Another interesting couple of miles is to go into Gwydyr Forest just as you turn from the main road into the road to BYC opposite Gwdyr Castle and follow the road (track) through to the Ugly House. There are some stunning views on route,
We obviously haven't explored that area well enough, must open my eyes next time! *&(
Great photos, Stan. $cool$
If you go onto Google Maps and enlarge on Gwydir Uchaf Chapel you can see the spiral of hedges where they grow behind same.
If you go onto Google Maps and enlarge on Gwydir Uchaf Chapel you can see the spiral of hedges where they grow behind same.
Never been to the chapel as we have always used the other road. Will explore more of the area now. Thanks. $thanx$
Beddgelert is very nice and it's known by some at the Ffnestiniog and Welsh Highland Railway as 'Dead dog city'
Glad to see you found Baron Hill ok, its a fascinating place. ;)
Glad to see you found Baron Hill ok, its a fascinating place. ;) My favourite pic is of this fragment of plaster that clings defiantly on after all these years, a reminder of how grand the house once was:
(http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4115/4871182714_86d6c21b7c_z.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/davellandudno/4871182714/)
Survivor (http://www.flickr.com/photos/davellandudno/4871182714/#) by davidrobertsphotography (http://www.flickr.com/people/davellandudno/), on Flickr
Tell Fester MORE about Baron Hill.
Who used to live there? Why did it fall into such disrepair?
There must be a fascinating tale of riches to rags behind this..
Wasn't there a nightclub in an annexe across the main road in the early seventies ?Yes..and I cant remember what it was called! It was owned by a lecturer from Llandrillo College at one time. TTs! That was it. Then it was a shop selling Polish/Russian gifts, now its a house.
Tell Fester MORE about Baron Hill.
Who used to live there? Why did it fall into such disrepair?
There must be a fascinating tale of riches to rags behind this..
Have you been to Plas Glyn y Weddw? It's outside Pwllheli in Llanbeblig. Lovely scenery there and all the way back through Nant Gwynant. Not much to see in the actual house apart from an art gallery but the cafe is nice, it's run by the people who have Top Table (ex.19) in Lloyd Street. Nice day out.Their website:
There's been rumours for a few years that the ship is supposed to be getting scrapped. The interior remains as it was in the 1980s when it operated as the FunShip, down to the early video games like Space Invaders!
http://www.dukeoflancaster.net/ (http://www.dukeoflancaster.net/)
Seems to have potential as a floating hotel. Wonder why it's never occurred to anyone to do a gambling version of Radio Caroline? You tow the thing out to the 12 mile limit (which isn't that far) then you can offer whatever entertainment you want. They'd have to work out a way of boarding and disembarking, of course, but that needn't be insurmountable, I'd have thought.
Some UErs mangaed to get inside, their pics are here:
http://www.28dayslater.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=39586 (http://www.28dayslater.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=39586)
I love the scale model of the ship from back in the Sealink days.
Harlem Globetrotters pinball machine. :)That dates from 1979. Worth over a thousand Dollars in good condition now.
Some UErs managed to get inside, their pics are here:
http://www.28dayslater.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=39586 (http://www.28dayslater.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=39586)
I love the scale model of the ship from back in the Sealink days.
I had a good day out in Liverpool today.Looks interesting, must pay a visit with the camera soon. $good$ You can also catch the train to Chester and get the Merseyrail train straight from there into Liverpool.
I picked up a good way of going there from someone on the internet.
I took my car to Hooton station and left it in the massive car park there. It costs 80p per day. The return train fare is £3.80 and takes about 25 mins.
What an amazing job they are doing in Liverpool with the very dramatic new architecture.
The new museum is opening on 19 July and there looked like a mass panic of building work going on today to finish on time.
Is Llandudno's water always this colour in summer? :o
Are you talking about the green or the blue?
I had a good day out in Liverpool today.
I picked up a good way of going there from someone on the internet.
I took my car to Hooton station and left it in the massive car park there. It costs 80p per day. The return train fare is £3.80 and takes about 25 mins.
What an amazing job they are doing in Liverpool with the very dramatic new architecture.
The new museum is opening on 19 July and there looked like a mass panic of building work going on today to finish on time.
