Leaky Dams.

Happy Easter.

It has been sunny and very windy today. The land behind protected us from the worst of the storm last night and there were no power cuts which makes a change.

I woke early and had to wrap up well and sit right next to the hedge for shelter while I enjoyed my morning cuppa out on the terrace watching a few early dog walkers struggling against the wind.

When I eventually went on-line I got a message from Romas saying that after 10 years together he and Laura are now officially engaged though no immediate plans or date for a wedding at the moment. 

 

This afternoon's walk began at a property about a mile inland from Tal Y Bont. The owners are very keen on re-wilding and John had invited us to walk on his land and see the 'leaky dams' Linda and her group of volunteers had constructed.

From the farm buildings we climbed up the steep side of the valley until we had a stunning view across to Cardigan Bay.

All along the way there were quirky benches inviting you to sit and enjoy the views. The more conventional garden bench above looked out to sea and had been carried up by hand.

Looking southwards (right in the centre of the skyline) was the Bronze Age hillfort of Pen Dinas Gorddu which we have been to on previous walks.

Coming down the hill we came to the first of the leaky dams. These are made by driving fresh cut 4 year old willow stems into the ground in a double row and filling the space with brushwood. This dam was built several years ago and the willow is growing well. The dam spreads out the water from a small stream and the growing willows take up the water too. This helps avoid erosion and reduces the amount of water flowing into the river Leri down in the valley. To be effective against flooding the village (as has happened in the past) it would need to be done on a much wider scale. This is just a test installation to see how well it works.

We made our way down the field and had our lunch by a small pond which had its own leaky dam.

Below us another two leaky dams on the same stream were built last winter.

As soon as we were out of the wind it was pleasantly warm in the sun.

As we made our way back up to our start point we came across a place to buy honey. It's from the same local business that we got our honey from. you could either scan and pay or pay in the old fashioned way by putting cash in a jam jar.