This time I parked about a hundred yards further down the road from the trig point, the shortest point between the road and the barrow, just a quick hop over a barbed wire fence and whilst Bob isn't technically my uncle we're certainly good friends.
In the same field as me and the long barrow were some ponies, as soon as they saw me confidently striding across the field they all came galloping over,
some getting a little too close for comfort, eight of them there were, big muscular ponies, that looked me straight in the eye, I looked back and radiated masterful intentions, then I jumped over a small stream and left them behind, they seemed unwilling to cross the very small stream but I was glad they had lost interest so quickly, move along nothing to see here.
Now, in the winter, the barrow is more visible and easier to traverse than in the summer, eighteen months ago was my first visit and i'm happy to be back so relatively quickly. The north-western end is larger than its southeastern partner, higher and wider, but I don't know whether these things have fronts and ends, only that it points south east vaguely towards the Bride stones and the winter solstice sunrise, closer inspection may yield a more definitive picture. The long barrow also sports three sets of rabbit holes, nothing outside they're entrance but sand, is this an indication of they're build and make up.
I also jumped across the loach brook and scrambled up the opposite bank for a wider view of the small river valley, the long barrow really stands out, looking good even in the mid afternoon gloom of perhaps the greyest day of the year so far, weather wise.
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Cefn Carnedd is an elongated enclosure, approximately 437m by 84m, with entrances on the north-eastern and south-western sides. It occupies the summit of Cefn Carnedd and is defined by scarps with triple banks and ditches to the north-west which form an additional 'barbican' enclosure, with an outer inturned entrance, before the north-eastern entry. A bank and ditch segregate an area, approximately 130m by 68m, at the south-western end. An original enclosure, approximately 235m fron north-east to south-west appears to have been extended north-eastwards, the original north-east ramparts being apparent on aerial photographs. This would suggest that the cross-bank is a later feature. Recent aerial photography has also identified more earthwork detail on the north side of the fort, including complex earthworks and a major north-west gateway which may have superceded the original ridge-top west gateway to the fort.
Occassional erosion scars in the ramparts of the fort yield little more than coarse shale rubble and earth, with little sign of any more massive stone work, or even formal revetment walling, although such remains may be buried deeper where the ramparts are well preserved. Erosion around the main west gate, caused by burrowing animals and livestock action, was most revealing; much of the shale rubble has a reddish hue and would appear to have been burnt. This was evident all around the west gate and could suggest a burning episode at one time.
The central ditch of the triple defences on the north-eastern side of the hillfort, evidently rock-cut although now in-filled, was waterlogged on the visit, with standing water and boggy ground present in many places. This would suggest excellent paleoenvrionmental potential of any buried deposits. In addition, the north-eastern defences as they approach the main east gateway incorporate a prominent spring which is still active
Two body sherds of VCP (Very Coarse Pottery), containers of which were used to transport salt from the midlands plain in prehistory, were discovered during fieldwalking on the fort in the 1970s
A possible sling shot was identified outside the fort to the west. The smooth, oval, river cobble measuring approximately 6.5 cm x 5 cm was found on the surface of the grass at SO 0131 8985, where it had rolled down from an eroded farm track which passes through a gate in the modern wire fence. An inspection of the eroded track showed that all the stone present was of natural broken shale rubble in mud, there being no sign of imported stone cobbles being used for surfacing. The possible sling shot was covered with the same mud. Its position some 140m west of the main west gate of the fort would accord well with a genuine sling shot which had been dispatched from the fort defences, and come to rest on the slopes outside the fort.
