Big Pit & St Fagans

Today was full of adventure. We went on another field trip this time to two different locations. The first was Big Pit, an old Welsh coal mine turned museum. The group separated into two and went down into the mine for a 50 min tour. This was the scariest thing I had done in a while. Not to mention the mine isn’t really equipped for tall people. The deeper we went the shallower the tunnels became and the more the hair on my arms stood. The overall all experience was very educational we learned about how mining affected women and children labor and later on animal rights.  

 We had to leave our bags behind anyone wearing a watch, camera, cellphone had to leave their belonging behind. As we learned throughout the tour caring the wrong thing into a coal mine can be very dangerous. We had to put on special gear including helmets with lights attached and gas mask to ensure our safety. 

 Looking stylish in my miners gear! 

 An outside view of the museum. 

 Its time to go! I can only imagine the look on the face of the miners as it was time to go home. I personally hated being down below the earths surface but  I managed to suffice. Just the thought of having to work 12 hour shifts down in that cold, damp, musty mine was enough to make me thankful I was born in a new era!

I came across this in passing leaving Big Pit and on the way to St Fagans it is the Welesh Aqueduct!

The second attraction on the trip was St Fagans: National History Museum of Wales. This is more my ideal trip away from dark gloomy coal mines and into bright enchanting gardens.  We were lucky enough to catch the last tour of the inside of a castle! Sorry they don't allow picture taking inside of the castle so you will have to enjoy the view from the outside or take a tour for yourself.

 The gardens are so beautiful they even had a portion of the outside reserved for a wedding reception. Can you imagine getting married in a castle?

 It was such a nice day out I would say the temp was between upper 60 and lower 70 degrees (Fahrenheit) at some point there was enough sun out for me to take of my coat and fully enjoy the Welsh air.

 Snapping pictures in the garden^
The entryway to the castle gardens

The trip to St Fagans was a perfect ending to an exciting and adventurous trip! I would love to visit again (...St Fagans that is NOT the coal mines.)