At The River's Edge

This is the name of a live album, but is also a good title for a holiday round up. We spent a relaxing week in a lovely guest house in the hamlet of Friog which is on the Mawddach estuary opposite Barmouth. It was great just to be able to get out and enjoy family time without worrying about cooking, washing up and the like. Observations on things done:

Chester Zoo - Do not get there same time as loads of coaches! Great value for money, well laid out, animals looked well cared for, needed more time to see everything better.

Rhostyllen - Thanks for cuppa on way through guys

Friog- Very small hamlet, tucked away from more touristy Fairbourne

Talyllyn Railway - Good scenic route, despite downpour. Love steam railways.

Barmouth - A place you either love or hate. Lots of very safe sandy beach. Harbour on estuary. Mountains rising above old town. Swam in sea.

Panorama Walk - Scenic walk to a smallish peak overlooking the estuary and sea above Barmouth. My personal favourite spot in the whole world. Can and have spent hours up there just being still and taking it all in.

Centre for Alternative Technology - Inspiring place for over 30 years. Have been a shareholder for 18 years. Helped us to change some atttitudes over the years. Now linked from this blog.

Castell - Y- Bere - Scenic Welsh stronghold in mountains near Cadair Idris. Now ruined but still imposing and worth the drive down narrow lanes to get there.

Dyffi Furnace - An example of early water driven industry for iron works.

Strata Florida - Ruined abbey, but peaceful and secluded, can see why monks settled there.

The day after getting back, went up to Slough for the season opener and a curry with my home town friends.

The next day was my family's annual cousins day. At my mother's funeral five years ago, my eldest cousin decided it would be a good idea to meet up once a year, rather than just at funerals and the like. Since then we have done so at Lydiard Park just outside of Swindon. It is good for us to keep in touch like this, and also that our various children can grow up knowing each other as well.

All this seems ages ago now, not just a few days, I'm ready for another holiday already!