Great Dave, just loving following along and thanks for providing interesting information. Some nice things said about the early YHA it’s hard to imagine in these times what the YHA meant to so many. At least we still have the MBA. Kind regards 🏕️🙏😊🍻
Cheers Dave. So many benefactors left so much money to the YHA and they seemed to abandon rural hostels and concentrate on a city and town based model. Perhaps they might consider a franchise based business model that might keep more of the rural hostels open. They even closed one down on the Coast to Coast route. How short sighted was that?!
A smile on a face is great feedback, so thank you. It did feel surreal to be so far south and still halfway. Now the route really does head north! Thanks for taking the time to comment!
The Elenydd is wonderful countryside Kev. Not too far to travel for us in South Wales either. Slow going but highly rewarding! Thanks for taking the time to comment!
Doethie valley is very pretty, I can't think of another valley like it in the UK that i have seen. It is quite unique. The hostel was definitely full of character. Did you get a shower there and were you exposed to the Alladin's cave of the shop ? I hope these places can carry on so we don't just end up with the commercial, busy and often soulless hostels that are left in the YHA and SYHA. Claerddu bothy is in a great spot and I was very tempted to stay. I'm glad you found this a hard leg too ! Thanks for taking us along. Looking forward to the sunshine ? 😁👍
Thanks for watching and commenting. Yes, I did take the opportunity for a shower at Tyn Cornel although didn't get to see the Alladin's Cave!! The wardens were lovely and really were so hospitable. I am thinking of volunteering for them too. One week a year in solitude welcoming walkers sounds like heaven to me!! I have walked in the Elenydd a lot and stayed at the hostel in the past too. It's always tough and with the mileage that I did (I saw that you did more on the same day!), I was pretty tired coming up the hill from Strata Florida! The next section is a delight although I know you'll have mixed feelings as it will cover off Plynlimon that you had to descend from. Still amazed you got your tent back after so many days and I am already looking forward to your videos when you record again in September.
Another fascinating vlog Dave. I must admit I never knew there were bothies in Wales. I’ve only ever used the Scottish ones. Looks like a good one, too.
Hi Adam. There are 3 bothies in the Elenydd. All are in fabulous condition and the Elan Estate keeps them stocked with dry seasoned wood and firelighters too. Very comfortable places to stay! Thanks for supporting the series by commenting!
Watched last night whilst bedded down on my mobile so came back for another look and to make comment. Firstly, lovely opening sequence and was wondering where it was so glad that you showed it and let us know it was the Doethie.. I have walked a little in that area (around the reserve) but didn't recognise the area so I guess it is further up... I need to go back. I would like to ask a question re routes etc. When following the route and you come across a farm/homestead that doesn't look like an obvious route through is it generally marked up as you approach and if not what is your approach to such a situation? I do love a wimberry 😊 Thats swction before the phone box looked very wet.Morgs the horse whisperer..lol. Nice bit on Tony Drake - wonder did you ever come across him? Continuity.. love the way you looked through the old farmhouse window which opened up to Strata Florida - planned or are you just a wonderful planner too - genius 😋 Lovely to see the Teifi pools.. I took Bill there a few years to wild camp... lol albeit the car was yards away - he does like his comforts. Remote, barren & beautiful.. yup it looked it. atb Al
No I never met Tony Drake. I think Jason Winney did though. You're very kind regarding my attempts at vlogs. The farmsteads are no issue to date. The paths tend to be obvious nearer the farms themselves. I've been getting my 5 a day on the bilberries / wimberries!!
Do young people today need hostels when camping is so cheap? Modern regulations have crushed the YHA that often had a legacy of buildings deemed unsafe by today's standards. These days a campsite with communal areas to eat/sit/dry/recharge electricals that you could only go to 'under your own steam' would seem a more possible model for the rural sites. Many young people today are not poor and would have enough to stay at a premier or whatnot and with flights so cheap could travel abroad for less than a UK stay? So not sure who YHA serve these days except perhaps the school group market.
It's an interesting topic. Many young people wouldn't be able to camp of they didn't have the equipment and indeed, many wouldn't want to. The idea of a roof above one's head when it's pouring with rain, or the cameraderie of meeting like minded people in the common room of a hostel can't be achieved in a tent. I'm certain that you're right that some safety regulations have impacted the YHA, but independent hostels seem to manage so I am sure they can be overcome. I'm not sure what the YHA stands for anymore. It seems to focus on towns and cities and certainly doesn't facilitate hostel to hostel walks and cycle rides as it once did. Perhaps some people don't want that in any case.
Great Dave, just loving following along and thanks for providing interesting information.
Some nice things said about the early YHA it’s hard to imagine in these times what the YHA meant to so many. At least we still have the MBA.
