Colwyn Bay and the Nant-Glyn Valley was our first walk on the Friday of last week. A beautiful walk which involved an easy climb from the start, just above sea level. On the way up the valley we were surprised to see gorse bushes back in flower.
Hardly what you would expect in November. At the height of the walk there were superb views of the Great and Little Ormes, Anglesey and Puffin Island...
An excellent start to our extended week end and the weather was better than forecast. The Welsh obviously don't make Sloe Gin as the hedgerows were laden with sloes...
Returning to the car, we headed off to the Seiont Manor Hotel which was to be both our base for the next two days and Steve and Ann's Wedding Venue. The natives seemed very friendly but they tended to stare a lot...
Like most populations the were a few 'black sheep' among them. The Hotel, room, food and drinks were excellent as was the swim and sauna! Yes Chris did go in the pool and yes it was warm!
Saturday brought another "better than expected day"! We headed off to Newborough Forest and Llanddwyn Island on Anglesey. Probably the best walk I've been on for a long time. The forest and island form an extensive nature reserve, with forest, ecologically important sand-dunes and wide-open beaches. The northerly shore was being lashed by heavy seas while the southerly shore was calm. The 'island' is barely disconnected from the mainland and has ancient lighthouses, stone crosses and a free museum housed in an old pilot's cottage; quite idyllic and well worth a visit.
The picture below shows one of the lighthouses and the pilot's cottage (museum)
The next picture is of the other lighthouse...
The island is said to have been the home of a religious community founded by Saint Dwynwen, the Welsh patron saint of lovers. Legend has it that she fell in love with a local prince, but the marriage was not to be. She prayed to be cured of her love and God appeared to her and gave her a potion to drink. This doused her ardour but also turned the prince into a statue of ice.
After further prayer, God then granted her three wishes. Her first wish was to return the prince to human form, her second to be given the power to grant the wishes of true lovers and her third was never to be inflicted with marriage and love again.
What ever the truth or otherwise of the legends, the island has a captivating atmosphere.
Walking back through the forest we happened upon puff balls...
and disabled perching for the resident gulls...
More swimming and another sauna and then we went and joined the newly married couple...
...at their reception. Let's just say a good time was had by all with lots of food and alcohol!
Sunday morning and after a good breakfast and a walk around the grounds we paid our bill and headed for Beddgelert Forest.
On the way I had a very strange feeling that I was about to come to the Snowden Ranger Youth Hostel (I had stayed there when I was 11-12 years old). It was a cold shiver down the back time when sure enough there it was! Wow! I still don't believe that I remember it from that long ago (about 46 years ago)
We arrived at the forest...
...and apart from a couple of showers, the walk provided some stunning views of the surrounding mountains.
We followed forest tracks; one steep climb was both a narrow path and bed of a stream. We passed Llyn Llywelyn circling round to a picnic site at the edge of the lake before returning to the car and heading home.
All in all three lovely days walking and both Chris an I wish Steve and Ann all the best in their married lives together.
PS I won the most money on the roulette wheel!
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