Out and About

One of the aims of my sabbatical is to go cycling a bit more – partly to improve my general fitness and partly because I enjoy cycling and have had little chance to do much over the last 21 years or so. Also it is easier to read a book out of the house than in it where there are so many distractions. Not that I read while cycling… that would be daft. But I find a place to stop and get a book out of my rucksack.
I have always enjoyed exploring – seeing a path and wondering where it goes. As a child I used to do this, and as a teenager and student with more time available to ride down unknown paths. So my trips this week haven’t been great distances, but they have been opportunities to say, “Ooh, where does that go?” (and find out), as well as sitting on a bench with a book and some lunch. I’ve been surprised by the large number of cycle paths around here.
On Tuesday I put the bike on the back of the car and drove to Bedwas, from where I rode along part of Track 8 of the National Cycle Network, alongside the River Rhymney to Trethomas then over the road and up the hill and along what must have been an old railway alongside Graig-y-Rhacca, to Machen. Then back down to the river and along the Machen Forge Trail back towards Bedwas.

On Thursday I foolishly believed the BBC website weather forecast, and set off on the Aber Valley Heritage Trail. I think it’s supposed to be a walk, but I took the bike to Eglwysilan, and up the lane opposite. But by the top of that lane I was soaked through from heavy persistent rain, and had had enough, so turned round and went home.

I wonder where the 440 miners killed in the Senghenydd explosion are buried. I saw about four gravestones at Eglwysilan, and I’ve seen about ten in Penyrheol. So where are the rest?

Today (Friday) I drove to Castell Coch, and rode up the hill for a while to Fforest Fawr before going down through Tongwynlais along the Taff Trail to Forest Farm. A short but interesting trip, and much better weather!