Kind regards
🏕️🙏😊🍻
Cheers Dave. So many benefactors left so much money to the YHA and they seemed to abandon rural hostels and concentrate on a city and town based model. Perhaps they might consider a franchise based business model that might keep more of the rural hostels open. They even closed one down on the Coast to Coast route. How short sighted was that?!
Great video Dave - the Teifi Pools are particularly stunning
Hi Stu. Agreed. They have a wonderful and often bleak beauty. They can often look foreboding but in fine weather they sparkle!!
Good job on hitting the half way point. The signpost thumbs up did make me smile.
A smile on a face is great feedback, so thank you. It did feel surreal to be so far south and still halfway. Now the route really does head north!
Thanks for taking the time to comment!
Nice episode, you're certainly making use of the facilities along the route. 👍🍺
Wait until I start talking about food and the number of fried breakfasts I end up eating 😂
Thanks for sticking with the series and commenting!
Really interesting leg and you can see the remoteness of it setting in. Looking forward to seeing where the trail takes you next.
The Elenydd is wonderful countryside Kev. Not too far to travel for us in South Wales either. Slow going but highly rewarding! Thanks for taking the time to comment!
Doethie valley is very pretty, I can't think of another valley like it in the UK that i have seen. It is quite unique. The hostel was definitely full of character. Did you get a shower there and were you exposed to the Alladin's cave of the shop ? I hope these places can carry on so we don't just end up with the commercial, busy and often soulless hostels that are left in the YHA and SYHA. Claerddu bothy is in a great spot and I was very tempted to stay. I'm glad you found this a hard leg too ! Thanks for taking us along. Looking forward to the sunshine ? 😁👍
Thanks for watching and commenting. Yes, I did take the opportunity for a shower at Tyn Cornel although didn't get to see the Alladin's Cave!! The wardens were lovely and really were so hospitable. I am thinking of volunteering for them too. One week a year in solitude welcoming walkers sounds like heaven to me!! I have walked in the Elenydd a lot and stayed at the hostel in the past too. It's always tough and with the mileage that I did (I saw that you did more on the same day!), I was pretty tired coming up the hill from Strata Florida! The next section is a delight although I know you'll have mixed feelings as it will cover off Plynlimon that you had to descend from. Still amazed you got your tent back after so many days and I am already looking forward to your videos when you record again in September.
Another fascinating vlog Dave. I must admit I never knew there were bothies in Wales. I’ve only ever used the Scottish ones. Looks like a good one, too.
Hi Adam. There are 3 bothies in the Elenydd. All are in fabulous condition and the Elan Estate keeps them stocked with dry seasoned wood and firelighters too. Very comfortable places to stay! Thanks for supporting the series by commenting!
Watched last night whilst bedded down on my mobile so came back for another look and to make comment. Firstly, lovely opening sequence and was wondering where it was so glad that you showed it and let us know it was the Doethie.. I have walked a little in that area (around the reserve) but didn't recognise the area so I guess it is further up... I need to go back. I would like to ask a question re routes etc. When following the route and you come across a farm/homestead that doesn't look like an obvious route through is it generally marked up as you approach and if not what is your approach to such a situation? I do love a wimberry 😊 Thats swction before the phone box looked very wet.Morgs the horse whisperer..lol. Nice bit on Tony Drake - wonder did you ever come across him? Continuity.. love the way you looked through the old farmhouse window which opened up to Strata Florida - planned or are you just a wonderful planner too - genius 😋 Lovely to see the Teifi pools.. I took Bill there a few years to wild camp... lol albeit the car was yards away - he does like his comforts. Remote, barren & beautiful.. yup it looked it. atb Al
No I never met Tony Drake. I think Jason Winney did though. You're very kind regarding my attempts at vlogs. The farmsteads are no issue to date. The paths tend to be obvious nearer the farms themselves. I've been getting my 5 a day on the bilberries / wimberries!!
Do young people today need hostels when camping is so cheap? Modern regulations have crushed the YHA that often had a legacy of buildings deemed unsafe by today's standards. These days a campsite with communal areas to eat/sit/dry/recharge electricals that you could only go to 'under your own steam' would seem a more possible model for the rural sites. Many young people today are not poor and would have enough to stay at a premier or whatnot and with flights so cheap could travel abroad for less than a UK stay? So not sure who YHA serve these days except perhaps the school group market.
It's an interesting topic. Many young people wouldn't be able to camp of they didn't have the equipment and indeed, many wouldn't want to. The idea of a roof above one's head when it's pouring with rain, or the cameraderie of meeting like minded people in the common room of a hostel can't be achieved in a tent. I'm certain that you're right that some safety regulations have impacted the YHA, but independent hostels seem to manage so I am sure they can be overcome. I'm not sure what the YHA stands for anymore. It seems to focus on towns and cities and certainly doesn't facilitate hostel to hostel walks and cycle rides as it once did. Perhaps some people don't want that in any case.