I have been staying at a bunkhouse at Tanrallt Farm in Llangian, just outside Abersoch for the last few days. It has been a fabulous retreat for me with all the basic facilities I needed after a long day walking. It is a working farm run by Phil and Menir who were great and very friendly and helpful.
I notice that there is a strong sense of identity with the welsh people in this area. You find the Welsh language being spoken in nearly every shop, café and restaurant you go into.
Over the next few days I seem to see quite a lot of Pwllheli, as it becomes a hub for me as I travel between places. It is the major town on the Llyn peninsular.
It has a big harbour which used to be a big fishing port and ship building centre. There is also a marina with plenty of boats for the sailing fraternity. It is also the end on the main railway line from Machynlleth and the Midlands.
Today I am back on the coast and I put in quite a long walk. I start at Penrhyndeudraeth which means the peninsula with two beaches and finish at Pwllheli, the main town on the Llyn peninsular.
I walk out of town and the first place I come to is Minffordd. It has two railway stations next to each other. One for the main line train services and one for Ffestiniog Railway. Just as I cross the road, a steam train crosses the bridge totally enveloped in steam. As far as I could see there were plenty of people on the train, so it must be quite popular.
Today is a different type of walk. I take a trip inland up above the River Dwyryd estuary and walk through forests, lakes and valleys and even see a small gauge steam railway.
I start by leaving Harlech village and walk down to the main road below. From here you have a good view of the castle. The castle was built by Edward I in the thirteenth century when he rampaged through Wales. The castle has World Heritage site status.
Today I am greeted with rain and wind. So my first action is to retreat to a café coffee and breakfast for sustenance before setting out.
Barmouth seems a beautiful place to visit with the sea and golden sands, the River Mawdach estuary with its boats and wildlife, The Snowdonia mountain range and Cadair Idris as a backdrop.
Tywyn is another welsh seaside town with a fine beach. It’s claim to fame is the cadfan stone which lies in the local church. It is believed to have the earliest inscription of the welsh language
I head northwards out of town along the side of the railway line. This is built over reclaimed salt marshes which also a lagoon called Broad Water which is now a nature reserve.
Today I leave the the pleasant craft and arts town of Machynlleth and enter Snowdonia National Park.
Just outside Machynlleth is a centre referred to as CAT(Centre for Alternative Technology. It has an educational and visitor centre where people can not only learn about alternative technology but all aspects of sustainable living.
Today’s walk is a completely different environment to what has gone before. It’s a trip through woods, forests, glens and waterfalls.
I love the smell of wet woodlands. The wild garlic and the sweet carpet of pine needles. The trees sway and rustle as the bright gentle breeze blows up from the valley below.
I start today with a walk around the town of Aberystwyth, First I take a look at the castle ruins and the Edwardian and Victorian houses along the harbour and sea front. It is a popular seaside resort with a grand pier and a cliff railway.
I walk up the Constitution hill by the cliff railway where you get a superb view back of Aberystwyth. The railway is supposed to be the longest in Britain. It also looks quite steep.
I walk from the village of Aberaeron with its small harbour to the university town of Aberystwyth.
I soon pass through the village of Aberarth. In victorian times it was a popular place for retired sea captains. I cross the bridge by the church and back out along the coast
Life in the slow lane
Mad dogs and Englishmen decide to walk the coast of Britain! I don't think I'm a mad dog but many think I'm a mad Englishman!
1 Year - 5000 miles
My challenge to change my life this year...
Coastalwalker.co.uk - walking around the British coastline, very SLOWLY.
