The Cowshed, Day 6

Sadly another wet day today.  Being aware of this prospect a few days ago we had booked lunch for 2.30 at the George III at Penmaenpool and so were happy to settle to a lazy morning in.  Time sped by and the weather brightened so it didn't seem long before it was time to leave for the pub.  When we arrived the estuary was full and flowing rapidly out to sea, even carrying branches and whole tree trunks with it.  I mistakenly suggested that the ebb tide was flowing quickly, but it was actually on the flood, with high tide not being until 8.00 pm.  Flood waters from the hills were obviously holding back the tide.  
Lunch was excellent and we headed 'home' for some postprandial exercise.  Helen and John opted to cycle to Tywyn, while the rest of us went for a walk along the beach from the mouth of the Dysynni estuary.  Again the river was flowing quickly out to sea and holding the rapidly flooding tide back; Broadwater the lagoon on the salt marsh inland of the railway bridge was flooded. The geography of the beach here has altered over the previous two years with more sand and fewer boulders.  The boulder clay cliffs backing the beach are eroding quickly and further along, the cliff-top path has gone completely, leaving the railway line seemingly dangerously exposed.  I wonder how long the rail company are going to maintain it and save it from the sea; there are other potential weak spots along the route especially nearer to Fairbourne.  Founded as a seaside resort by Arthur McDougall (of flour making fame), Fairbourne is an area listed by Gwynedd council for managed retreat due to rising sea levels.  
I was pleased to spot three red breasted mergansers, perhaps the same three that were on the river by the railway bridge earlier in the week, along with oystercatchers, ringed plovers, curlew, cormorants and a mixed gathering of gulls.