Strange daisies: Pen-y-Cymoedd wind farm

Pen-y-Cymoedd wind farm is a vast, 228 Megawatt generation project; Its 76 turbines are strung out along the peaks at the headwaters of the Rhondda Fawr, Ogwr Fawr, Afan, Crrowg and Pelenna. They make a striking, and quite beautiful sight along the horizon for many miles: the farm is about 11Km east to west and 5Km north to south.

The route passes close to some of the turbines, their bold, swift shadows caused me to instinctively duck as they rushed through my peripheral vision. Their sound of the disrupted airflow adds a distinct, rhythmic note that harmonises with natural sounds of wind rushing over the hillside.

Many gravel tracks criss-cross through the forests and hillsides, and these would take us to Glyncorrwg, where we would join our friends Jem and Bobby, who were arriving by car, for a few nights of camping and mountain biking.Read more