Description: (From their site) An ideal holiday location especially for families or groups keen to visit The Black Mountains, Brecon Beacons, or walk the Offa`s Dyke Path. The village has The Skirrid Mountain Inn, which is the oldest pub in Wales and was used as Judge Jeffrie`s Court. The scenery is superb with The Skirrid Mountain behind and The Black Mountains just beyond the village.

Site visited: 8th of April 2010.

As seen on the blog: The roads have gone pots.

Pen-y-dre is a nice little site attached to the farm, which also is a self catering farm holiday cottages along with a farm Bed & Breakfast, so a bit of everything. We didn’t see the cottages or the B&B from the inside but from the outside they looked very nice.

I had emailed the owner to hear if it was ok to arrive a bit late since we would be on the train from London via Cardiff, which wasn’t a problem. We arrived around 19:30 and was greeted by a barking dog and a smile by the owner, the dog soon went quite as soon as we said hello, some guard dog :)

We where pointed to the campsite which is on the other side of the to the farm. The site had around eight caravans there with some of them looking like they are there all year round. The shower and loo block was very clean and had clean towels out, a nice little touch. In the shower and loo block also had the washing basing for campers and hot running water.

The site was sandwiched in on two sides by road and on the third a paddock with two lovely horses. One of the roads is the busy A486 running between Abergavenny and Hereford, which made it a noisy night.

Contact Site:

www : http://www.penydre.co.uk
phone : 01873 890 246

Not the best location if you want a quite night, but if you want a great place to start your trip up into the Black Mountains and Brecon Beacons which we did on our tour up and over the Gospel pass to Hundred House.

Related posts:

1. Campsite review of Llwyngwern Farm , Pantperthog, Machynlleth, Powys, SY20 9RB, Wales, UK Description: (From their site) Riverside camping site with loos,...
2. Campsite review of Fforest Fields Caravan & Camping Park, Fforest Farm, Hundred House, Builth Wells, Powys, LD1 5RT, Wales, UK Description: (From their site) Fforest Fields is a secluded seven...
3. Campsite review of Mellow Farm Adventure, Dockenfield, Farnham, Surrey, GU10 4HH Description: (From their site) Mellow Farm is a small,...

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

In Croatia we were ready to go on the dot 9:30 every morning no matter how fast or slow we were getting ready. This trip it was a 10am start no matter how much we faffed.

We managed to cycle up the hill, it is amazing how steep things are when you are tired.

After two days of nearly hot weather and plenty of sun we had a bit of a cold start into the wind.

Even with our tired legs we then made good time to Newent where we had a long pub lunch and probably the best sticky toffee pudding with ice cream we ever have had.

Just as we had had enough of the busy B4241 we found a cycle route for the last few miles into Gloucester. Though there was a bit of confusion at the junction of the A40 and something other big road thing. But we managed to find our way via the “scenic route” which looked more like a left over building materials land fill.

In Gloucester we managed to have a quick look at the docks and the cathedral before we retired to a pub while waiting for a train back to London. No, no, we didn’t eat again, just semi slept and relaxed after a brilliant mini cycling tour.

Day 1: The road have gone pots
Day 2: What goes down must go up
Day 3: Into the wind
Photos : Click her to see all the photos
Route : Click here to see the route

Related posts:

1. Wind mills and BBQ Was an very early start as we wanted to squeeze...
2. Route planning with Google We are about to go on a small tour of...
3. What goes down must go up As the reverse Newton law goes for cycling. We had...

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

We had good night sleep bar one peak outside at midnight looking at the stars. The Trekmates mat, Mummy camper lite, I got yesterday did the job but I wouldn’t sleep on it for more that the two nights I’m doing now.

Got up to glorious sunshine and cooked our porridge and a cup of tea. This campsite is one that we come back to again and again. George the proprietor said that we were brave to do what were about to do.

We set out and climbed the highest hill of our tour at 542 metres, well the road next too it. At Whitney-on-Wye we paid 10p pet bicycle on the toll bridge over the Wye.

In Dorstone we had a splendid lunch, which confused the staff a bit. Since the were looking for a table for four. But is two mains, two side dishes along with a plate of chips on the side that much for two hungry cycle tourers?

If you should in Dorstone do make sure pop into the The Pandy Inn to try our their banoffee pie a true delight for a cyclist in search for some energy.

The we rolled down the Golden Valley along the B4348 to just past Much Newchurch. Just before before said village we got waved down by a para glider who had lost his ways. We pointed him to the nearest main junction where he could get come provisions while waiting for his rescue vehicle.

