team in the second row.

Perriswood Falconry.

Peach Faced Lovebird's, Perriswood Falconry.

After our arrival at the camp site we had a look at the animals and birds on the property and found that there was a track down through Nicholaston Woods down to the beach, which we could see from the camp. With not a cloud in the sky we headed off down to the beach. Of course it was all downhill to the beach and going to be a hard slog back but the beach was well worth the effort. We had a good wander around from the wood’s, across the salt marsh and down onto the beach which reminded us of Waikanae Beach in New Zealand. Beautiful fine golden sand and sand dunes stretching for 3 miles around the Oxwich Bay.

Nicholaston Pill the outflow from the salt marsh.

Pwlldu Head at the head of Oxwich Bay.

A total of 1950 miles, since 5 March 2011