SCWD GWLADUS

PONT NEATH VAUGHAN

Here are a few photographs taken whilst on a walk to Sgwd Gwladus, a waterfall on the River Pyrddin at Pont Neath Vaughan. A couple of botanical studies have also been included.

The photographs:-

1    "Navelwort" - Umbilicus Rupestris. The name derives from the unusual shape of the  
       leaves. The word Umbilicus refers to the navel-like dimple in the centre of the  
       leaf.  Rupestris means "a plant that grows on rocks"

2    "Ramsons" - Allium ursinum. A prolific plant  which can be found carpeting the floor
       of deciduous woodlands. The species name ursinum is thought to derive from the
         shape of the leaves, supposedly resembling a bear's ears. Others suggest that it
       signifies inferiority to cultivated garlic - fit only for bears to eat!  The chopped and
       cooked leaves have, however, been used to flavour dishes and sauces. 

3     The River Neath flows through a cleft along the line of a fault in the bed of Basal
        Grit. The hard white rock contains  pebbles of quartz and is a conglomerate
        belonging to the Basal Grit.

4      A large chunk of quartrz conglomerate.

5 & 11     Sgwd Gwladus waterfall in low flow.

6     At the top of Sgwd Gwladus showing the ledge of "12 Foot Sandstone" of which the
        ledge is formed.

7     The bed of "12 Foot Sandstone" above the falls.

8     A fossilised tree root or branch embedded in the 12 Foot Sandstone" from the time
        when the Sandstone lay above the water on some tropical beach where plants grew.

9     The Rocking Stone near Sgwd Gwladus (no longer rocks). This is composed of
       Quatrz Conglomerate.  Anne standing at 5'-8" gives you an idea of the size of the rock.

10    Detail of the quartz conglomerate - showing the pebbles of quartz in the rock.

12    Horseshoe Falls on River Nedd Fechan