Llanfendigaid, Day 6

It was a warm but strong head wind as the wrinklies rode down the lane towards Tonfannau. The sun was out and the sea sparkled. Sadly it was our last day for this visit and we had chosen to ride to the Talyllyn Railway for tea and cake. The station was busy as a train was due in and Sir Hadyn arrived just as we were finishing. Of course, photography was obligatory. The return journey was back wind and we bowled along effortlessly. At  Tonfannau we diverted across the field to the beach for some nostalgic beach combing and photography. Once back at the house it was time for a quick lunch before catching up with the younger generation in Aberdovey for crabbing and a walk along the beach. Sadly all that remains is a final meal and some packing before going our separate ways tomorrow.

Llanfendigaid, Day 4

Today started with my first Llanfendigaid run - well, jog/walk - accompanied by my coach on her bike. Despite the hillier nature of the route than I am used to, I was pleased that my time was comparable to the flat run from home. However, I finished with a sore achilles!! My first 'come back' running injury. Possibly the hill, but aided and abetted by totally clapped out shoes. Perhaps some heel wedges are in order. Run and lunchtime bacon butties dispatched it was time to head off to Aberdovey, crabbing and swimming. I braved swimming from the pier, not once but twice. I have to admit, though that it was from under the pier by the Time and Tide Bell not leaping off from the top of the pier like the youngsters were doing - not sure my back would have coped. Swimming done it was time for a portion of chips and then wandering round the shops with Heather before returning to the house.

Llanfendigaid Day 3

A  lazy morning this morning. Generally relaxing with a yoga session with Barbara and The Matlock Girls. A healthy lunch was partaken of honey ice cream in Tywyn before continuing to Aberdovey to find the rest of the team. The town was buzzing with people wandering around the shops, Outward Bound activity groups busy sailing and canoeing, pier jumping into the limpid waters of high tide and crabbing. It was wonderful to see so many people crabbing including our group, the third generation of Llanfendigaid crabbers. As usual many crabs were caught and released on the beach in time honoured fashion. Some of the team went off to Fairbourne pitch and putting or provision shopping while Heather and I wandered round the fleshpots of Aberdovey and had a quiet cup of tea. Another wonderful day.

Llanfendigaid, Day 2

The trail was surprisingly dry as we pedalled away from the cars into the head wind. The youngsters - children and grand children - had set off to walk up Cadair Idris while we wrinklies opted to ride along the Mawddach Trail from Penmaenpool near Dolgellau along the Mawddach estuary to Barmouth  crossing over the railway viaduct at the end. The views of the estuary as we rode along in the sun were magnificent; the tide was in and the mountains were enticing. Arriving at the viaduct we were soon onto the loose, uneven, planked path making pedalling challenging. The views across the head of the estuary to Barmouth were fascinating: jade sea with myriad boats anchored in the sheltered waters and ferries buzzing back and forth. Barmouth was busy so we locked up our bikes as we arrived and explored on foot enjoying lunch in the 'hippy cafe' which we love. The ride back was faster going; with the wind behind us we made good time and significantly improved our overall average speed. Having racked the bikes on the cars we settled down outside the excellent George III in the sun for some welcome Robinson rehydration. Returning to the house the final two members of our party had arrived and we settled down for tea and conversation before bustling about to prepare supper, it being our turn. The meal was a convivial affair and followed by monoply, film watching and, for me, and early night.

Llanfendigaid, September, Day 7

Our last day started in a familiar way this morning with torrential rain for most of it.  The NOGS and GOGS left early for grandchild duties and, sadly, a funeral.  Having sat out the deluge and had our lunch, we launched out for the afternoon as the skies began to clear.  First stop was Twyn Coop to buy pizza for tea and then a quick visit to the local Cadfan's Church on a Susan Cooper odyssey. Cooper wrote the Dark is rising sequence of books for older primary children and teenagers.  Having read the first one, Over Sea Under Stone to children at school, I fell in love with them myself and read them all.  The second in the series The Dark is Rising is my regular Christmas book as it begins on Christmas Eve and the final two in the series: The Grey King and Silver on the Tree take place in this part of World.  The series is  a well loved theme of good over evil, light vanquishing dark, much of it featuring established myths and legends and actual localities.  The Grey King begins with the young hero holidaying on his uncle's farm near Bryn Crug and visiting Cadfan's church in Twyn where he sees an ancient relic, Cadfan's Cross, and learns about an ancient mythical 'old way': Cadfan's Way.  On his uncle's farm he befriends Bran, who turns out to be King Arthur's son.  Together on the 'day of the dead' they enter Bird Rock where they meet both Arthur and 'The Grey King'.

