Mon & Brecon Canal, South Wales

Cliched Winter Wonderland

My favourite walk is along this canal.  I am dreading the planned future development of this area. After years of wrangling between local protest groups and the council the plan was thrown out, and then quickly reinstated.

Tunnel in the snow

This week the snow abated long enough for a 3 mile walk from Sebastopol to Cwmbran along the canal towpath. 

slush on canal surface

The surface of the water was covered in places with a smooth surface of what would could soon become ice.  In other places it had been disrupted by snow and ice falling from the overhanging trees, or by snowballs and dogs launched from the bank.

Tunnel entrance from west

Several freshly toppled trees lay in the canal.  Thick snow still lay on their branches.  The last week of snow had been heavy but without a great deal of wind.  Presumably the weight of snow on trees  rooted in ground already sodden from weeks of constant rain, proved too much.  (On our return from Cwmbran to Sebastopol, our bus was diverted due to another tree fallen across the road.)


View from the western end of canal tunnel (low winter sun)

View from eastern end of canal tunnel

View from Eastern end of Canal Tunnel

A few weeks ago, when the winter sun was low, I took photographs of the canal tunnel.  From the western end, the brickwork was illuminated for some distance inside the tunnel. 

I have now taken more photographs of the same tunnel in the snow.  The difference is evident.  Against the snow the opening to the tunnel looks black and daunting.

This beautiful canal is navigable from Brecon to the Cross-Keys Pub at 5 Locks which would entail sailing through this tunnel.  The old bargies would have "walked the tunnel roof," whilst lying on their backs on the barge roof.  Today's travellers, with an engine fitted to their craft, would find their progress easier.

Not many dog-walkers or cyclists out today, but evidence of their presence can be seen in the multitude of tracks left in the snow.