Our Walk Today

Today we did a circular walk from the doorstep of our hostel in Capel Curig. The weather started on a wet note, but showed its sunner side during the day. On our route were the famous "Ugly House" (Ty Hyll to you Welsh speakers) (our first "snack stop"), the Swallow Falls, the Miners' Bridge and the Swallow Falls Hotel (our second "snack stop"). Our walk was ably lead by Danny.

Towards the end of our walk we see Llyn Mymbyr in all its evening glory.

To the Ugly House

On our way to Ty Hyll, we traversed open moorland above Capel Curig. Distant views unfolded through the mists. We reached Ty Hyll in the rain, so the warming morning tea and cakes we had at the said Ugly House were very welcome.

Here are our "usual suspects", but not our walk leader!




Distant views unfold ...




... as we make our way across the moorland.




The moorland seems to exude a special "misty" charm of its own.




I wonder if this is Moel Siabod.




We reach the Ugly House which sparkles in the rain.




From its sloping herb and flower garden above, the Ugly House seems to nestle very comfortably in its surrounding greenery.

The Swallow Falls and their Hotel

The most easterly part of our walk took in the Swallow Falls, the Miners' Bridge in its rocky sourroundings and the Swallow Falls Hotel, our second "snack stop". The way to the Miners' Bridge from Ty Hyll was along a rocky river side path which hardly made its way on to the OS Map. The river, by the way (in a manner of speaking), was the Afon Llugwy, which flows through Capel Curig and joins the Afon Conwy at Betws-y-Coed. Now, how's that for some Welsh names?!

Our view of the Swallow Falls - admittedly hiding a tad in all that summer greenery - didn't cost a penny. It'll cost you if you wish to see them from the Swallow Falls Hotel side!




The Miners' Bridge is the eastern-most point on our walk. Well, it's a sort of bridge, sloping, as it indeed does, onto a large lump of shiny rock stuck in the Afon Conwy.




At its base there are lots of shiny rocks ...




... and even its own little waterfall. There are lots of waterfalls in Wales.




Here we are gracing the said waterfall ...




... and here are some of us again, with the waterfall more clearly in view.




We make our way back along the south side of the river and reach the Swallow Falls Hotel.




After our second "snack of the day" within, we slowly gather outside.




The sun is shining in earnest, and we are rearing to go.

A Sunny Path back to Capel

Summer, in all her verdant glory, accompanies us as we wend our scenic way back towards Capel Curig. Moel Siabod (I think!), an old hump-backed bridge, an air conditioned house and Llyn Mymbyr are features on the route of our walk, which passes the outdoor leisure centre and makes a final wide sweep aroud Capel Curig.

On the way back we were spoilt with more lovely scenery.




I liked this so much, I took a portrait picture as well.




Here is the sort of hump-back bridge, providing a short cut to one of our evening A5 eateries:
the Tyn-y-Coed Hotel.




We, however, stay on the south side and pass this air conditioned house of old. Its nice setting, with Moel Siabod in the background, seemed a good place for a group picture.




It looks like I'm in this one! Thanks John for the piccy.




Another Welsh mountain rears up ahead.




We reach Llyn Mymbyr, where the evening sun gives some "atmospheric" light effects.




We have passed the Outdoor Pursuits Centre (with its dry ski slope) to see
Llyn Mymbyr in all its evening glory.




We finally make a wide arc around Capel Curig.




Every Welsh village seems to have its own waterfall.
This one, on the Afon Llugwy is just around the corner from our hostel.

Evening

There were various possiblities on our gastronomical agenda this evening. I chose the early option in the nearby (only 200 yards away) Bryn Twrch, and was not disappointed! Some took the later and more distant, but very nice, option at the Tyn-y-Coed Hotel. What would tomorrow bring?