It was E's birthday last weekend and she wanted to spend her birthday at the seaside. B was adamant that the Barmouth area in North Wales was the closest and we decided to stay for just one night.
We had a good journey - no traffic problems at all.
A few photos taken from the car. At times the grass verges were full of primroses, dandelions,wood anemones, daisies, cowslips, lady's smock and garlic mustard. Sorry no photos of these - I only had fleeting glimpses as we drove past.
We hadn't left home very early so it was lunchtime by the time we had driven through Fairbourne and to the end of Fairbourne Point.
The Mawddach estuary
Looking towards Barmouth on the opposite side of the estuary.
We ate the sandwiches I had brought from home and then drove back into Fairbourne.
In the afternoon we parked along the road to the point so that we could walk along the beach
Apart from the 3 of us the beach was more or less deserted. (D had stopped at home as he is only a few months into his new job and didn't want to take holiday so soon).
It was a bit of a slippery descent to the beach down a bank of pebbles!
I have no ideas what plant this is - can anyone id please?
Timothy enjoying the sea air - it was dry with some sunshine but he was glad of his jumper and scarf!
Barmouth in the distance
We left the beach via the sand dunes and walked back to the car along the road.
A few flowers in the verges
Dandelions
and I think this is Ground Ivy - please correct me if I am wrong.
Wherever there are walls there are plants.
A miniature railway runs from Fairbourne to the ferry that crosses over to Barmouth.
We then drove just past Fairbourne to check where the bed and breakfast was located and then followed the coast road in search of a pub where we could eat that evening.
We found this pub in Llwyngwril but when we went in to ask we were told they were not serving meals that evening.
So we drove back along the road towards Dolgellau in search of more places to eat.
By the toll road which crosses the estuary we found the
George Gwesty III pub and as they were only serving until 6.00 p.m we decided to have a meal as it was already 5.30.
Toll bridge crossing the River Mawddach
Plants in Walls
After the meal we booked in at the bed and breakfast and then went a walk along the lane. E was a few hundred yards in front of us and paused at a bend in the road shouting she had just seen two badgers run across the road in front of her. We discovered they had disappeared through a gap in the wall and were lucky enough to have fleeting views of them foraging in the field below us. Sorry no pics - I hadn't taken the camera with me and even if I had it would have been too dark and the badgers were moving too fast!
13 comments:
That stretch of the Welsh coastline is very agreeable indeed and I can well understand how anyone would want to visit.
Such a lovely area, but Timothy was very wise to wrap up ~ I bet you did too! The weather is still so harsh in Wales, for May. I think Lady's Smock is having a great year this year. The mystery plant, well, I can't see it close enough, but is it Scurvy Grass growing in the wrong place {that is, not on a hedge} and being bonsai~ed by it's conditions?
What a lovely way to spend a birthday! It's years since we were in the Fairbourne and Barmouth area. I'm so glad you reminded me of the name, Ground Ivy (which I see confusingly is part of the dead nettle family): we saw some on the Isle of Wight and its name escaped me then. Timothy looks well wrapped up for his travels!
I enjoy your holiday posts :) how lucky to spot the badgers! It seems like a really lovely place to go.
David Gascoigne - Thank you - yes it is lovely there. My husband used to go a lot as a child and he loves it there.
Deborah O'Brien - Thank you - yes I wrapped up warm too - hat and gloves though hadn't taken a scarf! - it was a tad windy on the beach! From what I saw in Wales agree about Lady's Smock :) Yes, you could be right about scurvy grass - have googled but will get out my wildflower id guides as well later. Problem is there are so many of those tiny plants with little white flowers!!
Caroline Gill - Thank you. I often get Ground Ivy confused with another similar species - red dead nettle??? it is a pretty plant though especially en masse. Timothy has decided he needs more clothes with summer approaching!!! :)
Pam - Thank you - it is a nice area and lovely and quiet at this time of year :) We were thrilled over the badgers :)
How wonderful, looks like an interesting short break in a great area. It does look cold though so Timothy would have been glad of the warm clothing. How amazing to see two badgers such a treat:)
Rosie - Thank you. We had a good time although it was cold but at least dry! Went to Aberdyfi for the first time which we liked a lot. Didn't have time to go and see the ospreys though :(
Definitely a Scurvygrass. Enjoy the rest of your holiday Caroline.
Dean Stables - Thanks so much for the id Dean - hugely appreciated :) Actually back home now - it was a short break as we only stayed one night.
No problem Caroline. Think there's about 5 sp of Scurvygrass, so i reckon you'd have to check all aspects of the plants.
A change of scenery is as good as anything.
Dean Stables - Thanks so much again. I probably haven't got enough detail in the photos to get it to species level but even knowing it is scurvy grass is a great help.
Glad Timothy enjoyed his day in my homeland :-)
The badger cubs apsaid thanks for the lovely comment on their photos and video - made a special effort to check this time, it probably won't last....
Kevin and Seri - Thank you.
I did so love the badger cubs post - it reminded me of a few years ago when a guy from the Warwickshire Badger Group so very kindly took me to watch badgers and cubs at a sett where he regularly feeds them. It was the best wildlife experience I have ever had even if I did get covered in insect bites!!! :) How anyone can shoot them in cold blood is totally beyond me :( We have the horrendous thoughts that the badger slaughters might be introduced here into Warwickshire too :(
lol re: the special check
Take care both and enjoy the weekend.
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