We went one way by train and back by bus. The train took 2hrs 45 mins and the bus 50 mins. The bus fare was included in the ticket price.The train stopped for water at Beddgelert and for coal at Dinas.
The scenery from the train was beautiful and so unspoilt.
Portmeirion is rubbish.
you are even given a free poo bag at the gate !
Couldn't you find a way onto the beach below and get in for free? Surely the fact Portmeirion backs onto a tidal estuary is one of the biggest things going against them, financially speaking?. :-X :twoface:
Llandudno Historical Society have also got access to a special property locally on that day as well.An Open Day but the name of the property is a secret? Kind of defeats the whole idea, really? ;D
Please PM me if you want further details.
Yes, they had their fingers in...many pies.I have seen this many times over the years from the A55 and had no idea it was a ruin, I was always told it was a posh girls school. From what I have seem on the internet it is closed up and not open to the public, but at the very least I would love to take a look at it from the outside. Does anyone have any information on the place, including how to access it from a road or footpath?
Another major ruin well worth a visit is Gwrych Castle at Abergele, not as old as it perhaps looks dating from around 1819 but an interesting place to look around. You can even go up to the Hesketh Tower seen in the right background of the photo below for stunning views over the coast
The entire facade:
(http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4072/4653922158_1cbd739c71_z.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/davellandudno/4653922158/)
Gwrych Castle - View from Driveway (http://www.flickr.com/photos/davellandudno/4653922158/#) by davidrobertsphotography (http://www.flickr.com/people/davellandudno/), on Flickr
Main building from the Hesketh Tower:
(http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4049/4654429614_8593cc4b12_z.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/davellandudno/4654429614/)
Gwrych Castle - Looking down from Hesketh Tower (http://www.flickr.com/photos/davellandudno/4654429614/#) by davidrobertsphotography (http://www.flickr.com/people/davellandudno/), on Flickr
A further 20 minute walk takes you up to Lady Emily's Tower (the small square tower on top of the cliff visible from the A55), which has this view over to Rhyl:
(http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4007/4655007981_7f2710c7f7_z.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/davellandudno/4655007981/)
Gwrych Castle - Looking from Lady Emily's Tower over to Rhyl (http://www.flickr.com/photos/davellandudno/4655007981/#) by davidrobertsphotography (http://www.flickr.com/people/davellandudno/), on Flickr
I have seen this many times over the years from the A55 and had no idea it was a ruin, I was always told it was a posh girls school. From what I have seem on the internet it is closed up and not open to the public, but at the very least I would love to take a look at it from the outside. Does anyone have any information on the place, including how to access it from a road or footpath?Just go to the gatehouse, as Merddin said, and follow the driveway up to the Castle itself. $good$
I have seen this many times over the years from the A55 and had no idea it was a ruin, I was always told it was a posh girls school.
Hugo, what were you saying the other day about wishing that you could take better photos? Those are great photos of the owls in particular! Hope your fingers have recovered.
I am ashamed to say that I don't think I have ever stopped in Criccieth before today. What a lovely place it is. The sunshine certainly helped.Haven't been to Criccieth for many a year. Used to go there a child, so happy memories. Cadwaladars started their business in Criccieth.
I am on a mission now to explore more of the Llyn Peninsula.
Look at the queue for ice cream!
Only my waistline !!! :o
I like the shop by the river in Beddgelert,( near the loos), which sells the woodcarvings.
Ludo will like this bus!
(http://i1088.photobucket.com/albums/i331/penrhynpigeons/P8230122.jpg)
Ludo will like this bus!
(http://i1088.photobucket.com/albums/i331/penrhynpigeons/P8230122.jpg)
Ah haaaa... yes, an old friend indeed!
Liked the photos of Llangollen and Carrog too and hope to be out walking there soon. Why can't Llandudno have a Railway Station as clean and as nice as that one?
What a shame about Plas Ty Coch and Plas Brereton. How sad to see them going to ruin after all that work. I'd be interested to see some more photos, Dave, do you have any of the walled garden?I certainly do, there's some attached to the this post. When I visited about two weeks ago, all of the fruit was pretty much ready for picking; I understand the locals fill a shopping bag with the fruit when passing.
