By: Alan Bowring

Alan Bowring — Mon, 03 Nov 2014 17:16:35 +0000

To find someone writing in such articulate and heartfelt fashion about a subject which has set my own mind wandering on many an occasion whilst roaming amongst the Black Mountains’ ridges and troughs is delightful. Outside of the Vale of Ewyas and that of the Olchon, one of my favourites is that which runs sub-parallel to the oft-traversed one at Rhiw Cwnstab; the zigging and zagging ascent on the northeastern side of Cwm Cwnstab which permits glimpses into that rough gully but where the walker caught up in admiration of the scene is less likely to be clipped by passing traffic!

I’ve had in mind for some time to undertake just the sort of mapping exercise which you suggest; a rewarding endeavour indeed, tracking them down – and up! – both on the hill and through the aerial image and map. That the Ordnance Survey has not indicated the majority in its modern maps has puzzled me. Most are not public rights of way of course but they have a presence in the landscape and offer very suitable ascents and descents of these steep hillsides; their presence on the map would not be amiss. Mapping though is a sort of confining – and perhaps that could take from them some of the charm that stems from their oft un-noticed presence.

By: Peter Laurie

Peter Laurie — Fri, 31 Oct 2014 11:51:26 +0000

I’m interested in Roman campaign roads. I have a son who lives near the Dolocauthi mine. We have been tracing the Sarn Helen near the mine and again near the Devils E lbow south of Sennybridge.

Does that road relate to your rhiws?

People often say that the Romans reworked original native roads – and why not? – but evidence would be useful.

Comments on: Eddie Procter – The Rhiws of the Black Mountains: Liminal Ways, Old Beyond Memory

By: Alan Bowring

By: Peter Laurie