In November Judith and Colin led our party of 6 on a walk of just over 7 miles from Hirwaun, passing through country lanes and woodland with spectacular views of the Bannau Brycheiniog National Park

The weather was perfect for a November walk, mild and sunny with very little breeze

Hirwaun was a town built on industry and expanded as the coal and iron works grew. In its heyday it was packed with people and busy businesses and even had it own currency, as ironworkers were paid the Hirwaun Guinea, which then had to be spent in the village

We passed the former ironworks which prospered during the Industrial revolution. Workers from the Hirwaun ironworks were involved in the Merthyr Uprising of 1831 when disgruntled labourers in the area revolted over their wages and conditions

We popped in to the Penderyn Distillery where there were many different size bottles for sale including one for £7,500 which surprisingly enough no-one was persuaded to buy!

We stopped at the Red Lion , an old drovers’ pub, for coffee and a Sicilian Cannelloni – both of which are to be recommended. The pub was apparently one of the first in Wales to get Dark Sky site status

Opposite the pub is the St Cynig’s Church, the churchyard is said to be the oldest in Breconshire with some 10,000 burials taking place over the centuries

As we continued along the road with the Rhigos mountains in front of us a black cloud appeared

creating a very atmospheric view. Luckily it soon disappeared and the sun shone again.

The last part of the route was not so scenic taking us through the major roadworks taking place and alongside an industrial park/

Our reward at the end of the walk was Fish and Chips in the Award winning shop in Hirwaun where the owner was kind enough to let us sit on a bench inside to eat them – we sure know how to live!

Everyone agreed that it had been an excellent walk in a new area for most of us.

ME