Welsh Youth Trip Report

All had a super time on the trip to the Brecon Beacons.  Read on to find out all about it…..

Well, this was our 3rd trip to the lovely area of the Brecon Beacons and it came and went with a splash! This was our biggest trip to date, with two minibuses and nineteen people, twelve of them young people. It was also our most ambitious, including a morning on the Wye, thus the splash, as four members acquainted themselves with the chilly waters of the fast-moving river.
Andy Dorning, our SWAY Youth Worker came along and kept us thinking with a thought for the day each morning. We travelled to Wales on Wednesday afternoon and returned Saturday morning (might we not make it one day longer next time, I ask myself?).
On Thursday, we made our way up Waun Fach via a pretty steep gully, which had everyone puffing and panting, but delighted when we came out on top for a spot of lunch part 1! The route down along a delightful arrete gave some remarkably clear views of all around. Andy, Susannah and Peter walked back to camp for the minibus whilst the group reached the appointed pick-up point and one or two promptly slept in the quiet country road whilst waiting for the lift!
In the evening after a game of FLEA, all went to the local pub for a game of Killer pool which Kali did particularly well in, though Andy Michelmore eventually prevailed with his vast student experience.
Day 2 was down to the Wye for a canoeing expedition. This was such fun. The water was fairly high on account of quite a lot of recent rain, so there were some interesting rapids. Upon approaching one of the worst rapids, Jack and Jude decided to have a splashing battle with Holly and Ellie, rather than keeping their eyes on the rapids. This resulted in Jude narrowly escaping a dunking whilst his partner went straight in and the next boat containing Pete (our redoubtable cook), Susannah and Jennifer capsized. Four very wet people eventually got back aboard their canoes. It was a great morning!
In the afternoon, we had lunch looking up to Hay Bluff and then went up to the summit in a direct and very steep line. This was hard work, but what views at the top …? So worth it!
Next we needed a cup of tea, so we drove down to Hay on Wye for well-deserved tea and a cake.
In the evening, as darkness fell, we dropped the young people a mile or so from camp and told them to find their way back. This was not greeted with universal acceptance and pleasure, but much fun was had in making the journey back to tents through field and forest.
So ended an excellent few days. We are already thinking about next year!