Swimming

Today, daughter L joined me on Django's morning walk on the familiar pasture and woodland paths around the "cottage" (Bron Madog). It was great to spend some quality time with her. We all chilled for a bit, and then A, L and I went to the Oakley Arms for lunch. It's a big old stone house, so it was pleasantly cool inside. 

A short drive took us up above Tan-y-Bwlch station, where we parked for an outing we'd spotted in the "Wild swimming walks" book in Bron Madog. We first walked through some pretty mixed woodland to a small reservoir, which was already being used for water activities, so we continued to Llyn Mair (pictured). The lake and its tiny island, are very familiar to me, as the Ffestiniog Railway goes round three sides of it. Hence, although I'm a reluctant swimmer, and have never swum here, I took my opportunity to join A and L. We got out to the island, only to be hissed at by a Canada goose on its nest. We soon got back into the water! I went straight back to the bank, but A crossed the lake and swam back (see extra).

We then walked around the lake, and up to the station via the short nature trail I loved running around as a boy. At the station we chilled over ice creams, and watched a train leave (see extra), before the short walk back to the car. 

The train is diesel hauled due to the extreme fire risk. Indeed, a train was stranded up the line yesterday due to a lineside fire.

Back at Bron Madog, we're enjoying the sunny evening - our last, as we leave tomorrow morning.