Lake Vyrnwy, no internet connection, no moblie phone signals, no texts, nobody knew we were here, the only sounds were distant birdsong amid the rumble of incoming clouds. The magical fairytale view from Lake Vyrnwy Hotel & Spa I had seen online only days before and I knew instantly that it was where I needed to be, just for few days to shake off my urban alien and get in touch with a more bucolic being.......but there were no dragons here!
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I can't stay still for too long, mind relaxed and chakras realigned I was ready to face some action. With Snowdonia National Park just around some incredibly ginormous bends, we squeezed our way through the green capillaries of welsh country lanes with barely enough room either side of the road for randomly-roaming, long-tailed sheep to pass whilst making their perilous ascents.....but there were no dragons here!
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Wild weather moved in, billowing clouds quickly consuming summits to satisfy their mountainous appetites. Up Mount Snowdon, briefly touching the summit before racing down past thundering waterfalls, roaring waterways and desolate hillsides.......but there were no dragons here!
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I did stop to share my lunch for a while with this delightful chap to whom I explained my quest and he pointed me in the right direction.........there were no dragons here!
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We followed rivers which tumbled dramatically into the sea......
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As the sun went down we came to the conclusion that on this particular day, in this beautiful corner of magical Wales.........
Run into any of the Harry Potter gang? That looks like the bridge for Hogwarts Express train ;) Beautiful countryside! Being simple, I love how many of the road signs in Wales are marked in both Welsh and English.
ReplyDeleteCheers,
Loi
Not the HP gang dear Loi but as I stared out of my window into the woods surrounding Lake Vyrnwy one night I'm sure I saw twinkles of mystical light!....oh that rhymed unintentionally!
DeleteStunningly beautiful! Loved every single image, you captured the beauty of the pretty little country!
ReplyDeleteWe fell in love with Wales last summer when we visited my paternal homeland with our kids. My husband says he wants to retire there! Wales has everything he loves: green landscapes, beautiful farmland, lots of rain, good gastro pubs, lovely polite people, gorgeous coastline and even the smallest villages had Indian restaurants!
Thank you for taking us along on your respite!
What a wonderful place! I visit Cornwall a view years ago, but never been to Wales. I should...
ReplyDeleteMarkus
So beautiful. I love these landscapes and will be glad if I could visit GB again.
ReplyDeleteLovely hugs
Molly
...There were no Dragons here!
ReplyDeleteBrilliant post - the landscape looks so magical especially the first few images - and that waterfall - absolutely stunning! i think that St. George had obviously got there before you and scared the Dragons away!
Paula xxx
Paul: What a beautiful trip and you describe it so eloquently. I'm glad you didn't have to slay any dragons to get there..Happy Monday..Judy
ReplyDeleteDear Paul - another set of beautiful atmospheric photos.
ReplyDeleteNow I wonder how many claws a Welsh Dragon has? a pity you did not catch one and then you could have let me know.
I do know that Chinese dragons have 5 claws, a Korean dragon has 4, and Japanese dragons have 3. This is a useful tip if you are ever trying to identify an oriental piece of work with dragons on it.
I am fascinated by this information Rosemary, I have made a note and I will keep my eye out to put it too the test.
DeleteFrom memory (As the dragons eluded me this time of course!)I think Welsh Dragons have four claws, I wonder what their Korean cousins have to say about that!
Paul
Dear Paul, wow, that place is so majestic and magical too. Thank God there were no Dragons which will either amuse or scare you. The pictures reminded me of the Harry Potter movie! I hope you had a relaxing, reflective and at the same time fun vacation.
ReplyDeleteGorgeous! It does look like a place dragons would live. Those first several pics are like something straight out of Harry Potter. Maybe you weren't looking in the right places for them?:)
ReplyDeleteI think the clouds may have been a great hiding place!
DeletePaul,
ReplyDeleteGlad to know that your inner dragon found peace and calm there. Dragons do pick the best spots.
How utterly magical it looks.
pve
how were you ever able to leave?
ReplyDeleteI dug my heels in but to no avail!
DeleteBeautiful photographs. Looks like just the place to restore oneself.
ReplyDeleteAll best,
Phyllis
You photo's look magical Paul. The faded light, the mist & waterfalls......breathtaking scenery! When I look at your photo's they have a high 'Harry Potter' feel to it :-)
ReplyDeleteYour walk through Snowdonia national park sounds wonderful. I hope I will be able to do it myself one day. Hope you found the peace you were looking for.
Madelief
What a magical lyrical place, your pictures are enchanting. OK, no dragons here...I bet there were lots of fairies and sprites though.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful scenery.
ReplyDeleteSydney - City and Suburbs
Stunning photos Paul. Such beautiful country, rough and mystical with the clouds and fog. Enjoy the week! Pamela
ReplyDeletewhat magical images...so beautiful... xv
ReplyDeleteAmazing place to live. I was thinking, does the horse speak Welsh?
ReplyDeleteLooks like a wonderful trip Paul. I love the sound of rushing water out in the wilds. One of the most perfect things on earth. The first three photos are incredible. There's no such thing as bad weather just an opportunity to view our world in many dramatic ways.
ReplyDeleteSo glad you managed to dodge those dragons Paul....loved your photos...just took a deep breath and enjoyed the view.
ReplyDeleteWonderfull pictures.....your blog looks very nice.
ReplyDeleteGreetings, Joop
Great photos all of them!
