May 2013 Holiday - Days 7 & 8

We didn't feel like doing much on day 7, except find somewhere to walk the dogs. We thought we'd do a bit of 'sight-seeing' instead.

After Porthmadog, we turned left, down towards the Lleyn peninsula. After 13 miles, you come to Pwllheli, home of another Butlins. This stretch of coast has numerous holiday homes (chalets and caravans) all sandwiched between the A499 and the sea.The centre of Pwllheli, I think, is a dump, and a traffic nightmare in summer.

We drove on, past the Afon Penrhos, which looks as if it would make a good ringing site, past the old fortress 'town' of Llanbedrog and on to Abersoch. We didn't fancy the expensive beach car parks there, so drove on to the other side of the bay and parked at Machroes. The beach was virtually empty at this end and the dogs got to wet their toes.

Private slipway at Morfa Gors, Machroes
(looking east)

Having stretched our legs, we drove back to Criccieth. We were looking for some Welsh silver and came across an antiques shop, run by two friendly sisters, on the main street up above the station. Didn't get what we were looking for but did make a purchase each. Would recommend the business any time. Very helpful.

Next stop - Tecos in Portmadog. Needed to buy a few bits and pieces for the body's processing plant, naturally. They also have a handy cash machine. As mentioned in yesterday's blog, we went and visited the RSPB's Glaslyn Osprey watch point where we looked at the live video stream and chatted to the staff.

From here it was but a short drive to Tan-y-Bwlch station to meet the afternoon down train and get some pictures. It's an interesting place with many buildings. A private cottage even fronts the loop line. The cafe was a bit of a let down.

0-4-0 + 0-4-0 Fairlie "Merddin Emrys"

Tan-y-Bwlch station, looking west
The building on the right is the new signal box that automatically controls the line

The line here is virtually on top of a cliff or hanger. A beautiful National Nature Reserve runs down away from the line to the B-road and a lake called Llyn Mair (Coed means wood). Pied Flycatcher country, no less! Beyond the lake there is a study centre called Plas Tan-y-Bwlch (obviously). Much of the local area is private forestry, except for the area designated as an NNR, and, despite the steep climbs, is very popular with walkers. 

CSW dual language info board for the NNR Coed Llyn Mair

The next day was our last day in North Wales. We had arranged long ago to visit one of Jen's old work colleagues from High Wycombe. She, Irmie, had arrived back from Germany the night before. However, the dogs needed a beach run, so we went to Treath Lligwy. Another beautiful beach with hardly any souls around. Those that were, the dogs shot off to investigate. It was so quiet you could easily hear the Sandwich Terns passing offshore. Merveilleuse.

At Lligwy Bay

Having taken the fresh air, we returned to Moelfre. Irmie had sent us a map with a pin-hole in it, denoting her bungalow. We ate cake and drank coffee, chatted, viewed the garden and bird feeders (as you do) before taking our leave with a present. This was ironical as Jen had left the freesias she had bought for Irmie back at the caravan in the loo!

Irmie & Jenny

Lunch was had at the busy pub, the Kinmel Arms, sitting outside in the lovely sunshine, plus an ice cream from the shack over the road. Good value at just £2.00, the ice cream that is. I took a stroll out to the lifeboat station along the cliff path. The building is up for modernisation and re-construction later this year, another project led by my good friend Howard, the RNLI 's chief engineer.

Moelfre Lifeboat station (2013)

On our way back, we filled up with diesel at Morrisons in Cearnafon before proceeding along the A4086  to Llanberis. We didn't have time for a trip on either of the railways and there was a decent queue for the Snowdon tram anyway. My last climbing experience was in the Llanberis Pass, which is where my vertigo started. Such a bugger!

The bottom of the climb over the Pass.

And so it was "Home, James" via the A 498, meeting some fast and furious bikers on the way. From Beddgelert, it was  the A4085 to Garreg and over the top on the B4410 again, more twits, this time on push bikes, and so to Gellilydan.

Day 9: We were on the road before 09.45 and arrived home safely before 15.30 after the 230+ mile journey. After unhitching and a bit of unloading of things we would need immediately, I took off to pick up the kittens and pay the bill for their stay. Finished (sigh). Wallet empty!