Pictures of this whopper hillfort....
http://www.coflein.gov.uk/en/site/94016/images/CEFN+CARNEDD+HILLFORT%2C+NEAR+CAERSWS/
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Castell, Tregaron, is a strong and impressive fort, constructed around a flat-topped, rocky promontory with precipitous slopes to the W and S, with two curving ramparts cutting off the landward side to the north east. The two ramparts which comprise the façade still retain steep, almost unclimbable front faces. The outer stands between 3 and 4.5m high and is about 20m broad at its base. It was probably augmented by an outer ditch, now silted up. Mid way along its outer face, and at other points, sections of decayed stone walling and tumbles of substantial stones from erosion features, would suggest that the outer face was once fully walled. The inner rampart is flanked by an outer ditch up to 3m deep, and still stands up to 6m high on the outer face. It has a more pronounced curve than the outer rampart and so the two are not parallel. The top of the inner rampart is also not uniform. It dips markedly in the centre which is perhaps an original feature to make the rampart ends appear taller, but may also be the result of old erosion slippage. The outer face of this rampart still bears several traces of in-situ stone walling.
The outer rampart obscures the true position of the main gateway; it is certainly not obvious to those approaching from the east. At the north terminals of the ramparts the inner slope is too steep to climb and where the interior is open to view, it was probably closed off with a palisade. The main gate was reached by passing under the south terminal of the outer rampart where, adjacent to the inner rampart, a low foundation bank forms an oblique gateway against the main inner rampart. The arrangement was probably augmented by timberwork.
The interior of the fort provides a good, level area immediately behind the inner rampart and below the outcrop which would have been suitable for settlement. On the outcrop itself, several plateau areas are visible, some cut back into the rock to form platforms. The more obvious of these are marked on the new plan. On the south side of the outcrop, a concavity at a lower level on the edge of the rock may also have been the site of a house.
It is unlikely the whole fort was the result of a single phase of work. The differences between the inner and outer rampart suggest two phases of work; it may be that the inner gate was originally `on view', but its direct approach was subsequently blocked with the provision of an uncompromising outer façade rampart. The berm or terrace cut into rear side of the outer rampart at its north end, for whatever purpose, suggests a later modification of the rampart.
The strategic role served by the two tall, steep, stone-walled façade ramparts is questionable as the fort rapidly disappears from view from the main approach, to the northeast, after only 200m. The zigzag terminals of the ramparts on the north side do, however, form an impressive feature on the skyline from the lowland approaches to the north. From the main north-east approach, one descends from higher ground and the rocky interior of the fort is fully on view, thus rendering it tactically weak in the conventional sense.
There is erosion towards the summit of the outer rampart and if left to continue may eventually undermine the well-preserved top of the rampart and cause it to collapse. At the time of the visit in 2004, the farmer had recently cleared most of the gorse bushes on site.
Good for farmer!!!
One aerial pic and a few ground ones
http://www.coflein.gov.uk/en/site/303561/images/CASTELL+TREGARON%3BSUNNYHILL+WOOD+CAMP/?show=all
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A strongly sited, pear-shaped, bivallate hillfort about 90m N/S by 84m E/W internally, occupying a summit at the eastern end of a long ridge, which commands extensive views in all directions except to the west.
The main defence is a single strong rampart; it is tallest at the north where it stands 1.6m above the interior and up to 4m above the ditch bottom externally . This main rock-cut ditch is traceable again on the east side, flanking the main gate where it is still 0.80m deep, and around the south side. On the north side is a second, outer ditch, separated from the inner rampart by a flat, revetted terrace. The east gate is flanked by traces of an outer rampart, beyond the main inner ditch.
All around the innermost face of the rampart are traces of a quarry ditch. A wet area in the south-east part of the interior may have been an original spring or pond serving the fort. On the inner face of the rampart on the west side traces of an inner stone revetment are exposed.
No traces of stone revetment survive on the outer face of the main rampart, however, this is severely eroded in places, particularly on the west side. On this west side, close to the summit of the rampart, erosion has exposed a clay capping to the rampart above a stone rubble and clay rampart core. The most interesting revetment survives on the eroded outer face of the second rampart on the north side, actually a terraced outwork. Here are traces (surviving despite livestock erosion) of a massive stone revetment which includes a high proportion of quartz blocks. It is interesting to note that this impressively-fronted outwork faces west towards the most restricted vista from the fort, where the fort disappears from view after only a few hundred metres. This is the route that the present day east-west road follows past the fort and it is conceivable that the quartz-fronted outwork overlooked the main public approach to the fort, and the Cors Caron landscape, by people from outside the area. The main east gate, whilst impressively constructed and commanding extensive views east across Cors Caron, is not so similarly elaborated as the north-west perimeter of the fort.
