John’s walk had a watery theme, as we traced the upper reaches and source of the Vale’s main waterway, The Thaw or Afon Ddawan as some locals call it.

Ten Members of the group assembled in the sun near the tennis courts of Graig Penllyn. Rambling off in north easterly direction within less than a mile we crossed a moist ditch over a footbridge near Isycoed Farm. The Thaw! 

A minor road took us further northwards the Argoed Isha quarries. The heat was beginning to be noticed as we tramped this slightly rising lane. Left turning onto the footpath we were within the Ton Brigam farm location. A minor depression in the path side with luxuriant leafy growth was, we were informed, The Thaw again, but now its actual verified source. 

Thankfully the next leg of the route was through the shaded minor lane beside  Coed Brigam. A very remote and relatively unknown area to many, the lane led to Pant y Lliwydd farm. This is a mixed agricultural and former quarrying area. Tall disused brick and concrete structures loomed at the roadside, their functions long forgotten. 

An even more minor paved road under the shade of Pant y Lywydd wood- spelt differently from its eponymous farm. The heat of the day caused some weariness as we appreciated the lovely valley near City, which name caused some debate. Asking the leader ‘is it far?’ to our Al fresco lunch our pleas were rewarded as we ate , some slumping, others lying shaded under a memorial tree near Llansannor, in the wide Thaw valley. It was just before 1pm.

The last mile or so of the walk was the most challenging. Firstly we ascended through Coed y Stanby, shaded at least. Then the final direct unshaded upward stretch was in contrast to the mainly gentle earlier gradients. The extensive northward views were much appreciated ,but adjacent Vistla Farm marked the start of the final descent to the waiting cars in Graig Penllyn. All members of the group concurred that it had been an excellent and stimulating new perspective of a familiar area. Thank you John.

KM