Thursday 19 May 2011

Snowdonia National Park.

78.9 Miles. Now at Min-y-don Caravan Site, Harlech

You scratch my back and I'll scratch yours.You scratch my back and I'll scratch yours.

With overnight rain which didn’t ease until about 10am we were a bit concerned about getting off the all grass site this morning. However we managed, only leaving our tyre marks behind. When we were in Aberystwyth yesterday we located a Morrison’s supermarket and service station so that was our first port of call this morning.

Views from the passenger seat  through Snowdonia National Park.Views from the passenger seat  through Snowdonia National Park.

Barmouth railway bridge.Barmouth Railway Bridge.

The plan was to travel up through the Snowdonia National Park to Maentwrog and then turn back down the coast to Harlech. Well we got part of the route correct as far as Llanelltyd but then turned left towards Barmouth instead of carrying straight on up the A470. At least we did see some of the beautiful National Park from Machynlleth to Dolgellau including many waterfalls that had been created by the overnight rain. There were many road works being carried out where we were held up by temporary traffic lights. They were having to repair the edge of the road where it was breaking away leaving safety fencing at a precarious angle.

Barmouth township. Narrow street's necessitating a one way street system.Barmouth township. Narrow street's necessitating a one way street system.

Stone wall's abound in North Wales.Stone wall's abound in North Wales.

We found a layby just before Barmouth where we stopped for lunch. It was at this point we realised the mistake in our travels and had to decide on whether to carry on or back track to correct our mistake. A decision to carry on was made which took us through Barmouth with it’s narrow streets some of which had Dot’s heart in her mouth. We spent quite a bit of time stopping or pulling over for oncoming traffic including a bus where we managed to pass with only inches to spare.

View from the pasenger seat. Golden beaches of Barmouth Bay.View from the passenger seat. Golden beaches of Barmouth Bay.

Our latest camp site, Min-Y-Don, Harlech is a privately owned site associated to the Caravan Club. The facilities are fabulous with 2 roller doors in one wall. We thought that this was strange but on my latest visit I found the roller doors have been opened doubling the amount of facilities available, terrific.

Harlech Castle.Harlech Castle.

Harlech beach. Welsh equivalent to Ninety Mile beach.Harlech beach. Welsh equivalent to Ninety Mile Beach in New Zealand.

Overlooking the site is Harlech Castle which we have been told is floodlight at night, something to look forward too. We have been for a stroll down to the beach with it’s miles of golden sands and sand dunes. The dunes are part of the Snowdonia National Park and you require a permit to walk through them to safeguard natural fauna and flora. One strange fact is that they graze cattle through the dunes to help control vegetation, and there are warnings not to get between the cattle and their calves.

Min-Y-Don camp site, Harlech.Min-Y-Don Camp Site, Harlech.

A total of 2163 miles, since 5 March 2011

4 comments:

Carol said...

Hi Dot, Hi Derek,
We just had to respond to this posting - this is our old stomping ground! We spent 18 years in this area before buying Rock n Roll. We lived in Fairbourne which is opposite Barmouth across the estuary - a lovely part of the world. The Mawddach Estuary is said to be the 8th wonder of the world and we could see a long way down it from our bedroom window. I'm glad you decided not to backtrack and enjoy it. We certainly miss it even though we cannot imagine doing anything that what we are doing now!
Kind regards
Carol and George

Derek and Dot said...

Hi George and carol
Yes we are also pleased we didn't backtrack as it is a lovely area. We still miss the canals but are also enjoying your wonderful country.

Sue Hunter said...

Hi Dot & Derek. Thinking of you today as Gypsy Rover passed us on its way from Llangollen. Best wishes Sue & Dave NB Beefur, Froncysyllte.

Derek and Dot said...

Hi Sue and Dave
Great to hear from you, we still miss GR but still keep up with all the canal news.