In this week’s episode, we're discovering the joys of walking groups. Back in March Plodcast host Fergus joined up with a gang of hikers from the Crickhowell Walking festival to exploring the history and wildlife of the Black Mountains. We began our adventure at the medieval ruins of Llanthony Priory – under the wise instruction of walk leader Andy Johns… 
 2023's Crickhowell Walking Festival takes place 4-12 March. Click here for more information.  
 Contact the Plodcast team and send your sound recordings of the countryside to: editor@countryfile.com. If read out on the show, you could WIN a Plodcast Postbag prize of a wildlife- or countryside-themed book chosen by the team. 
 Visit the Countryfile Magazine website: countryfile.com 
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176. Out in the Black Mountains with the Crickhowell Walking Festival

BBC Countryfile Magazine brings you The Plodcast - a weekly escape to the British countryside with fascinating guests and the wonders of the great outdoors.
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We're walking on the white sands of Luskentyre on the Isle of Harris. A gentle line of surf teases the beach. Above, a common tern bobs by on its strangely buoyant flight before suddenly plunging like a downed paper aeroplane to catch small fish in the shallows. 
 BBC Countryfile Magazine's Sound Escapes are a weekly audio postcard from the countryside to help you relax and transport you somewhere beautiful, wherever you happen to be. 
 Recorded by Fergus Collins, introduced by Hannah Tribe. 
 Email the Plodcast team – and send your sound recordings of the countryside – to: editor@countryfile.com   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Sound Escape 172. Let the waves of Luskentyre Beach wash all stress away

Enter Rivendell – or what might as well be – a hidden valley on the edge of Eryri (Snowdonia) in North Wales. Plodcast host Fergus takes a nature ramble with the writer Julie Brominicks who lives off-grid with her partner here in a caravan beside a magical stream. 
 Julie is a passionate advocate for the Welsh language and explains how it is interwoven with the landscape, nature and the rural culture of Wales. 
 Produced by Jack Bateman and Lewis Dobbs. Music written and performed by Blair Dunlop. 
 Don't forget you can claim a free copy of BBC Countryfile Magazine – simply head to try.countryfile.com/plodcast and sign up for the latest edition. 
 If you've enjoyed the plodcast, don't forget to leave likes and positive reviews. 
 Contact the Plodcast team and send your sound recordings of the countryside to: editor@countryfile.com. 
 If your letter, email or message is read out on the show, you could WIN a Plodcast Postbag prize of a wildlife- or countryside-themed book chosen by the team. 
 Visit the Countryfile Magazine website: countryfile.com   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

249. Welsh language and landscape with Julie Brominicks

We're on the edge of a settlement on the Isle of Harris - lochs and mountains flow from where the houses end. In the quiet of the morning, a willow warbler sings his descant; turning the music of a mountain stream into birdsong. 
 BBC Countryfile Magazine's Sound Escapes are a weekly audio postcard from the countryside to help you relax and transport you somewhere beautiful, wherever you happen to be. 
 Recorded by Fergus Collins, introduced by Hannah Tribe. Image by Getty. 
 Email the Plodcast team – and send your sound recordings of the countryside – to: editor@countryfile.com   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Sound Escape 171. Relax to the gorgeous melody of a willow warbler

Explore a landscape of craggy mountains, turquoise seas and deep blue lochs on the Isle of Harris in search of rare wildlife – and especially golden and white-tailed eagles. Join Plodcast host Fergus on an epic search for these mighty birds – in a series of wild adventures in the Outer Hebrides. 
 Produced by Jack Bateman and Lewis Dobbs. Music written and performed by Blair Dunlop. 
 If you've enjoyed the plodcast, don't forget to leave likes and positive reviews. 
 Contact the Plodcast team and send your sound recordings of the countryside to: editor@countryfile.com. 
 If your letter, email or message is read out on the show, you could WIN a Plodcast Postbag prize of a wildlife- or countryside-themed book chosen by the team. 
 Visit the Countryfile Magazine website: countryfile.com   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

248. A quest for eagles on the Isle of Harris

It's bright early morning in East Devon, the ground is still damp from the rains during the night but the light brings an optimistic view of the day ahead. You are between open farmland and a small woodland, sitting with your morning brew and drifting away into the morning soundscape of beautiful birdsong. 
 BBC Countryfile Magazine's Sound Escapes are a weekly audio postcard from the countryside to help you relax and transport you somewhere beautiful, wherever you happen to be. 
 Recorded by Jack Bateman, introduced by Hannah Tribe. 
 Email the Plodcast team – and send your sound recordings of the countryside – to: editor@countryfile.com   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

176. Out in the Black Mountains with the Crickhowell Walking Festival

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