The quieter part of Snowdonia with some adventures

[JudyC]

I thought I'd do a short report of our week in North Wales. It's a place we have stayed at several times, and our secret quiet place in Snowdonia 😀

Travellers are Me, DH, and our two adult sons, plus our daughter and her fiance.

[JudyC]

Day 1 Saturday 19th June
We travelled from our home in the North West to our holiday cottage, stopping off at the Rhug Estate just outside Corwen. We always stop here as it's a half way stop , and have a bite to eat and look in the farm shop.
It was nice and sunny so we sat outside, I had a bison burger as that is what they specialise it. After a look in the shop we bought some BBQ meat. Burgers, chicken kebabs, and lamb kofta. Expensive but nice and DS1 said he'd treat us . He also treated himself to some whisky 😁 And a coffee and walnut cake which was £8.50! It was quite big though and lasted a couple of days 😀

Check in at the cottage was a little later due to extra cleaning for Covid, so we stopped off at the George III pub by the toll bridge

We arrived at the cottage around 5pm and quickly unloaded the car.
Pics of Small Barn cottage

Despite the name it's actually the largest of the four cottages there. Very comfortable with views over the Mawddach estuary

After a wander round the site, there are spaces for a couple of camper vans and they have a couple of the shepherds huts which are new. Up a small hill are the two yurts. DD and her fiance are due to stay on one when they arrive on Monday. We didn't walk all the way down to the estuary but unpacked and had a sit outside with a drink and pizza we had brought with us.

[JudyC]

Day 2 Sunday 20th June
The morning saw us popping into Dogellau after our breakfast for some more food and beer to stock up for the week. DH and I took one trolley and our boys another and we were done and out in half an hour.
Back at the cottage we put away the shopping, the fridge was pretty packed with food and drink. So full I put the meat from the farm shop in the freezer as we weren't doing the BBQ until mid week and the garlic from the lamb koftas was quite pungent 😀
A quick lunch and we set out to walk to Barmouth, it's a good walk of around four miles.

The weather was gorgeous. I love this part of the world with views over the estuary

We crossed over the Barmouth footbridge. There was some work going on under part of the bridge and it's due to be closed from September for a while for repairs. A one point there was talk of closing it full stop, but thank goodness the funds have been found to keep it open. It's a main route for cyclists and walkers.

Arriving in Barmouth there were a few people around but it wasn't really busy. A few sunbathers on the beach , it was lovely to see everyone enjoying themselves. We sat on the sea wall enjoying the view of the ocean. Both the boys decided they were hungry again, we headed to Davy Jones Locker , where we've eaten before. DH and I weren't as hungry but shared a sandwich, the boys had a burger and fries. It was ok nothing special , filled a gap. While DS1 was finishing his beer at the outside table the rest of us crossed over to use the public loos. We had a laugh when we got back when he told us a random guy had come up to him and asked 'got any weed' 🤣 Despite his long hair and numerous piercing DS is very anti drugs, he doesn't even smoke!

Walking back over the Barmouth bridge I decided I didn't feel like walking the full four miles back, so DS2 and I headed to the path over the train line to Fairbourne and DH and DS1 said they would walk back to the cottage and pick us up from Fairbourne. It turned out that although Fairbourne looked closer the path weaved round and took us past the golf club, we probably barely saved half a mile walking . But at least we didn't have the slog up hill to the cottage at the end . We met DH in the car and checked out where the chip shop was as it is recommended.

Back at the cottage we had the family size lasagne from the farm shop. It was nicer than your average lasagne definitely . Another night sat out with a G&T, it was still lovely and sunny 😀

[JudyC]

Day 3 Monday 21st June

DD and her fiance were arriving today. They live in the Midlands so have a longer drive than us of around three hours.
We had a quiet morning chilling after our long walk yesterday. DH and DS2 went to Dogellau for some more bits of food shopping. I made up various sandwiches for lunch and set out the big farmhouse style table with salad and nibbles , cakes etc. Ready for their arrival as the yurt check in time wasn't until later they could come into our cottage for lunch.
Pics of the big yurt they were staying in.

The weather was lovely again and when they arrived around 1pm we ate lunch together and sat out in our courtyard garden with afternoon drinks. We had a walk up to the yurt and round the site, the new shepherd's huts look lovely.

