A new walk linked to the Welsh Highland Railway

While researching new walks to feature, Peter came across this lovely new route from Beddgelert to Rhyd-Ddu, on the Snowdonia National Park Authority website. This is a multi-use recreational path, suitable for walkers, cyclists and horse riders. The northern most section from rhyd-Ddu to Llyn y Gadair is wide and level enough for some wheelchairs. Other parts of the walk have some steep sections, and there is a footbridge to cross in Beddgelert forest. The walk is especially appealing to steam enthusiasts, as you can use the Welsh Highland Railway to return you to your starting point, or alternatively the bus service along the A4085. For timetables or tickets use the contact details below:

Traveline Cymru: 0871 200 22 33 www.traveline-cymru.info
Welsh Highland Railway: 01766 516000 www.festrail.co.uk

The Pods at Llyn Gwynant.

If the idea of staying in a tent during the Welsh winter leaves you cold (pun intended), but you're not quite ready to concede defeat and throw in with the cosy, pipe and slippers wearing B&B set, then perhaps pod camping would be a good middle ground. These pods are located at the Red Dragon campsite at Llyn Gwynant near Beddgelert in the heart of Snowdonia, and offer a bit more warmth and protection from the elements than a traditional canvas tent.

 

If you are interested in obtaining more information, then please use the contact details below:

Tel: 01766 890351
Email: bryndinas@effectiveprinciples.co.uk
Web: www.RedDragonHolidays.co.uk
Twitter @snowdondragon

 

The pods sleep two people each

 

Internet access available on site.

Shared cooking and washing facilities. Basic but functional.

Handy key safes for when you are out and about.

Shared bathroom facilities.

The stunning surroundings of Nant Gwynant.

Mediaeval Inspiration at Craflwyn

The princes of Gwynedd project has many facets, as Peter discovered when he visited Craflwyn, the National Trust owned site just outside Beddgelert. The Princes of Gwynedd exhibition is not yet open here, but they have done wonderful things with the outside aspects of the project.

Interesting use of pyrography, or making an image on wood by burning.

Some very substantial oak furniture here, with a mediaeval theme.

This is a good sign board showing some of the way-marked trails associated with the project.

Princes of Gwynedd displays begin to appear

At Tourist Information Centres and Cadw sites there is beginning to appear a series of exhibitions relating to the Princes of Gwynedd, the line of princes that was extinguished in 1282 by the triumph of Edward the 1st. These exhibitions aim to reacquaint local people and visitors with this important part of Welsh history. As with so many exhibitions dependant on technology, there have been a number of teething problems and the exhibitions at Betws y Coed and Criccieth were out of order when we visited. However, the exhibition at Beddgelert was fully intact and very impressive.

The exhibition occupies a prominent position in the T.I.C.

This is a touch screen which is very popular with children. The historical story is presented in a popular way, very much in the tradition of "Horrible Histories".

Here is the sound area, where mediaeval music can be heard together with bardic stories relating to the Llewelyns.

This is an instructive wall map which shows the historic sites which can still be visited relating to the Llewelyns.

This is a picture of the hill Dinas Emrys, located just outside Beddgelert, and speaks of the legend of the two dragons.

According to the legend, the red dragon represents Wales and the white dragon represents the Saxons. The two are locked in battle beneath the hill.

Canada Here We Come!

Good news from the Visit Wales media department. Our work with a journalist and a photographer over the summer has born fruit. An article on North Wales is to appear in the en route magazine at the end of this year. A huge amount of painstaking work has gone into this. The photographs below show the photographer spending approximately an hour setting up a shot at Porth Tocyn near Abersoch. He was continuously adjusting his position and waiting for the perfect light conditions. In addition, he insisted on getting up at 6am in order to get the shot just right. We will share the product with you when it appears.

 

Natur Cymru - Nature of Wales: The sad, leaning pylon off Portmeirion

Natur Cymru - Nature of Wales: The sad, leaning pylon off Portmeirion: No-one seems to have a kind word for pylons and this one, in the Dwyryd estuary, upstream from Portmeirion, is looking particularly sad. It’...

Shell shocked!

Peter's friends, Mark and Kate, were out walking on Borth Fawr beach south of Abersoch, when they were amazed to come across mounds of large sea shells.

Some were even quite large, exotic looking ones.

I'm not sure what the reason is behind all these shells on the beach at the same time. Perhaps they are waste from the shell-fishing industry? If you happen to know, let us know in the comments below. Finally, Mark and Kate took this lovely photo of a shell castle that someone had made in the sand. It's a shame it will have been washed away by now: