Day 2 – The Longest Day Pt2

Part 2: London to Llanbradoch

Ystrad Mynach park

This year, for the Evanses its not the 22^nd June that’s officially the longest day but rather today.

Nicholas and I have spent the past 12 hours on board CX243. We began the day, just after midnight, in Hong Kong its now a little after 5am local time and with the rest of the day ahead of us we make our bleary way through the labyrinth that is Heathrow Airport.

We’ve totaled up the travelling as there is little else to do while we wait for our luggage to appear.

Napier to Auckland	1 hour
Waiting	3 hours
Auckland to Hong Kong	11 hours
Waiting	4 hours
Hong Kong to London	12 hours
London to Llanbadoch	2.5 hours
Total	33.5 hours

Is it really any wonder Nicholas fell asleep in the car on the way to Wales?

We arrive at Mum’s, or Nan’s depending on who you’re speaking to. Nicholas is now bright as a button and ready for action. Simon, on the other hand is seriously flagging now.

But when sleep won’t come what’s the alternative? Fresh air and sunshine. And Ystrad Mynach park has it in spades.

Nicholas loved the park, the swings and the climbing frame particularly. Just what’s in order after 33 hours of confinement. That and a quality game of hide and seek with Nan.

The name Ystrad Mynach, in Welsh, refers to the wide, flat bottomed valley which would be subject to periodic flooding. The valley in this instance, was originally heavily farmed and very profitable for decades. But then came the industrial revelation and huge engineering works appeared, supporting the fledging coal mining of the valleys. It changed the nature of the community. Population increased, low cost terraced housing began to dominate the narrow roadsides and valley walls. Progress it would appear. So it remained for the much of the 20^th century until the coal industry in Wales began to dwindle, out priced by cheapening transportation bringing cheapening coal for far flung places. The town began to spiral downward. Off spring moving away, seeking education and opportunity, fewer and fewer returning to their roots. Until central government funding for conservation and preservation kicked in and community engagement programmes encouraged the regeneration of the area from the mid 90’s.

Here we are. Relaxing at Nan’s. If there’s one person who likes playing lego and crawling around on the floor as much as Nicholas, its Nan.