Where Are The Dragons?

Wales, or more specifically North Wales, where I live, is the land of magnificent castles, stately homes, railways, festivals and the scenery is superb. Fantastic sandy beaches, tumbling rivers, waterfalls, mountains and lakes. I think I’ll just let the photographs do the talking this week

Yes we have rugged coastlines, but look at the sandy beaches.

There are sand dunes and of course that old abandoned lighthouse that I love to photograph

You can fish, even at night…..

….although you shouldn’t leave your nets behind.

We get some fantastic sunsets

And there’s that lighthouse again

We have an industrial heritage as well. I wonder who Karen is?

Of course much of the heavy industry is long gone and we are left with the ruins.

It’s not really a castle but we do have them, honest

Lead was also mined here

And we’ve got the odd waterfall

Plus mountains. One of my favourite walks. Take the path up to Cwm Idwal

…and this is Cwm Idwal

If you turn your back to Cwm Idwal you get to see Pen Yr Ole Wen

Butt we also get snow.

That’s when you ate likely to see the ponies who live wild in the mountains. They come down for food.

I did mention we had lakes. Didn’t I?

With walking paths that let you appreciate the countryside. This one eventually leads to Snowdon.

Probably the most photographed bridge in Snowdonia. Despite it looking rugged, one of the main roads through the park is no more than a short walk of about 75 metres away. I’ve seen coach loads of tourist stop here to photograph this bridge and they think they’re seeing Snowdonia. By the way cross that bridge to the left and you’re on the path to Cwm Idwal

Another one of my favourite walking areas. I’ve been in this valley 3-4 hours and not seen another person. It is quite lonely but so peaceful and usually the only sounds you hear are the water tumbling down the hillside, sheep and birds calling.

Yet in this remote valley, families lived and worked, mining slate. Above are some of the small terraced houses and below is the ruins of the church

Slate mining was probably the most industrial activity in North Wales with several large quarries extracting slate in vast proportions with Welsh slate, used to roof houses and buildings worldwide

Well that’s it. I could have shown so many more photographs. If you want to know more about North Wales follow the link at the top of the page.