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Another day - another walk around Llanelli area - this time - Sandy Water Park
The Llanelli Coastal Park Walk provides some wonderful scenery on the grounds of the old Steelworks, and before that - the old Mott and Bailey of Old Castle Works which may very well go back to pre Roman times.. and in my case some memories of the are over the last thirty five years.
We start today by Old Castle Ponds, at the base of the Agen Bridge. Where the cast iron sign post tells us that we are on route 47 - the chain links at the base holding up the details "Swansea 17 miles" Tumble 17 miles"
Climbing the unofficial pathway by the signpost up onto the Agen Bridge crossing the busy relief road from Weslec Roundabout to Union Bridge. Known officially as the Pont Agen Bridge.
I note the details from the Council deliberations:
INTRODUCTION
1.1. The Leader of the Council has received a letter from the Clerk to Llanelli Town Council suggesting that the new bridge over the B4304 at Sandy Waterpark be named "Pont Agen" and that the Mayor of Agen be invited to undertake the official unveiling.
2. BACKGROUND TO THE REQUEST
2.1. Members, I believe are already aware, during a recent visit to Llanelli's twin town of Agen in France, the Agen Council magnanimously named a street in the commercial sector of the town "Rue Llanelli", to mark the tenth anniversary of the twinning link between the two towns.
2.2. The Llanelli Town Council's Twinning Committee have now discussed the desirability of reciprocating this gesture and resolved that a request be made to the County Council for the new cycle/pedestrian bridge over the B4304 at Sandy Water Park to be named "Pont Agen".
2.3. Members of the Town Council considered that it is particularly appropriate for a bridge to be named in this fashion in view of the symbolic image which the bridge represents of the link that has been forged between the two towns of Agen and Llanelli.
2.4. A further pertinent point that influenced Members of the Town Council in their decision was the fact that they have extended an invitation to the mayor of Agen and some of his colleagues to visit Llanelli during the Eisteddfod week. As the bridge is scheduled to be completed before the Eisteddfod, the Town Council consider that it would be extremely opportune for the Mayor of Agen to be invited to undertake the official unveiling.
2.5. Members will be aware that the Millennium Coastal Park Board is considering names for the facilities/locations across the park. This bridge is located just outside the park and forms part of the Council's Llanelli and Coastal Corridor Sustainable Access Strategy which is being funded by Transport Grant Package Funding from the National Assembly of Wales. Due to the proximity and linkage of the bridge to the Millennium Coastal Park I have consulted the Project Director, Mr G Phillips, over this issue. He has confirmed that he has no views on the name as long as it says "Pont D'Agen or something Welsh and French".
2.6. If the Town Council's request meets with Members approval, I will then proceed to discuss the practicalities with the Town Clerk.
3. RECOMMENDATION
3.1. That the new cycle/pedestrian bridge is named "Pont Agen" and that Committee agree to the Town Council's suggestion that the Mayor of Agen be invited to undertake the official unveiling.
But from my point of view - it is a safe route across a busy road to the Millennium Park and Sandy Water Park.
Once across the bridge, one of the many sculptures raises its head. The leek and the daffodil. On a dark winter morning it is difficult to distinguish the bright colours of the green and the yellow - but they are stark in the skyline...
As you walk around the water edge, a large mound appears ahead of you - with a strange structure on top . To the right are some standing stones, not old and ancient, I have walked here for many years without seeing any stones.. but all paths lead up to the pile on thepinnacle.
Looking down from the top - we can see the Pwll end of the lake.
The Sculpture itself appears to be a pile of ingots - cast in stone rather than steel.
The plaque reads:
" Sandy Water Park..
Steel making commenced on this site in 1897 when the Llanelly Steel Company built their works on land reclaimed from the sea.
The Works underwent considerable expansion over the years and with the introduction of electric arc furnaces in 1978becameon of the most modern plants inEuropeprior to closure in 1981
The site was acquired in 1984 and developed into a water park by the Llanelli borough council and the welsh development agency as part of the coastal regeneration scheme."
But there are excellent views over the water park from the top...
looking back towards the railway and the sea - views out towards the Gower are dramatic. But of course as they say in Llanelli "If you can see the Gower from here - it is going to rain .. If you can't see the Gower - then it is raining !!"