The we took the parallel road to the A4137 which was very scenic which made our legs ache. On one of the down hills Peli hit some deep gravel and came off her bicycle after quick shout of WOOLLY! I came to the rescue and found her in a heap next to the verge. A quick check over and it looked like the panniers had taken the bulk of the fall and the left hand hood was bent a little bit and the chain had come off.

Oh and Peli you ask, well she will be all right in a few days :) No broken bones or road rash to take pictures of just covered in road dirt where her sun cream was and bit of a whip lash in her neck, she is a tough little girl.

On route to the campsite we had planned to find a place to get stuff to cook but we found none. In Goodrich the only local shop was closed but we spotted a pub, which we agreed would do for dinner, since the campsite was only one and a half miles away.

Well that was before we cycled that one and a half miles. Up one steep hill then a drop down to Welsh Bickor YHA. They are not lying on their website when they say that there was a very steep hill and a hairpin down
to them.

We were very relieved to learn that the kitchen would be open and ready to cook us something. Because there was no way that we would be able to get back up that hill without a rest and plenty of food.

The YHA is located on the banks of the river Wye next to a little church, very beautifull.

After food and shower we crawled into our sleeping bags for what we hoped would be an early night. Instead we got entertained by singing scouts around the bonfire for the first act. The second act was a stag do who talked until four am.

Day 1: The road have gone pots
Day 2: What goes down must go up
Day 3: Into the wind
Photos : Click her to see all the photos
Route : Click here to see the route

Related posts:

1. Route planning with Google We are about to go on a small tour of...
2. Into the wind Since we had not been to the shops the night...
3. The roads have gone pots Well the trip to Cardiff went well and I spent...

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

I met up with Peli at the station and after some delay and faffing around with the platforms we were on our way. Arrived in Abergavenny and made our way to the campsite. Pen-y-dre is a nice little site attached to the farm, but located right next to the busy A486 and the local road. Which made it a noisy night. Though that wasn’t the biggest problem, while pitching the tent I suddenly realised that I hadn’t packed my sleeping mat. So the night was spent listening to traffic fighting over space on our only mat.
The next morning we started of at 9:30′ish and headed for Hay-on-Wye over the Gospel Pass. Stunning weather made the journey. We passed the Llanthony priory which was started by two hermits back in 1108.

The Gospel Pass isn’t that bad but fully loaded and not in peak touring condition we found it hard. And the ice cream at the top was a nice treat that hit the spot. We even spotted some snow on Lord Hereford’s Knob.

And then it was pretty much down hill into Hay. Though I did have a little scare when my bicycle only wanted to gear up. Not sure what caused it but I was a tad worried that I would be stuck with the front dérailleur for the rest of the tour. I got a funny feeling that it is a frayed cable but a little fettling in Hay it was back to normal.

I had steak and ale pie for lunch and Peli had a pizza. For some reason I really do think that Hay-on-Wye is the place to buy books, just don’t know why.

We went into the outdoor store to get a new mat for me. Just a simple terma mat with memory foam, no were near as good a my Exped DownMats. But it will teach me and stop the fighting for space the next two nights.

Heading out of Hay towards Painscastle we quickly learned why it was called Painscastle as we had picked the “scenic” route to Hundred House. Hill after hill rolled by and drained our legs. But it was well worth it as the view was beautiful and weather sunny.

It is the second time we are staying at Fforest Fields and both times we have arrived there totally knackered. But this time the weather made our stay so much better.

The roads compared to last time we where in Wales was more potholey, because the snow over last winter. But still in quite good nick compared to what we are used to in London.

After two portions of Pasta’n'sause we are now curled up in our tent after a great day cycling in the Brecon Beacons, Black Mountains in Wales.

Day 1: The road have gone pots
Day 2: What goes down must go up
Day 3: Into the wind
Photos : Click her to see all the photos
Route : Click here to see the route

Related posts:

1. Route planning with Google We are about to go on a small tour of...
2. Into the wind Since we had not been to the shops the night...
3. Here be Dragons, Foreword Foreword. Roads an Route :We did just over 140 miles...

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

Then it hit me, the map the f#beep#ing map. Yes we are armed with two good mobile phones with gps and google map. But where we are going in Wales I really don’t think there will be a good mobile cover.

So back I sprinted on my fully loaded touring bicycle. The Surly Long Haul Trucker ain’t the fastest of things unloaded so I was glad that I had a tail wind back to the flat. but that just ment that I had to battle the wind to the train staion. Yes it is not that windy today in London town but you do feel it much more fully loaded.

I managed to throw my bicycle on the train, no time to lock it up, and run to the first and best carrage before the train took off. So I’m now looking out the windows every time we stop.

