Cwm Pennant

Mum, Dad and The Boy went for a walk in Cwm Pennant after seeing it in a photography book that Dad had bought for Mum.  The book said that the glacial valley was one of the quietest and most unspoiled areas of Snowdonia.  So off they went!

They arrived after a fairly long drive but knew from the journey along the river Dwyfor that it would be well worth it.

Dad paid a farmer £2.50 to drive onto his land and park up for the afternoon.  Then it was time for a lovely picnic.

Hmmm, Mum'sMum might recognise these napkins!

Then they set off into the hills, but not before admiring the ford where road and river met.

Up they climbed, manoeuvring themselves steadily through boggy areas and sheep poo.  The sun was beating down and The Family got very, very hot.  But they turned round to catch their breath and admire the view.

And what a view it was!  Unspoiled was definitely the right adjective.

The hills across the valley.

They walked high up into the hills until they reached the ruins of an old cottage.  It provided The Family with some much-needed shade.

The sole occupant of the old cottage vacated pretty quickly as Mum, Dad and The Boy got close.

The Boy, sans walking boots this time because he forgot them, taking a rest in the shade of the sycamore trees.

Beautiful, beautiful green leaves.  A very happy sight for Mum.

The remains of the kitchen stove could still be seen.

The dappled shade that helped The Family to cool down.

Mum and Dad, still looking a bit hot!

The Boy did some exploring and found a good stick.

And Mum sat for ages admiring the stunning views towards Cwm Dwyfor and the Nantlle Ridge.

Once they were all nicely cooled by the shade and the mountain breeze, The Family made their way back down to the car.

On the way down, Mum stopped to take some photos of the bluebells.  The guidebook said that the hillsides would be covered in them but sadly the only ones that had bloomed were a bit small and pathetic.  Maybe they had got there too early or maybe something had happened to the ground this year.  Mum wasn't really disappointed because there were so many other things to look at.

The weedy-looking bluebells were still pretty, if sparse.

This is the first time that Mum has ever heard this sound and she was ecstatic.

Pretty violets by the river.

Rescuing Poohsticks near the ford.

Dad, washing the sheep poo off his boots in the ford.

Mum and The Boy, a rare grouping in photos!

Dad and The Boy.

The Family got back into the car and drove away from Cwm Pennant with happy memories and happy souls.  They like the area very much for its beauty and peace.  They passed through the farm to go home.

Mum, Dad and The Boy think that the farm sheepdog was trying to say something.

Goodbye stunning Cwm Pennant, The Family are so pleased to have met you.

And goodbye winding, single-track lane through the hamlet of Llanfihangel-y-Pennant.