12/01/2019
10/19/2019
10/14/2019
Woodland pictures from early October
The views are changing daily around here, leaves are falling fast and waterfalls and streams are overflowing. Suspect next weeks view of this same walk will be completely different again!
Rainy Day Elan Valley
this Dam above is Pen y Garreg Dam - I think it is probably the most photographed out of all four main dams as its sat in amongst stunning scenic views and the road curves around it! You can go on open days up the inside wall and in to that tower! If you are much braver than me.
looking just like a bridge with a road on, this is Garreg Ddu Dam, a completely submerged dam. There were two flooded valleys to cause this reservoir, and numerous buildings and houses. I find it a little eerie if I think about that too long. In fact over 100 people were 'moved' and rehoused in the Elan valley for the building of all the reservoirs. Two mighty fine large country houses were also submerged, both of which were connected to the poet Shelley.
The dams are beautiful, amazing feats of engineering from back in the early 1890s, but the countryside around here is something else. The river is gorgeous and the autumn colours merely accentuate it.
Elan Valley Visitors Center
It IS raining. I know the title of the blog tells you it isn't always but it certainly was today...
Luckily reservoirs and waterfalls always look better after/during rain, when full to bursting. And bracken takes on a whole new glow when wet. Its just a bit damp for the photographer ...
There are four main dams in the Elan valley, supplying Birmingham - many miles away - with fresh drinking water. this great wall of a damn is Caban-coch – 35,530 megalitre capacity apparently and is, for those of us with an irrational fear of any water that isnt a hot shower, equal parts terrifying and beautiful. The noise is something else!
09/19/2019
Rise up.
If you get up at 7.30 you will have missed all the colours in the sky. Incredibly brief oranges and pinks that creep above the house until it can finally reach the mountains behind us, turning them pink. Awesome. I am grateful to see it every single time.
