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

Melingriffith Water Pump, Glamorganshire Canal

Melingriffith Water Pump

Just before the Covid-19 lock-down started we visited the Long Wood Nature Reserve in north Cardiff. Running through the Reserve is part of the old Glamorganshire Canal.

Nearby is the Mellingriffith Water Pump. The pump was built around about 1793 to pump waste water from the nearby tin plate works into the canal to maintain water levels.

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Little Haven Cottages

Little Haven Cottages

I know it’s not really South Wales but I’ve recently been creating some websites for a couple of friends who have seaside cottages to rent in Little Haven in West Wales.

With the Covid-19 pandemic the houses haven’t been available for rent, but will be available again from early July 2020 for a staycation. Though most of the summers dates are already booked.

Little Haven is a great place for a holiday. We’ve been several times for short breaks. The village is quite seaside cutesy, and the beach is great. Little Haven beach is quite small, but extends out and joins up with Broad Haven at low tide, giving you a huge area for fun and games.

These seaside cottages are well worth a look at if you fancy a break in Pembrokeshire, Wales.

Burton House, Little Haven

Crofta Cottage, Little Haven

Little Haven village
Little Haven village

Cardiff Castle

The lioness watches over Cardiff Castle

Cardiff Castle was featured prominently in the news recently. It was the host venue of a dinner at the 2014 NATO Summit held in South Wales in September 2014. It’s a great castle situated right in the centre of the city. The castle has a long history of development from a Roman fort to a Norman castle through to the modern Marquess of Bute incarnation. It has imposing stone walls and a wonderful shell keep in the centre.

Of great interest and held in great affection by the locals is the Animal Wall which was designed by William Burges and built in 1890. The photo shows the lioness which is one of 15 animals that stretch along the wall from the castle tower to the River Taff.

The Castle is well worth a visit and you can even visit the animals for free as you walk along the pavement towards the river. Entrance to Cardiff Castle is quite expensive at £12 for adults. If you do visit make sure you pay the small extra charge for a tour of the Castle itself. It’s well worth it to see some amazing rooms! The tour takes about 50 minutes.

Thanks to Darren Waters for the photo from his Flickr collection. Click on the photo for a better view.

Cardiff Castle is located right in the centre of Cardiff at the west end of the main shopping street of Queen St.

Eisteddfod 2012

Eisteddfod Pink Pavilion

Last week we went to the National Eisteddfod of Wales in Llandow, in the Vale of Glamorgan. We were invited as guests of the Principality Building Society which was very nice. 🙂   The Principality is Wales’ largest mutual building society and is the main sponsor of the National Eisteddfod choral competitions.

The Eisteddfod is a cultural festival and is held annually in Wales. Its location alternates each year between north and south Wales and is normally held at a new site each time. This year Llandow between Cowbridge and Llantwit Major was chosen.

The Eisteddfod is held on the ‘Maes’ which is home to a big pink Pavilion and up to three hundred stands and exhibits. The Pavilion is the focus of competing and ceremonies during the week long event. The whole festival takes place in the Welsh language but it welcomes visitors from all nations and speaking all languages.

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Llantrithyd Church and Manor House

Path approaching St Illtud's Church, Llantrithyd

We stopped off today at Llantrithyd Church. It’s situated in the centre of the rural Vale of Glamorgan half way between Cardiff and Cowbridge. It’s off the beaten track along a small lane that runs from Bonvilston through the countryside eventually ending up in Llantwit Major.

The church appears to date from the 1500s and is a beautiful place. The inside of the church is well worth a visit when it’s open – “Here is a massive 16th century family altar tomb dominating the tiny interior. It retains its colourful paint and gilded detailing and shows a man in armour laying next to his wife, both with their hands together in prayer.” – Wales Online

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