Bodnant yesterday, Welsh Highland Railway today, from Porthmadog to Beddgelert return. There was snow on the road from Betws y Coed to Blaenau
Some guides say, 'few traces remain of the original castle'
Well, I have always been amazed by that, as I think that a fantastic amount of the medieval castle remains.
one of those perfect days! D)Looks like you were able to make the most of yesterday's beautiful weather as well ME.
whats the name of the volcano in the third picture M.E.
Ruthin, and more specifically Ruthin Castle has been a favourite place for the Fester's for many years.
Ruthin Castle, as most are are aware, is now mostly a hotel, which throws a fantastic medieval banquet on a regular basis.
The hotel was built in Victorian times onto the higher, and rear elevations of the ruined castle.
Good deal! I'm tempted. $good$Ruthin, and more specifically Ruthin Castle has been a favourite place for the Fester's for many years.
Ruthin Castle, as most are are aware, is now mostly a hotel, which throws a fantastic medieval banquet on a regular basis.
The hotel was built in Victorian times onto the higher, and rear elevations of the ruined castle.
If anybody fancies trying out a break at Ruthin Castle with a 57% price discount then consider this:
http://www.groupon.co.uk/deals/chester/ruthin-castle-hotel/17037765?nlp=&CID=UK_CRM_1_0_0_35&a=2023 (http://www.groupon.co.uk/deals/chester/ruthin-castle-hotel/17037765?nlp=&CID=UK_CRM_1_0_0_35&a=2023)
PS: Love the South Stack photos DaveR.Thank you! We saw a few yachts sailing past, thought the view from them must be great.
Thanks ME and yes DaveR definitely one for the list.
It was also one of the most beautiful drives over there. We turned right on to the B4405 after Dolgellau and passed by this beautiful lake at Tal-y-llyn.
There was a steam railway there. Have you travelled on it ME?
And they mounted 10 rescues over the weekend of mainly E European families on dinghys (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-23402045) that were blown out to sea.Darwinism in action, the RNLI should not interfere with nature! :laugh:
For example, whilst looking dolefully at the empty train station, the engine (pictured below) pulled in!
It was driver training day! So we were able to watch the trains for a while, and I even took a picture inside the cab.
I hope Merddin Emrys is suitably jealous.
Llangollen is a very pleasant town to visit. I'm thinking about staying at Manorhaus next time:
http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Hotel_Review-g186439-d3562995-Reviews-Manorhaus_Llangollen-Llangollen_Denbighshire_North_Wales_Wales.html (http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Hotel_Review-g186439-d3562995-Reviews-Manorhaus_Llangollen-Llangollen_Denbighshire_North_Wales_Wales.html)
A big wheel in Beaumaris? No not you Dave, the attraction. How long has that been there?:laugh: I believe the town's traders clubbed together to hire it for a month or so. If only Llandudno's Traders had similar ambition for their town....
A big wheel in Beaumaris? No not you Dave, the attraction. How long has that been there?:laugh: I believe the town's traders clubbed together to hire it for a month or so. If only Llandudno's Traders had similar ambition for their town....
I had never heard of that place so thank you for the tip.
I had never heard of that place so thank you for the tip.
And a large wallet !
It is a crafter's paradise! The only place I could count as better would be The Bombay Stores in Bradford if it is still ongoing. If ever you get chance--go there-- I used to be let loose in there to buy fabric for costumes for the local panto. Ahhhh--Aladdin's cave has nothing on that place and we ladies were treated like royalty.
Sees me, all excited "Dad, Dad, have you seen any shops anywhere?"
She was a shopaholic at six and she's still the same at twenty-six
Walked up Snowdon today, am ashamed to say its the first time I've ever done it! We went up the Llanberis path, took 2 hours to walk up and, not surprisingly, two hours to walk back down. As you would expect, magnificent views and a walk that really stretches your legs! When we got back to the bottom, it was straight to Petes Eats for tea.
