Newtown
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MOCHDRE CIRCULAR APR. 2012
Mochdre
is a small village, to be reached along small roads, about 3 miles
south east of Newtown. Surrounded by hills with deep dingles formed in
the ice age, it was the beginning of our walk. We were greeted by two
of its residents, Alan and Sheila, who know the area well, and were to
share the charm of the Mochdre Circular Trail by leading the walk.I do not want to dwell on the appalling weather conditions, suffice it to say that it had rained most of the night, and after a brief glimpse of sun, which gave the wrong impression to the early risers, we experienced quite a lot of heavy showers throughout the walk. The effect was by no means to dampen our spirits as we set off down hill towards Mochdre brook and our first minor obstacle, that of jumping across a small tributary, which due to the amount of rain coming from the fields above was quite fast flowing. With everyone safely across we entered the woods along a path running in line with the brook. The sound of the rushing water was delightful, as we made our way upwards along the narrow path surrounded by a range of wild flowers. Wild garlic was in abundance at the start of the section, and as we got further into the woodland we found the early blue bells staring to push up, as the celandines were fading. Wood anemones, violets, primroses, and wood sorrel were all in evidence.
We noticed several mini streams of cascading water down the opposite side of the dingle, a result of the outpouring of water from the fields above finding a path of least resistance towards the brook. The walk lead us over several well constructed bridges, giving us different aspects of the water, passing a waterfall and a 'plunge pool' used by youngsters in the summer.
Using very small sections of minor roads, and tracks we reached a high point where on a clear day there are exceptional views towards Newtown and the countryside beyond. Views today were limited, but it was good to see Newtown nestling along the Severn Valley below. Our down hill path from here took us along a green lane, tracks, fields, and back towards the dingle and our starting point. Spirits were still high as the Dolau Inn just down the road serves 'real ale' and had prepared soup and sandwiches. We were not disappointed, and so pleased we have not allowed the 'rain to stop play'.
Berriew, the picturesque village with its timber framed cottages and rippling river Rhiew was the beginning of our walk. After more than a week of heavy showers, a few streaks of lightening, and hail stones, we were extremely lucky to wake that morning to blue skies, and sun.
Our walk started by taking a small road along side the Rhiew towards one of the former village schools, now a countryside residence, before turning off across pasture land. I was surprised how large the lambs had grown, and couldn't help thinking 'it won't be that long before there is a nice bit of Welsh lamb ready for the pot'. Apologies to any vegetarians reading.
Spring really was in evidence with a variety of flowers in the hedgerows, much of them quite early such as the bluebells, yet the tall trees showed very little sign of bursting forth in leaf. My image of bluebells is a scene in May where they flower under canopies of leafy woodland, this year it appears a little different.
Reaching the heart of the village again we headed towards the canal path, which afforded us a different view of the houses, the hillside cemetery, and church, then onto the canal section, which forms the aqueduct over the Rhiew and a minor road.
Towards Garthmyl there was much of interest, for the photographers amongst us, as we came across a swan sitting on eggs protected by a very flamboyant male, a mallard with ducklings, and heifers enjoying the freedom of the pasture and access to the water bank.
At Garthmyl we continued our waterside walk which led us to our place for lunch. Lakeside staff gave us their usual warm welcome, the food was good, the company excellent, and a good way to round off a countryside walk.
Only a stone's throw from the English boarder, lying in the upper valley of the River Teme, Knucklas has its own station on the Heart of Wales railway line. Hidden away from the main tracks, the village is spanned by an impressive railway viaduct 23m high and 174m long. The spectacular 13- arch span was completed in 1865. It is particularly interesting as it has a crenellated parapet with round towers at each end and square towers at the buttresses.
The walking group, lead by Mike and Paula had a wonderful view of the viaduct as we left the village. Passing a noisy group of nesting rooks setting up their colony in trees behind some delightful cottages, we noticed that snowdrops had given way to primroses in the hedge rows, and a little way along the lane a sign to 'The Castle', described in a local brochure as 'the Castle that time forgot'. The Castle Mound is a protected ancient monument in the care of CADW. It dates from 1240, but was possibly built on earlier foundations. Following a number of battles it was finally attacked and destroyed by the forces of Owain Glendwr in 1402 during his rebellion. We were not tempted to take a look on this occasion as our path lead us upward across farmland with extensive views across the valley below, towards Offa's Dyke, with Clun in the distance. Mike and Paula had planned a 2.5 and 5 mile walk, and as we reached the road the group split. I understand that some of the group heading back for their meal at the local pub decided to look at Heyope Church on their way and were delighted with it. The rest of us followed footpaths, which took us past an old quarry, through a delightful dingle, and up quite a steep climb, where we stopped for a rest, and to enjoy the views. With the promise of a downward path back to the village, lunch at this point was very much on our minds. We received the warm welcome, with an excellent choice of food that had been promised. It ended off the day in perfect style.
