01.08.18 Mynydd Llangyndeyrn (SN 482 132)
Mynydd Llangyndeyrn
proved the best of the six hills that Suzanne and I visited during the day, as
it retains the feel of a hill with grassland, heath and rocky outcrops
predominating. The hill is positioned
between the towns of Caerfyrddin (Carmarthen) toward the north-west and
Rhydaman (Ammanford) toward the east, and has been designated a Site of Special
Scientific Interest (SSSI).
We approached from the
convenience of the relatively high B4306 road that cuts across the southern and
western slopes of this hill, and parked beside a fence close to a cattle grid
and a few houses.
Blue sky dominated and
gave tranquil warmth on our ascent which was via a paved lane designated a
public right of way that led to a farm.
Although this route gives quick and easy access to the summit it is not
one that I would recommend as the hill has so much more to offer and deserves
time spent in its midst to fully appreciate.
As the track neared the
first farm we headed up toward the summit via a path which swung north-eastward
toward the white coloured trig pillar placed on the summit area of the hill.
Having not researched
the hill prior to our visit the first ancient cairn we came across that incorporates
a stone circle and main monolith was somewhat of a surprise, so much so that I
wondered if it was a modern construction, it is not, and is a fine example of
ancient culture.
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| As with may standing stones side on they are slender compared to front on (see below) |
As I took a series of
photographs of the ring barrow with its neatly set stone circle and central
monolith Suzanne wandered up toward the summit, and proceeded northward toward
another ancient cairn positioned in the heathland below the rocky outcrop and
steep eastern sides of the upper section of the hill.
I soon headed toward the
summit and set the Trimble up with its internal antenna aligned to its high
point, and once data were being gathered then retraced my steps back to the
ancient cairn.
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| The Trimble set-up position at the summit of Mynydd Llangyndeyrn |
Such ancient
constructions draw me in, I have no words to know why, but they do. I again took a series of photographs with the
trig pillar and Trimble giving a present day backdrop on what is still an
ancient foreground.
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| An ancient forground as the Trimble gathers data in the present day background |
Eventually I drew myself
away and once 10 minutes of data were gathered and stored I closed the Trimble
down, packed it away and headed to the lower heathland below, where Suzanne had
walked and was now sitting on one of many rocky outcrops taking in the
atmospheric nature of the hill and its surrounds.
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| Gathering data at the summit of Mynydd Llangyndeyrn |
To our south was a large
standing stone that had been obscured from view on our ascent, but it stood
firmly upright with a path leading from where we now were down toward it, and
which no doubt continued onward to where the car had been parked.
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| Suzanne beside the standing stone |
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| Standing stones are always impressive when found in the hills, and this was no exception |
This monolith could be
seen from the summit and beckoned us to investigate, it did not
disappoint. It stands against a backdrop
of grassland with bracken interspersed amongst rock outcrops and rises a full
2.7m (9ft) in height. It is impressive
and a stunning example of a Maen Hir.
We stood beside it for a
number of minutes and then headed down following the continuation of the narrow
path leading toward a gate and the modernity of tarmacked roads, cars and more
hills to bag.
Survey Result:
Mynydd Llangyndeyrn
Summit Height: 263.0m (converted to OSGM15)
Summit Grid Reference: SN 48237 13266
Bwlch Height: 90.6m (LIDAR)
Bwlch Grid Reference: SN 52317 13775 (LIDAR)
Drop: 172.4m (Trimble summit and LIDAR bwlch)
Dominance: 65.54%
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