Tunnel of the Mon & Brecon Canal, South Wales

Mon & Brecon Canal constructed 1797 to 1812
(Pics of tunnel coming soon.)

Autumn leaves

South of the village of Sebastopol, the canal runs through open fields, except for a section cut through the hillside.   Here the towpath rises over the hill through a copse, whilst the canal disappears into it.    Barges these days have engines so, if this section ever became navigable again, it would be easy to pass through the 87 yards of darkness.   But when barges were horse drawn, the only way through was by "walking."   No, not on water, as this may sound, but on the roof.  

The bargee and hopefully a helper (perhaps his wife), would lie on their backs on the top of the barge, facing the rear.  Then, with their legs in the air, they would stride along the roof of the tunnel, forcing the barge along beneath them.

Spring sunshine

Think of all the spiders and creepy crawlies disloged and falling into their faces as they worked their way along to the horse, waiting patiently at the other end.

Summer lushness

This must have been a particularly enjoyable stretch for the tow horses as they worked their way towards Cwmbran.   As well as waiting at the tunnel, they would have had very little work to do while the barges waited for the series of locks to fill or empty, and take their turn in the queue of traffic hauling limestone, coal or iron down to the sea, or returning with imported supplies from Newport Docks.