© J A D Healey 2014
BRYN CORACH, CONWAY, NORTH WALES
The alarm went at 5.30 and we started at 7.20; it was a lovely morning.
| Journey to: Conway,
North Wales | Time | Comments |
| Patcham | 7.26 | |
| Clayton | 7.35 | |
| Ansty | 7.50 | |
| Cuckfield | 7.52 | |
| Baldome | 8.02 | |
| Poundhills | 8.18 | through two flocks of sheep |
| Black Corner | 8.24 | |
| Horly | 8.28 | |
| Salford | 8.33 | large sandpit |
| Reigate | 8.47 | up Reigate Hill |
| Lower Kingswoods | 8.55 | |
| Kingswood | 8.56 | |
| Burgheath | 8.59 | |
| Tadworth | 9.03 | Saw Epsom Race Course |
| Epsom | 9.18 | |
| Ewell | 9.20 | |
| Surbiton | 9.36 | past entrance to Hampton Court |
| Kingston | 9.43 | past Magna Charta Isle and Runnymede |
| Sunbury | 10.09 | |
| Staines | 10.27 | |
| Windsor | saw castle | |
| Braywick | 11.25 | passed a flock of sheep that had black heads |
| Maidenhead | 11.30 | |
| Henley on Thames | 12.26 | first lunch |
| Nettlebed | 12.40 | |
| Shillingford | 12.50 | |
| Dorchester | 12.59 | |
| Nuneham | 1.10 | 100 miles |
| Courteney | ||
| Littlemore | 1.18 | |
| Ippley | 1.20 | |
| Entered Oxford | 1.30 |
Went into Queens College, All Souls College and Magdalen College; also Balliol, of which Wyclif was once Head Master.
| Journey to: Conway,
North Wales (cont.) | Time | Comments |
| Left Oxford | 2.20 | |
| Begbroke | 2.28 | |
| Woodstock | 2.40 | |
| Riddington | 2.48 | Lunch 3.35 |
| Stone walls since Oxford | ||
| Long Compton | 3.50 | |
| Tidmington | 4.00 | |
| Shipston on Stour | 4.02 | |
| Tredington | 4.06 | |
| Newbold on Stour | 4.12 | |
| Alderminster | 4.15 | |
| Entered Stratford on Avon | 4.25 | where we saw Shakespeare's birthplace, also his daughter's house |
| Left Stratford | 4.40 | |
| Alcester | 5.05 | |
| Coughton | 5.10 | |
| Crabbs Cross | 5.20 | |
| Headless Cross | 5.21 | |
| Titnall | 5.35 | |
| Broomsgrove | 5.40 | Finished tea at 6.35 |
| Chaddesly | 6.40 | |
| Kidderminster | 6.42 | |
| Franch | 6.48 | |
| Shatterford | 7.09 | Hay ricks on fire |
| Quatt | 7.25 | |
| Bridgenorth | 7.30 | |
| Morville | 7.40 | |
| Muckley Cross | 7.45 | |
| Much Wenlock | 8.10 | Descended Harley Bank 1 in 6½ |
| Harley | 8.15 | |
| Cressage | 8.20 | |
| Entered Shrewsbury | 8.35 | 213 miles |
Stayed for the night in the Unicorn Hotel, a fine old place, parts of which date from the 16th century.
On the milestones leading into Shrewsbury is "Salop", the Roman name for this town.
Walked by the river through Quarry Park; saw the house where Henry VII stayed before the Battle of Bosworth; also the old Market Hall.