We are exceptionally fortunate in having the delights of Leighton park, on our doorstep with a maze of public footpaths, including Offa's Dyke making its way up into the conifers above the estate. Leighton Estate is notable for being ahead of The Great Exhibition, 1815, in demonstrating the practical use of Victorian farming methods, the remains of which are in evidence to those following the paths around it.
Our walk began through the Redwood grove, the largest and oldest grove of coast redwoods in Europe, along with the historic Naylor pinetum on the estate, they are listed Grade 1 locations. The Royal Forestry Society who now manage the woods, have made a trail weaving in and out of the grove taking the walker past the redwood, which fell in the 1930's, and now supports several redwoods growing from its trunk.
Our circuit led us to Offa's Dyke path, a path, which follows a forestry road for some distance, before entering the mixed woodland, where the remains of the actual dyke are easily visible. As we made our way we came across the old reservoir, which fed a series of lakes and decorative water cascades, part of the creation of Edward Kemp a pupil of Sir Joseph Paxton. Soon after, those doing the shorter walk followed the cascades down to the old Pump House, now renovated into a residence. Those doing the extra mile followed the forest track upwards towards Moel y Mab, where in its heyday, had a storage tank for the purpose of containing the manure slurry brought up from the farm buildings by a funicular railway. The circular track gave us extensive views of the countryside, north of Welshpool, then brought us back to an area where the Hall and farm building complex are in full view
It was a walk enjoyed by all who took part, a place definite worth a visit if just to view the Poultry House!
The day was finished off in true style with afternoon tea.
CANAL AND WOODLAND AROUND NEWTOWN
JAN. 2012
I
have lived in Newtown for 13 years and feel ashamed that I have not
found the delightful walk that Mike and Paula took us on. A small
group met on the Halfpenny Bridge, which crosses the River Severn.
The foot bridge replaced a toll bridge, which originally stood some
distance upstream but was regularly swept away by the river in
flood. Our walk took us along a paved path, running for quite a distance alongside the Severn. Well used, the path follows the bed of the defunct part of the Montgomeryshire canal, whose history is ever present. At the edge of town we passed a private dwelling the 'Old Pump House', which up to the 1940's operated to take water from the Severn to supply the head of the canal.
We noticed banks of snowdrops at the side of the path and took a small detour into the grounds of Llanllwchaiarn Church to enjoy them on mass. About a mile and a half from town we left the canal path to follow a small road, and after a short distance we were taking a long, easy climb along the edge of a beech wood. As the road leveled out we stopped to see the wonderful views over the river with Pwll Penarth Nature Reserve below. Continuing on, and around the farm buildings of Fron-Dolfor it was interesting to see a collection of old farm machinery including a collection of vintage tractors.
As we reached the brow of the hill there were again spectacular views towards Abermule and beyond, and to our left the gentle green rolling hills reaching westward. Down to the Llanllwchaiarn to Aberbechan road we crossed it and up into the woodland opposite. Delightful woods, with twisting paths, and a stream running through. Time for lunch and no park benches in sight we rested on broken tree trunks and enjoyed the sound of the wind in the trees, the babbling stream, and the sound of a robin hopping about in the branches overhead.
Nearing the end of our walk we dropped down through the housing estate at Llanllwchaiarn, back onto the canal path, and home. What a wonderful way to spend the day in such good company and delightful surroundings just on our own doorstep.
The valley of the Severn was covered in frost at 8am, but as we waited for the bus to take us to Welshpool, the start of our walk, it had all but disappeared. Twenty four members turned out for the walk, which lead to 'standing room only' on the bus, but not for our members as three good spirited youths kindly stood for part of the journey.
Powis Castle grounds are beautiful at any time of the year, but I find the ancient skeletons of trees standing darkly against the skyline to be particularly pleasing. Conversation flowed as we followed the drive, past the Castle to a small road. The walk was planned to give a choice of 2, 3 or 4 miles, so partway along four of the group followed the road down to an early lunch.The rest of us climbed the stile in the hedge and onto pasture land where the '3milers' continued along the track leading to the Montgomershire canal. The rest of us took the uphill path from where the views of Rodney's pillar, the Shropshire hills, and South Montgomeryshire can all be seen in different directions. Farmland and a small copse then lead us to the Montgomeryshire canal. We found groups of snowdrops starting to flower in the copse, and again as we reached the canal. It may be cold and a bit damp this time of year but any hint that spring is on its way is worth seeing, so was the sight of our group enjoying the food and good company at Coed Y Dinas after an enjoyable few hours in the fresh air and countryside.
