Lake Vyrnwy

Today was laundry day (yes again) so we drove to Llangollen and sat in our usual spot in the launderette watching the washing go round and round. This afternoon has been spent cleaning thoroughly as we have a friend staying with us over the weekend. The morning started off very miserable and foggy, now there is not a cloud in the sky.

Yesterday we had decided to stay on the boat and potter to save some money, however the weather was so nice that we felt it was criminal to stay inside. We drove to Lake Vyrnwy which is actually a Victorian reservoir for the City of Liverpool. It’s stone dam was built in the 1880’s was the first of its kind in the world. There are 311 streams, waterfalls and rivers that flow into the lake .The construction of the dam and reservoir flooded the village of Llanwddyn and when the water level is low, you can still see the houses. The village was rebuilt next to the lake. Lake Vyrnwy is also a nature reserve and the RSPB have several bird hinds and a shop. When we arrived the weather started to turn and you could see the black clouds over the lake heading towards us. We managed to take a short walk and head back to the car for our sandwiches before the heavens opened and it started to rain.

After the lake we drove along a very narrow and country lane to Bala. The road was really a grade up from a dirt track and at times I was a tad scared that we would fall off the edge. The road, hugged the hills through its twists and turns. Bala was an odd place, there were lots of cars parked along the high street, but no one was around. It felt very eerie and I really did not like it much. Even the petrol station was strange, pumps on the side of the road, no forecourt or anything and it is the first station that I have been into which you have to wait for an attendant.

After Bala we took the long way back via horseshoe pass. We took a walk up the hill quite far over the most awkward sty which really was very unsafe. The walk was quite difficult (or perhaps I am unfit) but when we reached the top we were rewarded with a lovely view. There were many sheep grazing and we noticed that they are becoming more and more fluffy (or fluffier) as the colder weather is setting in.