-
Romans in desolate places – Tomen y Mur
On the bleak wind swept slopes above Llyn Trawsfynydd in Meirionydd lay the remains of a Roman fort and amphitheatre. It’s an unexpected find on the slopes of Mynydd Maentwrog, among the fields and sheep, surrounded and over looked by the rugged peaks of the Rhinog Fach and Rhionog Fawr brooding along the horizon to…
-
What have the Romans ever done for us? Caerleon on the Welsh 100 – No 16
There were only three legionary fortresses in Roman Britain: Caerleon, Chester and York. Caerleon was the permanent garrison base for the II Augustian Legion and was the main base for the subjugation of the Silurians, the tribe who resided in this area. They put up quite a resistance over a number of years…
-
Three Cliffs Bay
36 hours ago I was in South Africa coping with temperatures in excess of 30C. Today the temperature was 6C but the sun was shining. A great day for a walk along the coast at Three Cliffs Bay. This is Aunty’s favourite and in the summer it is a great place for the day. The…
-
The oldest cinema in Wales – 100 Things to do in Wales Number 15
Last weekend we went to the pictures. Not very noteworthy you may say, but there you would be wrong. This trip was to Wales’ oldest cinema in Brynmawr. It has shown films since 1911, and unlike so many other small independent picture theatres it is still drawing the crowds. It is now named after the…
-
Sugarloafs and not a calorie consumed
The weather at the weekend shouted out that Aunty and me had to go out and climb a hill. The weather was that good. Not far from us is a great little hill called The Sugarloaf. Why? Well it apparently looks like a sugarloaf. Though very few people today have ever seen a sugarloaf, let…
-
Pembrey, Birds and Autumn Light
The wales their forecast promised us a fair weekend. Cloudy but with sunny periods. What it didn’t forecast was the heavy showers, strong winds and a dropping temperature. But did we let that stop us? Absolutely no! We’re staying at the caravan park just on hedge of Pembrey County Park. Just to the west of…
-
Dylan Thomas and Laugharne: 100 things to do in Wales 14
A quick weekend stay at Pembray gave us the chance to visit Laugharne as a follow on from our visit to the National Library in Aberystwyth. The weather forecast was for a day with sunshine and clouds. After a morning dodging the rain we arrived at Laugharne in time for lunch. And where else is…
-
Llyn Vyrnwy: 100 Things to do in Wales Number 13
After being blown about at the top of Bwlch y Groes we followed the narrow winding road down to Llyn Vyrnwy. Life must have been tough up here before modern conveniences, and I image it still would be. I would not envy anyone farming up this high on such marginal lands. The only option is…
-
Llanymawddwy – A hidden gem.
Down a narrow country road leading into a beautiful valley near the border between the old counties of Merionethshire and Montgomeryshire, is a small village called Llanymawddwy. The steep slopes of the valley walls lead to Aran Fawddwy, which at 905m is the highest mountain in Mid Wales. Fawddwy means “place of spreading water”, an…
-
Bwlch y Groes: Welsh 100 #12
At 545 metres, 1788 feet, Bwlch y Groes (Pass of the Cross) is one of the highest public road mountain pass in Wales. It lies on minor roads linking Dinas Mawddwy (via Llanymawddwy), Llanuwchllyn and Lake Vyrnwy. We weren’t very confident that we be able to see much as we drove up the road. It…
Travels With My Aunt
Random notes on the travels of a Welshman who has been allowed out to play after finishing his chores. OK so I don't travel with my Aunt, but I am usually under the adult supervision of my long suffering wife.
Travels With My Aunt 