A Post Card from Abercwmboi by Wanderin
“All truly great
thoughts are conceived while walking.” - Friedrich Nietzsche
With
Wayne and Richard providing the support vehicles the crew pulled off as planned
at 10.00pm, but at literally the very last second Nathan Jones turned up to add
to the numbers.
After a mini tour of the backstreets of
Abercwmboi the convoy eventually arrived at the picturesque football ground,
behind a row of terraced houses with Mynydd Aberdar looming in the background
to the east. The last man to arrive was a hungover Nathan Evans following his
appearance at The Zuton’s concert on Friday evening, as the obligatory team
line up is photographed.
Unsure
if it’s classed as uptown Mountain Ash or downtown Aberdare, as we approach the
outskirts of the village the eagled eyed Mark Evans spots some nostalgia when
we walk past a sign proclaiming ‘Park View Terrace’ that provides another photo
opportunity.
Proceeding
along Cardiff Road we shortly pass the turnstiles of Aberaman Park, the home of
recently relegated Aberdare Town of the Welsh League, before arriving at the
ultra modern clubhouse and facilities of Abercwmboi RFC.
We
cross the busy A4059 to take a short cut past Aberdare Community School and the
Michael Sobell Sports Centre where Wolvsey reminds the group that this is the original
site of the ground where the Martyrs played against Aberdare Athletic in the
Football League before tens of thousands of fans. Hard to imaging that type of
local rivalry nowadays!
The first climb of the day starts up
Abernant Road past the golf club (where Martin Howells is greenkeeper) and
primary school before arriving at the first pit stop the Rhoswenallt Inn. A
fine hostelry, recommended if you are in the vicinity, surrounded by highly
desirable residential real estate. After impatiently waiting for the landlord
to arrive, who apparently was stuck in traffic…….in Aberdare…….at 11:30…...on a
Saturday morning!!, we depart after light refreshments were served.
We
pass a solitary walker moving in the opposite direction on the climb of an old
Drovers path with deep rutted terrain up Y Wenallt, until we eventually arrive
at the summit of the ridge where the transmitter mast is located.
The
curse of the moronic fly tipper greets the group as they start the pass high above
Heolgerrig. At least this steep downhill section is covered in smooth
tarmacadam on the Merthyr side making it much easier under feet to negotiate
with glorious views of the town below.
Another
brief pit stop outside the Chairman’s house as Lisa and the children are
waiting with further alcoholic refreshments, before we conclude the 2019
edition of the sponsored walk down Georgetown Hill and up Vulcan Hill prior to
the arrival at Penydarren Park.
Our
group of intrepid walkers had covered the 7 miles in two hours to raise money
for the Alzheimer's Society.
Wandering
Comments