Once their yurt was ready they took the car up and unpacked , they had also brought quite a lot of non perishable food and snacks, including a bottle of gin, which they put in our cottage to save space 😊

There was football on the TV and DH, DS1 and Dad's fiance wanted to watch. DS2 isn't a fan and DD and I can take it or leave it. We decided to go out for a drive as it was nice evening and check out where we were eating on Thursday. I've been before but it was a good excuse for a nice coastal drive to Tywyn to check our reservation was in order.
The drive is around half an hour, a lot on a twisty coastal road with amazing views. They may not be the Big Sur but on a summers night the views aren't bad 😊

We arrived in Tywyn and parked by the independent cinema

Crossing over to the Salt Marsh Kitchen where we had a reservation for later in the week . We saw the door open and the owner Scott talking the some walkers who had called on the chance of getting a reservation. It was fully booked though and I was glad had made a reservation which I quickly confirmed. It's a small place, maybe seats 20 odd, and very popular.

We crossed back to a place over the road with a small courtyard, DD and DS decided to have a cocktail. Me I was driving so could only look 🙄

It was very quiet being a Monday, only us there

We had said we would pick up fish and chips from the Fairbourne chippy, and suddenly DS said what time does it close. He checked online and it closes at 7:30pm, it was ten to by then! Oops.
We hurriedly walked back to the car and as I drove DS rang the chippy to pre order. Everyone had a different preference, no salt, no vinegar, salt & vinegar..talk about awkward 🤣. We arrived at Fairbourne in time , in fact people were still putting in orders.
We were back and eating our food by 8pm.
While the football was still on DD, DS1 and I went up to the yurt and lit the firepit. We had a fun couple of hours chatting and playing (quietly) 80's music. We were mindful of the other yurt through the trees and kept the noise down 😊

[Pino]

Such a beautiful part of Wales. My in law’s live further along the road in Llwyngwril.

[JudyC]

Day 4 Tues 22nd June.

I had ordered some crossants and pan au chocolate from the B&B next door so went to collect those.
I then started on making a big cooked breakfast for everyone. Our two sons and DD's fiance are fairly big eaters, myself DH and DD not as much. Even so the dozen sausages from our local home deli I had brought, along with a pack of bacon, a dozen eggs, beans, and a loaf of bread were required. I set out the table with orange juice and sauces etc . DH does cook plenty at home but I seemed to take it on here, I didn't mind as he is doing the BBQ later. The aftermath of brunch was cleared away by DS1 and the dishwater loaded.
We thought we'd go into Barmouth again but park on this side of the estuary near the train station and walk over the bridge. We have a big walk planned for tomorrow!

Of course once we got into Barmouth the guys were hungry again 🤣 It was after 1pm and DS2 fancied a crab sandwich from the Lobster Pot. There were tables outside which were occupied and benches over the road they were utilising for service. The only issue was the seagulls which dive bombed any tables left unoccupied still with food not cleared away. As soon as a party got up several gulls descended sending crockery flying and smashing on the floor! The server dashed over to shoo them away, but the gulls were a blooming nuisance.
I took the task of getting the orders and went in , guess what no crab sandwiches, only filled crab shells. I did my best ordering a mix of prawn sandwiches, crab with extra bread and butter. We had then managed to get a table outside, but not before a gull descended and sent a fork flying . We gave the table a very good wipe down with anti bac wipes.

Afterwards we all split and went separate ways, DD and her fiance went to look in the shops, DH and DS2 went another way, and DS1 and I walked along to the seafront , before cutting up to the town centre. Now it was a bit busy on the narrow pavements, due to more tables and chairs. We sat outside Ebineezers and met everyone for a coffee, before we walked back to the cars.

When we got back I sat outside with DD and DS1. DH and DD's fiance organised the food for the BBQ . I had taken the meat out the freezer earlier on.
We got the firepit lit and BBQ going early evening as the football was on again at 8pm

The burgers were very nice indeed, worth paying for good quality one. We had plenty salad, coleslaw, nibbles etc. And plenty beer and wine of course 🤭
We did smores over the fire too .
The football camp went into the cottage to watch the football, and the non football camp sat outside.

