Britain's smallest bothy. Overnight at Grwyne Fawr

[@paulwood2329]

I bet what you could hear at night was that log stove cooling down! Nice video. Thank You.

[@CarolKessler-p2z]

More than likely.

[@patriciarossman8653]

Tick...tick...tick..

[@davidhayes8883]

It's well known that this bothy has a ghost. Never does anybody any harm. Stayed there got told by a local to say a prayer and it would not disturb you. Always brought extra wood when I visited. I noticed you never found the hidden Rosary Beads they are under the big rock 32:17 facing the doorway kept in an old plastic bag. You take them inside then put them back as you leave. Good bothy vibes follow you when you leave a gift behind. Loved your account return again this winter for part 2.

[@nigelblockhead80]

A ghost? you believe in ghosts, how old are you? 🤣

[@roywilding3039]

I heard a German pilot bailed out his plane in the battle of Britain, he was caught by two farmer's, who had a struggle with him,and he ended up losing a hand. They never found the hand,its believed to come back at night and crawl around this Bothy.

[@Radchenister]

Was up there late summer, with my son, tent camping, just across the brook from there, on the elevated bit overlooking the reservoir.

[@KhurshidsChannel]

Beautiful. Thank you for sharing.

[@urbanopoggi6241]

Great video. Thanks for sharing

[@taff1538]

Very good video, I enjoyed it, honest experience, love the bothy, thanks for taking the time to share.

[@timbyles4124]

Really informative. Only just found your channel, but will definitely be coming back for more. Keep up the great work. 👍

[@GazingMonkey]

Thanks. I plan a few more bothy trips this year plus more videos walking around exploring.

[@paulturner7829]

Stayed in there back in 1986 ,5 of us .

[@smiley9872]

Brilliant

[@Rong-x2b]

Bull

[@chocomoose394]

Six with the ghost 🙃 👻

[@jsparklies]

My first time seeing your videos. I love that you show the beautiful scenery as you go. I await the video on the priory!

[@smiley9872]

Same

[@GazingMonkey]

Thank you. Llanthony priory video hopefully coming soon.

[@throughtheeyesofachild61_45]

Awesome video thanks so much for sharing this with us all 👍🏻😃

[@iancampbell582]

Thanks mate i enjoyed that. Best wishes from Belfast.

[@Themaysoutdoors61]

Long time since camping at LLanthony. Seen several vids of this tiny bothy and hope to go stay in it one of the days. Beautiful part of wales. Great scenery. Nice video. Ace bothy, love it! 🙂👍Doubt my wife would stay in there if there are mice lol!

[@GazingMonkey]

I'm not sure if there was a mouse in there. I thought I could hear one but zero evidence of it the next morning !

[@JamieHarding5]

Very informative.👍 I'm going there myself soon. Just liked and subscribed. Look forward to more from you.

[@GazingMonkey]

Thanks for subscribing ! I'd recommend carrying as much firewood as is comfortable, you'll appreciate it when you're there. In hindsight, the wood I got from nearby might have been alright once the fire was going full blaze.

[@ecologygarden]

Enjoyed the vid.. especially the walk to the bothy, great scenery.

[@deborahbeswick1396]

Just found you! Loved your adventure. Liked and subscribed immediately. Looking forward to the next one. Best wishes from Oregon ❤

[@carlarthur4442]

Try to get a little tin opener that come with Army ration packs , they just fold up very small but very effective 👌 Great little video, enjoyed it . Thank you .😊

[@niallwalsh6598]

I'm Surprised you didn't know how to open a tin with a knife, instead of hacking your way through it, you push the blade cleanly down into it and repeat that several times so that the cuts join up, probably best to place the can on a chair below you, so it's easier and safer

[@lou4tea]

Wow thats an impressive tiny house you stayed in you were well equipped you were brave staying there lol 💯👍❤️

[@DanHfromWales]

Stayed here in Jan 2021 with 2 mates. I set off from Crickhowell. Over the sugar loaf, down to forest coal pit back up on the hill and ridge walked through rest of the way there. Up on the ridge was the hard part with knee high snow, it was just getting dark as I got to the bothy and I was a little nervous as it was the 1st time visiting and you can't see it from the path. Safe to say my friends had the easy choice of parking the 2 miles south at the car park....

