Day 15 - Caernarfon to Aberporth

Actual Miles Driven Today - 243

The Menai Bank Hotel 

My stay at the Menai Bank Hotel with Patrick & Rachel was a pleasure indeed. 

My Parking Spot at the rear of the hotel

A Lovely Hotel over looking the Menai Straight and in a prime spot being a short walk to the Harbour and Caernarfon Castle in the town centre.

Patrick & Glass Repair Strip in place

Being Day 15 it was time for the Third Suspension Greasing Session before leaving. 

Included was the need for a car wash not having done that yesterday with my earlier start.

Patrick chose to provide me with a hose pipe and to help me to wash the car. 

I had mentioned that I also needed to find a garage to check my tyre pressures. 

In a flash, out came a large compressor and the tyres were done in an instant. 

While washing Patrick noticed my cracked headlight. 

Being a well organised vehicle owner that Patrick is,  I was presented with a patch of clear glass adhesive strip made for the purpose of repairing such Broken Glass and Cracks.

Rachel, Rebecca & Patrick bid me farewell.

During the evening the day before I was having second thoughts about my partial lap of Anglesey, so, before I set of on today's 188 miles journey, I would go back and do some more of my Anglesey route.

Britannia Bridge once more

I crossed the Britannia Bridge and took the southerly route to Holyhead where I photographed the Harbour. 

On the way I passed this garage with that famous Welsh Place Name.

Can you say it?

One nicely cleaned car ready for a good days driving - Thank You Patrick

 As part of my quest to photograph military bases I then headed for RAF Valley where Prince William had been based before he married.

Which one is the Trainer?

RAF Valley

That did not take too long after stopping along the way for the daily fuel intake. 

Holyhead at last.

Into Holyhead. in glorious sunshine.

Footbridge near to the Harbour

The Ferry Port to Southern Ireland seen through the fence.

This area looks quite pleasant.

Holyhead Sailing Basin

Due to the late leaving time it was now midday so, I set off for the bridge to the mainland once more, but this time, once I get out of Holyhead, it would be a drive straight down the fast A55.

A lovely road only spoilt by these lines of Speed Humps.

One last look at the bay

I am just about to dodge more of the Speed Humps

Back under the archway.

Now I am on the fast A55

Making its way back to RAF Valley

After a while I realise how long the Isle of Anglesea actually is.

Eventually I arrive at the bridge so that I can soon begin today's road trip to Aberporth.

An 'over the head' farewell shot of the bridge from the mainland side.

Looking back across Menai Strait to Anglesea.

Welsh Sheep?

I am amazed how little traffic there is on my road.

The Mountains of Snowdonia with their peaks in the clouds.

My coast road route took the A487 & A499 until I diverted off the main road via the B4417 to Aberdaron.

The coast roads in this part of Wales are fabulous driving roads with not a pothole in site. Even the odd castle comes into view

Now on the B4417 and starting to climb into the hills towards the coast.

Starting to feel the climb.

I have just climbed my first Welsh Hill. 

A quick stop for a photograph

And Mountains all around as we are in the Snowdonia National Park, I think? 

The hill climbs are also great fun.. 

My first view of the sea since the Menai Strait.

The only downside in the small villages are the speed humps which need careful navigation.

The run down to Aberdaron is a pleasure with a small village at the sea side. 

This is where it can get confusing - when the town sign is only in Welsh language.

Aberdaron - Now I know where I am.

Negotiating the tricky bridge of this very pretty village, I managed to find a parking place in a small gap next to the pub. 

I did not dally for long. Just enough time to pop down to the beach for a quick photo of Aberdaron Bay.

Over the Bridge with a quick Right and then Left to the beach.

The view from the bridge.

My parking place in a busy tourist area.

Lots of footprints on this very deserted beach.

Aberdaron Bay.

The next road up over the hills towards Abersoch is unnamed but is equally one of the best drives of the day.

The view over the bonnet down towards Hell's Mouth Bay

The Bay at Pwllheli

Beautiful.

Into Abersoch at last.

Another long straight road with little traffic. Much needed to make up some lost time.

In Pwllheli, looking across the bay.

Porthmadog is my next planned destination.

Driving through Porthmadog.

Passing the Porthmadog Station of The Ffestiniog and Welsh Highland Railways

Having arrived at Porthmadog, the home of the narrow gauge Welsh Highland & Ffestiniog Railway. 

http://www.festrail.co.uk/main.shtml

Sadly, I had no time to go hunting for the trains. 

The station for the railway, which runs back to Caernarfon was just visible as I left the town heading for Portmeirion. 

It was only a last minute decision to try and enter the Portmeirion Estate when I noticed the sign post as I was approaching. 

The question was, would I be allowed to enter without paying?  

If so it would mean that I could drive their piece of coast road? 

It was a sharp right turn off of the A497 down a narrow drive to the Main Gate of this famous village. 

http://www.portmeirion-village.com/

I drove into the Portmeirion estate arriving at the entrance gate. 

For once I was able to use my charm (or Blag) to get free access with The Green Goddess and drive down into the town square for a photo call. 

I convinced the Management that I needed to drive on their piece of the Coast Road to conform to my challenge. They agreed with me and let me in free of charge.

I was already creating some attention from the other visitors.

How far in would they let me drive?

