Valley Views



A few more pictures taken on a bike ride, again on the hills over looking Pontypridd.  The countryside is moving into autumn earlier this year, as the leaves on some trees are already starting to change colour.  Apparently its all down to the warm and dry weather we had in April and May. 

Fly fishing in the Taf

This looks like a club competition, and now that the river is unpolluted there's good fishing.  The nearest fisherman  was getting some tuition on how to cast.

another footpath user.....

This is the Common Dor Beetle.  The  wings are under the hard cases on the back.

Roadside flowers

The top two shots are of Rosebay Willowherb [Fireweed in the US] its very common alongside roads and footpaths around here. 
The bottom shot is the dreaded Japanese Knotweed......which is so invasive and virtually impossible to get rid of completely

Shopping arcades

Cardiff has the highest concentration of Victorian and Edwardian shopping arcades in the UK, and whilst some streets seem to be loosing the battle with the new complexes, the arcades seem to be holding their own.  Maybe its down to the individuality of the shops in them?

C'mon baby light my fire.....

A couple of the ornate fire places from Tyntesfield.  Imagine having to clean these daily and keep them supplied with wood and coal.  All for the wage of a few pounds a year.  Apparently there were 19 staff employed just to keep the house " ticking over". 

You rang.........

These signal bells are out side the butlers room of Tyntesfield.
One of the fascinating facts for me was that to build this vast house was less than a years profit from Lord Wraxall business interests.  Still at least now "we own it" through the NationalTrust and are able to enjoy it as well.