[@GazingMonkey]

The car park is the easy way to do it. I was a bit worried whether my car was safe there overnight so I parked at Llanthony but I enjoyed the hike over the mountain and it all adds to the adventure.

[@DanHfromWales]

​@@GazingMonkeyI've had that feeling, there's nothing in that area that screams crime and vandalism but it's the remoteness that can get you thinking the worst. It's a shame that not all people are decent but I genuinely find that out and about in the hills/wilderness you meet like minding individuals.

[@iancampbell582]

Theres a tin opener on your swiss army knife

[@BimbleWithBruce]

Just found your channel. I've watched a few and looking forward to seeing more (just subscribed too) Keep up the great work I think I'm going to have a look and see if and when I can find this amazing place

[@GazingMonkey]

Thanks for subscribing. That bothy is very cosy once the fire's lit :)

[@BimbleWithBruce]

@@GazingMonkey I'm going to look into it. Need to plan where to park my car safely, gear to take, etc. Can't wait to find the Bothy

[@Gareth769]

nice views and location. also did your swiss army knife not has a can opener ? and watch those ankles in wellys on hills!

[@smiley9872]

Very true

[@denisepeters8551]

Just the fire cooling down,I would have slept on the floor near the fire and you can see whats going on. 😅

[@durbledurb3992]

The little people for sure. If there was a place they'd be these days, it's there 🧚‍♂

[@smiley9872]

🧚‍♀️

[@chriscoyle1221]

The sound could be the metal of the stove contracting as the fire dies and it gets cold.

[@GazingMonkey]

It could be that, it sounded metallic. Or maybe the wind was blowing under the door and rattling something.

[@michaeltellurian825]

Very enjoyable. Thank you!

[@dannykennion8738]

Nice chill video thanks, subbed

[@markallen5764]

IVE WATCHED YOUR VIDEO AND ITS SO SO GOOD..... VERY INTERESTING AND BEAUTIFUL SCENERY... LOVE THE BOFFEY ITS GREAT 👍 PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE BE BLOOMIN CAREFUL WHEN YOUR ON YOUR OWN....YOUR A PROFFESIONAL WALKER BUT JUST TAKE CARE MY GOOD FRIEND 👍 🙏 ❤️ 😊 NEVER SEEN THE BOFFEYS BEFORE AND TOTALLY BRILLIANT BECKY 🇬🇧 🇬🇧 XX

[@scottbroadfoot3530]

Bothy. A Scottish word for a shelter. Usually built of stone and an abandoned or forcibly evicted small holding.

[@GazingMonkey]

Thanks Becky. I've got some more bothy videos planned soon !

[@davideastwood309]

thank you for sharing, loved the video, what an experiance. maybe the noises you heard was your mind playing tricks with you lol. id want to leave a diary notebook there so everyone who uses the bothy can jot down , be sooo interesting to read . brilliant video , subscribed now to you thanks ...

[@GazingMonkey]

There's a visitor's book on the window sill but I forgot to log my visit. I read lots of comments from other visitors, that bothy gets quite a lot of use.

[@hetrodoxlysonov-wh9oo]

You can burn green and wet wood if you have dry wood to get the fire started, it dries the wood put on top of it.

[@Popestarvanlife]

Cracking video just subscribed guess fire going cold creaking wood etc or something spooky lol wouldn’t of left that knife downstairs be in my sleeping bag for sure

[@drewwhy5541]

Great video, I watched Craig from east anglia bushcraft paint this bothy recently.

[@GazingMonkey]

I saw his video. I think he was there about a week after me. The snacks I'd left behind had gone.

[@CMB-pd1qu]

Ghosts for sure!! Knew it as soon as you walked inside 👻👻👻

[@CarolKessler-p2z]

He had to be rubbing elbows with them.

[@stevejohns8753]

Good grief.

[@markallen5764]

THERE IS NOTHING WORSE THAN WELLIES THEY NEVER KEEP YOUR FEET WARM....LOVE THEM LIGHTS AND LOGBURNERS ARE A DELIGHT ESPECIALLY WARMING YOUR FEET 😂😅 BECKY 😊😊

[@CarolKessler-p2z]

Love the video.

