Through Snowdonia to Criccieth

WAY BEHIND IN TIME WITH THIS BLOG - however

in mid May we left the largest resort town - Llandudno - in Wales,  to travel across the Snowdonia National Park to Criccieth

The weather was "glum", but I have to say the scenery was definitely NOT.

Mount Snowdon still had her white cap on!

We stopped in Llamberis to try and catch the Snowdon Mountain Railway - in the hope of catching it to get a great view of this incredible area - but the heavens opened up, and the clouds descended so we decided to move on, however can imagine how beautiful it would be on a clear day.

En route to our destination tonight, we stopped at the National Slate Museum in Llanberis.

It was absolutely pouring with rain, but the fact that my Grandfather - Pop  (Dad's side) was travelling as an apprentice seaman on a ship  (The Falls of Halladale) carrying 56,763 slate tiles when it was shipwrecked on the coast off Victoria in November 1908,  sort've caught my attention.

22,000  of these were salvaged between 1974 an 1986 and can be seen today at Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum on the Great Ocean Road where they have been used as roofing tiles on 8 of their restored village buildings.  I just felt the need - to visit - you might say!!

Wandered through - cannot believe how hard - physically - our relos used to worked.

After Llanberis

we drove around Mount Snowdon

through incredible country

with those welsh sheep everywhere

on to Beddgelert

situated on the Glaslyn River

Big story about a man and his dog here!

The dog "Gelert" belonged to the medieval welsh prince -Llewellyn the Great

Gelert slaid a wolf who tried to kill Llewelyn's child

and there is a plaque in a field recognising this gallant dog who died in the 13th century saving his master's child.

We then arrived in the Snowdonia coastal town of Criccieth

"the pearl of wales on the shores of Snowdonia"

Situated at the northern end of Cardigan Bay

it faces south

and benefits from being in the path of the Gulf Stream for its mild weather

They say that the hours of sunshine here equal the record of Devon and Cornwall

And of course Cricieth has it's own castle

perched on a headland with the sea pounding below

Looking down to the beach

from the lovely old hotels and guesthouses which surround this village

We stayed out of Criccieth

at this Country Hotel

surrounded by lovely gardens

and quiet sitting areas

Their lawnmower below

The next day we drove the 12 miles to Harlech

and stopped for awhile to check out this relaxed cat in Harlech's small fruit shop

Harlech - another "B" Castle - just can't resist!

Lovely situation - between the sea and long sandy beaches

and Mount Snowdonia in the Snowdonia National Park

This castle was built for Edward 1 - it boasts two rings of walls and towers

with an immensely strong east gatehouse

it was impregnable from almost every angle

The castle's secret weapon was a 200 foot long stairway

from the castle to the cliff base.

Famous for the song "Men of Harlech" - the words are said to describe the longest siege in British history (1461-1468) which took place here in the Wars of the Roses.

Back to check out this cat - totally relaxed now.

Next stop - "Portmeirion"  

It was built by its founder Clough Williams-Ellis to show how a beautiful site could be developed without spoiling it.

He started work in 1925 and spent 50 years building the place.

His motto was "cherish the past, adorn the present, construct for the future"

Clough wanted his work to inspire people to take an interest in the environment and in conservation.

And they say he also wanted people to enjoy the place for what it was and to have fun here.

Clough modelled Portmeirion on an Italian Village - it has its own form of pottery and magnificent plants, and I must say most people there thought it was really wonderful  - we are just a bit pro to the real thing.  Our next stop for a couple of nights will be the canal village of Llangollen.