On many occasions, we have travelled to North Wales for a holiday. Four times on Anglesey, twice in Dolwydellan, and once in Conwy, but we have never stayed on the west coast. So today it was somewhere new, a small village called Morfa Bychan, not too far from Porthmadog, and just behind Black Rocks Sands beach, which is famous for allowing cars to drive on it.
The Saturday drive over was a steady one, with quite a few hold-ups for Bank Holiday traffic, but we arrived around 3:30pm and the bungalow was ready. After unpacking, we headed down to the beach for an hour before settling in for the evening.
Sunday was a beautiful day, with lots of sun and a maximum of around 19c. We decided to walk the coastal path down to Borth-Y-Gest and back, a distance of around 5.5 miles. There was plenty to see along the way, some lovely rock formations, little coves and the old Powder House which is now an actual house, probably a holiday home, but in the past stored gunpowder which was used in the slate quarries in the area.
We had our sandwiches overlooking the small harbour, had an ice cream, and then headed back to the bungalow, getting back around 2:15pm. We could now spend a few hours just sitting in the lovely garden. The plan was to head back down to Borth-Y-Gest this evening when the tide was in, as when we walked there earlier in the day it was low tide, with flat sands almost as far as you could see.
Well, we did head down to Borth-Y-Gest in the evening, and guess what, nowhere was open! The bar/bistro on the harbourside shut at 5pm. So Donna didn't get the gin I had promised her.
So on to Monday, the Bank Holiday. Most places we expected would be busy, and although it probably wouldn't be quiet itself, we set off 20 minutes down the coast to Harlech Castle. It does look a little out of place, sitting high on a hill overlooking flat fields. However, what isn't obvious is that just a few hundred years ago it was next to the sea, it's just that the sea levels have dropped and now there is an expanse of about 1/2 mile until you get your feet wet.
And to be honest we really enjoyed it there. Great views, lots of the castle is still intact, and a drink in the cafe looking out towards the estuary topped it off. Then there was the absolutely delicious ice cream we had just across from the castle, made that morning in the shop and very tasty.
Only about 10 minutes away were the slate caverns at Llandfair, so a trip underground would be our next adventure. And I was glad that Donna suggested that I put my jacket on because as soon as you approached the entrance you could feel how cool it was going to be.
There are multiple caverns over two levels, there are more levels but they are filled with water so obviously no access anymore. The stories of how they worked down there were really interesting, especially the tales of the young boys who started aged 12 and had to do a 6-year apprenticeship. Grueling conditions. They even make and store their own cheese in one of the closed-off caverns, so of course we had to buy some.
We were back at the house around 2:30pm, so Donna knocked up some lunch and we enjoyed the sunshine for much of the afternoon. Then in the evening, an hour on the beach just to blow away a few cobwebs.
Since getting the steam train a year ago, from Caernarfon to Beddgelert, we said that we wanted to come back to Beddgelert again this time around, so Tuesday was our day. And as it's our 35th wedding anniversary today, it's always good to bring back good memories.
It would bring memories back from around 15 or so years ago, as the plan was to do the walk down the river to the Aberglaslyn Pass. It's a steady walk, with some rocky sections underfoot, but no incline to be had. And with the water bobbling over its rocky bed it provides a nice background sound. And of course, the fine weather always makes it more enjoyable.
Unfortunately, another reason to come was for the lamb, feta, and mint burger in a sourdough parcel, that Donna had last year, but no longer on the menu. So instead we made do with small tubs of ice, topped off with a flake.
As the weather was still nice, instead of heading straight back we spent a couple of hours driving around Snowdonia, just taking in the sights and sounds of the place, and of course, stopping every now and then for me to take photos.
By the time we arrived back, it was after 4pm so an early tea seeing as we hadn't really eaten since breakfast. Then an hour in the sun before locking ourselves away for the night. Well, I say locking ourselves away, I did actually venture down onto the beach, as the clear blue skies suddenly turned to mist as it rolled in from the sea and engulfed the coast and hills. There wasn't anything to see though, so a bit pointless going out if I am being honest.
And on to Wednesday, the first day that hadn't started with the sun shining. To be honest the forecast was for more cloud today so it wasn't unexpected. And I didn't get out of bed until 9:48am, yes that late! Unheard of, but given that it has taken me a couple of hours to get to sleep each night, it was required.
Today would be a 2-hour round-trip down the coast to Barmouth, a place we have never visited but always looks nice in the photos. We took the longer route there, which was a bonus as it meant that we could stop off at Rhaedr Falls, not planned, but we had forgotten it was on this road. We spent around 30 minutes there taking in the area with the interesting rock formations in the river.
As soon as we arrived in Barmouth we went for something to eat, a pizza, not the best we have ever had but it did fill us up. Barmouth is in a beautiful spot with wide beaches, and a verdant hill right behind the resort with some houses clinging to the sides of the hill.
We spent a couple of hours there, the area down near the harbour was nice, but the majority of the resort was typical 'seaside'. Nice also for the older generation.....says me at 60. The route back was the shorter one that takes up the coast and through Harlech, and by around 4pm we were back at the house. Definitely not going out this evening.
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