Rhulen to Newchurch

Drovers coming from Beulah to Builth Wells would often choose the route to England that crossed the Wye due east of Builth at Pont Duhonw, where that river meets The Wye (SN 064511). 

 

Then it was up Aberedw Hill and down to Rhulen (SN 137498), with its quaint little church.  But there was often a pitstop at Cregrina, where a blacksmith's forge was at work in the gap beyond the white cottage (#1) to prepare cattle for metalled English roads.  I have been told this by Roger Dowden (October 2021) who lives in the old wheelright's house I had previously named as The Forge.  Thank you, Roger, for your input.

 

From Rhulen the path across the hills to Newchurch is bleak and wild.  The beasts have left a trail, though: green tracks through the bracken where their manure has done its work.

Dwellings are scattered here and there, but the wind, rain and loneliness must have made it a dire place to live - even to drive cattle through.