Now that my heart rate has come down to a normal rate, I figured that since I do have three or so hours spare in Wales I could just have bourght a new one, instead of knackering myself, d’oh.

Anywho, we will let you know if we see any dragons this time.

Related posts:

1. Route planning with Google We are about to go on a small tour of...
2. Here be Dragons, Foreword Foreword. Roads an Route :We did just over 140 miles...
3. Into the wind Since we had not been to the shops the night...

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

So the last few days I have been studying the maps for a route we could take. I got a 4 miles to 1 inch (2.5km to 1cm – 1:2500,000) map that covers the whole of Wales and it is pretty good. We used it with great success when we last where in Wales hunting for Dragons. While planning the route Google map is brilliant since you can plot a route and if you don’t like it you just click and drag the route to where you want to go.

Since Google Street View is now nearly all over the UK it is very easy to see if your route will take you somewhere that can be done on a bicycle. The route we are taking has some sections that aren’t on our map, but since the Google Street View car did drive the route, I’m therefore very sure that we can do it too on our bicycles. Ok one thing that you can’t see on Google Street View is how steep the hill you are bound to ride up in Wales.

Or the weather, but one of these days I’m sure that the big G would have a camera everywhere and you can get a live feed. So that you don’t have to ride the route you can experience the “ride” from you sofa.

Naa I would rather ride it on my Surly Long Haul Trucker.

Related posts:

1. Google cycling routes A request for Google to create maps for the best...
2. The roads have gone pots Well the trip to Cardiff went well and I spent...
3. Into the wind Since we had not been to the shops the night...

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

We woke up at 5:45 and started to get ready, because we had 50 odd miles and 2 very steep bits to do and a train we simply couldn’t afford to miss (our tickets had cost 9.50 each but on the door would cost about a hundred each. :) . Tea and porridge this time with jam, banana and raisins were consumed. We got packed up in a slight drizzle, and after a last minute check at the very detailed map at the reception and the weather map, we were ready to go at 7:15.
Since it was Bank Holiday Monday we hit the A roads to cut away some of the very steep bits and get some distance in us before traffic started to pick up. We made good time all the way to Llanidloes on the A470, with a 4 miles downhill from Llangurig. In Rhayader where we had a food stop and got some water, we meet 2 young lads who were clearly touring on their MTBs, complete with a Welsh flag. They tugged in behind us out of Rhayader only to disapear down a road marked for the national cycling route. But soon meet them again as we arrived in Llangurig (roundabout) a the same time and enjoyed the downhill together.
In Llanidloes we stocked up on some food at the local Spar: egg, bacon and sausage hot baps for woolly and a just-about-edible cheese and onion quiche for Peli. I really got a taste for these sizzlers :) I even managed to spot the only Danish car ever manufactured, a CityEl, I have never seen one outside Denmark and then to see one in Wales of all places :)
We ate quickly and didn’t rest for long which as a bit of shock to the system since we pretty much turned out of town to find the first sharp, sharp, sharp, hilly bit. As we climbed up and past Llyn Clywedog (12%) the sun started to come out and with a tail’ish wind we started to pick up speed. When climbing one of the final steep bits we were overtaken by three roadies in lycra. “You’re brave”, commented one to Peli. We saw them again retracing their steps up the 8 mile climb back up from Machynlleth who are the brave ones now?! The last 8 miles down to Machynlleth from Dylife were stunning and fast, with beautiful views, the green hills highlighted brightly against the grey hills behind. We stopped out side Machynlleth and had a picnic in the sun on a golf course, chatting to some old folk who were busy spoiling a good walk. One of them even spoke Danish – you can never tell who you’re going to meet on a golf course in mid-Wales!
We arrived in Machynlleth and had a cup of tea and a, erm 2, pints of Reverend James in yet another White Lion.

The only let down was, as you saw above, the trains. Otherwise, this mini tour was a brilliant starter/taster for touring, even though we got soaked to the bone. But we now know what we can handle and that our equipment will keep our stuff dry and our ride very comfortable. Roll on the miles, where next ?

More photos than you can shake a stick at over here Picasa Web Albums Here be Dragons.

Here be dragons foreword
Here be dragons chapter I
Here be dragons chapter II
Here be dragons chapter III

Related posts:

1. Here be dragons, Chapter I Save your energy. Traveling in true Peli and woolly style...
2. Here be dragons : Chapter II Hello Granny (gear). We got up nice an early to...
3. Here be Dragons, Foreword Foreword. Roads an Route :We did just over 140 miles...

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

We got up nice an early to a damp morning and cooked up some tea and porridge. We took our time but 1.5 hours later we were ready to hit the road, as we where heading out I over heard a little girl talking to her dad.