[@TheBrotherLouie]

Great vid❤ subscribed👍

[@chriscollier7469]

The black mountains is my favourite walking area. One night I camped outside Llanthony priory and the temperature dropped to minus 12 deg C. The zip on my tent froze and I couldn't get out for a pee. I have walked pass this bothy a few times in fact I didn't know it was one. Thought it was something to do with the reservoir. I'm planning on camping across the river from the bothy in 2025, need to get fit for the british 3 peaks

[@GazingMonkey]

I think the building wasn't a bothy originally, it was built as an office during the construction of the nearby dam and later got adopted by the Mountain Bothy Association when it was disused. If you're camping across the river, there were two fallen trees which should have dried out enough now to be good firewood. Unless they've already been burnt in that stove !

[@stuartsturgess2199]

all in your mind tbh could be the wind ..I worked security nights for a few years and once you start getting worried in the dark it goes on all night ...I would sleep in my van ..slept like a baby lol

[@debthomas2078]

If you had a mouse, those packets would be chewed up. Face it, you spent thr night with a ghost! Not surprising really.

[@GazingMonkey]

I did wonder if I'd dreamt the noise. Anway, a big relief to find no mouse !

[@terryono-ss8he]

woodstove cooling doon thank you for your vidio

[@edwardharrington678]

Very interesting. Would loved to have done that when I was younger.

[@collin6238]

Nice video how do you book this bothy because there could be people there when you arrive

[@GazingMonkey]

You can't book it, you just have to hope it isn't occupied when you get there. Even then, you have a right to stay since it's a public refuge. The best chance of getting it empty is a weekday, I imagine most people will stay on Friday or Saturday nights.

[@Danny-hp9fx]

Throughly enjoyable 👍

[@Jez-explores-outdoors]

New sub here just came across you on here .great vid relaxing content to watch great escapism cheers.

[@GazingMonkey]

Thanks very much. I've just watched your Polish Lavvu and your fatwood video. I wish I could find fatwood as easily as you do. I saw off the low pine branches like you do but there never seems to be much fatwood there :(

[@Jez-explores-outdoors]

if your ever in the wye valley area give me a shout and i will take you out on a fat wood gathering walk.. cheers. @@GazingMonkey

[@GazingMonkey]

I live in the Wye Valley - I'm in Hereford ! I'll gladly take up your offer of fatwood hunting. Drop me a message at [e-mail]

[@pauloakes5718]

Was it the fire cooling down?

[@colinjohnson9442]

Hello could you tell me what camera's you use ? The quality is excellent thanks from c J

[@GazingMonkey]

I used a DJI Pocket 3 for the handheld shots and a Sony RX100 for some of the walk-past shots.

[@Gemsurbangarden]

If you cut the wet wood up and left it inside would it dry out for the next people?

[@GazingMonkey]

I should have done that, leave it as a gift for the next people who stay.

[@dicbev]

A beautiful part of Wales - try it in the summer too.

[@daviddavies5179]

More of these videos nice 1 ❤

[@mdirckinck9469]

Can someone explain to me what is Bothy ?

[@GazingMonkey]

They're refuges in remote places that are open to anyone who needs them. They're maintained by the Mountain Bothy Association and are potential life savers for hikers who get caught in bad conditions.

[@Normanskie]

Crikey, haven't been to Llanthony since 1984, used to stay on the plot where the cottages are on Met and his wifes land.

[@jezlucas3878]

Stunning

[@terry5123]

Loved the video if you go again maybe you could fit something on the door to close the would be mouse gap 👍

[@GazingMonkey]

Possibly though I think that gap might have been cut deliberately for air flow to the fire. A fire in such a confined space has a risk of carbon monoxide.

[@Greg-eq7pf]

It's been painted recently by the amazing bothy maintenance guys and also East Anglian Bushcraft fella who happened upon them whilst visiting. Great video by the way, have subscribed. Keep getting out there ✌️

[@GazingMonkey]

I saw that video, I think they were there about a week after me. I noticed the snacks I'd left had gone ! I follow East Anglian Bushcraft anyway so it was a nice surprise to see him in the bothy so soon after I was.