Walking down from the sculpture there are benches and tables for the walker - though these days it seems that cyclists are more likely to be whizzing past at break neck speeds and bright in their Hi Vis Jackets. This table and seating is in the shape of a leaf and small leaves as seats. Sadly, one has been snapped off and not repaired...
Down to the water levels. In summer there are often signs warning of algaen bloom - poisons in the water from the early days of steel working I think - though how no-one thought that digging a pond on the site of a steelworks could ever provide fresh water!! I used to Wind-surf across this water, before they built the houses to watch my embarrassment !!
Now - we have the home for many swans - and this time of year they give due warning to the passer by that they do want too close a proximity.
Of course - over the later years - the houses have been built and then we had the Sandpiper - a pub with food on the site .
and then in 2012 - the final straw - a hotel on the site - Welcome to Travelodge !!
And that takes us around the whole of the park - back to the Bridge - to Weslec roundabout which I hear is soon to be a skateboard rink - but that is for the future - this is 2013 - January ... So some final views of the walk ..
Enjoy Llanelli. Enjoy the Scenery. Enjoy how history is changing.
Monday in January. The Wales Coast Path website proudly proclaims :
Sandy Water Park & The Mabinogion Woods Sculpture Trail Millennium Coastal Park, Llanelli SA15 2LF.
Large lake with interesting birdlife and numerous Swans, including a trail through the woods with Mabinogion inspired sculptures.
This morning I strolled across the Agen Bridge into Sandy Water Park, once home of the Steelworks, now part of the coastal cycle path SUSTRANS, and part of the Millennium Coastal Path, the "Carmarthenshire Bit" as they say on the website. Considering that we have had the wettest year in history according to the pundits, this was the seventh day of the new year where I managed to walk without need for waterproofs. But this morning I was concerned with the heroic age or mythological past of the British Isles, the eleven stories of the Mabinogion, and the path that winds through the woods at the eastern edge of the water park.
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| Entrance to the Path |
It would be quite easy to miss the entrance to the path if you are unaware of its location. It is by the car park - but there are no sings pointing to the entrance. Just a single post, and you have to get right up to it to find the writing thereon..
The carving is not very clear - but at least you now know that you are on the right road. A closer look at the post and you can see that there are further carvings at the top of the post.
As you enter the path, through the clearing you can see the first of the sculptures. A cast iron boar.
He is well weathered and I have visited him often as I walk the dogs - and he only improves with age.
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| The Boar |
The boar is in a small clearing with a two small benches suitable for sitting and contemplating the whichness of the why, but for the busy dog-walker it is back to the path and through the trees. The whole site used to be the Steelworks, and the trees and features have all been planted and grown in the time I have lived in Llanelli. I used to drive through the area in a police car in the early eighties. The Duport Electric Arc Furnace at Pwll was one of the finest in the country they say, though I recall it mainly for the sound of the locomotive pulling the metal from the interior in the early hours of the morning as I tried to sleep in the police house opposite. But the trees are fast growing and now well established.So I walked on in search of the remainder of the sculptures. I remember the stag, and the owl, had I missed any in my previous perambulations?
And so, as I got half way through the path, I came to the sad sight of the post that once held the Stag. Similar to the boar, it stood in pride of place atop another post... but all I was met with was the broken stump of the stand.
Through to the end of the path, and no sign of any other sculpture. the Owl that I recalled was nowhere to be found. No other animals or relics of Mabonigion tales to be seen . Only the simple post at the other end of the path. this too held the legend of the path... but no suggestion that the path had been denuded.
As I left the path, I met with one of the groundsmen, clearing some rubbish from the site. I asked about the stag.
"It is safe" he told me. "The post was vandalised but we managed to keep the stag and it is in the depot while we wait to see what we are going to do with it." I will try to visit the depot and see where it is...
"But the owl", he confided, "we never found.... The post was broken and the owl stolen. We haven't seen it since"
Once more, I leave my walk a little saddened.
From the Barkeep's Blog
I walked across the old grounds of Stradey Park Rugby Football ground. That is not difficult, as it is only a couple of hundred yards away from the house, in fact it used to be rumoured that I would lean out the back window and yell "Can you keep the noise down - some people are trying to sleep here !" when a match was on... But though I used to walk that way regularly, I have not been that way since the fences went up and the buildings started getting knocked down.
