May 2021- Ascent from Blaen Llia. Great to be back in the Brecon Beacons. Obviously, avoiding the bank holiday hordes inevitable on Pen y Fan, I chose a quieter route with a lovely approach. I followed the Sarn Helen Roman road past the menhir of Maen Madoc and down into the beautiful Blaen-nedd-lsaf valley, then struck off north-west shortly after. Eventually the route entered the Ogof Ffynnon Ddu National Nature Reserve with its magnificent mining landscapes and Shake Holes. The summit of Fan Gyhirych was quiet with great views of the Black Mountain and eastwards to Fan Nedd with the Pen y Fan escarpment beyond. After a snack, I crossed to Fan Nedd for lunch, before descending to the car just as the rain started.