Our South Wales Valleys waterfall tour (see previous posts this week) also took us to Melincwrt Waterfall. A popular and easily accessible waterfall near Resolven on the A465, it was fairly gentle when we visited as the weather had been relatively dry. We were told we must visit again after a period of rain – shouldn’t be too long waiting then!
Some of these photos are available for sale at the StillWalks PhotoShelter site.
Yesterday afternoon I had the need to get on top of things. Without going into details, the answer for me was to climb our local mountain, Graig Fawr.
Even on the lower slopes of the mountain you get a great view over the valley but as I climbed higher this view got better and better. Skylarks twittered above me and I got a good close view of a pair of Red Kites. Up on top the wind was exhilarating and, at least momentarily, my troubles were blown away. Seeing the land and the weather on this scale has a tendency to put other issues into perspective.
Despite its name (fawr means big in Welsh), the mountain is only small but for all that you get a great view over four or five counties in South Wales. I had deliberately not taken my cameras or sound kit as it was the walk and the climb that I needed. However, I couldn’t resist taking one or two shots on my phone. I have not produced a StillWalk on Graig Fawr yet but I think that time is coming soon.
Graig Fawr
Graig Fawr Triangulation Point
Looking to Carmarthenshire
Light and Dark Over Wales
The Maritime Quarter in Swansea has been in development for many years. We used to have a studio there and watched much of the current architecture being constructed.
The view from the 27th floor of the Meridian Tower is almost as good as that from Brynmill or Kilvey Hill – except, of course, when it is in mist! Whether this building is included in a StillWalk of the area remains to be seen.
Moving up from the beach
Swansea Bay Sculpture
Meridian Tower, Swansea
Meridian Tower, Swansea
Meridian Tower, Swansea
Meridian Tower, Swansea
Can anyone guess the answer? During a recce walk near Llanpumsaint in Carmarthenshire, Wales earlier this week, we came across some interesting and unexpected evidence of . . . something!
The answer will be posted tomorrow 🙂
This is the setting, the heart of Wales
This is the view
The evidence
More evidence
Still reflecting on the Winter Lakeside Walk, here are two more images from Llyn Llech Owain. You can watch this StillWalk on the website.
How to pronounce Llyn Llech Owain . . . the double “Ll” at the start of Llyn and Llech is pronounced something like the Scottish “ch” in the word “loch”, but in Welsh it comes a bit more from the cheeks and with a lot more spit (saliva)! The “ch” at the end of Llech is pronounced like the Scottish “ch” in loch. In the word “Llyn”, the “yn” is pronounced “een” and in the word “Llech”, the “e” is pronounced “ay”. The name Owain is pronounced “Oh-wine” – Lleen Llaych Oh-wine.
Got all that? Have fun 🙂 If any Welsh out there feel I have got this wrong or can describe the pronunciation more clearly, I would be very happy to hear from you.
Reflections
This new StillWalk in Winter from Llyn Llech Owain, “Winter lakeside Walk” is one where I caught the early birds and the sunrise – not difficult when the days are so short.
I uploaded the walk just a week ago and it is one I really enjoy. I am going to put some photos from it on my blog through this week and would love it if people took a look at the video itself. Just click the link above or either of the images to go straight to StillWalks Winter Walks.
The StillWalks videos are free to view on a small scale but if anyone is interested in seeing any of them in full scale high definition, just contact me – the prices are on the website.
Sunrise
Across the Water
I’m thinking of making this a new category!
I think all residents of Wales finally give up waiting (either for the first or the umpteenth time) and decide to kit up and get out in spite of the rain.
Today was, unbelievably, dry and even sunny at times – but we had other things to do than go for a walk. However, yesterday was wet and we needed to get out of the house. So off we went to Lower Lliw Reservoir and in spite of the rain, had a really nice walk. It even dried up slightly towards the end as proved by these photos from my iPhone again.
Time to Pause – This is largely what StillWalks is about – taking the time necessary to keep calm and not get too stressed. Whether it be relaxing at the end of the day or taking 5 minutes out in the middle of the working day, StillWalks can be both enjoyable and a useful alternative to actually getting out there for a real walk.
The queue of things to do – There never seems to be enough time to do all that I want or is necessary. So, considering what I have just said about StillWalks, I have decided to make a priority completing the four or five StillWalks that are half way through the post production stage by the end of September. The production days for these walks date back to the middle of March and completing them should be a priority because this is work I enjoy doing and, like taking a real walk or watching a StillWalk, has it’s therapeutic value.
Current explorations – In the meantime I have been enjoying finding a new place to produce a StillWalk – Singleton Park in Swansea and its botanic garden. I joined Martin Humphreys and others last Wednesday for a Bees and Butterflies walk through the botanic garden – it was very enjoyable and relaxing. The walk will take place again next Wednesday at 10 AM – anyone interested should meet at the botanic garden entrance in the park. Enjoy the photos from my phone below.
Singleton Park, Swansea
Singleton Park Botanic Garden
Singleton Park Botanic Garden
Singleton Park Botanic Garden
Singleton Park Botanic Garden
Singleton Park Botanic Garden
Singleton Park Botanic Garden
Singleton Park Botanic Garden – Twisted tree