When we surfaced in the morning, Dewi had his plumber's hat on, and was doing something to the drains. Then he brought his big modern tractor along and pumped out the septic tank. It's a fact of rural life that such things must be done!
We breakfasted and decided to go and see a waterfall which has recently been re-opened to the public after extensive work to its access paths.
Our route was via Bala on the A494. We took the road on the south east side of Llyn Tegid (the lake at Bala) and found a place to stop where there were views across the lake. I made an attempt at shooting a panorama to be stitched together later using PhotoShop. We also photographed a steam train on the narrow gauge railway on that side of the lake. The engine driver gave us a cheery wave, and I think we may have got a special whistle. Unfortunately, I don't think I clicked my shutter at the right moment to capture the steam released by the whistle.
I knew that the Dolgoch Falls were on the road to Tywyn. The only problem was: I followed the Tywyn signposts and they directed me along the A493, which goes along the coast, when we needed to be on the B4405, which goes down the middle of the little peninsula where Tywyn is.
The A493 and the B4405 met at Bryncrug, and we turned onto the road we really meant to be on. The Tal-y-Llyn Railway also goes that way, and when we got to the parking area for the Dolgoch Falls, we saw the train, with its bright red carriages. It makes a stop at the Dolgoch Falls, and it would be possible to ride the train up from Tywyn.
There was a clear map of the falls area on display in the car park. It showed the difficulty of the various trails, and recommended allowing 45 minutes to climb to the head of the Dolgoch Gorge.
I decided to wear my backpack, as that was an easy way to carry a bottle of water. I thought about carrying some warmer clothing as well, but eventually decided that I'd be fine in my t-shirt. I did do a bit of reorganising of my camera equipment, leaving out a 28-50 and a 35-80 lens in favour of a recently acquired 28-80 lens.
We went up the easy path to the lower falls, where there is an observation platform. While Stephen and I were setting up our tripods, another couple turned up and I took a picture of them with their camera, before I got back to the business of capturing the flowing water as I wanted it on film.
Once we had our pictures of the lower falls, we climbed a more difficult path with some steps set into it and we got up above the lower falls. This section has water flowing over little rapids. There is a bridge over the stream feeding the falls and there was a good spot for a tripod on the bridge, and another good spot beside it, so we took pictures and then swapped spots and took some more pictures.
Then we got back on the path and climbed to the upper falls, which must have the greatest drop. They come down in two stages over mossy rocks, with ferns and the occasional foxglove on each side of the fall of water.
We didn't climb right to the head of the gorge, but turned back after photographing the upper falls. It was well after 6pm by then. On the way down, I saw some beautiful back-lit bracken with the babbling stream in front and a building behind, and I expended some more film on that.
We continued driving along the B4405, both as a means of leaving the peninsula where the waterfalls were, and also to see Tal-y-llyn, the lake further up the valley. In the event, we didn't stop by the lake, but did stop further up the valley. We could see a farmer herding his sheep on the mountain on one side, and we took a few snaps, although I doubt whether the farmer will be visible in any of them.
We returned to Dolgellau, and did a quick circuit around the town, then decided to take the A470 to Betws-y-coed. This route goes via Blaenau Ffestiniog, and we stopped there for a burger and chips each. The mountains behind Blaenau Ffestiniog are magnificent.
From Betws-y-coed, we took the A5 back to Corwen, followed the A494 to Ruthin, and so back to our caravan. It was after 11pm when we got back.
Holiday Report: Thursday June 17th (Llangollen)
Summer Holiday in North Wales, June 2004 - Holiday Report Index
Helen Stephenson's Holiday Reports Page
Helen Stephenson's Summer Holiday Pictures - June, 2004 - Llyn Tegid
Helen Stephenson's Summer Holiday Pictures - June, 2004 - Index
Last Revised: 30th October, 2004.