Slate majesty

Slate majesty

Stiles, slate mines, black hills, & rusty roots

Wednesday 14 May 2014 dawned lazy so we made no rapid escape from Llanberis moody vale of narrow lakes and slate mines at the foot of Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon).

Llanberis moods & campgrounds

I took a short walk up the lane and explored muddy sheep pastures and paths through camping grounds and on stiles over rock walls as hikers explored their maps and GPS also in search of the paths through shepherd’s fields that lead to the Snowdon trail.

Sheep & Rams & Bonny Brook

Fenced in cascades filled with debris were nonetheless scenic, and I appreciated seeing the green campground devoid of the many campers that will fill it in summer.

…except for death…

Llanberis icons

Enjoying fried eggs and orange-fig marmalade on toast, we checked out of the hostel after 10:00am, cruising through the narrow rock-hedged lanes to the crest, pausing at occasional turnouts to gaze up at the waterfalls and slate mountains.

Snowdonia waters

At the top, we traversed the high ridges gazing down on verdant green meadows far below, then descended narrow rock-hedged passages past scenic turnouts, stopping at shallow Llyn Ogwen to nap while rock climbers scaled the granite.

Anglesey Port & Dudley Garage

I would have loved to have had time to climb these mountains, but was sleepy and at peace just viewing, so we passed the moody morning waiting for the sun. Awaking to sunshine, we dropped into Bangor to get lost searching for Penryn Castle on the University hill’s winding lanes on this scenic crossing into Anglesey, eventually getting directions to land at the Penrhyn castle that Rachel felt drawn to. It was a worthwhile tour.