River Usk, Newport; 2.4.2022

Transept of Tintern Abbey, Monmouthshire by Joseph Mallord William Turner

The romantic ruins of Tintern Abbey have inspired poets & painters.

Caerwent Roman South Gate and Walls, Caerwent, Monmouthshire, Wales

Cuckoo Wood

12/11/22.

The Bug Club (Monmouthshire, Wales) were first mentioned here nearly 3 years ago. In that time, they've changed a little. First, they are no longer on the label Bingo Records (they've released many great records including Melin Melyn). Second, they've changed their sound some. When we first posted about them, their minimal sound was likened to both Beat Happening and Les Cox Sportifs.

"Rare Birds: Hour of Song" is a hodge-podge of sounds recorded over the past year. This is a double LP and as such, the band called it "a ""South Wales' Double Nickels On The Dime". This has got some weirdness that recalls Gorky's Zygotic Mynci at their finest. But, really, there are sounds that sound like Australian punk/post-punk. Then I saw that this was mastered by Mikey Young.

This is released by Canadian label We Are Busy Bodies.

White Castle (Llantillo Castle)

White Castle (Llantilio Castle) is a ruin in Monmouthshire, Wales. The Norman castle was built in 1066 to control the border. It was the most imposing of the trio of Monmouthshire fortresses known as the “Three Castles.” Originally built of timber, it transformed into the castle ruin seen today. Many features of the castle are credited to Lord Edward, later King Edward I, who took possession of the Three Castles in 1254. The castle has three separate enclosures, towers, a wet moat, a wooden bridge, a 12th century curtain wall connecting the castle’s six round towers, and a 13th century gatehouse with twin towers. The remains of the interior aren’t great, but visitors can climb to the top of its gatehouse tower. The Three Castles (White, Grosmont, and Skenfrith) were largely abandoned after the Glyn Dwr uprising of the early 14th century passed.

Day 1477 - a view into England from the Black Mountains

Tintern Abbey, Wales

Set deep in a gorge of the River Wye, Tintern Abbey has an enduring presence. Originally constructed with wood in 1131, in Monmouthshire, Wales, this Gothic masterpiece was rebuilt in stone in 1269 and then abandoned in the 16th century after the dissolution of the monasteries when Henry VIII broke with the Catholic Church. Now a national icon, the abbey's mediaeval history was mostly uneventful. As centuries passed, word of the abbey and of its intricate stones and romantic, pastoral setting spread. From painter J.M.W. Turner to poet William Wordsworth, many artists were drawn to the abbey over the years. Interestingly, there's another abbey in County Wexford, Ireland, of the same name. Back in olden days, the one in Wales was often known as 'Tintern Major,' while the one in Ireland was called 'Tintern de Voto.'

Blick auf eine Steinbruecke ueber das Tal und Fluss bei Risca in Monmouthshire von Edward Pugh, Farbgravur

Day 1476, 8 July 2022

Redwick, Monmouthshire; 6.4.2024

Lovely day in Wales ♥️

Cute bridge tower thingy in Monmouth, Wales

'Harold's Stones' Prehistoric Stone Row, Trellech, Monmouthshire

Emerging