Two hours is a very good time to walk up Snowdon, especially as it's your first attempt. The return journey is 9 miles and the average time to do it is between 5-6 hours. Even on the first short section to Steffan's cafe it's very steep and you soon build up a sweat just getting to there. I'm pleased that you had good visibility that day as the photos show, because the views from the summit are superb. Ian's favourite walk up the Watkin Path is really picturesque and you could get some stunning photos along that route (weather permitting)Thanks Hugo, I found it a fairly straightfoward walk up to the Halfway cafe and a little more arduous thereafter! :laugh:
When the summit is the destination passengers are not allowed to board or disembark at any other passing point.
To avoid the possibility of being stranded, passengers with return tickets must return on the same train as there may not be later availability or any later trains arriving at or leaving the summit and Clogwyn.
Two hours is a very good time to walk up Snowdon, especially as it's your first attempt. The return journey is 9 miles and the average time to do it is between 5-6 hours. Even on the first short section to Steffan's cafe it's very steep and you soon build up a sweat just getting to there. I'm pleased that you had good visibility that day as the photos show, because the views from the summit are superb. Ian's favourite walk up the Watkin Path is really picturesque and you could get some stunning photos along that route (weather permitting)Thanks Hugo, I found it a fairly straightfoward walk up to the Halfway cafe and a little more arduous thereafter! :laugh:
I was sad to see that Pen Ceunant Cafe is up for sale at £500,000, btw.
http://www.snowdoncafe.com/index.php/component/content/article/2-snowdoncafemain/60-snowdoncafeforsale (http://www.snowdoncafe.com/index.php/component/content/article/2-snowdoncafemain/60-snowdoncafeforsale)
Ian, is it possible for Fester to pre-book online a return ticket, walk up to the summit and return back down on his designated train as per his timed ticket
A belated thanks for all the advice guys.
I am looking forward to trying the walk up Snowdon, although having seen the physical effect on Dave the day after his walk, maybe I shouldn't attempt it!
Having said that, another 24 hours later, and he had shaken the stiffness off. $good$
I thought it was just a ruined Castle..... I can't wait to go now!
It would be good to see some of your photos of the castle DaveR. Are they on flickr?https://www.flickr.com/photos/davellandudno/sets/72157634519073550 (https://www.flickr.com/photos/davellandudno/sets/72157634519073550)
Thanks. I hadn't realised until yesterday how many branches there were now. I remember going to one in Oxford about 20 years ago! They seem to chose interesting old buildings for their venues.There are 27 branches now, looks a lovely place to visit:
Shortly after booking I read this article written by the Guardian reviewer two days ago.
Aaargh! I nearly cancelled it was so bad.
I have been enjoying my latest fix of Manchester and decided to choose somewhere new for my lunch this time. I think I remember DaveR expressing an interest in the Midland and I hadn't been there for years so I looked up a few reviews of Mr Cooper's restaurant on TripAdvisor. They were a bit mixed but I thought I would go for it anyway and booked online.Looks fantastic! $good$
Interesting little localish blog:
http://robinsonmaps.blogspot.co.uk/ (http://robinsonmaps.blogspot.co.uk/)
I saw the footage of this on BBC Wales News last night and the poor owner was absolutely devastated as he has spent the last 20 years building up these gardens for the pleasure of the public. I had never been but after seeing Hugo's pictures last year I was planning to do so in the future. He obviously had put his heart and soul into the business and it is a real tragedy for him as they were beautiful and a real labour of love.
'Tidal wave' devastates Plas Cadnant Hidden Gardens
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-north-west-wales-35186881 (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-north-west-wales-35186881)
Many years ago I had a booklet called "The Captain's guide to hidden haunts in North Wales" and my wife and I used to spend many hours travelling around the area looking for them, it was very enjoyable and we did find most of them.
It's nice to get ideas from the Forum members too. If it wasn't for Pendragon we would never have known about the Mare's Tails waterfall that we saw yesterday and my photos don't really do the waterfall justice. Also Nemesis and her love of Barmouth, we walked from Penmaenpool on the cycle track to Barmouth then had fish & chips in the best chippy in Wales and finished it by a bus ride back to Penmaenpool and a drink on the balcony of the George III hotel. A really lovely day out.
Llanasa?
Why is it currently free Hugo? How long for, do you happen to know?
It seems you have to sign up to facebook to see them.