For one aerial picture
http://www.coflein.gov.uk/en/site/303559/images/CASTELL+FLEMISH+HILLFORT%2C+TY%27N-YR-EITHIN%2C+NEAR+TREGARON/
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The complex defences at Caer Aber Pwll (Caerau) define a simple promontory fort to the east and a more heavily defended promontory fort on the west, both utilising the defensive potentials of the steep coastal cliffs. The western fort contains at least one building platform and is enclosed by a complex of up to four banks and ditches thought to represent at least two periods of construction, of uncertain relation, extending over a roughly 172m front. The main, inturned, gateway can be made out on the far side of the earthworks.
A second enclosure on the east, about 48m by 34m, may be a fragment of an early enclosure, isolated by redevelopment, an annex, or a separate and later enclosure butting onto the primary work.
For some aerial pics
http://www.coflein.gov.uk/en/site/94242/images/CAERAU+PROMONTORY+FORT%3A+CAER+ABER+PWLL/
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Mynydd-y-glog is an undulating heather moorland landscape characterised by several rocky Millstone Grit summits and slighter knolls rising to 385m, interspersed with damp, boggy basins. The summits and the drier slopes support an assemblage of funerary and ritual monuments in what appears to be an area set aside for such use during the Bronze Age. Eighteen relevant structures have so far been identified.
Eight round cairns lie in positions locally elevated to a greater or lesser degree. All have been disturbed in one case revealing evidence of internal structure (NPRN 84520). Around these lie a further eight round cairns, likewise disturbed. One of these is the only example displaying a cist (84508). Another is surrounded by massive kerb stones (84523), though examples elsewhere may be obscured by cairn material.
At points on the edge of the cemetery lie two ring monuments. A 'simple' ring cairn lies on a terrace on the north-west (84519), and on the south, in a sheltered location, is a low circular mound, only faintly visible, with a gently dished interior suggesting perhaps a more elaborate ring is concealed here (84511). Both are undisturbed.
On the north side of the mountain are cairnfields and traces of settlements and field systems which extend across Pant Sychbant and Cwm Cadlan, areas which also contain sepulchral monuments. Cairnfields can also be found on the west side of the mountain. Around the summit cairns are basin areas containing peat to a depth of at least 1.5m, while on the east side of the mountain (below the trig.point) peat in excess of 2m deep has been detected.
The area occupied by these monuments spans some 3.5 sq. km. but could extend to 7.5 sq.km. if Penmoelallt, adjoining on the immediate east, is included. This is a similarly undulating mountain, rising to 420m. Although long afforested, three sepulchral mounds are already known there along with peripheral groups of small cairns.
The Mynydd-y-glog cemetery bears comparison with the excavated cemetery at Brenig (Denbs) (401203) which incorporates large burial monuments, smaller stone cairns (one with kerb structure) and a ring cairn in addition to more 'exotic' types not so far identified here. Whereas the burial and ritual monuments at Brenig cluster around a valley head here they are assembled on and around a mountain summit.
And a couple of pics here http://www.coflein.gov.uk/en/site/414686/images/MYNYDD-Y-GLOG%2C+BRONZE+AGE+CEMETERY/
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A chambered tomb, set in a disturbed area, c.70m E-W by 24m, possibly resulting from quarrying activity.
Two upright stones, 1.1m & 0.8m high, and a broken slab, 2.0m by 1.0m, along with other large stones, are set in a one of a series of hollows.
Coflein has an ariel picture, I think this ruined burial chamber is in or near the D shaped thing on top of light coloured field.
http://www.coflein.gov.uk/en/site/276052/images/LOWER+TREGENNIS+BURIAL+CHAMBER/
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After a fair soaking at Gwern Gof Isaf hut circle near tryfan, I was not quite reluctant to get back out of the warm car, but the idea of waiting for a dryer day had occurred to me that's for sure. But that's not the postal way, I opted for walking boots (that are still waterproof) instead of wellies, picked up the shears and strode of into the misty wilderness.
