Nice........... 14th August

I don't think Phil is a good influence on my training. We now seem to choose our training routes based around getting something to eat - ideally a cream tea! So when he suggested a route which took in the Brecon Beacons Mountain Centre and in particular the cafe there I thought what brilliance and suggested that if we timed it right we could get there in time for Sunday Lunch.
Our route took us up the Swansea Valley past the Cray Reservoir, this section involved about a 1.5mile climb which was gradual and not too testing. We then turned off the main road into peace and tranquility.

Me on route for The Mountain Centre

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After awhile we started a steep descent which went on and on 'til my hands ached from pressing on the brakes for so long and of course all I was thinking was I'm going to have to climb up this hill on the way back. We pressed on cycling down quiet lanes lined with beautiful wild flowers and smelling of honeysuckle and eventually we arrived at the mountain centre in time for lunch.

Enjoying a cup of Earl Gray after my lunch

When we arrived at the centre there seemed to be a little festival going on and we enjoyed our lunch to the accompaniment of some live jazz ......nice. During lunch I started scanning the map looking for an alternative route home - which avoided the big hill - but there really wasn't anything and I resigned myself to getting up the hill.

Leaving the Mountain Centre

Well I kind of made it up the hill and must confess I walked the steepest bit. The descent down the Swansea Valley was just fantastic it felt like we were flying and was well worth the slog up the big hill.
Here's our route