Dyfi Estuary from Panorama Track

The rain finally relented this morning 25 hours after it started but the clouds were slow to clear. However, this did not put us off our planned 8 mile walk in the hills and valleys above Aberdovey.

We delayed the start for about an hour which gave us time to prepare the vegetables for tonight's dinner and fruit for the fruit salad afters as we were on cooking duty when we got back.

We were walking to Lyn Barfog above Cwm Maethlon (Nourishing Valley) - known as Happy Valley in English. This entailed the customary uphill pull from the town to Bwlchgywn followed by a sequence of up and downs culminating in a sharp final section to the lake where we stopped for lunch.

While enjoying this water lily covered lake the clouds broke and the sun began to shine. We found the Echo Point, where we could yell to our hearts content and also stood on top of a small peak surveying the lush, green scenery around.

The lake area is steeped in myths and stories, involving greedy farmers in one story and King Arthur and his horse in another. Neither were in evidence today.

The return walk was much easier along the Panorama Track high above Happy Valley to the north and the Dyfi Estuary to the south with extensive views to the west over Cardigan Bay, Bardsley Island and the Lleyn Peninsula.

Our return to Aberdovey was rewarded with tea, scones and bara brith at a tea shop on the sea front, which was very welcome and did not hang around on the plate or in the cup very long.

Dinner tonight was pork in red wine hotpot followed by fresh fruit salad and cream.