On the day of the dead, when the year too dies,  

Must the youngest open the oldest hills,

Through the door of the birds, where the breeze breaks,

There fire shall fly from the raven boy, and the silver eyes that see the wind, 

And the light shall have the harp of gold.

Following in Will's steps we next headed for Bird Rock, not to enter it but to climb up it in a search for chough, rare members of the crow family with scarlet bill and legs.  Our search was successful (although not for photography!) despite nearly being blown off the rock and, descending quickly, we drove on through narrow banked lanes to Tonfanau station to walk down to the beach and the Dysyni Estuary.  Storms racing in made for some dramatic photography and also caused a quick dash for the car racing the rain.

Returning to the Cow Shed, it was time to light the wood stove and imbibe some wlecome rehydration.  As I write this blog I am looking out at skies now cleared and the oak draped hillside glowing in the evening sun.  Despite a poor start another excellent day and a nostalgic visit to some favourite locations on our last day.

To view large, please click on an image.

Llanfendigaid, September, Day 6

Slightly better weather this morning.  Still overcast and grey but no rain forecast so The Pickwells and Rothwells loaded up the bikes for the short drive to Penmaenpool in order to cycle the Mawddach Trail.  Meanwhile the Hyde contingent parked up near Arthog to walk over the railway viaduct to Barmouth.  Our route took us from The George III pub along the old Ruabon to Barmouth railway line.  Closed in the 1960s as a railway, the trail follows the estuary across saltmarsh and through stunning oakwoods, just beginning to display their russets and golds of autumn, to Morfa Mawddach station where it joins the spectacular Cambrian railway line from Shrewsbury to Pwhelli..  From here we, too, crossed the viaduct to Barmouth for tea and stickies in the quirky Fat Buddha Ebeneezer Emporium in the old chapel.  Heading back we had the advantage of the stong wind being on our backs and, wind assisted, we virtually flew back to the car and some welcome rehydration in the George III.  We met Linda and Steve in the downstairs bar where we cosied up to the log burner.  I well recommend the Robinson's Amarillo IPA - just the job after our ride.  Another excellent day.

To View large, please click on an image.

Llanfendigaid, September, Day 5

Today started wet and miserable with rain and very strong winds, yet again, but gradually began to clear up.  Late morning we all launched off to Machynlleth.  As we passed through Aberdovey we could see that the whole of the pier was closed off for maintence work so I was unable to pay my usual visit to the Time and Tide Bell.  As we neared Machynlleth the fields were flooded after all the rain and the river was incredibly high and, in fact, as we crossed the old road bridge into the town it was barely getting under the bridge's arches. Machynlleth was very quiet.  It should have been market day but stall holders had called it off as high winds were forecast.  We had an excellent lunch in the White Lion and then while the ladies explored fabric shops I enjoyed exploring the fantastic local bookshop.  It was soon time to move on to the Centre for Alternative Technology (CAT). CAT was established in an old slate quarry, abandoned in the early 1950s, in 1974 by a group of pioneers wanting to test envronmental technologies and ideas and to help people find more environmentally friendly ways of living.  In 1974 there was no accommodation or gardens and the site had no running water or electricity.  Staff and volunteers re-built many of the old quarry workers cottages and then built new buildings, gardens and ponds, water sewage and energy systems.  Over the years since, they have tested many new technologies and the visitor can see both old and new.  In the next few years, we will all have to make changes to the way we lead our lives, but they can remain healthy, happy, comfortable and connected.  To collectively meet the challenge of climate change we will have to end our reliance on fossil fuels and switch over to smart energy technologies such as renewables, some of which can be seen during a visit. The only way to limit dangerous climate change and damage to nature (this year yet again Butterfly Conservation's Big Butterfly Count has recorded a decrease in numbers) is to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to net zero.  CAT's Zero Carbon Britain research project explores ways in which this could be achieved on a national level.  For more information see www.cat.org.uk/zcb  I thoroughly enjoyed our visit (our 3rd I think) and came away with ideas to make our own lives greener at home.  Anybody visiting this part of Wales would be well-recommended to explore CAT.

During the afternoon the weather gradually improved and on returning to The Cow Shed we were treated to the most amazing sunset over the sea.

To view large, please click on an image.