Great-Britain, Wales: Return to Snowdonia
Great-Britain, Wales: Return to Snowdonia
This is the tale of my return to the spot where my enthusiasm for mountain hiking was born, bringing my daughter this time, who has a rather different point of view towards rambling. Our exploration of North Wales with its mountains, lakes and fascinating coastline offers a broad perspective on national park Snowdonia.
[BRITAIN.WALES 2387] 'Portmeiron, Snowdonia.' Portmeiron lies where the Vale of Ffestiniog meets the sea, in a wide tidal estuary. Seen from across the water it looks like a normal village, albeit in an unusually picturesque location. Not until youre walking around in it can you believe that this is the folly of an eccentric: the English industrial Sir Clough Williams-Ellis. More than anything, the little town exudes an Italian atmosphere with its Mediterranean pastel-coloured facades, its columns, baroque balustrades and campanile. The surrounding park, which has subtropical plants thanks to the warm Gulf Stream, adds to the illusion. Photo Paul Smit.
[BRITAIN.WALES 2409] 'At the pier of Llandudno.' In Llandudno a pier stretches into the sea, with a Victorian air of stately elegance. It's tip, not visible in the picture, is furnished with typical English amusement, where the sound of video arcades mingles with the breaking waves. It attracts lots of families with children. Photo Paul Smit.
[BRITAIN.WALES 2391] 'Gardens of Portmeiron, Snowdonia.' From a distance Portmeiron looks like a normal village, albeit in an unusually picturesque location. Not until youre walking around in it can you believe that this is the folly of an eccentric: the English industrial Sir Clough Williams-Ellis. More than anything, the little town exudes an Italian atmosphere with its Mediterranean pastel-coloured facades, its columns, baroque balustrades and campanile. The surrounding park, which has subtropical plants thanks to the warm Gulf Stream, adds to the illusion. Photo Paul Smit.
[BRITAIN.WALES 2412] 'At the pier of Llandudno.' In Llandudno a pier stretches into the sea, with a Victorian air of stately elegance. It's tip, not visible in the picture, is furnished with typical English amusement, where the sound of video arcades mingles with the breaking waves and seagulls skilfully fish out the remains of fish and chips. Photo Paul Smit.
[BRITAIN.WALES 2434] 'Hotel Pen-y-Gwyrd.' We seek shelter in the Pen-y-Gwryd hotel, the most famous mountaineers hotel in Wales, lying at the foot of the Glyders. It served as the training base for Sir Edmund Hillarys Everest team. The interior consists of alcoves, finished in wood. The weathered climbing shoes of famous mountaineers hang on the ceiling. Photo Paul Smit.