Triple Tractor Trap

Phew! We made it through another chaotic road adventure. We visited the magnificent waterfall known as Pistyll Rhaeadr (thanks for the tip, BG), known as one of the Seven Wonders of Wales. Problem is, everybody and their dog also decided to visit the spot in the great weather at the same time as us. It's only a problem because ... it's 4 miles of single track width 'road' to a dead end, so there's strictly only one way in and out. Picture a slow speed rally drive in hilly, twisty roads, but with traffic in both directions, blind corners and all. At one point, even before we'd embarked on the waterfall turnoff, we were trapped by a trio of tractors!

Photo: D Schultz

Each of these 2 trailers trying to squeeze past each other was pulled by a tractor, so we had one in front, one beside us, and a tractor pulling a trailer directly behind us. It was a tight squeeze, and we heard metal grating on metal as they scraped past each other.

That was nowhere near as bad as the convoy of cars traveling in both directions to and from the spectacular waterfall, trying to pull over and not nudge other vehicles, bust the sump pump, or scratch the car along the briar patch. At some very slow congested spots on the way out where gridlock was apparent, some people at the back of the queue would get out and direct individual drivers past rocks, ditches, bridges and hedges to help make the passing possible. It was pandemonium, and this was a week day.

The waterfall itself is truly a must-see though, so the 'bumps in the road' were well worth it. More on that tomorrow.

There are 4 vehicles in this from-the-windshield shot, and it looks as if the trailer in front of us is inadvertently doing some hedge trimming along the way!

Headline from the Bank Holiday weekend about visiting Pistyll Rhaeadr in the local County Times: Try Another Day
'Visitors to a Powys beauty spot were told to maybe “try another day” after overcrowding during the Bank Holiday.'

On our way home, not far from Llanfyllin, we came upon the scene of an accident. It seemed like it would be a long wait to get through, and another driver came over to explain how far back we'd have to go to be able to reach our village from another route, when the police began waving people through. A driver had attempted to pass a farm tractor crossing a narrow bridge, and it didn't end well for the car, which was perched precariously on the edge of the bridge, all smashed up. There did not appear to be any serious injuries.

National Garden Scheme

We joined a lot of other grey-haired people to visit a spectacular garden at Bachie Uchaf in Llanfyllin, open to the public as part of the National Garden Scheme to raise money for charities. 

This arid bank's ground cover was pretty amazing

There always seems to be a monkey puzzle tree (from Chile and Argentina) as a feature in older gardens. they are now critically endangered in their native habitat.

Ooh, I think I spy someone without grey hair from the terrace

One of the water features came down a very steep bank, so the water flow was very active and dramatic. But where are the aquatic plants?

There are 60 gardens open to the public in the county of Powys for the summer

Brambling

No, I'm not taking bovine artificial insemination classes, I've had to invest in 'farmer's defence sleeves' for my rose- and bramble- pruning expeditions through the overgrowth. Man, are they hot to work in! It was Dale's idea to refer to it as brambling

All for the sake of these fragrant beauties

In other news, 

• we now have our National Health Numbers so are enrolled in the healthcare system.
• our container of goods is expected around June 10
• peas are definitively the English "go-to" vegetable
• I've tried grocery shopping at 4 different stores, some of which have 2 or 3 hour limited parking (camera monitored). I like Sainsbury's, they have a lovely wholemeal farmer's loaf, and I think a better selection and in larger amounts (that's my American experience coming out).
• The last time we were at Tesco, Mr checkout-guy decided he had to make a pun about EVERY item he scanned. By the time he'd done the first 5 items, it became very tiresome (there were 49 items in all) and he was over-the-top corny. We felt we had to react or respond to each one. Ugh. It really prolonged the process of checking out, too. 
• We're learning that going out anywhere, for any amount of time, without a raincoat is always a mistake.

Lake Vrynwy

We visited Lake Vrynwy (VUHR-noo-ee) with our guests, this time taking in the Rhiwargor Waterfall (Pistyll Rhiwargor) as well.

This is the site of the old village, Llanwddyn that had to be relocated for the reservoir installation.

We topped off our visit with afternoon tea at the hotel overlooking the lake. It's a most spectacular view from the terrace. The Gothic Revival style straining tower, built at the same time as the dam wall (1880) can be seen protruding from the water.

We were baking in the sun since their beautiful patio area was very exposed and there were no trees or umbrellas to help keep us cool. We loved the teas and scones with clotted cream, but had the most awful service imaginable.