24th April // A Grand Reopening
The Mawddach estuary holds a special place (as do so many) in my heart. There’s something uniquely charming about being away from the crowds that inhabit northern Snowdonia, a peacefulness reflected in the winding river as it meanders through sand banks and past the rugged mountains to the sea.
At high tide when the river swells you are transported to another place, more similar to the lochs of Scotland and the trees that carpet the hillsides remind you that there’s more to the mountains than the empty vastness of the north.
But being so far from the North this area is vastly unexplored by me, so it was high on my priorities to come here and see what unexpected opportunities would present my camera.
Beginning in Barmouth, taking photos of the many oddities that only a seaside town would have, I crossed the now re-opened footbridge across the estuary. A more dignified approach as to when I swam across many years ago (and had to get on a boat to come back, wet and embarrassed, but that’s a story for another time).
Then after driving to the start point of my hike, I made the foolish decision to begin a 7 hour hike, post travel, post injury, having spent the last 2 months hardly using my leg muscles. When all the ingredients smell bad, you know its going to be one hell of an experience cooking that meal.
