Lodge Life :: April 2025

Hi there everyone 😀

After a longer than usual time spent at home … trying to renovate our grass … we managed a two week break at the lodge in April.

We did manage to pack a fair bit in … we explored Dorothea Quarry some more and found the old beam engine … we got up close and personal with the nuclear power station and the old wooden footbridge at Trawsfynnyd and we had a weekend with friends.

In addition to all of that we did get to finally pull in at Plas Tan y Bwlch, The Snowdonia National Park Centre. This is somewhere we drive past often and have always wondered what could be found behind the trees, up the narrow windy track.

We were passing on our way to Trawsfynydd so decided it was time we took a look. We were a little disappointed to be faced with a notice stating that the house and the cafe were both closed due to lack of available staffing, but we drove up for a look anyway.

It was an absolutely stunning spot and somewhere we would definitely be visiting again if the cafe ever re-opens …

The views across the countryside were glorious …

… and there are gardens to explore …

… all laid out around a beautiful 19th century Manor House, which used to be run as a study centre, but sadly it seems it is now permanently closed. 

On another lovely day we had a ride to Aberdaron, where we walked our usual circuit …

… and I had a play at photographing dandelion clocks …

… whilst Martin tried to make the individual ‘wishes’ fly into the air …

From here we had a lovely visit to Plas Yn Rhiw …

It was absolutely glorious … warm with plenty of blue skies and sunshine. We had our picnic lunch in a sunny spot and spent a good while just parked up on a bench taking in the view beyond the garden and across the bay …

We had hoped to return to Rhiw with Jackie and Phil and see the wisteria in full bloom, but sadly the weather was against us.

From our visit to Rhiw we had a very quick call in at Porth Colmon …

… before visiting our very first garden that was open to the public under the NGS scheme … Coed Ty Mawr. We had no idea at all what to expect but it was just lovely. We were greeted by Nonni, who just happened came from a place very close to where we live. Although we were a little early she couldn’t have been more welcoming and told us all about the garden and the best way to make sure of seeing everything. 

We were soon wandering around the garden, which we pretty much had to ourselves and it was a real treat …

We finished our visit off sitting on Nonni’s deck, overlooking the sea and enjoying the tastiest and fluffiest scones that had been made just that morning …

We came away with the NGS booklet for the local area and were thrilled to find a few more gardens close by that we would love to visit later in the year. 

We stayed very local for the rest of our visit with a wander round Pwllheli to see what was occurring at Capel Salem …

… and lunch at Caffi Sol, followed by the regulatory half hour in the amusement arcade …

There was an evening of fish and chips on the prom at Criccieth …

… and our first swim of the season … which was very unexpected …

We came away leaving glorious weather behind … 

… but eked out the last drop with a picnic stop at Capel Celyn on the way home …

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Coasts and Gardens with Good Friends

Hi there everyone 😀

Our good friends, Jackie and Phil, came to join us for the second weekend of our Easter break in North Wales.

They arrived on Phil’s birthday and we celebrated with an afternoon tea in Caffi Largo in Pwllheli. It was our second time having afternoon tea there and, again, it was a real treat and a lovely way to start off our weekend …

As it was a Thursday and the weather was glorious, after spending an hour or so chilling on the decking of the lodge, we headed into Criccieth for a bit of a wander and to watch the weekly lifeboat practice …

As the lifeboat was being sent off for service we didn’t actually get to see the launch but we did get to have a nice sit in the sunshine and to watch the swap over of the boats, which was a spectacle in itself …

On Friday the weather forecast was reasonable so we headed to Anglesey for a big day out … starting with a wander round Church Island …

… before making our way along the Belgian Promenade …

… and under the bridge …

We had a pit stop at Dylan’s for a quick drink … before making our way back to the car.

Then we were off to the viewpoint for Jackie’s home made quiche for lunch … whilst taking in the views across the Menai …

We finished off our day with a very quick call in at the place with the long name …

We did also have our first visit to the shopping place by the station where a few purchases may have been made 🙈

On the Saturday our plan was to head for Aberdaron, have a bit of a wander and then call in at the National Trust garden at Plas Yn Rhiw. Things didn’t quite go to plan as the weather came in a bit and Rhiw was pretty obscured by the clouds.

Deciding we wouldn’t get to see much and none of fancying getting wet and soggy we opted to leave the garden for another time.

Instead we headed for Abersoch and were pleased to find the tide out which meant we could have a walk from the harbour and around the headland on the beach …

This did involve a nifty bit of ducking under the slipway, which was interesting …

On Sunday Jackie and Phil were heading for home and, as per their normal visits, we needed to find somewhere for breakfast before they headed off.

This time we decided to head for Plas Brodanw, a lovely little garden, not too far away from us … with a very nice cafe.

After filling up on toastie specials we had time to explore the garden. It was the first time we’d been at this time of year and we were surprised to find so much colour. The azaleas were particularly spectacular … 

… as were the views beyond the garden walls …

It really is a lovely little garden and such a treat to see it at a different time of year. We will definitely all be back in the summer … when we know the hydrangeas and perennial borders will be putting on a fabulous display. 

After a quick look round the house and latest art exhibition it was time for Jackie and Phil to head for home so we said our good byes … until the next time 😀

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