THE weather forecast was not very promising but five walkers were lured out to join leader Barrie for a nine mile walk in the central Brecon Beacons that would also incorporate the sites of two crashed aircraft out on operational exercises during WW2.

Having driven through some heavy rain on their journey up, they were pleasantly surprised to arrive in fine weather and beginning from Pont ar Daf just south of Storey Arms they set off for the long haul up the mountainside towards Corn Du or the black horn, situated at 873 metres and the second highest peak in south Wales.

However the good weather soon disappeared as reaching Bwlch Duwynt, which translated means windy pass, the heavens opened. Continuing their journey, as luck would have it the heavy shower only lasted for about fifteen minutes and upon reaching the highest peak of Pen y Fan at 886 metres the sun put in a brief appearance and their visibility was restored, resulting in crisp clear views of the surrounding area.

The wind was chilly as they made their way across to Corn Du and gazing below them, huge puffs of white cloud sat like balls of cotton wool over the valleys and in an effort to get out of the cool wind for morning coffee, they carefully descended to the obelisk commemorating Tommy Jones.

On the evening of August 4, 1900 a miner from Maerdy arrived at Brecon railway station with his five year old son Tommy to walk six miles in order to visit the lads grandparents at Cwm Llwch farmhouse. Around 8pm they reached the login in the Cwm Llwch valley pausing at the soldier’s canteen for refreshment. By chance young Tommy’s grandfather and cousin Willie John arrived at the login and both boys ran on ahead towards the farmhouse, but as the light was fading, Tommy became frightened and wanted to go back to his father and Willie John continued but Tommy never arrived. Police, soldiers and members of the public began a search and it wasn’t until September 2, high above the dark and brooding Llyn Cwm Llwch that Tommy’s remains were found. He had climbed a total of 1300 feet in the dark up Pen Milan and the jurors at his inquest gave their fees to fund a memorial stone which was hauled up the steep mountainside by horse-drawn sledge.

In bright sunshine the group continued squelching across soggy ground on Pen Milan to the plateau of Y Gyrn at 619 metres, whilst to the west another enormous grey raincloud was creeping up. Descending towards woodland, the huge cloud erupted above them and rainfall hit the group with a vengeance, until they managed to gain a little shelter within a wood and following a woodland path to a stream they were met with cascading waterfalls gushing from the recent heavy falls of rain.

Exiting from the woods and paddling through water on the old drover’s road which is part of the long distance Taff Trail, they had a short break in the rain, before continuing towards Storey Arms, in bygone days the site of an inn. Upon their arrival at the Storey Arms the rain finally stopped and they made their way back to the car park in fine weather just as they had begun some five and a half hours earlier.

On October 25, meet 9am at Cogan Leisure Centre for a nine mile moderate walk at Gelligroes; contact Rachel on 01446 410545.

On October 26, meet 9am at Cogan for a 10-mile moderate walk from St Briavels; contact Joy on 01446 737131.

Wear suitable clothing, preferably boots and carry waterproofs, food and drinks. Some degree of fitness is required and if you are in any doubt, then please contact the walk leader for advice. To follow the group please log onto www.penarthramblers.wordpress.com Programmes and membership advice can be obtained from Pam on 029 2025 5102.