|
Hillfort
|
|
|
It may seem to be somewhat taking the proverbial wotsit to describe an afternoon of swirling mist, high winds and showers as 'better conditions', but following a morning of truly atrocious weather at Castell Bwa-Drain, it is the truth. And, hey, this is Wales after all....
A minor road leaves the B4343 from Devil's Bridge at Pont-rhyd-y-groes, heading for New Row - or Rhes Newydd, if you are a local who paid attention at school - from where a left hand fork gives access to the small village of Brynafan. At crossroads just to the east, I take the southern farm track - on foot, I hasten to add - and disappear into the fog. Here we go again.... Eventually a hill, for want of a better description, materialises through the gloom. Ha! Good place for a hillfort, a hill. This must be it, I guess. The field gate is unlocked, but since a farmhouse is nearby I decide to go and have a word. A young bloke eyes me suspiciously, brandishing a welder's torch.... gulp... a pretty hot reception, if the truth be told. Whatever happened to the old fashioned pitchfork? Luckily the farmer pokes his head 'round the corner and readilly agrees to a visit.
The hillfort occupies a crag high above the Afon Ystwyth in much the same manner as the aforementioned Castell Bwa-Drain does above the Rheidol, with man made defences only thought necessary where an approach could be practically made - no need towards the south, then. OK, the site has seen better days - after two millennia what do you expect? - but nevertheless two reasonably powerful ramparts can be seen protecting a rocky summit and what appears to be an extensive enclosure to the east. Nice. But it is the siting which is the lasting memory of a visit to Castle Grogwynion. Even in swirling mist, the view looking down upon the Afon Ystwyth to the west is exceptional. I must be enjoying myself because my watch all too soon indicates I must leave to avoid being overtaken by the inexorable approach of darkness. I meet the farmer in his tractor as I climb the farm track back to the road. 'Enjoy yourself?' he enquiries, and is clearly happy as punch when I answer in the affirmative. Right on!
N.B. - apologies for the quality of photo posts. They were the best I could manage in the circumstances!
|
Posted by GLADMAN
24th September 2010ce
Edited 24th September 2010ce
|
|
Log in |
Register
Top of page