It is our last day in North Wales and having spent the last couple of days by the coast we decide to head inland and take a walk in the Vale of Ffestiniog. Our walking book tells us that our route will cross the tracks of the steam Ffestiniog Railway. So anticipating seeing Jones the Steam at work we head off. Beware there might be a few references to Ivor the Engine in this blog!
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Category: Gwynedd
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Vale of Ffestiniog
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The Iron Man
It’s a bit overcast and there is a chill to the breeze today making it feel a good deal cooler. We decide to head west along the coast to Aberdaron to wander around and hopefully the boys will have a chance to play on the beach.
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A Walk to Llanystumdy and Criccieth
The next destination on our list of recommended places to visit, as told by my tourist guide, also known as Povey Butchers in Chwilog, is the neighbouring village of Llanystumdwy. This is just a few miles east and for many it would be tempting to hop in the car and drive. However, we, or more accurately I, have decided that we need to do some walking today. So we head off on foot leaving Swn Y Mor down the now familiar lane that runs to the side of the site.
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A Trip to Porth Dinllaen
I am now a regular at Povey’s Butchers in Chwilog and during our morning chats I report our experiences from the previous day and get advice on where else I should visit. This shop could double for a tourist information centre, during one discussion a map is produced from under the counter and I am shown the route to Porth Dinllaen home of the Ty Coch Inn and told that this is a must visit place.
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A Walk Around Llyn Padarn
As I take the boys for their early morning walk I can see that it is going to be a corking day. We are about to reap the rewards of that stunning red sky last night. I have been considering a trip up Snowdon, a walk, not a ride on a train. But I think I need to have a look at it first. It’s not the climb of 3,500 feet or the distance that is the issue it is my frustrating inability to walk next to precipitous drops, or for that matter any steep drop.
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Sun, Sand and Sea
Before heading off we were told about the beauty of this coastline and advised that Abersoch was a must visit place. I believe I came here as a young child, but have no recollection of it. So in my mind this qualifies as exploring new territory in the UK, one of the key criteria for our travels last summer.
These experiences feel like being on holiday, another key criteria of our travels; life on the road should feel like a holiday. Today certainly does, the sun is shining, the skies are blue, and we are heading for the beach.
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A Father’s Day Kiss From Crosby
It’s Father’s Day and my two boys, Dexter and Crosby, have decided that as a special treat we should go for a walk. This is, of course, what Dexter and Crosby decide we should do most days (Dexter is less keen if it is pouring with rain), but today is going to be another walk where we will cover ground that we have not previously walked.
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Following the Llyn Coastal Path
One of the things that we try to do when staying away is find a local butcher. We have been told that there is one in nearby Chwilog and as soon as we walk through the door we know we are onto a winner. Povey Butchers was established in 1948 and is still run by members of the family. We leave with freshly cut salt marsh lamb chops and some award winning sausages. But before we can enjoy these it is time for a walk.
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Off to the Lleyn Peninsula
Our stay at Abergwynant Farm has been all too brief. We could easily stay here for another week or two, but unfortunately the popularity of the site meant that we could only book for four nights. So I am out early in the morning to wander down the Mawddach trail for one last glimpse of the estuary before heading back to the Unicorn and packing up for the move.
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Back on the Pony Track
Today’s walk is a slightly easier version of one that we tackled last year. Then chatting to young Mr Jones on Abergwynant Farm site we talked about walking up the distant Cadair Idris, he told me how to get their on foot from the farm. It was a stunning walk and one that will never be forgotten, not least for the precipitous drops, the type that has a Freddy on his hands and knees.
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