I cheekily asked at the Main Gate if I could drive down into the village. 

To fully drive the Coast Road, I needed to drive on their road.

After a phone call to Management, I was invited in but requested to drive carefully.

Mine Host, who did the negotiating needed to allow me to enter free of charge.

In the Village Square.

The visitors were all standing behind me.

As I drove slowly through the sea of pedestrians I was already creating interest and the 'I wonder what he is doing here?' looks on the faces. 

'Is this the car used by Patrick McGoohan in television series called The Prisoner'? 

Sadly I had to disappoint them. His car was of course a Lotus 7 

I drew quite a crowd of ladies who were each keen to donate to Help for Heroes which was unexpected . 

I did eventually get the photos and stayed for about half an hour instead of my requested 2 minutes.

At the time I did not realise that there was also a hotel here on the banks of Traeth Bach where I could have turned before leaving. 

The view from the estate drive.

This residential castle is in the grounds in the exit road. 

I could not resist this unusual choice of notice featuring the PortMeirion Logo.

Back on the road I am following the Railway and soon pass Minffordd station.

Just around the corner I spotted the entrance to the Toll Road at Penrhyndeudraeth which uses the Railway Bridge and cuts off a few miles of estuary road to Maentwrog and back.

Having spotted this route on Google Maps I was doubtful about the large pools of 'high tide' water seen on the road. 

Today, It was no problem, as I sailed across, once the traffic lights were with me. 

The view from the Toll Road.

I was soon driving due south again towards the Town of Harlech,

I spot the famous castle ahead of me. 

 Up there on the hill ahead is the famous Castle. 

Famous also for the song 'Men of Harlech'

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EbBGWR4VL58

Two Flags are proudly flying from their flagpoles

In the distance I spotted the river estuary at Llandanwg

I am about to pass through another small village of Dyffryn Ardudwy

It is a gorgeous day and these lovely quiet roads are a pleasure to drive.

I spot the sun reflecting off of the many roofs at a nearby Holiday Caravan Park

Barren Hills to the left of me and Coast to the right.

I am soon approaching Barmouth with people outside enjoying the welcome sun.

Going through the pretty Town of Barmouth, where the road swings left to follow the Afon Mawddach estuary inlet.  

I can just see the beginning of the famous very long railway viaduct ahead.

Heading along the estuary for the toll bridge near to Llanelltyd

Looking back towards the famous Viaduct and Footbridge across 'The Bar' estuary at Barmouth

At this point in time I am heading inland along the riverside to reach the crossing at Llanelltyd.

The light playing tricks as though there is a person standing in the road ahead.

Then on the right I notice this old wooden Toll Bridge that I had read about somewhere. 

I make the turn and wonder if I am doing the right thing as I am approaching the old Toll Bridge.

 The Toll Bridge and its Herringbone Laid Wooden Planks is single track controlled by the Toll Collector at the opposite end of the bridge.

I actually drove past this short road and had to double back to ensure that I did not miss the pleasure and experience of this crossing.

Rumbling over the planks the bridge has quite a large hump. Now I can see the Toll Booth.

The view through the railings on the bridge.

Back on the road and heading coast-wards again.

Another lone vehicle ahead.

The pleasure of driving Solo. 

There is absolutely no one on the road but me.

Not far down the road I came to the Narrow Gauge Railway at the village of Tywyn.

Unfortunately, the last train of the day had already left.

I was soon back on the coast road once more.

 Driving into the town of Aberdovey. 

 Looking across the River Dovey estuary.

Further up the Dovey Estuary heading towards Machynlleth

An unusual Tree Carving catches my eye.

The River Dovey Bridge into Machynlleth which I am just about to cross.

I did not realise I had taken a mirror shot at the same time.

The view from the bridge while crossing the Dovey.

The Town Centre of Machynlleth as I drove through, non stop as usual. 

Once again I realise that I could have done with a few extra days to allow me to make more stops.

Tre'r Ddol heading down the south side of the Dovey estuary and the B4353  towards Borth

Entering Aberystwyth where I was intending to take a break for a Coffee if I could find a suitable place to stop.

Through the town centre is what could be the Town Hall on my left.

I managed to find the seafront which overlooks Cardigan bay

The weather was looking grim as I headed for the old harbour area, passing the pier.

I found my spot overlooking the bay, to the left was the cafe where I purchased my coffee and a hot pastie snack. 

Just behind the flowers was a row of benches where I enjoyed the pleasures.

Two Deep Sea Rowing Teams are out training.

The Castle Ruins.

Driving back towards the town seeking my route south to my overnight stay at Aberporth.

Old Civic Buildings on the Harbourside.

It is past 6pm so I am running late again.

Leaving town the dark clouds moved in once again. 

I had had a rain free day so far.

Within a few minutes the heavy rain started and I needed to pull over to put up the hood. 

 Just Driving with nothing to look at as I drove through Aberaeron on the A487

Eventually I arrive at the hotel, on what has now become a wet and windy night.

It did not take long for me to become disillusioned by the rain and all I wanted was to get to the Rhyd Country Hotel and have a welcome rest, a nice drink and a warm meal. 

The rain just got heavier and heavier and was going to be set in for very wet and windy night. 

I would go straight to the hotel today and do some coastal doubling back in the morning.