This was the headline in the South Wales Argus just before Christmas 2012. It is accompanied by a photograph showing a view of Festival Park in Ebbw Vale from the mountain above. I show my own photographs from a similar vantage point.
The Royal Geographical Society has chosen the diverse and sprawling Valleys of Gwent as having some of the most interesting geography to explore in the UK.
A project called Discovering Britain, aims to explain the stories behind the UK's built and natural landscapes through a series of self-led geographical walks.
Dr Jenny Lunn is the Discovering Britain project manager and is quoted as saying, "On a personal level, being from Manchester, I'm very interested in former industrial areas and how they have reinvented themselves.
"Before we visited I had presumed the Valleys would be all coal, mines and depression and instead we saw this amazing landscape of forests and mountains. I thought it was just beautiful. You can even see the Brecon Beacons when its not raining.
"You walk past all the terraces of the towns and villages and suddenly you are in this amazing wild and natural landscape, and it is very easy to see how important that must have been for the people who worked under ground.
"Its wonderful, and I think people need to know that this beautiful landscape is the real valleys."
RGS-IBG director, Dr Rita Gardner said,
"This is a land of contrasts and surprises with wonderful views, diverse scenery and the fascinating stories that this landscape has to tell.
"You can see how the physical landscape and the Valley towns have changed since the decline of the coal industry.
"We hope that people across the UK will explore the fabulously diverse geography and history that is on all our doorsteps. The Valleys of South Wales have both these in abundance."
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