[@johndumarney1630]

They slept in it, the paint was still wet! They got smothered in it.

[@Blackhawk364]

This is my favorite video. I love them.all but you must have a favorite and this one is mine.

[@GazingMonkey]

Well this one is certainly the most popular ! I think my Elan Valley video is my favorite but sadly it's hardly getting any views :(

[@Blackhawk364]

@@GazingMonkey sorry to hear that. I thought it was great. The views were spectacular.

[@peterq1978]

if you are walking, take some Scottish Tablet, Kendall Mint Cake or at a stretch, chocolat, all 3 packed with sugar to kee you going till you can get some hot food or carbs.

[@nanslife]

Omg it's so cute, and gorgeous country.

[@paulf2529]

I have visited this a number of times and had a coffe but never stayed overnight.

[@patrickbaker1470]

Spent the night in there a few months back, cracking little bothy.

[@footoomsh2]

I think that it is easier to take a small section of rope and drag wood -it's much easier. My verson was my dogs lead - pefect for cinching up several logs and stagging them

[@shaungillingham4689]

Probably was the metal chimney cooling down!

[@mraidymaddful]

Great video. I thought it was good that you gave thanks to the Bothy Gods.

[@GazingMonkey]

I'd like to go back there some time and leave a few more items. Some detergent and a sponge for example because, although I swept the floor, I wasn't able to clean the table very well.

[@jacquelinetaylor8683]

Nice vid but I hope you left some chopped wood in there ready for the next visitor. They might be arriving in the dark on a bad night when dry wood would be very appreciated.

[@Evasapprentice]

Poltergeist! Bothies are notoriously spooky!

[@tonylelli3057]

Stayed there way back in 1952. Hasn’t changed a bit. 😂

[@collin6238]

How do you book the bothy

[@grahamwishart4832]

You can't book them... First come first there

[@TeemoRat-fi2bq]

@Funkyprepper does not approve of your sleep system, says he will be around tonight for the free food hahaha.

[@Francisco_CS]

Did you not see the sheep at 30:52 ?

[@GazingMonkey]

I didn't see it at the time, I only noticed it when you pointed it out and I rewatched that part of the video.

[@irenecontreras3247]

Should have put your thermometer with hot water in your sleeping bag to keep you warm.

[@johnnyboy63100]

Single Malt, good man lol....

[@CarolKessler-p2z]

Had to look up bothy. Small cottage.

[@damianbutterworth2434]

Take a telescope with you for a cloudy warm night.

[@stanwaterman7553]

How many hours do you waste setting up your cameras!

[@GazingMonkey]

This video wasn't too bad because most of the shots were handheld. My Malvern Hills video used more walk-past and drone shots and took a lot of extra time.

[@hashtagvanlife]

Stayed the night here with my girlfriend a few years back. Bloody freezing - couldn't get a fire going, minus 2 inside. Would have been warmer in a tent!

[@Greg-eq7pf]

Good to carry a little bit of firelighter of various types in a tin. Of course I'm assuming that was the problem but if it was raining persistently then firelighter or no firelighter it's a battle to light wet wood

[@chrisfs150]

"Couldnt light a fire" In all honesty no business being in the great outdoors then really...

[@richardpack8655]

I just hope noone goes there after being stranded lost and hungry and you took the baked beans i wonder did you leave anything 🤔

[@spudmurphy9264]

Curious about rhe houses you heard 👻😱

[@spencerh2860]

Did you both perform the natural obligation ?

[@lorig4871]

Cat ?

[@uktony1525]

Looking forward to the Llanthony Priory video.

[@andrewwheeler8591]

Blimey, 1st light the stove and get some heat going on!

[@chrisdunkley8055]

Allways have moccasin slippers and thin socks for when the boots come of, cold damp feet are the worst thing just saps the heat out of you

[@GazingMonkey]

I think I'll do that next time, a lesson learnt the hard way.

[@stuart23969]

Always carry at least 2 spare pairs of socks and boxers they weigh nothing really

[@CarmelAV]

Reallly enjoyed your video. I recomend a hot water bottle.

