Keepers Pond, Blaenavon

From the moment I woke up, and even as I write this evening, the rain hasn't stopped. It was the Ball & Chain's day off and we ummed and argh'd about what to do. I suggested a drive to Ebbw Vale. She wasn't keen, but in the event of no better suggestion we headed there.

I was 'posted' there for 6 months about 1993. I was a hell of a drive from Newport (prior to the new by-pass at Cwm) and I hated it, sometimes driving home and back within 8 hours on 'double-back' shifts. It's changed dramatically now, probably with the input of millions from EU funds to poor areas. We had a walk around Festival Park shopping centre for an hour before a drive via Brynmawr across to Blaenavon.

On passing the Keepers Pond Entrance I took the blip photo, mainly as I liked the tree contrasted against the awful weather. The wife stayed in the car before requesting I take her home as she wanted to do the ironing and relax!

The Keeper’s Pond, also known as Pen-ffordd-goch Pond or the Forge Pond, is situated near Pwll Du, on the hill above Blaenavon. The pond was built in the early 19th century to provide water for Garnddyrys Forge, which started production in about 1817. The forge was dismantled during the 1860s and whilst the pond no longer fulfilled an industrial purpose, it rapidly became a local beauty spot. It also acquired the name Keeper’s Pond because the gamekeeper of the grouse moors lived in a cottage nearby.

Today, the Keeper’s Pond car park is the ideal starting point for a walk on the Blorenge Mountain. For instance, if you follow the Iron Mountain Trail you will discover lots of reminders of the 19th century industry including tramways and tunnels.

The pond is a great place to visit at any time of year. The views are so spectacular that you can sit with a coffee or picnic whatever the weather. Even in the middle of winter it is a great place to walk the dog, and the windier the day, the better, for kite flying!!

Try telling the wife that!