Coming to the end of my walk this week in the local valley of Cwm Dulais, I reached this abandoned rusty metal doorway in an old wall. It must be well known locally but I am not certain of what it used to be the entrance to – I think I am going to have to do some local historical investigation . . . next stop, the local library.
On this first of three consecutive walks in my local valley of Cwm Dulais, as I returned down one of the lanes towards home, there was what I can only describe as a solar attempt. The sun tried repeatedly to break through the clouds that had blown in gradually as I continued my walk, but alas, was unable to make a lasting impression and it was only by diligent timing and patience that I managed to get this shot.
Pony portraits became the order for the day at this point on my walk this week, the first of three on this valley route up Cwm Dulais. I met a number of ponies en route – not only are they frequently curious about whoever is passing by, they also seem happy to have their photographs taken.
For my walk this week I am looking at the first of three valley walks taken in the same place in the past week during which the weather changed dramatically from one day to the next.
At the end of my walk this week I found myself cold again. Unlike the sheep in the shade of this frosty field, I did not have a thick wooly coat but a few hundred yards earlier I had been hot in the sunshine on top of the hill.
Listen to the soundscape for the walk below and take a look at the image sequence at the same time – I hope find it different to the last time I walked this route in the opposite direction just a few weeks ago.
My walk this week is the same but different to one I posted about just a couple of weeks ago – I walked the same route but in reverse, starting where I finished previously. This is a simple technique commonly used to provide a different perspective on familiar things, but I am sure you will recognise some of the features.
There were other differences of course – this version of the walk took place on a bright frosty morning whereas previously the light had been more muted. Unfortunately I forgot the windshield for my Edirol sound recorder, so there will be less to a soundscape this time round. However, starting in the valley as I did, there was very little wind anyway.
Starting the Walk – Water and Gate
My walk this week was not quite circular but the end point at then of this Cwm Dulais track is only a few hundred metres from my starting point for the walk.
Cwm Dulais track
The sheep that accompanied me on the last stage of my walk were barred from continuing by the effective but simple design of a kissing gate and a cattle grid. My geology walk this week with geographer Geraint Owen and other walkers was both thoroughly enjoyable and informative. The walk was arranged by our local library and I imagine they may be involved again in the arrangements for a second outing to complete the walk route.
gate and route home
Geology Walk Soundscape
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