Londoner and Garisha on the top of the beacon-Pen-Y-Fan,Wales

I am a little bit of a liar.
Londoner, has spent more than a half-life in Wales.For the very simple reason, he married Welsh women.
In Serbia, we used to say: Where is your wife was born, that's your origin.
Lond-Welsh guy name is Steve,my walking guru.
In Wales , there are three national parks:Snowdonia,The Brecon Beacons and the Pembrokeshire Cost,containing landscapes and habitats of international importance.
Like all Brits,Steve was very polite and attentive to me.He chose the easiest hiking tour for me.

Pen-Y-Fan is the highest mountain in South Wales, part of http://www.breconbeacons.org/  the national park. It is formed of strongly glaciated Old Red Sandstone.
 The exact height of  Pen-y-Fan is 886 m.
If we compare the highest peak in my surroundings
http://www.serbiatravelers.org/en/destinations/44-vojvodina/451-fruska-gora , it will be great progress for me:)
The English translation of Pen-Y- Fan is approximately, "top of the beacon".
Let`s go on top!
We left the car at the foot of the mountain and moved slowly on.

                                                                On the left side was a stream

There was also was one house that I forgot to take   photo of.In exchange for this, here are some more pictures of beautiful landscapes.

                                                               And walking guru-Steve!

 You can not imagine Wales without a sheep.And where are the sheep, there they are ... So we have to be careful not to accidentally stand on s...

I did not show Steve, the differences between the English and the Welsh.He need to recognize by yourself.It`s high time:)

Since we did not have any affinity for the sheep, we continue our journey.

Not just sheep in Wales, you can also  find here pony horsess who share food with sheep.

                                                

                                                                      At the half way point we stopped.

Steve has informed me that our large swimming pool is expected soon.Here it is!

We met a lot of hikers and talked with them.Always same question:"Lovely weather isn`t it?"
Once,twice...
When it became clear that they will not stop with the same question, I started to laugh.
It seems that British hikers does not have a lot of opportunities to enjoy in beautiful weather?
Steve nice man, answered a million times ..Yes,lovely...
Only children were not asked us.They don`t care.
A memorial obelisk can be seen on the  half way to the summit.

                                                            Tommy Jones Obelisk
The obelisk commemorates a five-year-old boy who died in August 1900.Tommy had died from exhaustion and exposure, but how a small boy managed to climb so high remains a mystery?Sad story.
That was our second break.

Hm.A few hundred meters followed by a third break.So near but so far!

I admit I was a little hurt leg.Maybe the main reason was  my new hiking shoes?Maybe I`m not in good shape?Certainly it's all true.Dear friend Steve had understanding of the urban Serbian tourist.
And then, suddenly, and we are on top!

                                  There, we asked an hiker to make a photo historical photo

                                                           more historical photos
I was happy as a little child.Is no small thing for a guy from the plains to win so big top.
886m and 539m are not for comparison, is not it? Big difference.
http://www.serbiatravelers.org/en/destinations/44-vojvodina/451-fruska-gora 
Steve was very proud of me.He recomended next destination North Wales-Snowdonia.
My dear friend,it`s too much historical hiking for me.
Leave it for next year.
I promised him, but  I`m urban travel garisha...
I need time to prepare.

                                                     Garisha thinks about of the next hiking Oh I forgot.Return back was piece of cake!!
The weather was beautiful.
 The legs did not hurt me.
 Steve has not made a joke to my account.Or he made?
Who cares!
Watch out!
Snowdonia I`m coming!

Llanthony Priory

Llanthony Priory is a partly ruined former Augustinian priory in the secluded

Vale of Ewyas, a steep sided once glaciated valley within the Black Mountains,

area of the Brecon Beacons National Park in Monmouthshire south east Wales. It lies seven miles north of Abergavenny on an old road to Hay on Wye at Llanthony .The main ruins are under the care of  http://www.cadw.wales.gov.uk/

This foundation was reportedly begun towards the end of the 11th century when a knight was 'converted' after sheltering from a storm in a ruined chapel on the site, and led the life of a hermit for several years.

Eventually he was joined by a priest and a group of canons, and Llanthony Priory was established. In 1135, following a Welsh national rising, the canons had to leave their house at Llanthony, and took refuge in the Bishop's palace at Hereford while a new site was found for them outside of Gloucester, called Llanthony Secunda.

Towards the end of the 12th century, the canons returned to Llanthony to rebuild their priory, and what survives today is from this period. Although it sustained serious damage during the conquest of Wales and the revolt in the early 15th century, what remains today is remarkably well-preserved.
A large section of the north aisle arcade stands to full height, and there is even some of the original vaulting to be seen. Two walls of the crossing tower, showing their rounded window arches, survive almost untouched, and a good section of the south transept retains much of its detail.

Little survives of the claustral buildings, and part of the original prior's house was remodelled, along with the south west tower, to form the basis of accommodation for the present hotel. http://www.llanthonyprioryhotel.co.uk/

However, at the north end of this range is the vaulted outer parlour, and just south of this are three stone-vaulted undercrofts - one of which has been delightfully transformed into the hotel's cellar bar.

The 13th century parish church of St Mary, on the opposite side of the car park to the priory ruins, is believed to have been the infirmary chapel although, because of extensive alteration over the centuries, there is no real evidence to substantiate this. Immediately before the car park entrance, there are fragments of Llanthony Priory gatehouse just visible amongst the undergrowth and farm outbuildings.

The solitude and beauty of Llanthony Priory is captured by the fabulously wild countryside encompassing it, and the dramatic mountainous backdrop providing a wonderful sense of perspective. This is a romantic and magical setting where it is still possible to shut out the intrusive ways of the 21st century and simply unwind in the absolute peace and tranquility of these haunting monastic ruins.

Thanks to my dear friend Stew Maw,

 

I was privileged to see this unique place.