Tumbling river and tangled footpath

Near Gladestry (11/12/23)
The sun was shining,
we scrambled down the squelchy
leaf-mould, mulch-carpet sloping floor of the riverside wood.
(There had been so much rain in recent days)
The little river was in flood
– the whole valley echoed with the
tumbling, rushing cascade of water-sound.
A beautiful lichen art-piece lay fallen on the leaf-litter mulch.
Crossed on the little footbridge,
and then over the field of the valley floor,
past the munching sheep.
Brightly-lit hills closely surround.
Found a way in to the path along the edge of
Glan-yr-afon wood.
But it hadn’t been used recently.
Saplings had arisen, and branches fallen,
adventurous bramble entwined across,
and for many sections it was full of low bramble growth.
Not impassible, not impossible with
stamping boots and slashing stick,
progress sure but slow:
pioneer explorers.
‘Shall we climb the steep bank into the wood proper?’
The ground became crumbly and the top looked tangled –
retreated carefully back.
Waded through the last deep patches of bramble.
(Nearly impassible, not quite impossible)
On reaching the gate, we noticed its little yellow band
(footpath marker) and on checking online maps
on tablet, we were, truly, at the entry to the marked footpath!

A delightful walk!