I guess we all have it, that place we always return to time and time again. It can be the beauty, remoteness, silence or any number of things that draw us there time after time.

Whenever I feel the need for a few days of isolation, just me and whatever skills I have aquired, I head off for a very special spot in the heart of Wales. A quiet and remote valley, totally unspoilt and rarley visited. I have my spot there. I take the bare minimum with me and my biggest luxury is a Katadyn waterfilter. I sometimes take a tent, sometimes a tarp and sometimes just a sleeping bag and bivibag. Once in a blue moon I take nothing but an axe a cooking pot, mug and a fire steel. I always take some flour and butter, as well as the makings for a decent cup of coffee.

The things I like best about this place are, the river, which is clear as crystal and ice cold even in the height of summer. I always have a good dip every morning, even when I've been there in deep winter and the water tastes great (after filtering). The water fall just by where I set up is beautiful and the beautiful old oak tree by he little headland (where I sleep) overlooking the river is magnificent.

I know others visit here sometimes as there is a slate hearth that someone has built and which still had some residual heat in it one time, but I've yet to meet anyone there. I actually don't want to meet the other users of this place as I go there specifically for alone time, to test myself and see how long it takes to miss the company of others. I have stayed there for 11 days before and not hankered for company and seen not a soul. But when I leave I feel alive, vital and peaceful.

I guess there is someone out there who knows this place, but I will not be sharing the location.

lonewanderer