That old favourite, inspiration of J R Tolkien’s The Lonely Mountain: the Sugar Loaf above Abergavenny. A gentle, simple walk on the whole with just a few long steep climbs but generally straight forward and easy on the feet with lots of soft springy grass to walk on. After 6 weeks being confined to the lowlands it was particularly inspiring to be able to stand at the trig point and take in the sweeping views.
Lovely breezy day with clear views of Skirrid, Waun Fach, Llanthony and the ridge of part of Offa’s Dyke then over to the Brecon Beacons with several market towns and hamlets scattered in the valleys below. The contrast of colours as autumn sets in was spectacular in the sunshine.
Lots of impressively creamy white sheep (how do they keep so clean?), a few mountain ponies and very few walkers on the actual hills but plenty of cars in the car park below.
Shame people don’t actually get out and walk – it’s a great view from the car park but it’s not a patch on what’s at the top of the hill.