Now, I do not consider myself to be much of a Rugby fan. Before you jump down my throat, I live in Llanelli, I have lived here for 35 years, but I am not Welsh, I was born in Glasgow and raised in London. I am not native Llanelli, and it is quite possible, though difficult, to survive in this town without having a religious fervour for the game with the funny shaped ball. There - I have said it!!! But then most of my friends know that about me already.
As a young constable in Llanelli, I tried hard to fit in and enjoy the game. But there was a tendency for one policeman to be watching the crowd when on "Crowd Control" duty. It was partly because I did not wear contact lenses in those days - they were rather new technology. And my glasses really never fitted very well under my cap. Yes, we had caps in those days before we had the "Bobby" helmet. Dyfed-Powys Police were different that way. They called us "Pongos" in training school. So watching the game was rather pointless as I could net really see the action on the field. So I watched the spectators instead.
After a few months I thought the whole matter through. Saturday afternoons were Rugby Afternoons. This involved getting to your traffic "point" for traffic control about 2 hours before the match. Best to remember to go to the loo before taking point. There is very little opportunity to relieve yourself once you are at the junction directing traffic! No extra cup of tea that morning! Then after the game starts the van pulls up and you get a lift to the ground, sneak in the side entrance by the South Stand and make your way around to the Town end, moreaffectionatelyknown as the Tanner Bank. Twenty minutes before the end, regardless of how exciting the game was, you were once more in the van heading for another two hour Traffic Point, hoping that someone would remember to pick you up - or face a long walk back to the station..
Yes - I thought it through - all self respecting Llanelli criminals were naturally Scarlet Supporters! They were little different from any other member of the populace other than their criminal activities, so they would of course be at the match. Thus, likelihood of any criminality during the match was marginal. Domestic Disputes would not really flare up until at least half a dozen pints after the match ... most shops were shut, and there were no vehicles on the road. So it seemed only natural to volunteer to "look after the town" while the match was on - an act of selfless altruism which allowed all my rugby fanaticalcolleaguesto watch the match while I took on the arduous task of finding a nice warm place with a cup of tea, radio by my side, to ensure that the town was "Safe".
And so it was for many years that I found the quietest time of the week was match day in Llanelli.
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| Tanner Bank |
But walking around the grounds now, there is a mound where the tanner bank used to be. Temporary fencing around the whole site - but gaps where the fencing has fallen and the once verdant turf is now indistinguishable from the rest of the tufts of course grass. Local complainers always said that there would be trouble trying to build housing on this site due to the drainage problems - the ground is wet but there is still history here. You can almost see the score boards in the puddles.
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| 9 - 3 |
So now I do not have to lean out and ask them to keep the noise down. But it is almost as though sad ghosts of the past were by my side as I wandered along the touchline once more. They were no more distinct than the players I failed to see in the past, but now as then - I feel sure that they are there..
Nothing to do with Christmas - but then I have gone on record about my views of premature decoration, and am surprised that all those Nigerian spammers have not also decided to suggest medication for my lack of Christmas Globes in addition to comments about my apparently publicly known medical conditions.
No, nothing to do with Christmas, but following a recent Blog post upon Americymru (an excellent website / for Welsh Pats and Ex Pats if you are not in the know!!), it is more about Christine. Christine Keeler to be exact - and the continuing story of 1963, a scandal that "rocked the government". Oh, it would be an insignificant oversight in the light of modern governmental frailty, but in the sixties the press was at its peak in "investigative journalism" - pre-dating mobile phones, computer dating and Britain's third TV channel BBC2, which would not arrive until 1964, and then only after delays due to power cuts.
Now, in 2012, Christine is in her 70's, living with her cat and spurning men. After a brief residence in Wales where she thought the fresh air would assist heremphysema she now lives once again in London, estranged from her mother, her two sons and most of the world - still carrying her legacy with her photo sitting upon a chair, apparently naked - though she claims she had her knickers on at the time.
By comparison, the "disgraced" John Profumo (family motto: Virtue and Work) endured only a brief spell of ignominy. His wife stayed with him until her death in 1998.By 1975 he had been awarded a CBE for his charity work in Londons East End; at Margaret Thatchers 70th birthday party he was not only a honoured guest, but he sat next to the Queen.When he died in 2006, aged 91, the great and the good attended his funeral: reputation had been redeemed; his status restored.
But this is about Christine and not Christmas.
