The Caerphilly mountain tunnel was built in 1871, and is over a mile long. As they would have been using steam trains back then, it required air shafts, there are five in total, this is number 1. I’m guessing air shafts are less of a requirement these days.
Monthly Archives: April 2014
Lime kilns
These are [url=http://www.alltravels.com/united-kingdom/wales/caerphilly/photos/current-photo-81621802]old lime kilns in the wood[/url]s near Caerphilly, where I took the dogs for a walk today.
There is a lot of limestone around here, and these kilns were used to convert it to lime, which was used as soil fertiliser. There is a political dimension to this, as the farmers of west wales who had poor soil, needed lime, and the transport of this was subject to high toll gate charges. This was the instigator (although not sole factor) for the [url=http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rebecca_Riots]Rebecca Riots[/url] of 1839-1843.
The art of dogwalking
A new cafe has opened right in the heart of Fforest Fawr, and with a slight detour, on my dog walk route. In the interest of supporting local business, I shall endeavour to make it a regular stop-off. Here, cappuccino & lemon drizzle cake are sampled.
Sound the alarm
I like this old fire alarm up at the stables. No fancy system just whack a big metal cylinder
Country house
This old shack up in the forest looks as though someone has moved in. I didn’t dare pull back the curtain, it would be intruding. I get the feeling this isn’t the type of country house Blur were singing about.
Brecon western
Today I went horseriding with my daughter up at Cantref in the Brecon Beacons. It was a glorious day, one felt like you could be setting off on a cattle herding expedition.
Blades of glory
It is Easter hols and as I am away next week (in San Francisco), I am at home this week with my daughter. We are having what is now termed a staycation ie not being arsed to go away anywhere. We have a number of activities lined up, today it was ice-skating. I can get around ok, and mastered stopping without hitting something today.
Norwegian church
It’s funny, I haven’t been down the bay for ages, and then am here two days in a row. I did an 18 mile run today (training for the [url=http://www.brathaywindermeremarathon.org.uk/]Windermere marathon[/url]), and pass the [url=http://www.norwegianchurchcardiff.co.uk/]Norwegian Church[/url] there. It provided an excuse to stop, have a drink and take a photo. The sky was markedly different from [url=http://www.blipfoto.com/entry/4223348]yesterday[/url].
Invasion
Was down the bay today as daughter went to see Wicked with her school. These wooden mooring always remind me of sci-fi films where robotic monsters emerge from the sea. Quite fitting as the building at the back is the Doctor Who centre.
Mode de transport
This is all the rage in Wales. Actually they are filming up in the forest [i]again[/i]. It was Wizards vs Aliens a [url=http://www.blipfoto.com/entry/4155652]couple of weeks ago[/url], this is apparently for an episode of Doctor Who featuring “some medieval shit” as the chap informed me.
It must be great working in the locations department in BBC Wales: “I need a forest” “How about Fforest fawr?” “Ok, I need some caves” “Ooh, I know – Fforest Fawr?” “Great, what about somewhere a bit mysterious?” “I think I’ve got this one, Fforest Fawr!” “Fab, that’s lunch!”