That's not for me.
It seems you have to sign up to facebook to see them.
That's not for me.
Sorry! The Forum won't let me post a video directly. File too big.
I'll post a couple of stills.
Hopefully the link below will take you to a couple of video clips I took of a place I get drawn to time and again. Ruthin Castle.Have you seen this?
I constantly think about how such a mighty structure could have been left to become so overgrown and almost completely forgotten.
A haunting place indeed.
https://m.facebook.com/llandudnoemporium/ (https://m.facebook.com/llandudnoemporium/)
Thank you fester for posting some stills for" facebook averse" dinasaurs like me.
I have cheekily been driven up the driveway in a friends car for a quick shufti some years ago.
I guess that you had a meal there ? That would have enabled you to have a good look around!
Thank you fester for posting some stills for" facebook averse" dinasaurs like me.
I have cheekily been driven up the driveway in a friends car for a quick shufti some years ago.
I guess that you had a meal there ? That would have enabled you to have a good look around!
This will be interesting to visit. Opening for August. I didn't realise it was now run by a trust.The Trust were able to obtain grants to buy the Castle a few weeks ago. Now the hard work in restoring it begins!
http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-wales-north-west-wales-40831258 (http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-wales-north-west-wales-40831258)
Elephant's Cave is well worth a visit and, unlike most, is easy to access. They filmed an episode of Dr Who there, some years ago.
Great pics again Fester that was all our playground growing up on the Orme ,you've lived up the Orme a few good years and now finding the time to explore , we used to climb down from hill 60 at the far side of the cave.
Nice pictures, Fester. So what did you think of it, now you've seen it?
Thanks Norman, I've got a couple more walks lined up from the house, one of which is to see the Badger setts in the woods. I've ordered two snoods for safety sake and I may need a safety helmet if I take Mrs H up hills that are too steep ;D
There are no flat walks up here but once we get the all clear I'll be back walking on the Great Orme, there's no place like home
Absolutely stunning photos Mondie $good$
You'll have to go out more often and take some more photos as they are a treat to see.
What camera and lens did you use to get such images as those?
Suggest you have a look at Falcon Hildred work he has a fascinating portfolio of industrial heritage from the Ffestiniog area and other places , he considers Ffestiniog as the most complete Victorian industrial town in the U.K ,his work not only of that area but of the whole of Wales is brilliant hope you enjoy .
I was in Bodelwyddan on Sunday and had a look around St Margaret's Church ( Marble Church ) and took some photos of the Church and the graves there.
The white headstones are the graves of Canadians and other service people who died after the end of World War I. There has always been a mystery to how they died so I've attached a link about the matter
https://historypoints.org/index.php?page=canadian-war-graves-bodelwyddan (https://historypoints.org/index.php?page=canadian-war-graves-bodelwyddan)
One other headstone stood out and was lovingly tended and the epitaph was particularly poignant
Mondie, I'm thinking about getting a Samsung phone but when I looked at the phones online there were so many models I'm more confused than ever about which one to buy.
What model to you have as I would be more than happy to have one with the quality photos that you have posted?
This article was in the Daily Post and it's about the walk I mentioned yesterday
https://www.dailypost.co.uk/whats-on/trips-breaks/magnificent-nine-mile-snowdonia-estuary-25924352
I had a nice walk around Bodnant gardens yesterday and enjoyed the Wintet Gardens section in particular, The Daphne bushes were all out in full bloom and the fragrance from them was really nice.
A coffee and Pasty at the old mill completed a lovely day out
Free tokens and good weather, you were being spoilt, your photo of the white flowers I believe are
White hellebores, which I noticed a couple of days ago flowering in our own garden.
From where the pic of the weir has been taken, turn through 180 degrees and a visitor on Thursday told me he saw an otter go into a hole in the stone embankment on the left side of the river. Must go armed with camera next week!
Free tokens and good weather, you were being spoilt, your photo of the white flowers I believe are
White hellebores, which I noticed a couple of days ago flowering in our own garden.
The flowers were Hellebores Steve and you're lucky to have them in your garden as they are such attractive flowers. I've not been lucky when I've planted them in my garden they all seem to have died on me.