[JudyC]

Day 5 Weds 23rd June

Before we went to bed last night we had decided on walking up Cader Idris instead of our original plan of Snowdon. For two reasons one that Snowdon would be crowded, and two that it's a 90 minute drive and Cadir Idris is 15 minutes away. Oh and three Ive done Snowdon several times before.
After breakfast we gathered up bottles of water, and snacks. We didn't need to set off too early but left soon after 9:30. We parked up in the small car park with only half a dozen cars in and put our walking boots on and set off.
The twenty minutes or so were a gentle walk through a wooded area with a stream.

Then we came to the hard core steps, I wouldn't like to count them!

After an hours walking and lots of steps we stopped for a breather

As you can see the weather was clear..for now 😬
After what seemed like a million steps things levelled slightly. Through gates following the path was easy to follow, we saw a couple of other people. Snowdon would be rammed I'm sure!
We arrived at where we could walk over to the edge, but not too close to view the lake below.

After some photos we carried on, the path got a lot steeper with some big rocks to step up on. A bit of a scramble to the summit, I wasnt as keen on this part. Finally at the summit we stopped and ate our snacks.

As we left the summit to descend so did the mist 😳

We had a couple of false starts finding the path we had come up on, and it was scary for a few minutes. Once we got going down though we came through the mist to my relief and began the long walk back to the car park.
Over five hours after leaving we were finally back weary but glad we made it
I'm taking the photo on this one ☺️

Back at the cottage, food and showers helped us feel human again. I waited until last and filled the bath 😊

We had a meal booked in Dogellau at a tapas restaurant called Tafn Y Gadr. It gets excellent reviews and we've never made it there before now.
The staff were lovely and welcoming and we ordered various dishes and drinks. I think the bill was around £180 for the six of us which was good as it was all very very good.
Food pic fail as we were all too hungry sorry 🤣

[JudyC]

Day 6 Thursday 24th June

After our efforts on Cadir Idris yesterday we had a nice relaxing morning. I'd tried to order crossants and pan au chocolate again , but the oven at the B&B had blown up 🤭 DH volunteered to go into Dogellau and get some pastries, DS2 went with him and they also brought back coffees.
The food supply was diminishing but we had enough for another smaller cooked breakfast. We were still fairly full of tapas.
The estuary was shrouded with mist today and it looked mysterious.
In the afternoon everyone fancied going over the the George III pub . The guys and DD said they'd have a walk there, and DH and I said we'd both bring a car to give them a lift back , and forgo having a drink.

We found them sat outside and joined them for a while before having a short walk ourselves over the toll bridge and back. It had changed from being misty to breezy.

We had the Salt Marsh Kitchen booked for 7:30pm so after we got back and did some tidying and packing we set off for Tywyn. We went for a cocktail first for the non drivers.

Then over to the restaurant. The owner Scott recognised me and remembered my name.
We chose our meals and Scott came over for a chat. Everything was perfect, it's one of our favourite places.
Finally some food pics 🤣

Back at HQ we spent the remainder of the evening chatting. DH and I went up to sit in the yurt a while with DD and her fiance while the boys chilled at the cottage. We lit the wood burner as it had gone a bit cooler and had a glass of red with them

We had decided as they were checking out tomorrow to also leave as our check out would be quite early Saturday anyway and the weather was turning.
We said our good nights and went back to the cottage for our last night there.

[JudyC]

Day 7
Not a lot to say though apart from we ate whatever breakfast items we had , I think I made a big pan of porridge. We washed up and cleaned round, taking off the bedding and putting a towel load on a wash.
I sat out with a coffee while the car was loaded up. DD and her fiance left around midday as far a I remember and we weren't too far behind. We did toy with the idea of calling in at Bets Y Coed but decided it would be too busy.
We had a really lovely time and it was great to see DD and her fiance. I really miss them 😘
This was my fifth time back at Graigwen. I've stayed in both yurts, at the B&B , and twice in Small Barn cottage. Suffice to say it's one of our favourite places 😁
I hope anyone who reads this enjoys the report. Apologies for any typos I've not checked it all yet, I'm sure I'll notice some later. It turned out longer than originally intended 😊

[caj]

Thank you for sharing. We are heading nearby in a few weeks, so I'll be hunting down some of your recommendations!