Day 276 Cycling the Taff Trail Again

Yet more hot sun this morning but with a forecast of an imminent return to normal October temperatures so we got the bikes out again.  we're determined to make the most of this weather.  We took the bikes by car to Merthyr and then cycled home along the Taff Trail.  This was all off road until we reached Pontypridd.  It's quite suprising that there's this hidden network of cycle paths that we didn't know existed within yards, sometimes, of busy roads that we use regularly.  The trail was a combination of old lanes linked by newer sections and follows the line of the old Glamorganshire canal or alongside the River Taff.  There's no canal, as such inthis area but there were stretches where it was visible as a ditch or just swampy ground.


South of Merthyr our sunny mood was broken when we reached Aberfan and the path went right past the cemetery. We'd never visited it before but felt we had to call in to pay our respects. I had to hold back the tears as I walked along the memorial & graves. It's a sobering place and we were silent as we continued our ride.


For those who don't know Aberfan was the site of a disaster  on 21 October 1966 when after heavy rain the coal tip above the village collapsed and tons of slurry slid down the mountain into the primary scholol and village.  Of 144 dead, 116 were children, mostly aged 7-10.  Wikipedia gives a full report here or here is a shorter newspaper version

Each arch is a memorial

So many, so young

As we rode away our sombre mood slowly dissipated and we enjoyed the rest of the ride.  Of note, was the section of the trail running over Trevithicks tramway.  He built the first steam locomotive to take passengers and a cargo of iron ore .  It wasn't a great success but I'm not going to write about it now. If you're interested check out this link.

By the time we'd got home, had lunch, showered, changed and got the other car out to go to retrieve the one we'd left in Merthyr the weather had changed. Goodbye sun! This afternoon was grey damp misty & cold.  Normal service is resumed!

Later I wanted to take a photo for Our Daily challenge of Glass.  I'd bought some flowers specifically for this shot.  Hope you like it