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Barley Saturday
Did you know that the last Saturday in April is Barley Saturday in Cardigan? This is important, it might be the Million Pound Question, so it could be worth remembering. Barley Saturday is one of those traditions that distinguishes towns from each other in todays homogenised society. And it’s a tradition that is based on…
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Tinkinswood Burial Chamber
Tinkinswood is a stonking big burial chamber by any stretch of the imagination. OK, maybe not in the same league as Maeshowe in the Orkneys, or New Grange in Ireland. But it’s still impressive. The only downside is that unlike the burial chamber at nearby Maesyfelin it does stand out as well. It’s not clearly…
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Maesyfelin Burial Chamber
Sometimes a view looks just right and satisfying. The solid silhouette of Maesyfelin burial chamber outlined against the sky and the rising sun on a cold and frosty Sunday morning felt right. I would like to say that I had walked miles for this lonely and unique view. But that wouldn’t be right. I had…
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How old is a tree? The Defynnog Yew
Can a tree really be over 5000 years old? According to some sources the yew tree in the church yard of St Cynnog’s in Defynnog on the edge of the Brecon Beacons might possibly be older than that. I’ve been wanting to visit Defynnog for some time now, and the weekend seemed like a good…
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Porthcawl to Ogmore and back
The weather at the weekend had turned cold and it looked promising for a short walk along the beach between Porthcawl and Ogmore so we could fill in a couple of gaps along the coastal path. It was sunny when we started, but it soon turned colder, the wind got up and to top it…
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Summer House Point to Barry
I am nothing if not consistent. Consistently late with posting, that is. Autumn is closing and winter is approaching fast, and the dark short days we have in the UK provide an opportunity to look back. Not too far back, mind, only September, to a short walk Aunty I took along the coast between the…
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Llanfair Kilgeddin
Hidden down a single track road is an unprepossessing looking church. But it has hidden treasures, and it is a must visit. Getting there was not that easy, but with the intrepid trio of Aunty, Grandad and myself we bundled along the country roads of Monmouthshire to where I thought the church would be. The name…
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Dryslwyn Castle
August Bank Holiday seems to so long ago now as I look out the window at the rainy and murky weather outside the window. But But it’s always pleasant to remember it doesn’t always rain in Wales. After our visit to The Botanical Garden of Wales and Paxton’s Tower we took the long way back…
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Penarth to Barry – Cliffs, dinosaurs, wireless and coal.
The guidebook for the Wales Coast Path claims the total length is 896 miles. Quite a distance in anyone’s book, and probably one we won’t manage in it’s entirety, but Aunty and I are plugging away with determination. Early September is always a good time for a walk, especially if it’s not raining. This stretch…
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Paxton’s Tower – Egos and Money
High on a hill over looking the Cwm Towy and the meandering Afon Towy stands an improbable memorial to ego and money. A huge gothic tower glowers down on all below it. It’s not old by UK standards and was built by William Paxton in 1795. This is the same Paxton who lived at Middleton…
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 