Elan Valley, Porthmadog, Harlech Castle, Llyn Pardarn, Llanberis & Dinorwic quarry
Ive wanted to do a trip to North wales for a long time. It doesnt seem like a big trip, but there are so many amazing places to visit in mid to north wales. I had booked a great week away, our base the village of Porthmadog. The journey here was a good 5 hour drive from South Wales. As we set off we looked for places to stop off for a rest from driving. Seeing a sign for the Elan Valley, I said to Jason, lets stop off there. I so like seeing peoples posts on facebook and instagram of fab places to visit in Wales. I had seen photos of this cascading dam and reservoir in the Elan Valley. Pulling up to the visitors centre we walked up to what we found out was one of many dams. The ranger telling us to take the scenic route to all the others. Adding on an extra half an hours drive. The dam i wanted to see was the last one and it didnt disappoint in its size and splendor. Calm waters on one side with barely a ripple, to a steady flow over the dam. Carrying on we passsed an old metal works, abandoned and now blocked off. Many dramatic backdrops of high mountains and mountain streams. The drive well worth the side trips. Finally arriving at our accomadation. Ideally located with three supermarkets and a laundry within a two minute walk. The high street not much further and full of shops. Our accomadation was so good. Fully enclosed garden, with everything we needed for a good base. The next day we set off on a walk to see the harbour and nearby Portmerion. The trains leaving the station heading off in many direction to nearby towns. We walked along the causeway and trainline to Portmerion, a mini little village only to find they didnt accept dogs. No worries it was a walk out and we then decided to do a drive to Harlech castle for the afternoon.
Another day and another place to visit on the bucket list. Im a big fan of the author Simon McCleave who writes welsh crime novels, such as the Snowdonia killings. His novels set all over wales and with many places mentioned I had a few ideas on where I wanted to go. Snowdonia was one, as the weather was wet and a little windy we settled on the Dinorwic slate quarry. It sits opposite it with clear views, once the cloud cover lifted. The quarry was huge in size. Slate everywhere, wild goats roaming up and down the slate piles. They were crazy, wild, and bucking each other with there big curled horns. I really wanted a photo of the abandoned Anglesey army barracks. One of those ones you see posted all over social media. After asking a dog walker we stumbled across it, whilst looking over to Llanberis and its path up Snowdonia. To finish of the day we headed down to Llyn Pardarn and its famous lonely tree. The dogs keen for a swim, in they went as we watched paddleboarders balancing on the lake. A little cold for us to take a dip, but a beautiful sight to see even on an overcast day.
Wanderlust Craddocks 