Wednesday, 11 January 2012

Through the car window ...

I had appointments in Dolgellau on Friday and Monday last so we hired a car for a long weekend
 Our journey on Monday took us through the market town of Whitchurch ...
 ... and Corwen where the majority of trailers we see on the roads are made.
 Passing the north end of Llyn Tegid (Bala Lake) ...
 ... and the prettier part of the lake with views to the mountains beyond.
 Rose Cottage, Friog where we used to live ...
 ... and down to the beach where Molly enjoyed the sand even in the typically Wet-Wales weather!
 Saturday saw us journeying to visit my brother and his family ... through Woore where the beautiful St Leonard's Church stands ...
 ... and past one of our old (very) haunts, the Wheatsheaf at Onneley
 Me and my brother Garry  and with wife Sue and youngest boys Ryan and Kye; they emigrate to Australia in early March so we shall take every opportunity we can to meet up before they fly off to their new life.
On Sunday we took Ann and Geoff into Stafford for a spot of retail therapy and to stock up the cupboards. When we returned to Audlem the three boats dropped down the lock and moored up outside the Shroppie Fly where we all met up later for dinner and drinks with Dot and Al who have recently purchased a narrowboat and are waiting patiently to start their new life.  Good Luck with the op Al! A good picture of the festivities here - by Geoff.
Early Monday morning we're off to Dolgellau again ...
 ... and looks like being a lovely day too ...
 ... with the sun shining like gold on the winter vegetation.
 A bit grey though when we stop at Froncysyllte ...
 ... and walk down to the basin ...
 ... at Trevor ...
 ... and the famous Pontcysyllte aqueduct...
which is where we are heading for on our winter cruise
 Looking down the steps to the river Dee ...
... and the huge stanchions of the aqueduct.
 Back on Fairbourne beach; looking past the railway bridge down the Mawddach Estuary ...
 ... and over towards Barmouth
 Molly playing 'fetch' on the beach ...
 ... but will never give up the prize!
 Dyffryn Ardudwy a little further up the coast from ...
Barmouth ...
 ... and looking across Cardigan Bay towards Pwllheli and Criccieth
... and Molly's still playing ... 
The swing bridge section of Barmouth Bridge
 An Oystercatcher on the water's edge ...
 ... on the headland of Fairbourne beach looking over the Cambrian Railway bridge
 Cadiar Idris is covered in cloud today ...
 ... beautiful!
The tide was out today as I looked down the estuary and spied these walkers crossing the bridge
 We visited our neighbours Bill and Margaret and the local heron who sits hopefully by his fishpond most days ...
 ... until Pip (Molly's half sister) chases him off!
 Heading home to Rock n roll whizzing past Pontcysyllte ...
... and stopping for one last picture as the light fades.
Hiring the car was obviously useful and also enjoyable but we were glad to return it to Enterprise Hire Cars in Crewe on Tuesday morning and get back to our normal routine of 2.5-3 miles per hour.

5 comments:

  1. Some wonderful pictures there Carol. I love the beach. We often go to Haying Island when we go dan saff. Lucy loves the water wading in, but Meg is much more cautious of the waves

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  2. Thanks Sue - when we visit our old home I love and miss it - but as soon as we return to rock n roll I know that this is where I want to be! You sound so much more 'yourself' since you've been able to move from Bedwyn -it's a really good sign. Stay well. Carol xx

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  3. Oh really? I didn't know there was a difference!

    It was tough at Bedwyn, the only time anyone spoke to me was when we pulled the pins, then they all came out and wanted to know our buisness!

    Bit to go yet, we have to escape this canal and looking at Tring we are hoping to go to the Nene, so praying the Oxford will be open to be able to get round.

    Still, the Thames isn't a bad place for the summer so that will do me.

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  4. It's good to look at the old haunts of Fairbourne and Barmouth. Good memories

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