Laid back vs. leg stretcher

Not that it matters a jot but the easiest hike (yesterday's) is called laid back and the intermediate, which I did today, is called leg stretcher. I did 10 miles today in a new pair of boots and have no complaints. Achilles holding up very well and the boots were yummy, like having pillows around my ankles.

We spent today going up one side and down another of two valleys in what is called Waterfall Country. We might have seen at least 10 waterfalls. This is Snow Fall. We ended the day at Lady's Fall.

You can walk behind Snow Fall. A fellow walker cleverly turned her video on. I wish I'd done that.

One of the many reasons to hike with HF is the guides speak the language. I'm not good at reading maps, kind of important when you hike all day, nor am I good with signs in foreign languages. Today's guide, David, has been with HF Holidays for 30 years and done more than 200 hikes. I still can't get over the fact that they lead these hikes in exchange for room and board and a 5 pound allowance per day. That said, I think it would be easier to lead a group of British hikers than Americans, who I would say are generally higher maintenance.

We occasionally emerged from the woods to 'civilisation,' like the above. I love the moss covered gate.

Wales is more similar to Northern Ireland than Scotland was but in both places you get a sense of the landscapes being on a grander scale.

When I listed the benefits of hiking with HF I didn't list getting to know your fellow hikers. I think on the first day I was struggling. I'm an introvert who spends a lot of time alone and I'm not good at small talk. But as the number of meals and miles you share grows, the conversation becomes easier and you find more kindred spirits. So I will amend my list of HF benefits to add the interesting people you meet.

A bit of trivia about Brecon (while I'm waiting for a photo to load with Nythfa's slow internet speeds...). There is a military barracks around here somewhere and among the regiments housed here historically is the Gurkhas. As a result, there is a large Nepali community in Brecon, as families have settled here through the years. The first day of hiking, we were walking up a steep hill in a field toward a wood. Out of the wood appeared two older Nepali women in bright traditional clothing--sari type dresses. Quite unexpected!

There are four waterfalls in the photo below.

At many points, we came across young people swimming in pools. They were having a great old time. I took a video of a young girl swinging out on a rope swing and dropping into a pool. She took so long to let go of the tree and swing that I deleted the video, thinking it would mess with my phone.

The weather was lovely today--soft during the morning and sunny in the afternoon. We ended the day the way you end every good hike, at the pub.

June 27