There were solely 4 ‘volunteers’ for todays walk and the terrain to be covered is known to be rather demanding. We travelled together, thanks to John’s offer to ride in his super
electric car. Driving near the start, the terrain acquired a rugged and tortuous look. Our walking route started at the keepers pond on the Blorenge Mountain near Blaenavon. It was near the highest point on this World Heritage Site, famed for its past as a place of massive, heroic and dangerous industrial exploits. The first sections of the walk traversed a mixture of some grassland, but mainly paths studded with rocks. The bracken was over waist high and thus demanded close attention to one’s footing. John explained the former industrial features, some natural history, as we descended towards Abergavenny. A tram road for mineral wagons, sites of winches that lowered and raised goods including pig iron ingots, beer barrels too and from the canal, this site being pre railway. Mysterious tunnel entrances appear through the bracken as we walked.
The descent continued around the north east flank of Blorenge. We agreed that the vistas on this clear, but cloudy day to the green surrounding hills were the equal of any we knew. The gradients then took on an upward angle. Reaching the tranquil, beautiful and remote tree lined glacial Punchbowl lake we took a light lunch. John suggested we ate little as the coming gradients could cause digestive distress…
His advice was apposite, as the first two steep ramps gained height spectacularly. Pauses were taken to ‘think profound thoughts’ The path continued at a less breathtaking angle and some walkers were quite relieved to have conquered this quite challenging section. Some broke into song. We eventually followed a less arduous stretch on the path to the highest point at 561m. The Trig Point, stone cairn and Bronze Age site were the beginning of the downward slope to the finish. Passing to pay our respects to ‘Foxhunter’ the 1952 Helsinki Olympics Wonder Horse’s grave, our transport home was promptly reached. The writer was later told we had climbed over 300m on the day.
We had excellent and nicely served teas in the nearby Blaenavon World Heritage site centre. This was an agreeable end to a special day. Thanks John.