| Journey to Conway,
North Wales (cont.) | Time | Comments |
| Left Shrewsbury | 10.40 | |
| Preston Gubbals | ||
| Allbrighton | 10.50 | |
| Harmer Hill | 10.55 | |
| Burlton | 11.00 | |
| Cockshutt | 11.05 | Large mere a mile from Ellesmere, another on outskirts of town |
| Ellesmere | 11.20 | |
| Overton | 11.35 | |
| Welsh Boundary | ||
| Erbistock | Crossed River Dee | |
| Marchwiel | 11.45 | |
| Wrexham | 11.55 | |
| Hawarden | Pont Blyddyn | |
| Mold | 12.36 | |
| Rhidymwyn | 12.45 | Lunch |
| Nannerch | 1.43 | |
| Afonwen | 1.45 | |
| Bodfari | 1.56 | Over Pontuffyd Bridge |
| Trefnant | 2.05 | |
| St. Asaph | 2.14 | |
| Bodelwyddan | 2.25 | |
| Abergele | 2.35 | |
| Llanddulas | 2.41 | |
| Old Colwyn | 2.50 | |
| Llandudno Junction | 3.08 |
Across Conway Suspension Bridge; both this and the tubular bridge that carries the railway are copies of the Menai Strait Bridges.
In the morning went up Conway Mountain. Saw stone circles that are the remains of the huts of the ancient Britons.
In the evening, up Conway Mountain again to the top of the Sychnant Pass and back along a track to the south of the Sychnant Pass road.
Went along the foot of Conway Mountain, down to the top of the Sychnant Pass, along the mountain sides above Dwygyfylchi until we came to a very beautiful "babbling brook" where we had lunch, also paddled. We went on to the top of Moel Lys, where we added a stone to the top of the pile and admired the view. Among the places we saw were Anglesey and Puffin Island. Returning, we dropped down the steep side to the Jubilee Path and from thence through the Fairy Glen to Dwygyfylchi, where we had tea. We then started home up the mountain side near Allt Wen over screes, and up the steep sides by zigzag paths through thick pine woods (where you throw cones on those behind).
| PHOTOGRAPHS |
| Hut circles |
| Conway Mountain |
| Group photograph, Conway Mountain |
| Quarry Tramlines |
| Moel Lys, adding stones to existing pile |
| Trefriw |
Rode up Gyffin Hill, past the terrific boulders that were washed down when the dam of a lake burst some years ago. On the left side is a large aluminium works; opposite are some new houses, some of which are deserted owing to a landslide which threatens to bury them. Went on to Trefriw where we walked up to Llyn Crafnant on some rocks by the side of which we had lunch. Crafnant supplies water to part of the valley (consequently no bathing). Continued on over the ridge to Llyn Geirionydd and across the moor till we struck an old Roman Road which we followed to Capel Curig, passing through an old lead mine from where I obtained samples of ore and crystals. After seeing the "Ugly House", we continued along a foot path beside the river to the Swallow Falls. After seeing the falls we rejoined the footpath, crossed the Miners' Bridge and followed the road to Betws-y-Coed, where we had tea, after which we rode home, passing over Pont-y-Fawr Bridge.
In the morning, went over "Plas Mawr", a fine old Elizabethan mansion in Conway. It has some fine old ceilings, oak and fire places, as well as fire implements; also a secret haunted room, which were fashionable about the time this was built. Some of the windows were blocked up owing to the window tax. After this, we had a bathe on the Morfa.
In the afternoon we went round the old walls, and the castle.
Rode along the coast, saw where they were tunnelling under Penmaenmawr for the new road, as rock was overhanging the old coast road and making it very dangerous. Passed Llanfairfechan and on to Aber where we walked to the falls.
The water rushes down a nearly perpendicular rock that cannot be less than 120 feet high.
I got into trouble for climbing part of the way up by the side of the falls.
Went back nearly to Aber and then started to ascend Moel Wnion. After going a little way up we had lunch and then continued to ascend. After getting to the top of a cair, we thought to be the top, we saw the summit miles away. The mountain is covered with bilberry plants (although not many berries).
At last we reached the top (could hardly stand up, it was so windy; it was raining too). While we were going down, we could see the Penrhyn Slate Quarries on the mountain opposite us.
| PHOTOGRAPHS |
| Cutting: Llanbadrig and Cemaes Churches (and verse) |
| Plas Mawr from the garden |
| Plas Mawr |
| Acrobatics! |
| Ponies |
| Ponies |
As we were all nearly dying of thirst, we were very grateful to have a drink from a stream halfway down.
