The tree in the wall at Tŵr Ffoledd

 

Sunrise up the Folly.

A cold wind blew into my face as I walked along the track leading to Pontypool Folly. The tower ( Tŵr Ffoledd - in Welsh) stands proudly like a guardian sentinel, exposed to the elements, on the ridge of a hill with panoramic views of the area. 

I have walked this track many times. It is an amazing place to walk and stand up there next to the stone folly and stare out over the landscape. 

On this particular morning just before Christmas I was up there about thirty minutes before sunrise. It was very peaceful apart from the sound of the wind blowing through the metal field gates which made strange whistling noise. The only company I had were the very docile Welsh Black cattle grazing in the next field.

Leading to the Folly is an ancient stonewall. Half way along it grows a lone tree. I have photographed the tree over the years in all kinds of light and its has become as much a feature of the landscape as the actual Folly itself. 

The lonely tree

But on this occasion I was sorry to see that the recent very windy storms we have experienced had taken a viscous toll on the tree. As much as third of the tree had now cracked off and fallen to the ground. This is tree is very exposed and god only knows how much of the elements  it has endured over the years but 2024 has left its mark on the tree forever.

A third of the tree has broken away due to storm damage.

 I hope what is left of the tree remains strong and can survive the storm damage. I imagine at some stage the landowner may remove the fallen parts of the tree.

The pre-dawn skies were changing every few minutes as the rising sun approached. The rays of the sun reached up to the heavens from below the horizon and lit the clouds red.

I took various pictures using my iPhone and Nikon Z6 to begin with. When I reached the Folly the wind was very strong and cold. At one point I had to shelter behind the Folly as the wind was cutting and chilling me down to the bone.

Looking along the old stone wall the the Folly whilst waiting for sunrise.

I retreated to the track near the lonely tree and here the wind dropped to just almost a flutter so was safe enough for me to fly my drone.

Sunrise was almost upon me as my drone took to the air.

Super panoramic picture

Dawn up the Folly

The sun rose up over hills that lay behind Llandegfedd Lake setting the skies alight with orange coloured fire.

I never tire of the views from up at the Folly , its a truly fantastic place.

Sunrise up the Folly and the lonely tree.