We drove through one hundred miles of rain to reach it. From South Shropshire to the Welsh coast clouds piled on clouds and the rain dashed down the windscreen with only brief interludes of drizzle. Climbing and climbing the precipitous road through Dinas Mawddy, sky and mountains closed in, reminding us that we humans are rather puny ineffectual things, and that the motorized carapace that transports and shelters us may just not be enough in a land like this. Even the sheep, inured to the place, stand hunched and motionless on the hillsides, backs to the downpour.
And then at last we’re here, on the banks of the Mawddach Estuary, just downstream of Penmaenpool, and the rain recedes, leaving stillness and shadow, the slow curves of the river, Welsh Black cattle grazing the salt marsh, a buzzard calling, canoeists returning to base, and on the far horizon the knowledge of the sea, though unseen, marked by a sudden flush of brightness out in the bay.
copyright 2016 Tish Farrell
#SnowdoniaNationalPark
Tish Farrell 
beautiful –
Your words leading up to the image made it more serene, more welcoming! Worth the weather and long drive !
Absolutely worth it, Yvette 🙂
😉 🐬
Ah, the Mawddach! Memories of estuaries, little trains and rain…. a long time ago
Indeed, Sue. It’s the kind of place that feels like a memory even when you’re there!
Well, there’s a thought!
Wonderfully poetic, Tish. Great bit of writing and a wonderful photo as well.
Thanks, Thom 🙂
This is lovely! -Jennie-
It’s the rain that stops me going to Wales!
Yes, you have a point, Gilly. But it was raining at home too, so we thought – Go for it! And between the showers there were dramatic skies and even sunshine. It’s true there aren’t many indoor things to do if the weather’s bed. But we did go on the Talyllyn Railway and what fun that was. More to follow on that front.
Nothing like a road trip and nothing like a place that can look wonderful even in inclement weather. 🙂
janet
Oh wow, Tish! The magic, the beauty from the gifted able to capture nature’s charm and mood with words and images. Love this! Enjoy your stay😊
Thank you, Cocoa. Our stay is done. Far too short, but we had a good three days.
Oh, Tish, how stunning !
Due to your read and pics I could learn a lot more about Wales !
Ah well, Anna. Your wish could well be granted. There may be a few more blog posts on this trip 🙂
Beautiful images and great commentary. I really enjoyed that vicarious trip through your lovely lands.
Glad you could come along too 🙂
Wow, despite the weather, you were able to photograph wonderful photographs, especially the first one.
We had some stunning intervals of no-rain. It meant we had to make the most of them. In fact we even managed a sunset picnic 🙂
You certainly made the most of the intervals of no-rain, and ending the day with a sunset picnic, very cool.
Wonderful names, wonderful landscapes and it doesn’t always rain in Wales! But that may be the reason for such a unique green you find there. Your first image is superb. It’s not all about blue skies.
You are so right. I said to G that though it would have been nice not to get wet quite so often in 3 days, the alternating rain and sunshine made for such dramatic landscapes and skies. There was so much going on out there! And yes, too. Everywhere so very green.
I had never seen such vibrant greens until I visited Wales – and then New Zealand 🙂
I remember Wales. I wish I’d had a camera back then!
Great description of rain and the fading day.
Dear Tish
The first photo just took my breath away; truly magnificent. 🙂
Warm Regards
Yousuf
Thank you, Yousuf 🙂
You’re most welcome. 🙂