Had tea in Bethesda where everything, including tombstones, made of slate.
Rode home.
Rode through Bangor, across the Menai Strait Suspension Bridge and through Red Wharf Bay and Amlwch to Cemaes Bay on the north coast. After lunch, we walked along the coast in the rain to Llanbarig Church. This is the darkest and plainest church I have ever seen. We had tea in Cemaes Bay from where we rode back (I was glad to put on my bathing costume as my shorts were damp.
At noon we rode to Llandudno, from where we climbed the Great Orme.
In the morning, went for a walk and saw a herd of ponies.
In the evening, went for the same walk up Conway Mountain as last Sunday.
We went along the road and turned up near the top of the Sychnant Pass. Had lunch by the side of a spring, as it came gushing out of the mountain. Continued to ascend Tal-y-Fan. A stone wall runs right over the top and whenever we had to cross it, our dog "Kumbrer" would be first over. Coming down, we came to a Roman road which we followed to Rowen where we had tea. Mummy took the 'bus back while the rest of us walked back passing through an old lead mine.
Rode to Trefriw, saw the Fairy Falls and walked to Llyn Crafnant by the side of which we had lunch. Climbed up Clogwyn Mawr, the mountain next to the Grey Craigs, from the top of which we had a beautiful view. The sun was shining, although from Geirionydd we could could not see the top of Clogwyn Mawr. Among the places we saw are: Llyn Ogwen, Moel Siabod, The Carnedds, Tryfan and the Capel Curig lakes. The mountain to the east of us was boggy, so in getting down, we tried to avoid it.
A Welsh farmer who could not speak much English told us it was dangerous to continue. When we went on, he told us to go on the Crafnant Track and, when we didn't, he came running down a grass track he knew (we had to scramble down the rocks). The farmer said our track led to a mine and we would be sent back, but we kept on and came to Llyn Geirionydd. In getting there we had to cross some very boggy ground, once jumping down from a wall into it. Past an old lead mine along the north, along the north side of the lake to Trefriw, where we had tea.
| PHOTOGRAPHS |
| View of garages from house |
| View of "The Towers" taken from the River above the Swallow Falls |
| View in the Woodlands |
| Llyn Ogwen |
| Llyn Ogwen |
| Llyn Idwal |
Left Bryn Carach and rode to Betws-y-Coed over Tyhil Bridge and decided to stay at "The Towers". After lunch, rode along the Bangor road through Capel Curig, saw Adam and Eve, two stones that you mistake for people on the top of Tryfan, which is a very rocky mountain. Stopped by the side of Llyn Ogwen, from where we walked to Llyn Idwal where we could see the Devil's Kitchen (the Welsh name for it is "Twll Du"). Found some sundew near where we left the car.
We were going to go up Snowdon but, as it poured with rain, we could not.
In the afternoon, it cleared up a little and the sun came out, so we went to see the Swallow Falls. There was so much water that you could not see a rock. There was a rainbow where the sun was shining on some spray.
In the evening, we went along a Roman road to an old lead mine.
| Journey home | Time | Comments |
| Left "The Towers" | 10.00 | |
| Betws-y-Coed | 10.10 | saw Waterloo Bridge |
| Up a road to try and see a Roman Bridge, but it was the wrong road.
