Walking up Pen Allt Mawr in the Brecon Beacons above Crickhowell. We walked this way in March but changed the route to have a picnic on Darren – thanks Darren! It was an incredible spot – one of our favourite picnic places now with panoramic views of the Black Mountains and Brecons.
![First signpost...](https://i0.wp.com/muddybootsandstuff.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/14907271_10209733471229958_5034884801407567498_n.jpg?resize=360%2C480)
![Oak tree standing guard over stone remains of an ancient outbuilding.](https://i0.wp.com/muddybootsandstuff.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/14479518_10209733482790247_2269100833642240933_n.jpg?resize=480%2C360)
![Climbing out of the valley.](https://i0.wp.com/muddybootsandstuff.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/14910463_10209733491550466_1275793071726111368_n.jpg?resize=480%2C360)
![Darren in the distance. That's where we're headed...](https://i0.wp.com/muddybootsandstuff.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/14963128_10209733493430513_7855859919965070728_n.jpg?resize=480%2C360)
![The Sugar Loaf is unmistakeable.](https://i0.wp.com/muddybootsandstuff.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/14907067_10209733495710570_2035328895555336220_n-1.jpg?resize=480%2C360)
Such a good decision to go high today – weather was so clear and the views couldn’t be bettered from every angle. A last gasp of autumnal weather meant it was mild and vividly coloured – we were acutely aware of what a privilege it was to be out in the sunshine on the higher hills.
![Christine's favourite spot.](https://i0.wp.com/muddybootsandstuff.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/14915210_10209733496270584_7787294198613566029_n-1.jpg?resize=480%2C360)
![Standing on Darren!](https://i0.wp.com/muddybootsandstuff.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/14910406_10209733501590717_3553966336502446787_n-1.jpg?resize=360%2C480)
We weren’t the only ones out though – we kept stumbling across small groups of soldiers – they looked rather new and shiny. The groups we encountered in the afternoon looked as if they were badly in need of a cuppa and some TLC. (If we’d only known Maddie your cakes would have gone down a treat!).
![Breathtaking views...](https://i0.wp.com/muddybootsandstuff.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/14732141_10209733505750821_4051202343692029850_n-1.jpg?resize=480%2C360)
Chris proved she knows this mountain well, barely looking at the map and it starts with the best signpost for any walker to come across….
![What a life! Wild ponies.](https://i0.wp.com/muddybootsandstuff.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/14731297_10209733507190857_5193848037916349706_n-1.jpg?resize=480%2C360)
![Remains of old quarrying lay scattered around.](https://i0.wp.com/muddybootsandstuff.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/14900578_10209733507630868_7994428065439587579_n-1.jpg?resize=360%2C480)
![End of the walk. It's only 2.45 pm but already the sun is sinking, the light fading.](https://i0.wp.com/muddybootsandstuff.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/14907581_10209733508590892_3138538357272300384_n-1.jpg?resize=360%2C480)