Yesterday Tellytubby and I drove to Harlech to do the long awaited Branwen walk. We met Uncle Albert in the pretty village of Maentwrog and then continued on our way to Harlech. The walk starts and ends at Harlech Castle and our walk was a circular one of about 3 miles, but because we forgot to bring any change, we had to park our car in a free parking space on the main road. This meant that we had to walk up a very steep road until we got to the castle for the start of the walk but when we got to the castle car park, we decided to visit the castle before starting the walk . The castle is so impressive to see but the views from it are quite spectacular, especially on the lovely warm sunny day that we had yesterday, well worth the £4.20 us OAP’s had to pay,
After a good look around the castle we were ready for a bite to eat so we sat on some benches near the sculpture of the two Kings and sat in the shade having our refreshments. From the castle you turn right and go downhill until you turn sharp left up a lane which has small terraced cottages typical of Old Harlech. The lane reaches the main road and you then turn right and after a short distance turn right and follow the footpath, immediately on your right is a rocky outcrop and the views of the castle from it are superb so we all took quite a few photos from that spot.
We continued downhill, crossed the main road and took the lane behind Coleg Harlech. until we came to a white gate which took us across the railway track and then across the Royal St David’s Golf Course. The sand dunes were full of wild flowers such as Cornflower, Orchids and many others that I don’t know the names of, surely a Botanist’s dream to visit this place. Before long we arrived at the beach, a beautiful vast stretch of golden sand going for miles in both directions, To the west we could see the sandhills of Shell Island and to the east the mountains formed a picturesque background to the sand hills of Morfa Nefyn. Miles and miles of safe sandy beaches and on a hot Summer’s day and yet there were only about two dozen people on the whole stretch of coastline.
About 1km along the beach was a boardwalk ( or at least there was one until the sand covered it) and we then headed back across the sand towards the castle. The tarmac path divides the Golf Course and we stopped by a green to watch four golfer’s teeing off on this short par 3 hole. It wasn’t a long hole, probably about 140 yards but there was hardly any fairway and it was very rough around the green. One by one they took their tee shot and each one landed and stayed on the green and all within 10 feet from the hole. It made me wonder what exactly I’m doing wrong when I play the game.
After that we continued on the lane and just stopped for an ice cream on the way and then returned to my car which thankfully was parked on the bottom of the hill.
Another lovely day, another nice walk and many memories of what a beautiful area we live in.