Llyn Peninsula: Day 2

Another day of clear blue skies would be just too much to hope for, but at least it’s dry, and we even see some watery sunshine. 

We start off visiting another pilgrimage church - St Beuno’s, Pistyll, on the northern side of the peninsula. Another charming ancient church with a beautiful Celtic font and a floor decked  with the traditional covering of herbs and rushes. Like St Hywyn’s yesterday, it’s full of light and natural decorations. 

Then it’s on to Nant Gwrtheyrn - the site of granite quarrying in the C19th, producing granite setts for the expansion of Liverpool and Manchester. The quarries eventually closed at the outbreak of WW2, leaving the community to be gradually abandoned over the next two decades. In the 1970’s a movement began to redevelop the deserted quarry village as a centre to develop the Welsh language and by 1978, after a successful nationwide fund raising campaign, it was purchased for £25,000. 

The setting is stunning; perched almost on the cliff side and reached by a narrow vertiginous and winding road. The views are spectacular, and small wonder that the centre is not only used for language and arts courses, but is also a popular wedding venue. We wander around the heritage remains before the temptation of the cafe draws us in. It’s our first visit, but we’ll be back. 

Next, it’s the old port at Trevor where ships once called at the old wooden pier to carry tons of granite to Liverpool. The wooden pier’s no more, but the views  are wonderful. 

Finally, heading homeward, I want to visit Cwm Pennant to see the bluebells. It’s another first for us - I’m  ashamed to admit just how much of our beautiful area I’ve never visited. The valley’s beauty is legendary, and even now with brooding clouds above the hills, it has a stunning majesty of its own. We’re disappointed by the bluebells, however, for despite seeing them everywhere along the verges, here in the valley they are only just peeping through. We’ll just have to return in a week or so - but that will hardly be a hardship. 

So it’s home for a quick rest before a camera club workshop I don’t want to miss. I’m absolutely exhausted, but despite fatigue, I’m glad I’ve made the effort! 

With at least a week’s worth of blips taken today, it’s another set. It’s hard to decide between the Gwrtheryn and Cwm Penant, but for now the former wins. 


In extras, the first three are of Cwm Penant, then there’s a collage from St Bueno’s church, and finally two views from Trevor. 

If you’re interested, there’s more about the history of Nant Gwrtheryn below. 

https://nantgwrtheyrn.org/history/