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.

The coastal railway line is a very useful transport link in this part of Wales and you get splendid views of Cardigan Bay in both directions. Beware though, many of the halts are request stops and you need to tell the conductor before you pass the station if you wish to get off.

After a stop at Llwyngwril  for coffee and cake from a local store. I climb back onto the hills where I get great views of Barmouth, Fairbourne and the Mawddach estuary. But first of all I had to practice a bit of tact in negotiating an obstinate obstacle in my path.

I seem to walk for ages parallel to the river looking at Cadair Idris and the surrounding mountains. The Mawddach estuary has a popular cycle path that goes from Dolgellau to Barmouth, about 9 miles.

I finally turn and wind my way down the hillside to Fairbourne. It is home to the Fairbourne miniature steam railway. This is about 2 miles long and runs along the coast to the peninsula that sticks out into the estuary. From here you can catch the ferry to Barmouth. Fairbourne itself has a sandy beach with steep pebble banking. I take a break to eat my lunch and enjoy the view.

My final stretch is to Barmouth across the railway bridge which has a pedestrian path alongside it. I notice a toll both when I get to the Barmouth side of the bridge, but it was not manned.

As I walk along the harbour I notice a seat which is a tribute to Alan Massey, a lifeboatman who was found dead in the harbour.