PEN LLYN - JULY 2023 - Evening stroll to Porth Ysgo

 Sunday 2nd July

After an inactive (recovery??) day, we had an evening stroll of two and a half miles down to the beach at Porth Ysgo to watch the sea reflecting light like a painting on silk,  and Italian painting style skies, and to listen to the waves breaking with  the occasional harsh grinding of pebbles in the undertow as the tide was turning.

 The wind had been fairly strong for most of the day, but now it had dropped almost to nothing. The waterfall is flowing, but is a mere trickle. I think this may well be standard unless there has been heavy rain. 

PEN LLYN - JUNE 2023 Ty’n Rhyd to Aberdaron

Thursday 29th June

Glorious weather - sunny and warm, but with enough breeze to make it pleasant.

Just after 10.00 we decided to walk along the coastal path into Aberdaron - for coffee. We took the public footpath to the right a short distance before Ysgo. We unintentionally detoured slightly from the path but managed to access Llwybr Arfordir Cymru along the cliffs and into Aberdaron.

Looking southwest towards Aberdaron

View of Mynydd Rhiw, fort, and Mynydd Penarfynydd 

Brilliant views, though some of the terrain was a bit rough and overgrown with lush bracken.  

We arrived soon after midday and ordered a decent coffee in Y Gegin Fawr cafe. A lovely place in the sunshine. It felt almost mediterranean with its flowers and whitewashed walls.

Then we dawdled around gazing at the beach before having lunch of quiche and salad in Becws Islyn. Pity about the ‘compostable’ plates and cutlery, since the food was excellent.

Melin Daron

Penny wort on the roof

Afon Daron

We returned via the coastal path route along the Afon Daron, and up to Morfa, then continuing along the coastal path as far as the smaller path by the stream up to Cadlan Isaf, which joins join the minor road from Ysgo.

Since both phones ran out of charge, we estimate the distance to be about 9 miles, maybe a little more. 760 feet(ish) of ups and downs. Quite strenuous walking and the uneven conditions underfoot meant that we had to concentrate! My legs knew they had walked.

First five miles or so…

PEN LLYN - JUNE 2023 Porth Ysgo and Coastal path

 Monday 26th June

We ate breakfast outside, then went into Aberdaron to shop. 

Weather sunny and breezy.

We had coffee at the outside table in the garden.

My wander took me along the road past Groeslon, then right turn to Ysgo. 

At the junction I took the coastal path, admiring the profusion of wild flowers.

I made a short diversion from the path to the remains of the Manganese tramway building. A relic of past industrial development.

I returned to the coastal path, which led on above the beach and round to Ysgo, where I turned right past the little church, and continued.

I had a long chat with a local woman who was married in the little church and knew RS Thomas.

Back to Ty’n Rhyd, lunch of quiche and salad.

In the afternoon I had another short walk, just up to the small crossroads and back.

PEN LLYN - JUNE 2023 - Porth Ysgo and Llanfaelrhys

Sunday 25th June

A slow start today. Coffee around 11. Rain between 12 and 1 as forecast.

After lunch we strolled down to Porth Ysgo, sat on the beach for some time.

More than 100 steps, and no, I didn’t count them.

On the way back we called in at Llanfaelrhys church 

and went inside to the R S Thomas loft.

This local priest and poet was a strange character in many ways.

Monday 26th June

Wales Coast Path ,Ty’n Rhyd , Ysgo , Aberdaron

 Tuesday 5th July 2022

An after-lunch decision to tackle the coastal path into Aberdaron.

We took the usual minor road route towards Porth Ysgo, but turned right instead of continuing to the cove.  

The route proved quite tricky at first, not too clearly marked. There was a fine drizzle and in parts the path was rather overgrown with (wet today) ferns in places. Views were pretty good.

Much pleasanter as we approached Aberdaron, though waymarking towards the road was not good.

An unexpectedly delightful section took us down beside the Afon Daron and into Aberdaron itself.

We had a very welcome ice-cream followed by coffee to celebrate almost 5 miles of walking.

  We walked back along the road. This was just over two miles, much of it uphill, but generally quiet.

 Almost 500 feet of ascent and descent, and 7 miles in total.