We checked out at 9am. A bright morning, the lake like a mirror from the balcony.
We drove to the northern edge of Lake Vyrnwy and then took a tiny road north through woods and valleys and spectacular mountain scenery. The sky was clear blue and had white woolly clouds and the surroundings were green and had white woolly sheep.
We were aiming to get to Porthmadog in time for the 10:40 mountain railway train to Blaenau Ffestiniog. We got to the station at around 10:25 but then had to find somewhere to park. We didn’t put enough money into the nearest short-stay meter and legged it to the station just in time to get on the train.
The train ambled up through the mountains. There were enthusiasts with cameras at some of the stations on the way.
At Blaenau Ffestiniog we had about 45 minutes to look around the town, which was surrounded by mountains and mounds of slate from earlier quarryings.
Back on the train.
Back at Porthmadog we discovered we’d avoided a parking ticket, but set off sharpish nonetheless. Criccieth was busy so we carried on and stopped at Pwllheli. We parked at a small nature reserve car park just out of the town centre. We walked up the road alongside a reedbed and watched and listened to Reed Warblers singing to defend their territories.
Then out around the harbour. Stonechats, Linnets, Shelducks, Heron, etc.
At Aberdaron it was busy. We parked in the village car park by the sea. We checked into the Ship Hotel. Very friendly. The bar was busy, with people spilling out onto the street. We went out onto the sandy beach for a bit. Lots of people. Speaking Welsh. Small tattoos, colourful clothes, nylon dogs (something like that). Food was nice at the hotel.