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So, we need to put on the proper underground kit for
our tram ride into the heart of Slate Mountain. |
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It was a long wait in line but the, it was a wet day
and thats what happens. |
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The tram ride is bumpy and noisy but
that's just the start... |
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Down in the dim, cool depths, our guide explains the
nature of a slate miners typical day.
six days a week, 12 hours a day in almost total darkness. |
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Did not sound like fun at all. |
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8 hours hammering away with a primitive drill just to
put the dynamite in to blow the next lot of slate down. |
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Inhaling a lot of toxic dust which
caused many breathing related illnesses. |
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A man at a ledger underground recording amounts of
slate hewn and debris carried out of the workings. |
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Only a mock up now, but this position was often used
by the safety workers to check the ceilings of the workings. |
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On the surface, a very modern worker demonstrating
how slate was split into slices as little as one eight of an inch thick. |
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Access and egress 21st century style is
taxing enough for well clad tourists in bright working lights. |
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Once outside, there are the inevitable
touristy restored shops. |
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This was the re constructed dwelling of a celebrated
Welsh Harpist. Whose name I forget. I think he
was blind, too.
Still wet outside. |
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Everywhere you look, slate, slate and
more slate. |
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next day, I was off to Cheshire to see an old BBC OB
(outside Broadcast unit) that used to be in BBC Manchester in the late
1970's. |
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Before that, one more cycle ride around the Great
Orme on my old bike. |
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