But as I cast my mind back to 1963, it is with a more personal recollection. At 9 years old I had only a little interest in politics and world news. This was before "Craven's Newsround" brought current affairs into the minds of minors, with John Craven carefully explaining complex issues into single syllables - I think there is still a need for such a programme though incessant repeats of Sky News will have a similar affect upon the feeble minded.
No, at 9 years old I was more interested in a family holiday in Portugal. My family had always been inventive in finding holidays that were slightly different. My father's view was that a good holiday was worth saving for and was better than a new three piece suite. He rarely liked the concept of package tours or pre-arranged bookings. 1963 was not different. Gibralta still had open borders with Spain at that time. Flights from London to Gibralta were available and at reduced prices - and as I recall the flight into Gibralta, where the runway extends out into the water and crosses the main road were highly interesting. I vaguely recall the Barbary Apes on the rock - how and when we saw them I do not recall - but see them I did!!
But more memorable was the hire car that we took from Gibralta - and then drove across the whole base of Spain heading for goodness knows what in the next country. Memorable. yes - because the hire car unfortunately sprung a leak in the radiator. Of course, now we would call an international roadside assistance with our mobile phone or iGadget. Not in 1963!! A simpler solution was a regular stop at garages and shops across the whole of Spain to beg for a refill of water. Which in those days, meant doing the polite thing and buying something at each stop !!
My Sister and I drank more Coca Cola from small bottles purchased at roadside stops than I have at any time in my life until 2 litre bottles started marketing at 3 for 3 in the lead up to this Christmas. But this is nothing to do with Christmas !!
The basis of the family holiday in the 60's was that they would last until the money ran out. This would normally mean a couple of days of luxury somewhere, and then downsizing and nurturing resources to ensure the longest period away. It was quite reasonable to expect a two to three week holiday in Portugal.
As we limped across the border into Portugal, our battered car, steam pouring from the bonnet, limped up to the Vasco de Gama hotel - an oasis of luxury in the undergrowth. Swimming pools, Doors that opened automatically except for the large glazing near the dining rooms where uniformed porters held the door open for a 9 year old and called him "sir". We stayed two days as I recall - only remember the swimming pool and the porters calling me "sir". I was only 9 !
In normal fashion, we moved on from Fantasy Island into a bed and breakfast hotel/guest house overlooking a glorious beach and deep blue seas. I would have more memories, but it seems that British Newspapers were delivered in Porta de Wherever - l failed to learn to speakPortuguese though I did play some beach football with some local lads - GOAL!!! is universal in the Glorious Game .....
Newspapers would not be a problem in a normal family - but mine was a Fleet Street family. As Daily Mail Parliamentary Correspondent and lifelong self made journalist, my father always read every newspaper - our paper boy hated us at home as our one house was the equivalent of a full street of deliveries - I am sure our papershop loved us for the same reason.... We probably paid for his holidays in a real hotel.
But the Newspaper cried out a scandal in the making!! Early days - perhaps just the day the story broke - I was playing football on the beach and failed to understand the subtleties of the situation, but the political ramifications were clear to my father - and so the holiday was abruptly cut short.
I do not recall - but I am sure that we must have ditched some suitcases and added a barrel or two for spare water in the boot - because I do not recall multiple stops on the way home - I know we drove through the night !! I barely remember the argument at the Spanish Border trying to get back into Gibralta or the flight home..
But I do remember the song we sang as we came home. It was a family tradition to write a holiday song on each of our trips - and this one was no exception - and it was to the tune of "Oh Mr Porter""
I still recall to this day :
"Oh Mr Profumo - What did you do??
We have to leave old Portugal and its all because of you
We have to get back to England
As Quickly as we can...
Oh Mr Profumo - You are a naughty Man "
So, nothing to do with Christmas - but all to do with Christine. As she looks after her cat in her later years and looks back upon her life 60 years ago - when as a 17 year old she tried to make her way in the big city - I feel a little sorry that even in our holiday song - she did not get a mention... but that is the way of sex, lies and scandals
As the Mayans seem to have identified that the world ends on the 21st December, I look with some satisfaction at the posts on Facebook from friends living in New Zealand - who are pointing out that it is already 21st December there and they are still there. Well, at least their posts are still there.
