Chasing Waterfalls
Our first stop was Talybont on Usk, a quaint little Welsh town with a pretty canal running through it. While I went on search of a toilet, during the 3 minutes that I was gone, I returned to find brother dearest had been mistaken for a canal worker and taken on the job of assisting barge folk to operate the mechanical canal bridge.
After dragging him away from his new (unpaid) job, the next leg of our journey took us up the road to Talybont Reservoir. There's not much to say about this place, except it's a vast expanse of water. We parked up the motor and trotted off for a better look.
From here, we continued our journey into the Beacons, winding our way up a mountain road. Every car park we came across on our journey was full, so when we found a possible setting for waterfalls, we abandoned the motor by the side of the road and followed the sound of running water.
Our hunch had been correct, and it wasn't long before we stumbled across our first waterfall. We eagerly clambered over stones, rocks and water, in order to get as close as possible. After staring in awe for about 25 seconds, we set off on our ascent of the mountain in search of more falling water. And falling water we found. Lots of it. We happened upon four waterfalls in all, and each one we scampered up to like it was the first time we'd seen one. We eventually gave up our mountain climb and turned back - mainly due to both of us wearing inappropriate footwear, and partly to do with the fact we were knackered.
After making it back down the mountain in surprisingly quick time, we jumped in the motor and carried on our adventure. By this point, brother dearest was getting hungry, so we stopped at a quaint tea room called The Old Barn. This charming little tea room offered a good selection of appetising food stuffs and liquid refreshments, and both of us chose the carrot and parsnip soup. Although it was a little on the spicy side for me, my brother lapped it up with relish and gusto. We sat in a pretty courtyard area (socially distanced from the other diners) and spotted a couple of yellowhammers and a cat with part of his ear missing.
Unfortunately, this delightful eatery didn't take card payments, and neither of us had any cash, however they were more than happy for us to pay by online banking when we got home, which was very trusting of them, and we were both touched that there are still some decent people in the world. Obviously we paid our bill the moment we got home (for all those of you wondering).
After filling up on soup, we continued on our journey until we came across a picturesque bit of river and rocks, which was crying out to be clambered on. After some seriously dodgy parking, where we weren't sure we would have a motor to come back to, off we skipped to play down the river. We were immediately approached by a friendly couple and their dog, and so ensued ten minutes of inane and uninvited chit chat. The only good part of this encounter was their dog, who in her boredom kept dropping her ball into the water and chasing it down the river - I understood her boredom and secretly envied her.
We returned to the motor relieved to find it still right side up, and not upside down in a ditch, and got back on the road. After a brief pit stop to glance at another reservoir (they all look much the same), we eventually ended up on the outskirts of Merthyr Tydfil. We passed a viaduct which we couldn't ignore, so parked up and set off in search of a means of entry. Having satisfied ourselves with getting on the viaduct (which was actually remarkably easy), and frightening ourselves peering over the side, we made our way underneath it to the river below, and what we found was incredible. It was like something from Middle Earth and positively enchanting.
This was where our adventure ended. Both of us were knackered and rapidly losing the ability to walk, so we jumped in the motor and headed for home.
We had an incredible day out on the Brecon Beacons, and with there being so much more to explore, and more waterfalls to find, we will definitely be returning in the very near future. I would thoroughly recommend a visit, but you will need more than one day to see it all. And prepare yourself for lots of walking and hills - although the scenery and views are worth it.....
Check out instagram for more photos of my adventures
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