We left the cottage and went to Plas Glyn y Weddw (where we’d been on Wednesday and had had a coffee and seen the tin man sculpture). We had a look round the gallery and had a coffee. Then we drove through picturesque sunlit Snowdonia and Cambrian Mountains to Llanidloes, where we had Welsh Rarebit …
We set off from the cottage following the first section of the “Mariners’ Trail” which connects Nefyn with Abersoch. We walked through fields and quiet lanes. In one place, alongside a stream, it was very muddy. We saw a Sparrowhawk. We stopped to watch and listen to a Sedge Warbler singing. We joined the coast …
First thing, we drove 20 minutes to Porth Ysgaden. A rough bumpy track for half a km then space to park at the top of the bay. R went snorkelling. Not great visibility but fun, and one big spider crab. Then we walked along the coast path. Lots of sheep. We watched some Sandwich Terns …
We were a bit sad to leave the Ship at Aberdaron. Proprietor Alun was an excellent chap. He’s 52 and having taken over running the hotel from his mother in 1992 he’s the last of the line. A small, uncomfortable bed and a toilet cistern that leaked continuously, but still, a great place to stay …
Last night we messaged Colin via Whatsapp to book the 12:30 ferry crossing to Bardsey Island. After breakfast, we went to the Spar and bought lunch (pork pie, crisps, apple). The we drove ten minutes to the Whistling Sands at Porthor, on the north coast. The bay was deserted apart from a lone fisherman on …
At the car, putting our boots on, a man came over for a chat. He was doing the coast path and had done our planned route yesterday, said it was very nice, but he hadn’t seen any Choughs. He hadn’t seen any for years, he said. He went off to catch his bus to Llanengan, …
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 …
We drove the mile to the car park at the southern end of Lake Vyrnwy. There was a hide with feeders and flocks of Siskins and assorted other small birds. We walked the ‘blue’ trail through mixed woodland and only got slightly lost. We saw a Tree Pipit for the first time. Back at the …
Up the M5 to Gloucester then along winding A- and B- roads through the scenic Shropshire hills to Lake Vyrnwy Hotel. We explored the grounds and walked down a track to a chapel. Mistle Thrush, Song Thrush. Heard woodpeckers laughing and a distant cuckoo. Our comfortable room has a balcony overlooking the woods and lake.
We set off up Holford Combe, crossing the stream several times. At the top of the combe we climbed up to Dowsborough Fort. The woods were damp. Birds were singing. Oak trees were packed together, trunks cork-screwing up towards the daylight. According to local oddball folklorist and song “collector” Ruth Tongue, Dowsborough was a lookout …