I parked by the cattle grid this time and followed the wall down to the river which had more water in it than the first time I came, I was almost certainly going to slip off a rock and get wet., well, wetter than normal, but I made it across, grumbling but no wetter than when I started. From the other side of the river it's just a case of finding the big rock and the four poster is about 50yards away. River crossing aside no problem.
You may have noted that I was carrying shears with me, my first visit had been somewhat frustrated by two inappropriately placed gorse bushes, they are right on the cairn itself and half obscure two of the four stones.
The smaller of the two bushes had all but died and the entire plant was removed easily in less than half an hour. I hasten to add that absolutely no damage occurred to the structure of the cairn or to the stone. The ground isn't too pretty where the bush was , but I'm sure that a good summer will green right over the brown patch.
It's not like anyone but me ever goes there, If you feel like complaining feel free, (I may have a go at the other gorse bush if no-one does) but I feel the site is better off for having me as a friend, and now the only four poster in North Wales has 50 % less gorse coverage and will soon look the better for it.
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I parked in the small car park near Gwern Gof Isaf campsite, it was raining, but as it wasn't too far from the road I was unperturbed by the crappy weather. Wellied feet, waterproof trousers, and old trusty coat, just follow the rocky ridge up, how hard can it be ?
Half way to the hut circle I was in such a good mood I stopped on a prominent rock to show the world my genius at air guitar. The world didn't seem to care too much and I didn't blame it, i'm not very good ....musically, but ask me to find a little hut circle on a big mountain side and I can really shine at that. From the prominent rock that has to be stood upon, you have to walk through two low walls and pass a sheep shelter(?) and the hut circle will appear on your right up against a vertical sheet of rock.
First of all I paced round it giving it a wide berth, like a tiger waiting for the right moment to pounce, or a Top Gear enthusiast jealously surveying the newest Ferrari. Either way, half an hour passed before I even stood next to it let alone enter the little circle.
From most angles the hut seems to have a difficult to understand interior, the southern arc of the circle wall is wider than the rest, and inside the circle that is a little bit too square to be a real circle, is another circular setting of stones with a rectangular depression inside that. It seemed to be more cairn like at times, with the central depression being a cist rather than a hearth, but I guess they that know, know best.
The mist never really lifted much during my stay, Tryfan was half draped in misty goodness, across the valley Pen yr Helgi Du fleeted by for an instant. Today was never about getting to the top or having a great view, it's just about being there, dry or wet, today my coat was really not cooperating in defeating the fine sideways rain, and it was wet. Back to the car, before my tolerance of cold and wet were all used up for the day.
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This was to be Eric's first real mountain climb, his slack jawed expression of disbelief when I pointed out where we were going wasn't very encouraging.
We parked as close to the dam on Llyn Cowlyd and started the walk, we probably spent too much time at the dam, messing about as children are wont to do, but then we got going.
There is no certain path from where we started, so we were free walking a path of our own choosing, through bogs across deep icy snow drifts, it's his first snow of the year so this was particularly fascinating. (long drawn out wistful sigh)
All the way up thus far the low clouds had veiled the summit, and Eric had his first taste of mountain walking, that is, when you crest a ridge thinking your nearly there and then thump, still loads left yet.
We got right under the summit, only a 150 vertical meters to go and Eric had his second mountain lesson, heights are scary.
So scary in fact that he didn't want to go right up to the top, I tried some gentle persuasion, some bribery, then some reverse psychology, but he had become firm, Pen Llithrig Y Wrach summit would have to wait for another day.
He said at the bottom, back at the car, that he regretted not going all the way to the top, Daft head Bear Grylls was on the radio after and he convinced Eric to trust his Dad and give it another go, so the first Sunday with money and good weather, we'll give it another go, only without the two mile stone hunting walk beforehand.
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