Twyn-Y-Cryn Wood

 

A composite picture from above of Twyn-y-Cryn Wood.

Late in November this year I continued my study of my local autumn woodland. I returned to a small ancient woodland that is situated in the Glascoed area of Monmouthshire and near New Inn, Pontypool.

A public foot path runs through the wood that is part of the Llandegfedd circular walk. The hill where the woodland grows is named Twyn-y-Cryn. I have done some research and discovered that translated from Welsh into English it means "Hill of Shivering" or "Quaking Hill". I find place names and their origins fascinating and I wonder what the story is here behind the name.

I personally find the wood very welcoming but I can imagine in the depths of winter it could get very cold.

This November when I visited the trees were shedding their foliage (a process known as abscission) and the woodland floor was covered in a thick carpet of mainly beech leaves. Twyn-Y-Cryn is a really beautiful place. The wood comprises of many big beech trees and the first that I do every time I enter the woodland is look up as its like being in a natural cathedral.

Earlier in the year there would be a thick company of green forming the ceiling but late in the Autumn season with the leaf fall it opens up revealing the sky beyond the bare branches.

Whilst the Beech are the dominate species there are other species of trees to be found. Holly, Oak, Hawthorn,Hazel,Birch and Ash. I did not find much evidence of Ash dieback whilst strolling around the groves.

At the entrance that lies close to Trosta Common there was a magnificent beech tree that was still hanging on to its golden autumnal  leaves very late in the season.

On this occasion as I explored the shivering hill I was looking for a spot where there would be a gap in the trees where I could fly my drone for some aerial photographs. This year I have become very experienced in flying my drones in tight places for some unusual pictures. I think woodland looks amazing from above.

As the trees had shed much of their foliage I was fortunate to find a few good spots. For the most part it would involve simple up and down manoeuvres in a woodland glade to captures some aerial shots.

Hello from down here in the wood.

 

Even when the trees have lost their gloriously coloured autumn leaves the wood looks beautiful. The bare grey almost white bark is contrasts amazingly well against a backdrop of almost red coloured shed leaves on the woodlands floor.

I walked further up to the top of the shivering hill until I found another nice spot to fly the drone.

A suitable gap.

You don't need to fly very high to get a different perspective.

There was hardly a breath of wind in the wood and it was very quiet for the most part with the exception of the odd bird call.

I love the peace and quiet and having that feeling in that moment that at this place ,it was just me enjoying it. No noise, nothing busy going on, just calmness - I must admit perhaps I have got a little carried away here with literary licence as there was a lot of buzzing noises to be heard from my drone ;)