Last year’s Hills & Valley was brilliant, so here we are again to see if Kidderminster Car Club could provide another fantastic Tour.
………….. We weren’t disappointed!
A full entry gathered in the early morning mist (soon to turn to beautiful sunshine) at the event’s start and finish venue of Welshpool Livestock Sales for the 13th running of KMCC’s Hills & Valley Scenic Tour ’24.
After the usual preliminaries and bacon/sausage baps/pastries/drinks we set off with a gentle drive through Welshpool town centre before heading west through the village of Castle Caereinion and then over high moorland providing stunning views before the steep descent into Carno.
Easy driving open roads through picturesque countryside of the Afon Twymyn valley brought us to the morning rest halt, taken at Y Star, Dylife, where we were treated to complimentary morning coffee and biscuits kindly provided by Richard and Nadine.
This delightful self-catering establishment, originally a traditional 17thC drovers inn, is set high on the hillside in the dramatic surroundings of an historic lead mining area – truly spectacular with a brilliant blue sky and not a cloud in sight!
Duly refreshed, we were reluctant to leave but then continued west on the second section with more glorious views on the route’s descent into the beautiful Afon Dulas valley and on to Machynlleth. Here we headed south, the route providing glimpses of the Dyfi estuary before we arrived in the village of Tal-y-bont.
Turning east we were treated to more fantastic views, the road clinging to the steep hillside on the climb up Cwm Ceulan valley. The winding moorland road which followed provided us with an amazing shoreline drive around Nant-y-Moch Reservoir, its waters sparkling under the beautiful blue skies. After crossing the spectacular stone dam we enjoyed a brief stop to take in the breath taking scenery.
The route now headed south as we descended the picturesque Afon Rheidol valley into Ponterwyd. A short drive brought us to the picnic lunch halt taken at The Hafod, in the delightful setting of Devils Bridge, with its visitor attractions including the ‘three stacked bridges’, stunning waterfalls and heritage steam railway – not to mention the ice creams.
After lunch the tour route headed east providing us with a spectacular drive through the Afon Ystwyth valley where the road closely followed the river past the remains of the historic Cwmystwyth lead mines dating from the Early Bronze Age.
More stunning scenery was enjoyed crossing open moorland followed by lovely views on the steep descent into Rhayader. We now turned north and enjoyed a visit to Gilfach Nature Reserve and more picturesque countryside before passing through the delightful town of Llanidloes. A warm welcome and the delights of tea and homemade cakes, courtesy of Clive and Helen, awaited us at the Tour’s afternoon rest halt at Meadow Springs Country Park.
This wonderful country and leisure park was busy with people keen to look at the array of classic cars on show. Even the toilets deserve a special mention – truly spectacular!
We delayed our departure so as to enjoy the afternoon sunshine in delightful surroundings but we had to be on our way. The fourth section of the Tour now headed back to Welshpool via Caersws and Bettws Cedewain and included easy driving relaxed open roads through the picturesque countryside in the hills north of Newtown with their lovely views. We arrived back at the Welshpool Livestock Sales for a wonderful multi choice hot buffet and dessert with time to relax and catch up on the exploits of fellow Tour participants. Participants were in agreement that they had experienced a really enjoyable event – ‘one of the best tours ever!’ We then headed home, tired, but clutching our commemorative souvenirs and with big grins on our faces, having had another terrific day.
The road book was first class, with its easy to follow directions, spot on tulip diagrams and lovely snippets of information about features along the route. This 135 mile tour had everything, with easy driving roads taking in numerous hills and valleys with stunning scenery and memorable views, all assembled around the most enjoyable and interesting rest halts.
We had a brilliant day and the car never missed a beat.
Here’s looking forward to the 14th Hills & Valleys Scenic Tour – we’ll definitely be back.
(Photographs courtesy of Phill Bramhill – madrallylad)
