Brynafan Cardiganshire

Images are sourced within 2km of 52.339271/-3.891471 or Grid Reference SN7172. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

New bungalow near Llanafan

Alex McGregor

Afon Ystwyth from Grogwynion Nature Reserve

Phil Champion

Path through trees near Grogwynion Nature Reserve

Phil Champion

Nant Cwmnewydion

John Lucas

Blaen y Waun

Coed Tyn-y-cwm is beyond.

John Lucas

Lane at Blaen y Waun

John Lucas

Llanafan lane

Snow in February 2007

Trix71

Bridle way near Disgwylfa

Trix71

Lane at Gwarcwm

The lane through the valley of Nant Pant-yr-haidd towards Brynafan.

John Lucas

Llwyn Gogau

Seen from an island in the Afon Ystwyth, Llwyn Gogau is located on the steep northern slope of Cwm Ystwyth. Because of the east-west alignment of the deep cut valley, the winter sun does not reach the valley bottom. The shadow of the southern slope of the valley has a very sharp edge due to the crisp and cold air, which minimises scattered light. The ground is covered in a thick layer of hoarfrost.

Rudi Winter

Despite all

Gorse is an amazing plant: It grows on the gravel banks in the Afon Ystwyth at Grogwynion, where most other species struggle to cope with the high levels of heavy metals due to past mining activity, and a mere cold spell won't stop it from flowering in mid December.

Rudi Winter

Afon Ystwyth, Grogwynion

Looking across the main arm of the Afon Ystwyth from the gravel bank island at Grogwynion. The valley bottom is in permanent shadow in mid winter; the sun reaches the hillside opposite only a little higher up.

Rudi Winter

Gorse trees, Grogwynion

Gorse dominates the gravel bank island in the Afon Ystwyth, and the bushes grow to heights of up to four metres - some of them look more like trees than bushes! The white stuff is hoarfrost, not snow. The winter sun never reaches the bottom of Cwm Ystwyth, and ice crystals had three whole days and nights to grow to substantial sizes. The path is a short circuit across the gravel bank, starting at the Forestry Commission carpark at Grogwynion.

Rudi Winter

Afon Ystwyth meander

The main branch of the Ystwyth changes from the southern to the northern side of the valley at this point. The rocks opposite define the permanent river bank; the gravel within the riverbed gets moved around during floods, resulting in frequent rearrangment of the braiding patterns east (upstream) of here.

Rudi Winter

Cwm Ystwyth near Grogwynion

A view upstream along the main channel of the Afon Ystwyth at the gravel banks near Grogwynion.

Rudi Winter

Trees by the Ystwyth

The southern bank of the Afon Ystwyth east of Grogwynion is covered in light deciduous wood. This is in contrast to the managed conifer forest on the higher slopes and the gorse on the gravel banks in the river, and is presumably a remnant of the ancient flora before lead mining (long abandoned) and forestry made an impact on the landscape. At this point, the path across the river island from the Forestry Commission car park at Grogwynion returns to the shore and the minor road from Pontrhydygroes to Trawsgoed.

Rudi Winter