Hi there everyone 😀
Since we’ve had The Lodge it’s become a bit of a tradition for Jackie and Phil to join us for a few days over the New Year.
We started off 2026 with a lovely few days out and about … seeing all kinds of weather. We had plenty of rain, a good bit of sunshine and plenty of snow was forecast.
We spent New Year’s Day very local … with a walk on a vast and deserted beach …
We walked to Hafen y Mor, the local holiday park …
… where we had a wander up and over the railway line to the other side of the park … something Martin and I hadn’t done before. We found lots more activities … including an amusement arcade, shops and restaurants …
And I know I’d promised no more Christmas trees until November but I’d forgotten about this last one …
We stopped for a warm up and a drink in the pub before retracing our steps and back to the car …
The following day we headed to the old Ynysypandy slate cutting mill at Cwmystradllyn.
It was bitingly cold and there was plenty of snow on the hills, but we wrapped up well and walked down the lane to the mill …
It really is in the most beautiful spot and Martin and I just love it here …
The ruins of the mill are fascinating …
… and the views in every direction are just stunning … though completely different weather wise in each direction on this visit. It’s hard to believe the photos were taken within a few minutes of each other …
After we’d finished at the mill we drove further along the lane, past the cafe in the middle of nowhere, to the lake … where just Phil and I got out to have a closer look. It would definitely be a lovely picnic spot in the summer …
On Jackie and Phil’s last morning we headed into Porthmadog, where we took in the views of the snow capped peaks …
… before heading into Spooners at the station for breakfast … which was just the job.
Before waving them off we were lucky enough to catch some steam activity …
… and more fabulous views from along the platform …
It really is a lovely spot to while away a few hours … at all times of year.
As Jackie and Phil headed for home, hoping not to get caught in too much snow, we headed back to the lodge … which is pretty much where we stayed for the next few days.
The snow really came down and, whilst it was lovely, we were getting a little concerned about getting home …
In the end we decided to avoid the mountains and opted for the A55 and M6 and got very lucky with a pretty clear run.
That’s it now for the season … we will be back in March 😀😀😀
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