About six months ago, Dan, Alison and myself visited Caerwent and we were taken back by the extent of the remains there. A few months later I found a hillfort nearby (see earlier posts) so Today we decided to go and visit Roman Caerwent. The weather had improved and the rain held off even as we drove over the Severn Bridge where the tide was high.
We decided to go via the motorway as we wanted to arrive before evening!! We drove into the car park and then headed for the ampitheatre which was remarkably well preserved although the local medieval builders had pinched alot of the facing stone. However it was easy to imagine maybe games, or tigers e.t.c. entering the arena. Like Caerwent there was extensive remains and we decided to follow the towns heritage trail with me guiding with the map (!!). We had a good look around the barracks and were both horrified and amazed at some of the laterine arrangements the romans made! We had a good look around the small town with its mix of very interesting and varied buildings including Ye Old Roman Fish Bar. We eventually had our lunch in the ampitheatre - perhaps near where the Romans might have had their hotdog and ice cream stand - perhaps they had their own footbal team Ye Olde Cearwent Rovers with Ceaser as Fabio! Anyway some very modern thigs with wings meant one or two moves and I had my lunch leaning against part of the wall.
We then made our way to the museum where a mock Roman paper amused me with the headline Ceaser says 'nothing to fear from Valcano (i.e. Pompei!)'. The romans were a highly sophisticated lot with their coins, armour and engineering.
We walked down the high street following the trail down to the Quay where we sat for a while looking at the bridge.
Our next port of call was an archeological dig by UCL who had found some barrack buildings adjoining the ampitheatre. They had various tents and were showing visitors their work and finds. Of course there was a tent where there were helmets which of course I tried on and then was interviewed by a member of staff.
The journey back was the scenic one which was a bit of a loop. I had intended not driving all the way to Usk and then up via Wentwood forest but decided to opt for the easier Usk route which was a bit further but a pleasant ride back.
