The other weekend during the sunny weather we constructed a fire pit down by the river and got the chain saw out on the trunk from a fallen tree to make seating and a table, all a bit last minute as we wanted to make best use of the weather before it returned to normal. We were joined by some of our guests to enjoy a few beers and discuss life, universe and everything kind of stuff whilst listening to the waters running by us. Later the same evening with the fire still going, two late arriving guests quietly enjoyed an evening on the river bank after a hard days work.
The idea, for when the warmer weather returns properly is to offer our guests the chance to enjoy this tranquil spot either by themselves or when we have events/parties on site. Logs would be available on site to purchase.
We have recently been exploring a bit more and having taken on a bit of dog walking we decided to try somewhere very local called Long Wood, which has a number of circular routes of various lengths and some fantastic views, old hill fort and other stuff all set up by the Longwood Community Trust. Well worth the explore from the starting point either in Lampeter or near Langybi.
As part of the works to get the drainage working better from the water wheel pit, we had a contractor come in with his 7 ton JCB to restore the tail race to its original depth and width. So now there is actually a slight drop from the end of the culvert pipe as opposed to 2 foot of silt and it is running clear and free, whereas the water just used to sit there and back up in heavy rain. As can be seen from the accumulated muck sat by the side, there was a fair bit of accumulated soil/silt that had either been washed down or fell in over the years, especially as it looks like it hasn’t been done properly for a good many years.
What is amazing to watch though is the speed and skill in how Gareth dug it out and carefully levelled out the top bank from previous hand digging attempts at keeping the tail race clear.
We have re-seeded the sides and banks with appropiate grass seed from GSS Direct to stabilise the ground as quickly as we can. Who were a great find on the internet as will be a future place to go for meadow grasses etc…
After deciding we needed a break and the weather was favourable we had the idea of ‘doing’ Llynne Brianne but with the road closed due to tree felling so we detoured to Cwm Rhaeadr, which translates as ‘Valley of the waterfall’ a Natural Resources Wales (NRW) forest site. Although there are a number of walks and a mountain bike trail available, we decided on the waterfall trail following the blue marker posts on well made paths through the forest. Deciding to take the clockwise route following the crystal clear stream/river via some beautiful picnic spots, up to the falls which you can scramble up beside as far as you dare, might be a bit hairy in full flow and quite slippery as it was. After turning back and continuing round we noticed another offshoot that seemed to offer some more views of the waterfall so we decided to follow this for a bit and I suspect that for the adventurous could make a round trip if you went all the way up the falls and back this way? Great views all the same, but possibly better if you get a very early start to catch the sun right. Then followed the return route back to the car.
Last weekend my friend Darren came down from Swindon with his ‘very’ understanding wife to help me and Sarah dig out all the silt from the wheel pit. Friday was a great fun as the pit was bone dry and the silt nice and light, so we worked for a few hours and got out around 4 cubic metres worth and thought thats enough we will do the rest tomorrow as we made good progress. Well suffice to say we should have checked out the weather forecast, as the following morning the water in the pit was nearly up over my waders, but we persevered and got another 6 cubic metres out albeit much harder work and much muckier, especially Darren as he poured a fair bit on his head.
Marlene and Sarah meanwhile were busy working out their abs lifting the tubs up to the trolley and taking the silt to be dumped in the field, beats any keep fit class, and you get a genuine welsh mud pack at the same time, luxury. Sorry no photos of the lady’s as they had the camera 🙂
Next job is clearing out the culverts, mill race and tail race as silt levels are over half way up the pipe. So any takers feel free to get in contact for a free holiday and genuine welsh mud pack.
During this dry spell we have took the opportunity to start dealing with the ‘Waterwheel Pit’ issues, as over the years a rather deep accumulation of silt has built up. This could cause us issues come the next winter as it is already half way up the tail race culvert and it wouldn’t take much to block it. During the wet weather the silt was more akin to quicksand, so we tested the depth with a long pole to find it was about 3 foot deep, so there is a fair bit of stuff in there and will have to be removed if we are ever to get the wheel moving again, even if only decorative as opposed to generating power and avoid potential floods.
So on go the welly boots and climb on down into the pit, to find that when dry it is reasonably stable enough to stand on and dig down and start the hard slog to get it all out, we are doing a bit each time as it is hard work lifting it out and then taking the ‘spoil’ to where we are depositing it. On the good side it looks like pretty good compost with dead plant material in it. As can be seen by the photo with the spade (for scale) and the muck line showing where the surface was. Standing on the bottom my head is about a foot from the top of the pit.
Further down the tail race culvert there are additional issues as it is all partially blocked with silt and to add to the issues, part of the yard looks to have collapsed where the culvert runs, so digging that up at present as well. Concrete has been removed leaving the hardcore and rubble base to discover what lies beneath.
So if anyone out there fancies a FREE working holiday helping us dig everything out, please feel free to drop us a line, for few hours work lodgings and food thrown in with time off for sightseeing.
