Herb Riddle's photos with the keyword: Govilon

Near the end of our South Wales Govilon trip we paid a visit to the National Coal Museum at Blaenavon, the heart of which, was the pit itself. It was a working coal mine from 1880 to 1980 and opened to the public in 1983. It is one of the few mines that one can travel down the 89m (293ft) shaft to the tunnels below and experience what it may have been like for those, men, women, boys and horses. Unfortunately, for safety reasons neither camera’s not phones were allowed down there. Manned now by very enthusiastic x-miners, we were serenaded down by splendid Welsh choral harmonies. On returning to the surface, heavy rain had set in. My photograph shows a view of the pit itself as it has always been but the surrounding background buildings are far removed from what they were a century ago. The Pip shows the shaft winding house, now run by electricity but in the old days, steam would have been king here. In 1923, 1399 men were employed here. More info: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Big_Pit_National_Coal_Museum Enjoy full screen.

A pleasant rural scene taken whilst walking the canal near Abergavenny. Enjoy the day.

Just about a 15 minute drive from our holiday cottage in Govilon, Wales, we thought it might be interesting to search out some local history. We found this site linked to a fine walk. ‘Established in the late 18th Century near the site of an earlier works and forge, Clydach Ironworks continued operating until 1884 employing at that time 1350 men. In 1986 the site was excavated and partially restored but it was subsequently abandoned. The exposed remains include three furnaces and one charging house, together with the pit for a 12.8m diameter cast-iron water-wheel. The air blast for the original furnaces 1 and 2 was provided by the waterwheel; air for furnaces 3 and 4 being provided by a steam engine. Sited in a beautiful location rich in industrial archaeology, tramroads and pathways, the nearby beech woodlands are some of the oldest in Wales. ‘ Enjoy full screen.

Just a couple of weeks ago we were spending a week’s holiday at a small Welsh village called Govilon. Here we are, in that tall white house by the Monmouthshire & Brecon Canal. I am stood on the road bridge just parallel to this attractive footbridge. The thing we never did was to take a boat ride on the canal but a great spot for many small adventures nevertheless. Wishing you a Peaceful Good Friday and Easter

Enjoy with me this view towards Graig Syfyrddin as seen from near the White Castle on Offas Dyke, Monmouthshire, Wales. It is a 423m high hill with the summit knoll known as Edmund's Tump. Of course it was the lighting that attracted me in this direction. Best full screen.

A pleasant scene along this canal at the small village of Govlion, our home for a week’s holiday. This caught between rain showers and is the scene depicted on the carved bench shown in the last photo. Enjoy full size.

A week spent in a cottage on the banks of this ‘Monmouthshire & Brecon’ canal in Wales gives me ample opportunities for waterside captures. Here is a bench situated just a few metres away from our abode giving you some idea of the layout. The carved title is the Welsh language name of the same canal. The next photo shows the real scene. Enjoy full screen. Have a great day.