Parallel Activities

It is a positive feature of CLOG away breaks that there are generally a number of parallel activities. This accords with the tried and tested CLOG philosophy of "multi-activity away breaks". On our away break in Porthmadog, our walks were the main focus. However, we also included some sightseeing activities to provide that important cultural dimension. All this and good weather to match! What more could we ask for!

One of our walks included the famous Italianate village of Portmeirion.
This was a nice way of weaving some sight-seeing into our walks.

There were 21 on our away-break and there was plenty of variety on offer. Indeed, it is likely that there were yet more parallel activities, but you see here the main activities of which I am immediately aware. They give a flavour of what we did. The links to more detailed descriptions are mainly for the activities in which I was directly involved - in this case actually leading!

We Arrive on Friday

On Friday, we descended on Porthmadog. Some by train and some by car. We arrived at different times, but the early birds had time to familiarize themselves with the interesting town that is Porthmadog.

In down-town Porthmadog we could admire the mountain landscape in its evening glow.

We Arrive! (Link) On our arrival, some of us had look around Porthmadog - its harbour and railways. We were actually staying in nearby Tremadog, in Snowdon Lodge, which was the birthplace of Lawrence of Arabia. From the doorstep we had ready access to a network of footpaths, and the railway station for walks further afield. We were greeted by good weather, an excellent start to our away break.

We also had the opportunity to see "Y Trên Bach".

Saturday - Our First Full Day

Here are some of us basking in the Portmeirion sun.

On our first full day in Porthmadog we decided that it was time for some exercise! However, some sightseeing was also woven into our walks.

Walk: Portmeirion & Garreg. (Link) Our route led across the Cob and on to the famous Italianate village of Portmeirion, for ever associated with its eccentric architect, Clough Williams-Ellis. Here we spent a pleasant 2½ hours, before the main tourist onslaught later in the day. Then, suitably intellectually refreshed, onwards we went across the estuary of the Afon Glaslyn. After that we rose to higher things by the Aberdunant Hall Hotel. We put back about 14 miles (23 Km) beneath our feet. Eric was the nominal walk leader, but in spite of this, the group successfully got back to our evening meal in Tremadog - only three minutes behind schedule!

Walk: Criccieth to Porthmadog. This walk started out from Criccieth Station and reached Porthmadog along the joint Llŷn Coastal Path and Wales Coast Path. It was capably led by Helen Rundall.

Our Evening Many of us enjoyed our group evening meal which Sheila had organized for us at the "Golden Fleece" in Tremadog.

Sunday - Our Second Day

Llyn Cwmystradllyn lies in the lap of the mountains.
At one end we found the "Café at the End of the Universe".

On Sunday, our activities included a walk to Tyddyn Mawr, the reservoir and the Slate Mill - some fascinating history! Another group scaled the wintry heights to Snowdon.

Walk: Tyddyn Mawr & The World of Slate. (Link) Today's walk scaled the heights above Tremadog. After admiring the views to the south, we headed for Cwm Mawr, the Slate Mill and the tea shop at the "End of the Universe" - well, "Tyddyn-Mawr", actually. We also had a short walk along the northern edge of the reservoir, admiring more views of the surrounding landscape. Again, Eric was the nominal walk leader, but we got back OK!

Walk: Snowdon Ranger to Snowdon. Eight of us motored to Snowdon Ranger, and braved the initially suspicious weather to walk up Snowdon. Crowds were to be expected on top, as the BBC Report of 4th May 2019 confirmed. Times have changed, for when we went up Snowdon on our CLOG visit on Friday 6th June 2014, we certainly did not find the mountain summit very busy then.

Our Evening For our evening, many of us revisited Tremadog's "Golden Fleece", while a few dined separately at the Union Inn opposite.

Additional Activities: May 06 and 07

Staying on a while had its rewards. (1) Avoiding Rail Engineering Works on May 06. Who really wants the extra chores engendered by the seemingly interminable Rail Engineering Works? On Monday May 06, Euston Station was closed and Essex was also affected. Who wants to lug cases and baggage around: walk to train, walk to another train, walk to bus, walk to underground, walk to train, walk to bus, walk home? Not if humble I can avoid it! (2) At the same time, of course, Porthmadog was an ideal place for indulging in my interest in Ferro-Equinology.

Welsh Highland Railway
Trains crossing at Rhyd Ddu.
(I'm on the other train, so you only see one train!)

Welsh Highland Heritage Railway (May 06) (Link) This short Heritage Line is an interesting museum acting as a "front end" to the main Welsh Highland Railway. A great time was spent absorbing lots of new information, often by actually speaking and putting questions to the enthusiastic volunteers. No need to be afraid of going out of one's little self!

Welsh Highland Railway (May 07) (Link) This snakes its 25-mile mountainous way between Porthmadog and Carnarfon. It is one of Britain's most scenic rail journeys. I experienced another one on a previous CLOG Trip as you see in this Link.

Goodbye (May 08) (Link) Before I left, I had a last look around and took a few more pictures. It was nice to enjoy for a second time, the magnificent scenery along the Welsh coast from Porthmadog to Machynlleth - this time in the opposite direction to when we came on Friday. The connection to Euston via Birmingham New Street (apart from the curious change of platforms at New Street) was good. It was a good conclusion to some good days away.

Welsh Highland Railway
In the famous Aberglaslyn Pass.

Summing Up

So, as you can see, there was plenty to do! We generally had quite good weather and there was never a dull moment. We all had a good time! That's how we like CLOG away breaks!