Waterworks Lane is an unobtrusive turning off the main road at Cwmavon in Torfaen, between Pontypool and Blaenavon. A reservoir, now derelict, gave rise to the name of the lane, and is situated a short walk along this single track, decorated with fallen leaves and moss.
Water from the reservoir would have been piped for use by the residents of Abersychan and Pontypool.
A gate at the top of the hill leads to open ground labelled Common Ground by wooden signposts. Bracken, whimberry bushes and clumps of rushes fight a battle with erosion to cover the barren mountain top. Where they fail, grey boulders appear, the bones of the earth beneath.
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| Devil's Heap of Stones |
At this time of year Lasgarn Wood looks particularly colourful. Below the woodland to our left vehicles make their way to and from Blaenavon, unaware of being observed. We follow the mountain track to a farm gate, then vere right across open ground to encounter the "Devil's Heap of Stones." The earth's bare bones piled high.
As we turn, the sun lies low in the sky. It reflects silver on the water trickling along the tracks.
Passing fields of luscious rain-sodden grass, we continue down the lane. Sheep graze quietly, but unwittingly we disturb the neighbourhood dogs. The valley echoes to the barking of hounds ready to tear us limb from limb, or great us with wagging tails and slathering tongues.
A small car park helps relieve this single track of traffic congestion. Its damp in this little valley so moss grows freely. A narrow stone bridge leads back to the main road and shopping.
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