Today we decided to have a rest from visiting attractions and just explore near to the cottage.
In the morning we had clear sunny weather for the first time but it was very windy. Dad took the opportunity to take some photos of the views from the cottage. Unfortunately, by lunchtime thick fog had descended!
We stayed in until after lunch and then walked down to the nearby Ynys Y Pandy slate mill which is only a few hundred metres from the cottage. It is indeed a spectacular structure and apparently almost unique in the Welsh slate industry. Unfortunately, although the site is open to visitors there are no signs whatever to explain what it did or how it worked!!
Clearly there was a rail line or tramway leading to and from the site and one of these was now a footpath leading towards the Llyn Cwmystradilyn reservoir. We walked along here for a few hundred yards and passed a waterfall in the stream (in flood) coming from the reservoir but the going became too muddy so we had to turn back.
We decided instead to walk to the reservoir along the road. Obviously this was easier but due to the fog there was still nothing to see! Eventually, as we approached the dam a house emerged out of the fog with a sign in front saying “Tea Room – Open”. We pressed the bell and an efficient lady ushered us into what was clearly her front room which had been converted into a small cafe.
We ordered tea and cake and while we waited observed prints from local artists and second hand books and purchased one of each. The place was an absolute gem and a positive oasis!
Restored we walked along the dam and observed the overflow which was in full flood (and feeding the waterfall we observed earlier) before returning to the cottage the same way that we came.
In the evening we drove into Tremadog and had a pleasant evening meal at the Y Sgwar restaurant.