ReplyDeleteHave a nice evening!
What a magical place to visit! Such beauty and serenity in all your photos. I'm glad you came by my blog for a visit!
ReplyDeleteAwesome sky post!
ReplyDeleteHi Paul...Lovely photos...My daughter visited Wales a few years ago, and fell in love with the countryside...You certainly captured the beauty in your photos...
ReplyDeleteCheers!
Linda :o)
Gorgeous photos, Paul - *note to self - add to places-to-visit bucket list*.
ReplyDeleteLove all the wild water, plus the calm of course. Stark contrast to what we're experiencing.
And capped off with a sublime sunset.
WAU - with a fantastic picture series you run.
ReplyDeleteWishing you a good day :)
Hanne Bente
Wonderful pieces of heaven,Paul!Great photos!
ReplyDeleteHi Paul, thanks for visiting my site i was led here! Going to some place far from the city is also what i miss so much, just like what you did. But i can see it is mostly gloomy where you went to, nevertheless those are lovely waterfalls too. Oh i love to get a very low shutter with them! If only they are nearer.
ReplyDeleteThat is magical scenery, so different from our mountains here in Colorado. Now I want to visit Wales. Wonderful photos!
ReplyDeletequel endroit magnifique !
ReplyDeleteWow from the mountain to the sea the landscape is so beautiful. The first three photos I could imagine a Loch ness will appear! ^_^ Great shots and thanks for joining Water World Wednesday
ReplyDeleteFrom the mountain to the sea the landscape is so beautiful! The first three photos I could imagine a Loch ness will dramatically appear ^_^ Thanks for sharing the photo the place is beautiful. Thanks for joining Water World Wednesday hope to see you next week!
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful getaway, thanks for sharing the beautiful photos. You'll have to go back again to find the dragons :P
ReplyDeleteDear Paul,
ReplyDeleteOh my.
My oh my.
Those first three photos have held me captive for days, and I keep coming back to them just to dive into them and stay in the fairy tale for a moment. Because surely they were from a fairy tale...? Surely those views could not possibly exist for real? And if they did, you should have dug your heels in deeper and never left...! I hope you bottled some of the magic to sprinkle your senses with on greyer days to come. Not that I want greyer days to come to you, and perhaps they won't, but just in case...
"Urban alien" and "bucolic being" - love it!
Hehe, you made me laugh when you talked about the "blog models" you encountered last weekend. I've got a feeling I know just what you are talking about!!! And I do indeed look forward to the "whole other story"... :-)
Oh, and the dragon you were looking for, it is hiding in your first water fall photo. I can see its two eyes and part of its nose sticking up through the water.
Helena
It looks Brontesque! I'm going to try to step back from the internet this weekend and the iPhone - t's going to be tough.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful captures!
ReplyDeleteDark clouds
wondeful pics! most i love the first ones, but all are great :)
ReplyDeletewelcome to *tina´s picstory* :)
I want to visit Wales so much - to think I grew up so close but we never got to visit - parents had no car and no money after WWII. I didn't leave Devon except on the obligatory school trips (Stratford-On-Avon and London-Thames to view the Magna Carta). I remember how getting the cash for those trips was a hardship too - but of course they were exciting to a young schoolgirl who never went anywhere. Now I'm seeing wonders of the world - literally - and yet places at home, such as your beautiful images show, still call to me.
ReplyDeleteMary
marvellous landscapes, great pictures! greetings from Belgium, Hilde
ReplyDeleteFantastic pictures, Wales is a stunning place indeed! Joining you through skywatch :)
ReplyDeleteWonderful photos!
ReplyDeleteMy entry.
While I'm sorry you didn't find any dragons, your photos are magnificent. You've definitely captured the beauty of the Welsh countryside.
ReplyDeletebreathtaking images Paul!! Now I'm jealous and need to plan a trip to Wales!
ReplyDeleteMy Fathers family was from Wales, so I enjoyed looking at your photographs. Very picturesque place and I always find if you can really get away with not any Internet connection or mobile phones for a bit, the holiday can be more relaxing with only the sound of the birds in the trees.
ReplyDeleteHappy weekend
Carolyn
Wow, wonderful photos! And you have a gift for storytelling too :)
ReplyDeleteThat's so magical, I almost wouldn't have been surprised if there were dragons there.
ReplyDeleteFabulous photos, in spite of not finding any dragons! Some of the shots made me think of Ireland, and how much I would love to get back there soon!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful scenery!! I never visited Wales;now you have me regretting that omission. Boom & Gary of the Vermilon River, Canada.
ReplyDeleteGorgeous pictures! Makes me want to travel.
ReplyDeleteHolly
Glorious captures of a place faraway! Thank you for sharing at YSB this week.
ReplyDeleteI love the fairy castle in the lake, I'd love to stay there.
ReplyDeleteMxx
Nice work! Incredible light Paul!
ReplyDeleteAwesome captures, so very beautiful! =)
ReplyDeleteWhere is my lovely comment?
ReplyDeleteLake Vyrnwy sounds like bliss. No internet, texts or other modern bothers, sign me up!
ReplyDeleteHello Paul
ReplyDeleteYou blog I love and I am now following, so will not miss anything.
Your trip to Wales and images are just incredible and I felt like I was walking along with you. The kindness in the eyes of that horse stopped me in my tracks.
Have a glorious week
Helen xx