I slept really well yesterday evening until about 03.00 this morning. Serves me right for falling asleep before Bake Off had finished. The Inn was very comfortable -I would go again.
The day dawned raw and chilly, but my room was very cosy. There were grey skies in Usk which quickly were transformed to blue once the sun got its act together.
A flavour of the Greyhound Inn at Usk.
I made it to Aberdovey through stunning snowy landscapes set against a deep blue sky. In the Llangurig/Llanidloes area, the snowfall had been heavy and it would not have been much fun driving through it. The mountain road was closed, but I just took a longer route. The roads were all clear of snow and the longer route was traffic free. Very relaxing.
If you ever need a loo when you are passing through Erwood , I can recommend their public one. Just like someone’s personal private one, very cared for and properly decorated. I left a hefty donation as I appreciated it. Well it was 2p or 50p so I was generous.
I stopped in Machynlleth to buy some new walking trainer/boots. The man in the shop was very helpful – they have more limited stock and sizes than the bigger stores but I bought another Keene pair. I liked my last ones. And a new warmer beanie type hat. I should have looked at the price before it was added to the boots!
The drive to Aberdovey revealed a new bridge just outside Machynlleth, a very smart new bridge over the Dyfi (Dovey). This has been much needed for years as the previous one was in a dipped bend, leading to an awkward manoeuvre and limited visibility.
Aberdovey is as lovely as ever, many buildings sporting new coats of paint. The sea front and parking has been completely redeveloped in the last twenty years and is much improved. H had a run in the sand but was getting too interested in chasing birds on the beach, so I had to rein her in.
The Outward Bound brought a school party down to the beach – some doing beach games and some in an inflatable, who then were allowed to jump into the water one at a time. Bonkers! They might have been wearing protective dry suits as they had something baggy on. As well as life jackets.
Before it was dark, I decided to make a dash to dear old Tywyn. For old times sakes. It hasn’t half grown. Massive developments – lots of new building. It was once a town with a disproportionate number of holiday homes, but now they seem more permanently occupied. Traffic flow has changed too and the huge Spa supermarket has a rival – Coop. The Spa used to fascinate me because it sold giant catering tins of things like baked beans.
There is also a new bridge over the Dysynni just north of Tywyn. You no longer dice with death by dashing over the Cambrian Coast Railway Bridge. Or walking miles round to Bryn Crug to cross the river. This dangerous activity was probably made impossible, but back in the 1980s safety was not so rigorous.
Having visited Tywyn for over 25 years, I never knew it had a lagoon. Called Broadwater, it is now a haven for wild birds. But used originally for boat building . The boats were used to transport peat gathered off the beaches. When the tide does its bit the peat cuts are exposed. Sometimes they are all buried by sand.
Tywyn lagoon
The Welsh have been building their bridges. The new and the railway bridge. Metres apart.
I checked in at the Trefeddian Hotel. It seems very comfortable. My single room is spacious and I have a lovely view inland. All single rooms face inland. And I have a large bathroom with a bath and a separate shower. There is a tennis court out there somewhere.
The evening meal was fairly spectacular and very filling . All nicely cooked except the plaice delice was a bit weird but did grow on me. It had smashed crispy banana on top and a dark banana syrup with it. Never had fish with banana before. The baked fish duo was a triumph. And the lamb was so tender. I can make lemon posset and their was every bit as good as mine! I did not get as far as the cheese.
The dining room and its service were interesting, very efficient and harking back to days of my childhood seaside holidays in hotels. I had read somewhere there was a dress code for men of ties and jackets. Who dresses like that these days? Well the male eaters were not exactly in T shirts, but they were tidy, but only a handful sported ties. Or jackets.
I hope breakfast is served in there so I can see out in daylight.
Thought for the Day
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