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Heston Brake
Aunty was away for the weekend and so this gave me the opportunity for some solo exploration of a Neolithic burial chamber not so far from home. Whilst Aunty tolerates my fascination with ancient monuments, it’s not an activity that is actively encouraged. Though I have been accused of having an internal ‘tomb radars as…
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Castell Cynfal
Growing up in Tywyn I had so often passed below Castell Cynfal and thought I must go up there and have a look. Finally after almost 60 years I managed to achieve this minor ambition. The castle sits on a low saddle nestled under the summit of Corlan Fraith, but there is very little to…
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Castell Meurig
Wales is a small country with a huge number of castles. Many of these are spectacular stone structures built by the invading Normans and also by the Welsh princes to protect their lands. However, not all are impressive remains many are just small lumps in the landscape. And Castell Meurig just outside Llangadog is one…
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Sand Castles
There can’t be many places in the UK where you can look down on a Norman castle from the top of a sand dune. You’ll have to look closely at the main photo above to see the castle among the trees. Candleston Castle may not be a major fortress, but as a fortified manor house…
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Grwyne Fawr – forests, hills, saints and revenge.
Today Cwm Grwyne Fawr seems to be a journeys end. The single track road becomes narrower and narrower snaking further into the hills. The farm houses we passed appeared less frequently giving a real sense of sense of remoteness even though this is only a few miles from Abergavenny. However, it was not always thus…
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Ffynnon Issui
Tucked down off the road near a sharp bend, and just above the Nant Mair Ffynnon Issui is one of the better preserved wells I come across in a while. Steps lead down from the road to a small dry stone alter enclosing a square basin which collects water running down from a stream in…
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St Issui Church, Patrisio
This is a long blog post but it is needed as this is an extraordinary church in many ways. Its setting, tucked into the side of a steep hill surrounded by farmland in seeming isolation provides it with a unique feeling of isolation. Though when this church was built there were many more people working…
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Canal to nowhere?
Isn’t it typical, after spending the week gazing out of the office window at wall to wall January sunshine the weekend brought the clouds hiding the sun. But that was not going to stop us. We panned a circular walk from Abergavenny along a canal and back. I like walking along canals, though Aunty less…
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Porth Neigwl – Hell’s Mouth
It’s taken me a while to get around to finishing this post. Aunty and I walked along this stretch of the coast on a cold and windy April day as soon as we could get away after the lifting of the COVID lockdown restrictions at the start of 2021. And it is now almost the…
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St Tudwal’s Lighthouse
On one of pair of small islands laying just off the southern tip of the Lleyn near Abersoch you can find the neat and small St Tudwal Lighthouse. The light was erected in 1877 to mark and protect shipping at the northern end of Cardigan Bay. By lighthouse standard sit’s not that tall at 10.7m…
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 