The rain and the sleet was driving down this afternoon as I loaded the van for the last time, for a Crimson Moon venture under our direction. Forecast according to weather.com shows that tomorrow (Saturday) should be cloudy with sunny showers, and a temperature of 6 degrees. Let's not talk about Sunday at the moment - after all we will be on site and can't do much about it by that time.
It is the evening before that as the temperature drops, you have the opportunity to think that bed is going to seem very inviting at 5am tomorrow, as we start a drive down to Caerphilly Castle before dawn.. a long time before dawn!!
Monk's habit s ready and hanging by the door for my Alter Ego 'Brother Weaver Barrel' - the Drunken Monk, and "Nona the 'nebriated Nun's"wimple. Guaranteed to scare a random Jehovah's Witness should one be silly enough to call!! But no, I am sure that they have more sense than to be out in this cold.
On this occasion - we are not taking our own marquee, which is sitting in the living room awaiting scrutiny for replaced guy ropes and patches, but are lucky enough to have an historic tent being put in place for us (I hope they remember to put it up!!). As a result, the van looks deceptively empty, with only the boxes of Mulled Wine, Mead, a crate of plastic Ivy, gas burners and 1,000 cups.
Sad to say, our benefactor, who normally graces the Castle as the Barber Surgeon, has just had his trailer stolen containing the full contents of his Victorian Hospital, and despite circulation through Facebook Accounts does not appear to have been recovered. Roger's knowledge that the axle is broken and the frame is unroadworthy does not help him as the trailer seems to have disappeared from his South Wales home..
I may have to sympathise with a few glasses of mulled wine tomorrow!!
So Caerphilly Christmas Fayre will start tomorrow morning for two days. Our last trading days as the Crimson Moon though no doubt I will be involved in the future helping the new owners.
Also our last chance at this stage, to spend the night in our favourite castle.
If you are in the vicinity of Caerphilly - hope to see you there...
Caerphilly Castle Christmas Fayre
After surviving the evil of the kitchen boiler - it is restful to be back in Wales, and and face the simple life. A little study on the internet and an opportunity to better oneself ..
It was in this spirit that I found the following picture on my researches..
Seems to sum up my day ...
That's All !!!
Some central heating systems seem to have a mind of their own. There is probably a technical term for overanthropomorphising a plumbing system, but when you are in someone else's house, and the temperature is dropping sharply, and the radiators are cold, and none of the buttons seem to work then you have to forgive me for thinking that there may be a hint of malicious intelligence in the boiler in the corner.
There is a simple white box on the wall of the kitchen, it says that the heating is on timer. Well when I say "it says" I do not mean that I have over-egged the intelligence bit by implying that it is actually speaking to me in a "we will take over the world Pinky" type manner. I mean that the little arrow is pointing to the "Timer" line in the LED display. There is a button next to it, and though it says ADVANCE HEATING, which might mean that it considers itself to be the height of technology, or that it wants you to move forward with the times, pressing the button simply switches a green light on with the letters ADV ( which implies it is doing whatever it is meant to ) but the radiators don't warm up, and the master mind which looks like R2D2 in the cupboard is remaining stubbornly quiet!!.
Looking at R2D2, there are some buttons saying plus and minus, and MODE - and the readout says 54 - which looks like a temperature - blooming cold !!!! Pressing the MODE button seems to do little. Though I was getting somewhere when I pressed the PLUS and the numbers started climbing. But when I stopped they kept on - up into the 70's and then into the 80's.
Forgive me if I admit that I panicked just a little. After all it is not my house. I did not put the evil entity into the cupboard, but I am not sure that it isn't blaming me anyway !!!. But if the numbers kept on climbing then the whole thing might explode!!! Okay, I know it is an exaggeration, and slightly extreme, but it seemed likely to me as I hurriedly pressed the minus button.... Yes... I watched the numbers drop into the single figures ......
But more important - the radiators are still cold!!!
and then - one radiator started to warm up - just to spite me I reckon!!!
I know all the radiators were on this morning so none have been switched off!!
So why is only one radiator warming up ?? And that is quite hot now - but I don't want to spend the rest of the day hovering over one radiator. While the remainder refuse to budge.
I can't hear the boiler running - so where is the heat coming from????
Ahh - the sound of a car driving up - we may solve the mystery.........
Watch this space .....
If I don't Blog tomorrow - send help... but beware the cupboard on the left....