Saw Conway Falls, up the middle of which, are the remains of the Salmon Ladder, where the salmon used to jump up to get higher up the river to spawn. | ||
| Glas Fryn | 11.32 | |
| Cerrig-y-Drudion | 11.40 | |
| Tynant | 11.45 | |
| Corwen | 12.01 | |
| Glyn Dyfrdwy | 12.26 | |
| Berwyn | 12.37 | |
| We saw Horseshoe Falls, which is a very large weir built in the shape of a horseshoe. It supplies a canal with water. This crosses valleys by bridges and viaducts, a long one of which we saw just before Whittington. We also saw the ruins of an Abbey. | ||
| Llangollen | 1.03 | Finished lunch at 1.40 |
| Broncastell | 1.42 | |
| Chirk | 1.47 | |
| Whittington | 2.00 | |
| Shrewsbury | 2.40 | Passed two herds of cattle and a flock of Ginger sheep. Saw the Wrekin |
| St. Georges | ||
| Canneck | 4.40 | The Black Country |
| Walsall | 5.25 | |
| Wednesbury | 5.30 | |
| Dudley | 6.05 | |
| Stourbridge | 6.25 | |
| Kidderminster | 6.58 | |
| Goldness Corner | 7.03 | |
| Hartlebury | 7.05 | |
| Crossways Green | 7.07 | |
| Dun Hampton | 7.15 | |
| Ombersley | 7.17 | |
| Worcester | 7.34 | Where we stayed for the night. |
| PHOTOGRAPHS |
| Tryfan |
| Near Tryfan |
| Conway Falls, showing Salmon Ladder |
| Conway Falls |
Gloves, porcelain and saucers are among the many things Worcester manufactures. We went over the Royal Worcester Porcelain Works. These are the various processes through which Worcester China goes. Firstly, the "Cornish Clay", “Calcined Ox Bones", and "Calcined Feldspar" are ground together for ten days, water being gradually added.
The articles are roughly made the right shape, fitted into the mould on a wheel. After a little while the mould is tapped and the article comes out.
The moulds for a figure are made in sections. The moulds are filled up with the liquid clay. As they are made of Plaster of Paris, it absorbs moisture and so the outside sets first. After leaving long enough for it to be the right thickness, what is still liquid is poured out, thus leaving it hollow.
The articles are then baked for 48 hours, dipped in glaze and again baked for 48 hours. Then comes the process of being hand painted and baked again. If there is any gold, it now has to be burnished.
After this, we went over to the cathedral where we saw King John's tomb.
| Journey home | Time | Comments |
| Left Worcester | 10.45 | |
| Whittington | 10.55 | Large field of Loganberries |
| Stoulton | 11.00 | Hops |
| Drakes Broughton | 11.03 | Many orchards |
| Pershore | 11.09 | Swans flying along the Avon |
| Cropthorne | 11.20 | |
| Hampton | 11.27 | Cherries, Geese |
| Evesham | 11.37 | |
| Broadway | 11.54 | Old stone houses |
| Walked up the long ascent over the Cotswold Hills | ||
| Bourton-on-the-Hill | 12.45 | |
| Moreton-in-Marsh | 12.49 | |
| Chipping Norton | 1.07 | |
| Eristone | 1.20 | |
| Woodstock | 1.44 | |
| Oxford | Finished lunch at 2.45 | |
| Iffley | 3.10 | |
| Sandford-on-Thames | 3.15 | |
| Dorchester | 3.25 | |
| Shillingford | 3.30 | |
| Nettlebed | 3.50 | |
| Henley-on-Thames | 4.00 | |
| Wargrave | 4.09 | |
| Twyford | 4.12 | |
| Hurst | 4.16 | |
| Wokingham | 4.34 | |
| Bracknell | 4.43 | |
| Bagshot | 4.57 | |
| Lightwater | 5.00 | |
| West End | 5.4 | |
| Bisley | 5.07 | |
| Rickford | 5.15 | |
| Worplesdon | 5.17 | |
| Pitch Place | 5.20 | |
| Stoughton | Crossed Wey | |
| Guildford | 5.30 | Finished tea at 6.05 |
| Shalford | 6.08 | |
| Bramley | 6.12 | |
| Smithbrooke | 6.26 | |
| Affold crossroads | ||
| Bucksgreen | 6.45 | |
| Slaughterbridge | 6.51 | |
| Broadbridge Heath | 6.56 | |
| Horsham | 7.06 | Crossed Birchan Bridge 7.07 |
| Mannings Heath | 7.09 | |
| Monks Common | 7.11 | |
| Lower Beeding | 7.14 | Leonards Lee |
| Cowfold | 7.21 | |
| Mock Bridge | 7.29 | |
| Henfield | 7.33 | |
| Woodmancote | 7.36 | |
| Chez Nous | 8.20 |
PICTURE
| Worcester Cathedral leaflet |