Originally set up for the South Wales Geocachers' 'All Things Welsh' Camp 2016 this series takes a little stroll around Llandovery and surrounding area whilst learning a little more about Wales and local history. Have Fun!
This is Dolauhirion Bridge, built in 1773 the date is still visible on the parapet. While you are here, don't forget to peer over the bridge to the beautiful River Towy below. Please be careful whilst on the bridge as it does narrow and oncoming traffic can't see you.
Drovers
The story of the American west and of the huge cattle drives that took place in the 1870s and 1880s are well known. And yet the concept of cattle driving, taking cows and other beasts to market or sales centres, began not in the USA but in Wales. The Welsh cattle drovers were a hardy and famous breed of men and their story has already gone down in legend. There is evidence of early drovers' roads in Wales, some of them dating back to Roman times. Many of the roads have since been incorporated into our modern road structures.
Drovers tended to travel on foot, usually four or five to a herd. Perhaps the better off men might ride on horseback, but on foot was more normal. They were assisted by well trained dogs that were sometimes sent home alone once the drive was over. The dogs, their homing instincts well developed, followed the same route back and often "lodged" in the same inns that the drovers had stayed at on the outward leg.
At the turn of the 18th century Haverfordwest drovers, on a drive to Ashford in Kent, earned just three shillings a day, plus a bonus of six shillings when all the cattle had been sold. Hardly the stuff of which millionaires are made. And those sums could increase or decrease according to the economic climate and the laws of supply and demand.
It was not just cows that were transported by the drovers but, whatever was being herded, all the livestock was always well prepared for the trip. Cows were fitted with iron shoes in order to protect their hooves and geese were given leather boots. Turkeys had their feet tarred.
Llandovery was an important Drovers' town. Over 30,000 cattle and other livestock where taken by Drovers to London each year,
Cache
You are looking for a screw topped tube. Although there may already be a pencil, please bring a pen(cil) just in case. This can be done as a cache and dash but please be careful where you park.