There we were last Sunday morning, awakening to the sunlight streaming through the gap in the curtains where Lenny peeks out into the garden, hoping to see rabbits or squirrels cavorting across our grounds. Somewhat deflated on this occasion he returned to his bed and laid there nibbling a patch of fur on his leg which was giving him the itches.
When the parents connected us to our leads and harnesses we had no idea what was about to occur. Out of the garden and Lenny was immediately onto a strong scent. He didn’t make it past the car. Suddenly we were being loaded into our prison crates for another adventure. We fairly leapt into the car and settled down for the trip ahead. Out of the road, turn right, right again, then left after a while. Follow the road was the comment from the front of the car. As the road snaked away we realised that we were somewhere new when we passed a sign that said “Powys Croeso i Gymru”. We turned right and slowly climbed the hill, along narrow lanes which needed some careful navigation. After a while we arrived in a carpark along a very narrow and bumpy lane. The boot was opened and scent filled our noses. Welcome to Roundton Hill Nature Reserve read the sign on the gate.
Roundton Hill was an Iron Age hill fort around 2,000 years ago. Since then it has been grazed and even used for mining precious metals. Nowadays it’s an excellent lookout point for the surrounding area. Out of the car and along the grass track, through the gate and up the hill, head right and through the next gate, across the field and still we were climbing. We could peek through the hedge at the landscape beyond and we were loving every moment.
Our noses were to the ground and I was puffing like a steam train uphill and down dale, through gates and across fields. As we passed through the last gate we realised we had gone slightly the wrong route but it didn’t matter as the views away into Wales were great.
We saw the top of Roundton Hill and vowed to come back soon so we could try to get to the summit. Retracing our steps we descended to the car and were returned to our travel crates for the journey home.
I am originally from Wales, so it was good to see where I came from. The views were great and it was really quiet, apart from the sheep bleating and the odd errant song of the beagle breed. We have been promised a return so we can actually summit Roundton Hill. For now we sleep and dream of a good day had by all.
Dexter 