8th July, 2021 - Barmouth to Llwyngwril

Having stretched our legs on our beach walk, we felt confident of making this 9 mile walk on what was promsed as a bright and warm day. Off we set bright and early to Llwyngwril to park and catch a train - for the first time in a long time. If you read my coast path walk blog (Pam's coastal walk for Velindre: The walk begins... (pamelamallpress.blogspot.com) , you may notice that the coast path walks we are doing this time are from north to south and not necessarily in any order. It's making a change having the sea on our right!

The train was hailed and it was actually quite busy too. It was quite cloudy and dull over the old viaduct bridge. Still a bit too hazy to see Barmouth clearly..

Took two stops and then we were in Barmouth. So love Barmouth and its wild surroundings. We walked along the prom and approached the bridge with its Troll honesty box, contributions to maintain the bridge but on the other side we discovered a huge site where they are beginning a massive bridge improvement at an equally massive cost. But it does look in need of improvement too...

Not very good views of Cadair Idris due to the clouds - but I knew it was there! It was great to be seeing so many flowers on our walks again, there was lots of restharrow along the rails and path here...

It was a lovely walk then recrossing the railway and heading along the levee into Fairbourne. Lots of salt marsh lamb! It still seems amazing that the plan is, I believe, to no longer maintain the sea defences here so it's a matter of time before the marsh will no longer be here. We had great views across the Mawddach estuary with the sun now shining on Barmouth! And a train was on the bridge, making its way from Pwllheli - can you see it? It was there, honest!

Coming towards us on the sea wall's edge then came the Fairbourne train steaming away.

So as we walked along the seafront, the sun was with us glistening on the waves - quite a long way out as the tide was low!

And someone had made an eyecatching pebble sculpture....

We had to leave the seafront then making our way through the, quite large, settlement of Fairbourne and taking the opportunity of finding Kendal mint cake in the village emporium - they did sell everything there from body surf boards to onions! Then we had to head for the hills to look down on the sea. It's quite a stiff climb but cool amongst the trees and we stopped off to look at the old quarry site, used for many years for slate and a hill alongside had been a large silver mine probably since before the Romans. Across the estuary we caught glimpses of the rugged Rhinogs...

As we walked now in the hot sun through long grass and crossing some streams, we became aware of some company in the form of horse flies!! I found it hard to keep calm, they do love to bite us! Not long though before we came to the tops where it was cooler and they were left behind, thank goodness!

and all along these hilltops were ancient sites and settlements of various times, a few still inhabited. Quite a lot of standing stones....

And finally Cadair Idris made its appearance!

With just beautiful views back across the Mawddach...

The hills to the north and east looking just stunning...

And with the collapsed dolmen in the foreground and the coast stretching north and west, now with the Llyn hills clear too, it was worth the climb! Just able to see Snowdon too. Lovely!

Here was a row of standing stones. Can't imagine what these were about but there were 7, maybe more at one time.

And up here, the fields were full of these architectural looking thistles with a bright purple colour.

We remembered then the massive ancient settlement with too many old house remains to count - they spread so far up the fields that it must have been almost an ancient metropolis! Staggering.

And what a view they had......

Before long, the track started to head down, back to Llwyngwril which itself has a huge hill fort ...

It was so hot now that we just had to enjoy a well-earned ice cream! Another 9 miles .....trying to keep it going now so hoping we can stay free!

Just a reminder that we are grateful that you take time to read the blog. If you would like to contribute to our fundraising for Velindre cancer centre, here is the link Justgiving