The dad was calling the child down from the sculpture garden where she was playing. The whole campsite is covered in sculpture of horses, deer and bulls, for the kids to play on. She came running down and grabbed his hand and said that she had just been up milking the cow. To which the dad said “I hope you didn’t milk the bull!” :)

The route took us south from Devils Bridge to Tregaron and then up and over couple chevrons to Beulah, one of them was 25%, fecking eh. Peli managed to do the climb with one stop, I stopped to have a rest and let a car go by. I started again but soon gave up and walked the last bit, which is quite hard with a fully loaded bike. On one of the other steep bits I was plodding away in my granny and was not looking where I was going and therefore started to zigzag. In the vain attempt of keeping the bike on the straight and narrow I stalled at a 90 deg angle to the road. I tried my darndest to unclip but my left foot couldn’t reach the floor because of the steepness of the hill. By the time I figured that out and started to unclip my right foot I was in the ditch laying down. I’m glad that I was riding a fully loaded bike, cause the panniers protected my bike and me from damage.
Even riding in thick clouds and not much of a view, Wales is pretty. But by the time we arrived in Beulah we where very wet and getting tried of being wet. We were only cold when we stopped for a bite to eat, so we did not do much resting on our 50 odd mile ride.
On an aside, I just don’t understand sheep risk assessment. I’m happy with standing in the middle of the road eating my grass, while a 2 tonne 4×4 flies by me with a mule’s whiskers space between me and then. But oh no, I can’t have a fully loaded touring bicycle go past me at 20 paces with a deep ditch and a fence between me and and them without running to the hills…

I had planned to take some B roads and country lanes the last bit from Beulah to Hundred House, but since the A roads were so quiet since the Bank Holiday we decided to cut our journey short to get to the campsite quicker.

We arrived in Builth Wells to live music, while we had a restock of our water supplies. One thing that will convince me to tour in Wales again, public toilets, running water are all over the place (and post and telephone boxes!). You are never more than a few miles away from a place where you can get fresh water and use the facilities.
We arrived around 1700 after a long day cycling in the wet, wet as a wet thing, to find this beautiful site, Fforest fields caravan and camping site. The reception was empty and we were not sure what to do. A fellow camper told us to look out for a white 4×4 or just do as they did, put the money in the honesty box. We filled in our details and left an envelope with our money in the box and went out searching for a pitch.

We were in the showers 20 min later. The joy of a tent with colour coded poles, eh? The shower and toilet block was a bit old, but had unlimited hot water (electric showers), the simple thing of a shower curtain and was very, very clean.
I met the owner George who was very nice and said that we had done everything right and he hoped that we would enjoy our stay and we did. The site even has a Monday and Thursday fridge for you to use e.g. they will get emptied on these days, and you even have an microwave at your disposal. And a great system for charging your mobile, even though the reception in Wales is not up to the standard your are used to get in say London, 3G et al.

We were too tired to cycle over to Hundred House for a pub lunch, so we cooked up a storm on the stove. 2 portions of Pasta’n'Sauce with extra cheese, couscous with extra tomatoes and cups of tea. And then made for bed to be ready for an early start.

Here be dragons foreword
Here be dragons chapter I
Here be dragons chapter II
Here be dragons chapter III

Related posts:

1. Here be dragons, Chapter I Save your energy. Traveling in true Peli and woolly style...
2. Here be Dragons : Chapter III The early bird catches the Train. We woke up at...
3. Here be Dragons, Foreword Foreword. Roads an Route :We did just over 140 miles...

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

Traveling in true Peli and woolly style we hunted for maps on the day of departure. And while doing so I had a wee bit of panic since the maps didn’t show a road where google maps told me there was. So I spend an hour in Borders book store with 3-4 maps spread out on the floor comparing scale and routes. But after seeing the mountain roads in Wales and a look at very detailed map, I got a funny feeling that the road which wasn’t there would have been there and fine to ride along. If that makes sense.
With some train changes we arrived in Machynlleth in the dark, but we found the campsite, Llwyngwern Farm, very easily. Hunted around in the muddy field and found the least wet pitch we could find and made for bed. Only to be woken up a few times during the night by the owls twitting away ;) I wonder if they were following Stephen Fry?
We got up at around 8am and cooked up a storm on our newly acquired Jetboil. The menu was two teas, porridge with raisins and some quick noodles. Nom.
After packing up we headed to the CAT (Centre for Alternative Technology) and its water powered funicular. If you arrive by train to Machynlleth you can get a discount on your ticket, which is a blooming good deal. We did not stay to take the 2pm tour but borrowed some headsets which would tell us what is what when you punched in the magic number next to the different part of the centre.

