Saturday 14 April 2018

Croeso i Ganol Cymru - Welcome to Mid Wales

We stayed at a lovely Victorian spa hotel in Llandrindod Wells which has been owned by the same family for the past 120 years. 


Llandrindod Wells is close to the English border, and just a few miles away from the beautiful Elan Valley known as the Welsh Lake District.

 A majestic landscape of rivers and lakes, set within the Cambrian Mountains, and a perfect recreational area for walking, water sports, cycling, or for simply appreciating being at one with nature.
The Elan Valley has 5 reservoirs which principally supply water to the city of Birmingham and its surrounding area.

The mighty roar and the power of the rushing water over the various dams was indicative of the winter weather recently experienced. 


After a brisk walk by the river, and a wander along several of the reservoir parapets we looked forward to relaxing back at the hotel before having a much anticipated evening meal.
The countryside is my classroom  
The wisest and noblest teacher is nature itself
Leonardo da Vinci 

48 comments:

  1. Hello Rosemary, Wow, all those woods and streams to explore--I would have been in seventh heaven! Those rushing dam overflows, however, are a bit frightening, especially without a wide verge to watch them from! Do you speak any Welsh?
    --Jim

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    1. Hello Jim - the dams are best watched from above where there is usually a small roadway over.
      I don't speak any Welsh - it is a difficult Celtic language with strange pronunciations, but I can say the basic greetings along with please and thank you.

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  2. Glorious photographs. A perfect way to wake up and feast my eyes on all that nature. B x

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    1. Thank you Barbara - glad that you enjoyed seeing them.

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  3. Stunning scenery. I am sure the evening meal would have lived up to expectations.

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    1. It was a delicious meal Susan - a six course taster menu using locally sourced welsh ingredients along with a complimentary glass of champagne.

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  4. Replies
    1. There are some lovely places to visit across Wales.

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  5. What a great historical dam.

    Greetings,
    Filip

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    1. Fortunately the dams do not detract from the lovely countryside.

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  6. Dear Rosemary, Love the rolling hills. Thank you for sharing your trip and beautiful photo.

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    1. Dear Gina - it is only just over 2hours away from our home, and I am now wondering why we took so long to return. It was a good choice for a Spring break.

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  7. reminds me so much of the dam at Redmires just outside sheffield

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    1. I know Derwent Water and Ladybower Dams but I am not familiar with Redmires.

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  8. What a gorgeous part of the world. The rugged country views are fantastic. I love the Leonardo da Vinci quote.

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    1. We were fortunate last weekend as the weather was much better in Wales than in England.

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  9. That looks a lovely area. Never knew it was called the WLD. Nearest I got to that in mid Wales was Ysbyty Ystwyth which would stick in the mind somewhat and draw folk in seeing it on a road map just out of curiosity, as in my case.

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    1. Once you become familiar with how to say some of the Welsh place names they do stick as it takes quite a well to get the correct pronunciation.

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  10. Very picturesque, even without the trees in leaf.

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    1. With a bit more of our current sunshine and warmth the leaves will soon hopefully arrive.

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  11. I'm glad that you enjoyed Llan-dod (as we call it) and environs. The Elan Valley is stunning. We are well overdue a visit again. I loved your photos. We have a metal river bridge near us and one further up the valley which used to be called the Swing Bridge as it was suspended across the river. It is solid now though. Just as well for my nerves!

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    1. Thank you - I am pleased that you enjoyed the photos - it must be over 30 years since we were last in the Elan Valley, and now I just wonder why it took us so long to return.

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  12. Lovely photos of this pretty part of Wales. I can imagine you would have enjoyed both your brisk walk and wander in fresh country air. The trees have a tinge of green and pink, so shouldn't be long before they break out into fresh foliage.
    Love the first picture. It reminded me of camping close to such a stream near Bedgelart many years ago, except that the water was rushing over the rocks!

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    1. I know that river in Beddgelert Betty, and it does share similarities to the river in the Elan Valley

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  13. Such lovely country, the dam is very different from today's cement one, that too is wonderful to see.

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    1. Thanks Margaret glad that you enjoyed seeing some Welsh countryside.

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  14. What a huge dam, and its falls looks spectacular. And the scenery are really beautiful.
    Really lovely photos.
    Hugs

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    1. There really was a tremendous volume of water rushing over the dam.

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  15. Dear Rosemary,

    Wales looks like a beautiful place and how amazing to be able to walk alongside the river and woodland.
    Happy new week
    hugs
    Carolyn

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  16. What grand scenery, and a beautiful bridge, especially in close up. Five reservoirs in one area is amazing (by Australian standards, we are so dry!) and the dams look very full. I wish our heatwaves were unlikely events :)

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    1. Perhaps we could send you some of our water in exchange for a heatwave Patricia.

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    2. I always marvel at the stunning beauty of the English country side.

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    3. It is lovely, but best when the sunshines♡

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  17. Your photos are always stunning

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    1. Thank you that is very generous, you have just made my morning.

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  18. What a beautiful area. I especially enjoyed the photos of the dam. I can see the trees are all popping out. I think we are all ready for warmer weather.

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    1. Definitely - it's goodbye Winter and hello Spring.

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  19. Magnificent scenery. It looks like you had good weather for your stay and were able to walk and enjoy the countryside. Dams are wonderful feats of engineering.

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    1. We were fortunate as it was reasonably warm and we had blue skies from time to time. Fortunately the dams have not spoilt this lovely valley, but they are an amazing feat of engineering.

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  20. Dearest Rosemary,
    Yes, Leonardo da Vinci said it so well!
    Would love to explore and walk in spring's nature but have to be patient till summer arrives! My left pelvis problems, closed fracture and another, I have to use one crutch and let it heal without using... Not easy!
    Hugs,
    Mariette

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    1. Dear Mariette - I am so sorry to learn that you are suffering with a pelvis problem, and it sounds really difficult for you to cope with. Hope that it soon heals and that you can get back into doing all of the things that you want to do. It is not until something goes wrong with out bodies that we realise just how handicapped it can make us.

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    2. Absolutely and I certainly look forward the beginning of summer as that is my time frame dearest Rosemary 💗

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  21. One word - BEAUTIFUL!
    Always so nice visiting you and your blog :)
    Love from Titti

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    1. Thank you Titti for your generous comment, I also love having a visit from you too - take care.

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