Wednesday 7th June 2017
The Met Office app had promised no rain and cloud with some sunshine. This was our cue to have an early breakfast of cereal, fruit and toast and set off for the hills as soon as possible. The hotel chef had arrived just after 7 am just in case we had wanted a cooked breakfast. Everyone was disappointed that we left with just a light breakfast!
To be on the safe side I had added a couple of extra layers as yesterday I had been cold in the wind.
Mach Loop – the Bwlch
We went back up the A470 to the small car park for the Bwlch. Even though it was only 7.30 there were lots of cars and vans there already. We chatted to a guy who pointed out the paths and lines to take up the hill. There are two viewing positions on the Bwlch topside or level-pass. Top ledge is about 400 feet up the hill and level-pass (or Middle) is about 200 feet up.
The climb starts out easy with a flat trek across the moor by the road. Then you follow what is probably a stream bed when it rains. We were looking for the sty away to our left as we climbed. This is the point where turning to the left takes you to Middle and keep going leads to Top Ledge. We did have a few false starts as we followed our companion up the hill. He was clearly not desk bound like us and was soon out of sight as we crossed each false summit.
Top Ledge on Bwlch
After we went over the sty we kept going until we came to a cliff of rock about 20 feet high where two guys were standing. They called down to us to go round under the rocks for an easier climb up. Neither of them were our earlier colleague and we guessed he must have gone to Middle.
My iPhone reported that I had climbed 39 flights of steps to get up to Top Ledge. This was less than the 41 reported for CAD West the day before!
There were two tents already under the lea of the rock outcrop. From this side of the rocks we were sheltered from the wind and had a great view up the valley where the planes would be flying towards (and below) us.
We were soon joined by Jason, who like us had decided that the Bwlch was the place to be. He had left his tent behind as well, after the escapades of yesterday. We all shared Steve’s groundsheet to dump our bags.
Over the next hour or so more people arrived and we were having chats about earlier visits, frequencies to use on scanners and camera settings. One of the early arrivals lived in Newtown, less than 30 minutes away, who was by for the most experienced on the hills. He showed us some of his best images on his phone. Jason out did us all as he had images of the pink Tornado (Tonka) from his last visit.
Our first aircraft was a Hawk that passed behind us heading straight for CAD. Steve did manage grab shots as it passed.
The first Hawk
Then the shout went up “Jet!“.
This was a Hawk that had turned the corner and was racing down the valley towards us.
After the Hawk had passed we all settled back into chatting and watching as more folks arrived, set up their tents and went to their favourite places around the hill. We watched as others climbed up the hill opposite through what looked like bracken. This was often so high that we lost sight of them. This was nicknamed ‘The Spur’. We were told this was great for head-on shots but often you were shooting straight into the sun as it faced due East.
Through breaks in the cloud the promised sun broke through in bright patches onto the hills opposite.
Second Hawk
Then the shout went up “Jet!”
and another Hawk raced towards us. The images above are an indication of how little time there was from the first shout to the Hawk racing underneath us on Top Ledge.
This was at about 9.45.
The sky was clearing and we could watch shadows of the remaining clouds shadows over the hills where the Spur was.
If you look there are no paths or fences to help navigate up. We were told that getting up wasn’t too bad but in Summer coming down was hard as the lack of paths made finding your way down difficult through the bracken.
Around us flew lots of birds but when a Red Kite appeared everyone leapt out of their tents or their hiding places to try and get a shot.
Another Hawk jet passed behind us and went straight past CAD West where we were yesterday – luck of the draw.
We sat on the edge of the of the rocks sheltered from the wind and chatted about the planes that the others had seen before. The guys that were connected to networks were monitoring friends around the loop for early warning about planes coming through. Jason was called upon for his skills at rolling cigarettes. As the afternoon progressed he was asked to help roll even more and eventually gave lessons on how he did it without a machine.