CAT clearly has it right we do need to do something and it can be done if we all help. How that works I need to find my soapbox first, but let’s save that for an other day :) We went into the wholefood, veggie cafe and had a great peanut butter and banana cake with a cup of tea yumyum. They even kindly wrapped a couple of baps for us for later, one egg and one mushroom pate.

We then spent the few hours on the A487 road towards Aberystwyth but made good time. We arrived in Tal-y-bont where there was a horse show on and two (insert colour of your choice) lions pubs. For some reason Wales do like their lion pubs, every town has at least one.
We then climbed up and over to Nant-y-Moch Reservoir again on beautifully surfaced roads. It was pretty much raining on and off and because of the heat our waterproofs were wet on the inside too. But the temperature was nice and warm and the workout up and over the hills kept us warm.
We arrived at Woodlands Caravan Park in Devils Bridge around 16:00 and were greeted with a smile. Though the kick was that we had yet another steep hill to climb before we could pitch our tent. The very friendly staff recommended the cheesy lasagna at the Hadfod Hotel just over the Devils Bridge. Which was very yumyum and worth the one hour wait, since we arrived an hour before the kitchen opened. Peli had veggie bangers and mash which was also good.
We then headed back to bed, oh the joy of having Exped Downmats and Alpkit “hug in a bag” SkyeHigh 800 sleeping bags, we did not feel the cold and damp ground and were tucked up in bed just like a frog in a sock.

Here be dragons foreword
Here be dragons chapter I
Here be dragons chapter II
Here be dragons chapter III

Related posts:

1. Here be dragons : Chapter II Hello Granny (gear). We got up nice an early to...
2. Here be Dragons : Chapter III The early bird catches the Train. We woke up at...
3. Here be Dragons, Foreword Foreword. Roads an Route :We did just over 140 miles...

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

Site visited: 30th of August 2009, 9th of April 2010.

As seen on the blog: Here be Dragons, Chapter II : Hello Granny (gear), The roads have gone pots.

We arrived around 1700 after a long day cycling in the wet, wet as a wet thing, to find this beautiful site. The reception empty and we were not sure what to do. A fellow camper told us to look out for a white 4×4 or just do as they did put the money in the honesty box. We filled in our details and left an envelope with our money in the box and went out searching for a pitch.
We were in the showers 20 min later, the joy of a tent with colour coded poles etc ;). The shower and toilet were a bit run down but it had the simple thing as a shower curtain and were very clean. It also had a super strong hairdryer, great for drying soggy gloves etc. The toilet block and washing area had cleaning equipment so that you could clean up after yourself, simply a great system.

I met the owner George who was very nice and said that we had done everything right and he hoped that we would enjoy our stay and we did.

The site even has a Monday and Thursday fridge for you to use e.g. the will get emptied on these days and you even have an microwave at your disposal. And a great system for charging your mobile, even though the reception in Wales is not up to the standard your are used to get in say London, 3G et al.
On their twitter site they state Fforest Fields Caravan and Camping Park, Powys, Mid Wales, UK Best darn campsite this side of Offa’s Dyke – well we think so!. Well I can only agree, even though I do not have a clue where Offa’s Dyke is :)

Too bad the weather was a bit gray on the day of our visit so we could not see how beautiful the area is. But I’m sure that we will be back to this site.

EDIT : Our visit to Fforest Field on the 4th of April 2010 was different to the last time. Because it was sunny and warm and we could really see how beautiful the surrounding are. Again George made us very welcome and this site just make you relax and enjoy your stay. But again we only stayed one night, next time we hope to stay for a few days.

Picture at the top is from 2010, nice and sunny, the second picture is from 2009 when it was gray and wet. Some different it makes, but still a great site to visit.

Contact Site:

www : http://www.fforestfields.co.uk
phone : 01982 570406

Such a difference to have a great welcome, a clean site even when you wet and cold it lift you spirits. We will for sure come back here, probally one of the best sites I have visited in a long time.

Thanks George :)

Related posts:

1. Campsite review of Llwyngwern Farm , Pantperthog, Machynlleth, Powys, SY20 9RB, Wales, UK Description: (From their site) Riverside camping site with loos,...
2. Campsite review of Woodlands Caravan Park, Devils Bridge, Aberystwyth, Ceredigion, SY23 3JW, Wales, UK Description: The Woodlands is a well established, family run...
3. A review of Pen-y-Dre Farm Holidays and campsite, Llanvihangel Crucorney, near Abergavenny. Monmouthshire, NP7 8DH, Wales, UK Description: (From their site) An ideal holiday location especially...

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.