Marvellous Mawddach!

I'm off work this week and I'm becoming increasingly frustrated by the weather - but isn't everyone?

Today, after some deliberation we decided to wander a little further afield and take a drive down to the Dolgellau area. We ended up at Penmaenpool. All I can say is that I now have a new favourite place on this planet. 
This is not a "Wow!" place nor does it have stunning views but the atmosphere is amazing. The moment you stand at the end of the rickety toll bridge the place starts to soak in to you heart through your skin.

The river is the Mawddach which upstream in the hills still causes a little gold fever as prospectors hunt for the yellow metal which is native to the area.

The path alongside the river is an old railway line, always a good start. It has been developed as a path and cycle track and today, in the middle of half-term hols, it was a little over-populated but in this place I could live with a bit of bike-dodging!

The bridge itself is special to start. A one-of-a-kind feature with its own character and charm.

The old railway signal serves as a prominent reminder of times gone by, and even adds a little humour, which is never a bad thing.

For many, the main feature would be the pub, sitting on the other side of the line, which although busy with holidaymakers, still manages to add to the calm atmosphere.

Even the building which was the old station, now modified many times over the years, still retains some of the branch-line charm. 
I quote from Wikipedia: "Penmaenpool railway station was formerly a station on the Dolgellau branch of the Aberystwyth and Welsh Coast Railway, part of the Ruabon to Barmouth Line. It closed to passengers on Monday 18 January 1965."
I guess that once, in the heyday of the railways it must have been a busy place, with holidaymakers passing through on their way to spent their break at Barmouth.

Both the pub and station buildings are parts of the George III Hotel.

Further down the line you get away from the tourists and soon get out into peace of the open country. You soon realise that the valley bottom is very flat indeed!

Back at the car park the other side of the bridge is just as intriguing, seeming to be as natural a part of the view as the oak-clad hills which forever form the backdrop.

 I'll be back!