On May 29th nine of us set out from sunniest St Mellons to see Blaenafon and yes it was raining again. Amongst other things we went to see how things were in the "good ole days". The first experience was in Stack Square where BBC Wales filmed The Coal House series. We quickly came to the conclusion that although we might have been happy with outside privvies and coal fires we wouldn't swop it for what we have now!

Lunch was in the Rifleman's Arms where I remember my father taking me before looking for fossils on the coal tips. Then it was a real "pub" and men were men etc. Now its had an extension and does very nice food but the welcome is still as warm and "valley" as I remember it years ago. Its well worth a visit.

Next stop was the Pontypool and Blaenafon Railway - a preserved steam line. That weekend they had opened a new extension from Blaenafon High Level to The Whistle and for £5 you could chug up and down all day. The dream is that one day there will be a preserved line from Pontnewynydd to Brynmawr. Wouldn't that be fantastic?

PS At Stack Square I told the delightful Cadw ladies how my father used to bring me to Blaenafon on the diesel train. Mike used to come on a steam train!!! Ahh the good ole days .......