Hill pasture by the Afon Doethie Fawr in Ceredigion

Image: © Roger D Kidd Taken: 24 Jul 2004

Looking north-east towards Ty'n Cornel hostel, on the former drovers' road linking Llanddewi Brefi and Abergwesyn. The hostel is still owned here by the YHA. Its rusty and "fierce" green shed was a landmark for many years, "brightening up" the view in this attractive and remote valley. It burnt down in 2007 and was replaced. The YHA relinquished the hostel* in 2007 to the Elenydd Wilderness Hostels Trust, who continue (2024) to operate the comfortable bunkhouse successfully. https://www.elenydd-hostels.co.uk/en The large open sided sheep shed was built in the 1960s or early 1970s and belongs to the landowner. Behind the camera and off to the left a public bridleway to Coli crosses the river (not possible on foot after heavy rain, probably not possible on horseback at any time, no bridge, though there is a proper modern rider friendly gate on the south side of the river if you get that far). * By this time the YHA was rapidly abandoning its principal function as accommodation enabling young people "of limited means" to travel, in favour of its "everything provided activity centre" for kids model - often schools and organised groups only, usually cutting out availability completely for travellers requiring a one night stay. Obviously remote hostels such as this one could not fit in to that scenario. That did not prevent the inept and money wasting YHA administration sending hundreds of pounds worth of promotional materials encouraging the take up of hostel provided meals, to ALL hostels in Wales, including this one which had NEVER provided meals, and never could. Self catering only! They did this in July 2007, knowing full well, and even having announced that they would be closing the hostel permanently in October 2007. Blaencaron and Dolgoch hostels also had a delivery.The material came in three large boxes. The courier driver was from Wolverhampton (I had even taught one of his nephews!). He spent two whole days transporting these packages from a depot in Telford. I did display (and ridicule) the materials at Ty'n Cornel.

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