My fantasy break would start by me driving towards Snowdonia on the Friday afternoon, down the A470 and up over the Bwlch Oerddrws Pass and then turning down the A487 at the Cross Foxes. This is the road which takes you towards Talyllyn and under the Mach Loop. The planes would be flying and so we'd stop and climb up onto the ridge to watch the military fast jets fly alongside or below us.
After a while we'd carry on down past Talyllyn on the B4405 and onto the coast. We'd turn left onto the A493, through Llwngwril and onto one of my favourite lay byes to stop and take in the view of Fairbourne, Barmouth and across Cardigan Bay.
Then we'd drive down to Penmaenpool to cross the toll bridge (of course we'd have the right change). Then it'd be on to Barmouth.
Friday evening would be spent stand-up paddle boarding in the harbour and the Mawddach estuary. There'd be a stunning sunset of course and then it'd be a fish and chip supper from the Harbour Fish and Chip shop. Then onto our log cabin to sit out on the deck with a large gin and tonic, watch the stars and listen to the owls hooting on the hill.
Saturday morning I'd be heading into Porthmadog nice and early. There are some lovely (and unusual) shops. Always have a mooch around Cob Records... it's a nostalgia thing and the Portmeirion shops. Will probably buy some kitchen gadget or another in the one that used to be Kerfoots! Then it'll be a stroll around the local produce market or artisan food market whichever is on, to pick-up tasty things for a picnic. Then off to Beddgelert. One of our favourite walks is down the river to the beginning of the Aberglaslyn gorge, where we'd sit on the rocks, dangling our feet in the river. As it'd be a lovely sunny day it'd be the ideal place to while away the afternoon and eat our picnic.
On Saturday evening we'd eat at Dylan's alongside Criccieth beach. After we'd eaten we'd sit on deck chairs on their own "boardwalk" sipping gin and tonics and watching the sun go down and the moon come up over the Rhinogydd mountains. There'd be the gentle sound of the waves breaking on the beach below us and in the distance there'd be some Benny Goodman jazz playing.
Sunday morning would begin with coffee and croissants whilst sitting in the sunshine on the deck of our log cabin. Looking at the view of Cadair Idris and listening to a cuckoo in the distance. After a leisurely breakfast it'd be off to Cwmorthin for a walk up into the valley. On this lovely sunny day the lake looks spectacular glinting in the sun light and the water lilies are in flower. There is just the sound of bees buzzing around and the occasional buzzard mewing overhead.
After our walk it'd be time to head towards home but not before stopping off at The Portmeirion Hotel for afternoon tea.
About Sue Steadman
Sue lives on Anglesey with her husband. She runs Cadair View Lodge Ltd, an accommodation management business managing log cabins and group accommodation in the Trawsfynydd area of Snowdonia. See more about her business at www.CadairViewLodge.co.uk
Comments