A view from Llangatwg Quarries

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A map can only hint at the view a location offers: the reality is invariably better. This thought came to mind as I zoomed my lens in and out looking across the landscape north from Llangatwg quarries. The view I settled on has Penallt farm with its surrounding pastures, sheep and lambs at the bottom of the frame, the line of conifers at what appears to be another farm called Fedw, and beyond, on the far side of the hidden Usk Valley, the lower slopes of the mountains at the western edge of the Brecon Beacons - also dotted with farms, houses and sheep a-plenty.

photo © T. Boughen     Camera: Lumix FZ1000 2

Climbers, Llangatwg disused quarries

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A recent walk with our children and grandchildren found us at the disused quarries at Llangatwg above Crickhowell and the Usk Valley of Wales. The area, called Llangattock in English, was extensively quarried in the nineteenth century to provide limestone for iron-making, for "sweetening" the land, and for making whitewash, among other uses. A series of tramways were used to deliver the limestone to the canal and other locations.

Today much of the cliffs, spoil heaps and the higher plateau is an open-access area and nature reserve. We saw plenty of ravens, common buzzards, red kites,wheatears and a noisy pair of peregrine falcons. We also came across climbers making use of the worked cliff faces.

photos © T. Boughen     Camera: Lumix FZ1000 2