[@robsadventures4653]

Rubber wellies for hiking

[@grahamwishart4832]

And jeans...

[@barbaracameron-smith7093]

So comforting viewing your shelter in a storm, however tiny. New Zealand mountaineers of old called out of the weather shelters under rocks 'bivies'. Perhaps there's a linguistic connection.

[@GazingMonkey]

I think they're from different roots. Bivvy is short for bivouac, a French word for a temporary camp. I think bothy comes from Gaelic / Brythonic but I'm guessing a bit.

[@johndumarney1630]

It's not noises. but feelings, you know when you are not alone!, be brave.

[@johndumarney1630]

I should add, be brave, talk to them.

[@greggoodes]

Stack the " green wood " around the fire place.

[@GazingMonkey]

I should have done that. In fact the green wood probably would have burned if I'd fed it into the fire 50/50 with the dry wood. Lessons learned !

[@johnhiggins9020]

I see this all the time more likes than subscribers, it doesn't cost anything just to subscribe.

[@EggnogonthebogProductions]

It was not a mouse. It was a ghost.

[@welshbeekeepers8275]

Pronounced (phonetically) groin-y vow-rr

[@philbebbington1755]

Diolch ! What about the LL ? Le gach dea guí ó Éireann (with every good wish from Ireland)

[@seanbarlow1719]

Frightening to think that people are going into the Welsh hills in winter without any basic mountaineering knowledge or enough kit to survive adverse winter conditions. For years people have been avoiding drinking water in the direct vicinity of a bothy for one reason and one reason only. The same reason there’s a spade in the gaff. If you get to the smallest bothy in Wales and it’s already full where will you sleep?

[@eileenspamer]

we ladies like to see the rustic inside and a doggie or two uk granny

[@andrewwhite2449]

It's boo nah haben in phonetic , its a west Scots single malt and its very nice.😊

[@roywilding3039]

Half a bottle and he'd of slept until mid morning, you have to have a radio, what do you think radio 3 and the world service at night is for.

[@toritori4430]

Look up the beehive bothy .

[@lily-l4u]

is it just me or does this bothy need to be really cleaned? I mean really cleaned. At 26:15 there's a huge spider web stuck to your hat. and about the mice: this is exactly why I want to train my cat to camp with me. Seriously.

[@GazingMonkey]

It could use a scrub, that's for sure. There's a brush for sweeping and I swept the floor before I left but there's nothing there to actually clean with. If I visit it again, I'll leave a couple of sponges and a bottle of washing up liquid. It would have been nice to wash the table and windowsill before I left. No evidence of any mice luckily.

[@lily-l4u]

@@GazingMonkey great to hear. It's sad when people let places like this decay or "go". I'm glad to hear it's functional and loved the video...I always love hearing you talk about the places you are in. Really appreciate the videos - thank you for taking all of us with you.

[@AlGorithm-n6q]

Nice video. By the way, Grwynne Fawr is pronounced Groin Vawr.

[@philbebbington1755]

Diolch !

[@AlGorithm-n6q]

@@philbebbington1755 Croeso.

[@lindasharp8523]

Spell it like that then 😅😂😅

[@simon-ls6lp]

use neoprene wellies not cheap dunlops

[@ellensears]

The place is haunted😢😢😢

[@AlexJacksonTempleSounds]

You shoukd have gathered more wood and warmed your feet! Crazy to have cold feet for hours

[@smiley9872]

Light the stove already!

[@sailorwinxgirl]

Cute bothy

[@Smog104]

It’s a bit minging

[@riverwesthunter8100]

Mate where you were standing on the track saying it’s quarter to three, I know for a fact it more than 15 mins walk from that spot to the bothey and then a few clips later you say it’s a 3 mins walk in when your blatantly 10 mins . Little tip mate, don’t wear jeans in the hills cause if they get wet they take will long to dry and also can cause problems on the inside of the legs, and get yourself some proper boots for ankle support not wellies mate . Where you are there things can go wrong quickly up there, so alway make sure you got the right kit just in case the shit was to hit the fan.

[@SuzieDetectsUK]

👻 not 🐁 ☺️