Blaenau Ffestiniog & NORTH WALES
With Simon’s broken foot still in the process of healing, it was quickly decided that attempting our best impression of mountain goats scrambling up steep terrain was probably not going to be one of the wisest or best decisions of the century. So, instead of hiking boots and sturdy walking poles, we swapped them out for camera lenses and tripods and made our way to the charming, slightly depressing town of Blaenau Ffestiniog in North Wales. Alongside capturing the some local landscapes, we enjoyed a few pints at the local pubs, keeping the atmosphere relaxed. We deliberately kept the cuisine simple and low key to help manage the costs while making the most out of our trip.
We thoroughly explored the area, including a visit to the local Cwmorthin Slate Mine, which has been long abandoned but still holds a mysterious charm. Interestingly, a film crew was there filming scenes for House of the Dragon 3, adding an exciting buzz to the location. We also made the effort to get up around 3:30 am on a couple of mornings to capture the best, softest light at the iconic Lone Tree on Llyn Padern and later at the picturesque Penmon Lighthouse on Anglesey. To round off our adventure, on the very last day, we enjoyed a nostalgic trip on a steam train, traveling from Blaenau Ffestiniog to Porthmadog, soaking in the scenic beauty, steam, smoke and a head full of coal bits (if you stuck your head out of the window) along the way.
We can recommend the Lakeside Cafe for its excellent service, coffee and food, and after extensive research the Grapes Hotel, bar and restaurant with a good choice of (well kept) real ales, beautiful surroundings and garden, although we did not eat, plenty of people were.