The Lakes and Mountains
of Snowdonia
Our journey to Bangor had taken us from Betws-y-Coed
on the main A5 road towards Capel Curig passing the renowned
Swallow Falls on the way, where 12 months earlier, I had taken
this photo on the left below.
Beyond Capel Curig the landscape becomes bleaker as the wooded
valley of the Afon Llugwy is left behind. The gentle descent
in the pass through the mountains between the peaks of Glyder
and Carneddau rewards travellers with some fine views of Llyn
Ogwen.
With a mean depth of only 6ft (1.8m), the lake is the shallowest
in Snowdonia. And here's another fascinating fact - legend has
it that Sir Bedivere, the last surviving Arthurian knight, cast
Excalibur into the water here but this is not the only lake where
that has been claimed.
Several parking areas along the route enable the more energetic
and sure-footed to follow rocky footpaths around the lake or
into the mountains to enjoy more spectacular views.
 
Even here though in this relatively bleak environment, wild flowers
and plants find plenty of nooks and crannies protected from the
worst of the weather to add a touch of colour to the surroundings.
Anglesey's Link To The
Mainland
Cross Thomas Telford's suspension bridge built in
1826 over the Menai Strait, turn left and before you know it,
you'll be in the village famous throughout Britain, and perhaps
even worldwide, for having the longest name - Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch.
Known as Llanfairpwllgwyngyll until the end of the 19th century,
it was extended to its present length of 58 letters mainly for
the benefit of tourists.
 There
is little else remarkable about this small town but visitors
flock to it in their thousands by the car, rail and coach load.
Few of these visitors search out 'The church of Mary in the
hollow of the white hazel near the fierce whirlpool and the church
of Tysilio by the red cave' - the literal meaning of the
name - but make a bee-line for the station with the longest nameplate
in the world.
It is here that some of the old railway buildings have been converted
to form a retail outlet for a number of businesses. The covered
entrance to the outlet contains a signpost (above left) pointing
to all corners of the globe but the name of Llanfair PG as it
is known, is prominent wherever you look. Welsh crafts, gifts
and souvenirs as well as clothing and of course, local produce
including jams, preserves and wine (see right) from the Isle
of Anglesey are all on sale inside.
 
Cheerful staff with lilting Welsh voices add to the charm of
the place. Traditional delicacies like Welsh Cakes and Bara Brith
can be sampled in the restaurant in the same building and a small
exhibition of miniature steam trains maintain the railway theme.
|
