Flapjacks and Feet in the Elan Valley

Nineteen members of the group ventured to the Elan Valley in early October. The Valley contains the Elan Valley Reservoirs that were built by the Birmingham Corporation Water Department to provide clean drinking
water for Birmingham back in the 1890s.

The Elan Valley is situated to the west of the small town of Rhayader in Powys and is sometimes referred to as the Welsh Lake District. It's easy to see why with spectacular views across hills and valleys. Were they hills or mountains?

The well-planned walks, led by Steve our very experienced and knowledgeable guide, enabled the group to walk together for several miles each day, and then provided cut-off options with longer walks for
the mountain goats amongst us, and slightly shorter options for those that wanted to get back to our lodge for tea and cake!

We were lucky to have August weather in October which gave us the opportunity to stop and look - and listen - as Steve told us the history of the valley and pointed out features - many of which told the story of the
amazing engineering feat of constructing the reservoirs.

The Lodge, once the village school, provided us with comfortable accommodation and excellent home cooking - puddings aplenty and a daily supply of homemade flapjack that seemed to make those hills (or
were they mountains?) just a little easier. Steve also managed to keep the group 'food-happy' with the introduction of first and second lunch- a concept we are hoping will catch on with the group on its longer walks in
the future!

So, we've mentioned the flapjacks - what about the feet. Well, nineteen pairs returned home safely, some having clocked up towards forty miles of walking over the four days. Judging by the 'mid-walk foot care' in the
photos below, we're convinced they really were mountains after all. Can you identify the feet?

Thanks go to Jane King for organising another excellent visit to Elan Valley.