At Tintern: those heady arches.....

Tintern Abbey dates back to the 12th century. The Cistercian ruins are a huge grey headstone on the lofty Monmouthshire landscape. The road that snakes round from Redbrook to Tintern follows the river closely. You can picture the industrial movement of that time, and place the names to the heavy metal industry. Poor Redbrook I expect got its name from the metal ore and rust contaminating the river.

The great arches of Tintern shape and flow within its surroundings. I love that they still stand. Its seem completely amazing that they are still in place to this day. These great doors, obviously not the original wood but still give the feel of the heavy 'behind close doors' feel. How cold it must have been in winter. The monks faith must have been tested, or their knowledge of survival must have been vast....x