Mon and Brec Canal

Llangynidr Depot Lock Basin

I’ve recently started as a volunteer lock keeper on the Monmouthshire and Brecon canal at Llangynidr. Not knowing that much about the canal I decided to research it all as the basis for a new website about the canal. There are some great resources out there about the canal, so the website just builds on what’s already been done. The website focuses more on contemporary photos of the main locations on the canal.

It’s still a work in progress but worth a visit I think – Mon and Brec Canal

Tufa cliffs at Cwm Nash Beach

We went down Cwm Nash last weekend.

This photo is at the end of the Cwm (valley) looking back inland. It’s quite interesting because all of the rock either side here (out of view) is grey liassic limestone that weathers to a light buff colour. But all of the buff coloured cliff face here is post glacial tufa. Tufa is a calcareous deposit. All of the cliff that you can see here is lime that has precipitated from the valley stream since the last ice age – only about 12,000 years ago. So the cliff has slowly built up from the stream. The stream is currently quite small and now comes out of the bridge structure over to the right.

Read more

Cardiff Bay Wetlands Reserve

St David's Hotel, Cardiff Bay from across the Cardiff Bay Wetlands ReserveThe Cardiff Bay Wetlands Reserve is an area of piece and quiet right in the middle of Cardiff Bay.   It was formed from the salt marshes and mud flats on the edge of the Bay in front of Windsor Esplanade after the bay was permanently flooded.

There was some concern that when the Cardiff Bay barrage was built that the wildlife would all leave but the Wetlands Reserve has proved to be a popular area.

Although totally man-made it has become a haven for birds in the Bay.

It also provides a quiet place to walk or cycle just away from the hustle and bustle of the Bay.

Read more

Pennard Castle and Three Cliffs Bay, Gower

View across Three Cliffs Bay, GowerOver the Christmas holiday period we had a trip to Pennard on the Gower.  We walked across the Pennard Golf Course to the ruins of Pennard Castle. The ruins date from the 13th century.

If you fancy the walk to the castle then park in Linkside Drive (marked on this map). Park near the village shop.

As you walk across the golf course and the sand dunes then you get a great view across to the headland at Oxwich.

As you walk a bit further then you come to the castle itself. It’s an impressive ruin and is doing well for itself considering that it’s over 700 years old!

Read more