Because of the problem of my achilles tendon I decided not to risk further issues by not climbing Pen Y Fan with the others. After breakfast and the customary ablutions I stayed at the guest house and tried to sort out a couple of problems with the computer. I didn’t resolve the issues but after 90 minutes decided I anted to have a quiet walk along the river Usk which runs through Brecon.
I walked beside the fast running river for about 40 minutes and had just decided to turn back when I received a call from Ray saying he had given up on the climb to Pen Y Fan and that we should meet in Brecon town centre. I climbed over a fence and joined the canal footpath for my return journey. I sat in the town centre and waited for Ray.
I arrived in the town centre at 12;50 for our 1 pm appointment but Ray didn’t arrive until 1:15. We crossed to a nearby coffee shop where he had soemmthinng to eat and i just had the coffee. We chatted for awhile and then decided to explore the town a bit. We headed for the Brecon Canal Basin, which effectively is the end of the canal and turning point for the boats. The canal runs for 35 miles, 6 locks and follows the Usk valley to Pontypool.
We sat down and almost decided to take a boat trip the next day. From here we headed towards what looked like a castle but turned out to be The Royal Welsh Museum dedicated to the local regiment. We popped our heads in but decided not to pay the £6.50 and perhaps go on the Saturday.
From here we walked back into the centre where I left Ray, for him to return to the campsite and for me to buy an apple and go back to the guest house.
Matt and Ian returned shortly afterwards saying that the climb up to Pen Y Fan had ended up in a scramble for the last part and that they had to place their hands into someone’s ashes. I had a soothing bath and they had a shower.
In the evening we returned to the Brecon Tap for a drink but we couldn’t eat there, it was fully booked. The campers hadn’t made it into town by then. Next stop The George, a Weatherspoon’s pub. However the campers refused to join us in this very cheap hostelry even though beer only cost £1.99 per pint. We meet up with them again at the Thai Restaurant where we had a very pleasant evening.
Ironically I actually walked further than Ian Chapman or Matt and probably the campers as well.