Llanfendigaid, Day 5. Ridge Walk and Aberdovey.

Pulling up the summit of the ridge we were suddenly rewarded with views down to Llanfendigaid, the coast and the Dysynni Estuary.  We had the idea to walk from the Cowshed along the ridge that we look out on.  Our route took us up the road and round the back of the ridge before climbing up to it where we enjoyed a drink and snack looking out at the views and taking team photos.  The highlight of the ridge was the excellent close views of hares one of which exploded from under John's feet.  The route down involved avoiding a herd of savage cows one of which was snorting and black.  Their body language was positively negative.  Having avoided the ravenning beasts we enjoyed the walk back.  After lunch Heather and I took the new car out for a play and went to Aberdovey.  Unfortunately it turned cloudy and hazy but it was still good to be pack and potter around all of our favourite places.  The slate green of the sea was beautiful and I was well-impressed with the number of wild swimmers.

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Foxglove

Llanfendigaid from The Ridge

Looking down on Tonfanau

The NOGs and GOGs

Looking Down on the Dysynni Estuary

The NOGs and GOGs

Llanfendigaid

Time and Tide Bell, Aberdovey

Time and Tide Bell, Aberdovey

Llanfendigaid Day 4. Car Exchange.

After a lazy breakfast (aren't they all!) it was time to empty the Kia ready for the car change over.  We were expecting the replacement to be delivered between 11.00 and 1.00 but were delighted and surprised when the very pleasant and helpful driver arrived at 11.15. Hyundai unloaded and Kia loaded up and away we put all of our Kit into the new car and then had lunch.  Rather than go out we enjoyed another walk down to the estuary collecting some specimens for pressing and listing all.

It was soon time to start cooking: leg of lamb and all the trimmings, part of our 70th birthday present for Pappa John.

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Broad-Leaved Everlasting Pea

Broad-Leaved Everlasting Pea

Looking towards Tywyn

Looking towards Tywyn

Sea Holly

Sea Holly

Rest Harrow

Looking Towards Tywyn

Sea Campion

The Dysynni  Meets the Sea at Tonfanau

The Dysynni  Meets the Sea at Tonfanau

Birdsfoot Trefoil and the Dysynni .

Common Mallow and the Lane Leading to Lanfendigaid

Llanfendigaid Day 3.

An insurance morning this morning.  We had to drive to Bryn Crug where we could get a phone signal to complete all the car negotiations with the insurance.  Tomorrow we are to take delivery of a Hyundai Tuscon and the Kia taken away to be repaired.  Returning  to the house it was time for coffee and lunch.

Later in the afternoon I opted for another walk down to the estuary but this time to cross the bridge and walk along to the steeply sloping shingle beach leading up to Tywyn.  Despite the dull conditions one or two butterflies were on the wing: meadow brown, small heath and tortoiseshell, and on the water were a pair of mergansers.  Cormorants were hanging their wings out to dry on the tide line and a pair of oystercatchers were noisily displaying.  An excellent spot.

I wandered back and later we enjoyed Helen's excellent meat and potato pie.

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Wall Pennywort

Wall Pennywort

Foxglove

Foxglove

Foxglove

Broad-leaved everlasting Pea

Broad-leaved everlasting Pea

Broad-leaved everlasting Pea

Sea Holly

Sea Holly

Sea Holly

Sea Holly and Sea Campion

Sea Holly and Restharrow

Sea Holly

Llanfendigaid Day 2. Chance to Relax.

A beautiful morning today.  After a leisurely breakfast Heather and I drove to the coop in Tywyn for some shopping.  We returned by the very narrow picturesque back road via Tonfanau with superb views back to the Dysyni Valley, Bird Rock and Cadair Idris.  The verges along the sunken lanes are delightful, verdant and full of foxgloves.  Waters in the Broadwater Estuary and sea sparkled turquoise.  Back at the 'billet' it was time for a relaxing lunch in the sun.  After we had all recovered it was time for a walk down to the beach at Tonfanau and then round to the footbridge over the estuary where there were superb views across the saltmarsh to the mountains beyond.

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Llanfendigaid Day 1. Disaster on the Journey.

There was suddenly a sickening crunch and a lurch: another car had run into the back of our car at the roundabout at Mottram while waited to get on to the M67!  The journey thus far had gone well.  Fortunately the car was still driveable and we were soon at my brother's in Lymm.  Lunch and negotiations with the insurance company later we were on our way again and soon enjoying the beautiful scenery as we drove through Wales  to Llanfendigaid.  We have been coming to Llanfendigaid, a property on the Welsh Coast near Tywyn and Aberdovey, on an off for 30 years.  Nowadays we wrinklies stay in the converted cowshed across the  road from the big house.  It was a delight to arrive and we were soon relaxing with our friends.