14 Sep. - Ty-Hyll

Image: The anything but ugly Ty-Hyll

St Marys, Trawsafon, Gartheryr, Llyn Elsi,
Hafod-Las, Sarn Helen, Wyddfid, Ty-Mawr,
Rhiwddolion, Artists Wood, Coed Maes-Newyddion,
Ty-Hyll, Coed Cae Hydgyll, Rhaeadr Ewynnol (Swallow Falls),
Afon Llugwy, Miners Bridge, Pont-Y-Pair ...

A steep climb past ruins + the Smithy's Pont, through woodland to gaze over Llyn Elsi + distant peaks of Snowdonia.
Down to the lonely + daunting waste piles of Hafod-Las mine before climbing Sarn Helen, the Roman road, to abandoned Rhiwddolion.
Ever changing character of forest, woodland, pasture, fence + wall, stile + gate, living home + tumbled ruin.
To beautiful Ty-Hyll, the Ugly House, astounding + warm with tea + hot Welsh cakes.
Then along beside Afon Llugwy - broad + shallow or deep + narrow - placid then crashing, foaming, roaring.
Smooth rocks, wet earth, towering pines, neat paving - always that time-worn balance of Gaia + Man in aeons of give + take in the landscape - soft or hard - rich with life + history.
At Pont-Y-Pair, a pint of Welsh Pride!

Notes: With thanks to Hilary Kendell and Hilary Bradnam for their wonderful book Walks Around Betws-Y-Coed and, as ever, the invaluable Ordnance Survey data via waterproof Dinky Map!