ON A wet and windy morning, despite the conditions five walkers were lured out to join leader William for the mid-week trip up to Llandegfedd reservoir visitor centre car park for a 10-mile walk in the lovely undulating Monmouthshire countryside.

This area was once prime agricultural land which was well farmed and in order to create the reservoir people had to give up their occupations and farms and cottages which were subject to compulsory purchase orders so the area could be flooded, wiping out a village which lies underneath. The construction began in 1961 and by 1963 the reservoir which contains water pumped from the River Usk began to fill up and it was officially opened in May 1965.

Now it is run as a country park and is an SSSI because of its importance to wildfowl who over-winter in this country and because of this, all activities that take place on the reservoir such as sailing, diving and fishing are suspended between November and March in order to give the birds some peace and space.

Setting off in driving rain through the pretty village of Coed-y-paen and passing Cilwrgi Farm to skirt Cwm Wood, they joined a lane at Cwm Farm. After some road walking and passing the entrance to HM Prison Prescoed which is an open prison, they headed uphill through fields and Ty’n-y-caeau Farm into the shelter of Coed y Fferm or Farm Wood.

Locating a small barn in order to shelter from the wild weather, they paused for some welcome hot drinks before heading down a waterlogged track and into Coed Cnab, following woodland tracks to a rickety footbridge and an extremely swollen stream in order to climb steeply to the remains of Llangybi Castle.

After a quick pause to view what remains of the castle with its ivy covered walls surrounded by trees, they met a friendly estate worker who stopped his tractor and quite unexpectedly gave them a short talk about the history of the castle which was much appreciated.

Also known as Tregrug Castle it was owned by the de Clare family in 1245 but in the 14th century a stone castle was built and during the English Civil War the castle was refortified and held by the Royalist Sir Trevor Williams, who was later imprisoned by King Charles I for treason as he changed his allegiance siding with both the Royalists and Parliamentarians.

Continuing on through Llangybi Castle farmyard they journeyed on to the lovely village of Llangybi which is perched above the River Usk in the glorious Usk Valley and was founded by the sixth century Cornish Saint Cybi. Finding sanctuary from the driving rain in the porch of St Cybi’s Church, they were able to partake of lunch before visiting the nearby St Cybi’s well which was the villages’ main source of water until 1951 when piped mains water arrived.

Leaving the village and following Ton Road, the wind began to strengthen and a strong squall hit the group as they struggled uphill. Heading over some very slippery stiles and through increasingly sodden fields past Pen-y-parc Farm, then Clawdd Farm they made a stop at an unusual triangulation point at 183m which was situated in a hedge. Another strong squall hit them as they made their way through woodland at Craig y Saeson near Forest House before a descent past Ty Perrot.

Then onwards through Coed-y-paen Farm to make their way back to the car park where muddy boots and wet outer clothing was hastily removed before a visit to the visitor centre café which overlooks Llandegfedd reservoir for some welcome hot refreshments prior to the journey home.

On November 28, meet 9.30am at Cogan Leisure Centre for a seven-mile moderate walk around the Welsh St Donats area; contact Geraint on 029 2051 5278.

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 log onto penarthramblers.wordpress.com. Programmes and membership advice can be obtained from Pam on 029 2025 5102.