Premier Inn Bridgend

wind farm

by uglyscot

Near Bridgend, on a hill can be seen a wind farm. The giant white windmills stand out on a sunny day.
I'm all in favour of conserving energy, but do wonder whether these giants are a blot ona the landscape.

The pictures were taken when driving on the motorway, so I wasn't sure if they would be visible or not.

River Ewenny stepping stones

by uglyscot

Beside Ogmore castle are stepping stones at the most suitable place for a ford, which is why the castle was situated here. Some of the stones require quite a large step to reach, but crossing should be possible for anyone with reasonable balance. The whole area is pleasant with the river running through pastureland.

Bridgend

by uglyscot

The countryside near Bridgend is undulating and on a hill near Pen Coed are the masts and sails of a windfarm, but I wasn't quick enough to snap them. I can't make up my mind whether or not I approve of them. Yes, if it conserves energy; but not if it is a blot on the landscape.

Bridgend lies almost midway between Cardiff and Swansea.
We went there because we wanted to do some shopping at the Mcarthur Glen Designer Outlet. This is a group of nearly 100 shops and a food court, with Sainsbury's and a cinema nearby.

Bridgend or Pen y Bont is built on a sloping hillside. It was on the pilgrim route to St David's. They waded across the fast flowing river , and the town grew up around this point on the banks of the river Ogmore. The Old Bridge of 1425 was partly destroyed in a flood in 1775, then rebuilt.
It is reasonable sized town with a hospital, and of course the nearby outlet.
In fact Bridgend has long been a commercial hub. It was a market town in the 16th Century, and there were tanneries, potteries and a woollen factory in the area.