Resplendent Old Josiah.

Troserch Woods, Llangennech.

At this time of year it is a  pleasure to walk towards Troserch Woods in Llangennech, along the bye-way that passes the entrance of Troserch Farm. It is a hedged path going up a steep hill and is many hundreds of years old, as testified by how high the fields are on either side. In the early 19th century this was the main road from Llangennech to Llanon and on to Carmarthen, as the more level road that now leads towards the Troserch Woods car-park and Graig Fach Cottage had not yet been built.

The hill is known by the older residents of Llangennech as "Old Josiah". The original Hebrew meaning of Josiah was "Jehovah helps" and you can imagine a wagoner with a full load, praying that he'll get to the top before his sweating horse gives up or looking to the sky as he descends the hill to ask that his cart doesn't get out of control and end up over the deep ravine at the bottom.

 Jehovah's help isn't called upon so much these days as even the mountain bikers, with more gears than they could ever possibly need, make short shrift of the slope; and walkers, with no time restraints, can afford to amble along, enjoying all of what they see around them. Now, in spring, is the best time to enjoy the delights of Old Josiah - when you can walk up through a corridor of stichwort and bluebells, of buttercups and red campion, with bees and butterflies criss-crossing the path in front of you. And, when you finally reach the top, you can have what must be the finest view of the Loughor river that you are ever likely to get.