Iron Age Hillfort.

We've had warmer but fierce south-westerly winds today and although it hasn't rained (yet) it has been quite gloomy.

This morning I sanded down the kitchen worktop and oiled it which completes the spring cleaning of the kitchen. Apart from the worktop the kitchen doesn't look any different but it gives me a real sense of satisfaction to know that every corner is spotlessly clean (and doesn't need doing for another year).

Later I went out and had much more fun gardening. I planted the snowdrop bulbs in the front garden and found space for the alliums in the back garden. They were cheap enough to give them a chance. And since in this moderate climate weeds grow all year round I did some weeding in the back garden.

And now back to Banc Y Darren (Darren mine and camp) which we visited yesterday. I wish I'd had time to do my research before we went as I would have taken many more photos. Even though the summit is at 958ft  this is a walk suitable for Pete so I'm sure we'll be up there before long. 

The fort dates back to the iron age with a bronze age cairn in the middle. I find these early structures really fascinating.

The aerial photo shows the ramparts well and comes from this article which has more information on the way the ramparts were constructed.

Here some of the group are walking up the track to the main gate (clearly visible in the top photo).

The ramparts. (Below) looking east to the coast there is a clear line of sight to Pen Dinas hillfort which is close to the site of the original Aberystwyth castle and town, (not Pen Dinas Mynydd Gorddu that we walked to earlier in the year). 'Light the beacons' comes to mind. Pen Dinas (originally Dinas Maelor) is now topped by a cannon shaped memorial built to commemorate the battle of Waterloo. 

Here one of our group is standing on the inner rampart with possibly the beginning of the bronze age cairn on the left.

I can't wait to return and take more photos. I think this is the best hillfort we've been to yet.