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.

Fields of Color

 Bluebells on the upland slopes

Buttercups for miles

Eryri National Park

We took our first U.S. visitors to Wales' rugged Eryri Park (Eh-ruh-ri, or Snowdonia) since we enjoyed it so much on our first encounter. This time it was a bank holiday weekend with outstanding sunshine, no chance of cooling rain and lots more traffic. We took a different route around Lake Tegid on this trip, where the narrow gauge train carries tourists back and forth (we missed a photo opportunity, not checking first what time the trains ran).

The route back up the mountain pass was a little unnerving this time, seeing as some were out to enjoy the curves and speed, and others had no regard for staying on their half of the narrow roads, but we managed. Some motorcyclists didn't do much for bikers' reputation by riding up and down fragile, restored peatlands at the summit carpark, and we saw they were not young roustabouts when they took their helmets off.

Peatlands are being restored after having been drained and cleared in the past. The heather is coming back.

Of course, I was fascinated by all the tiny plants low down in the boggy stuff, so got my knees soaked trying to photograph them. I was thrilled to find what I think is Polygala serpyllifolia (Heath milkwort), so much like our Maine Polygala paucifolia (Gaywings) in amongst the heather.

I also came across this berry, which Google lens refers to as an unripe bilberry or European blueberry (Vaccinium myrtillus), only ever foraged, not commercially used.

We did notice a lot of escaped, prolific-blooming rhododendrons across the countryside on our trip. Wikipedia (Snowdonia) has this entry about it: 

'One of the major problems facing the park in recent years has been the growth of Rhododendron ponticum.[46] This fast-growing invasive species has a tendency to take over and stifle native species. It can form massive towering growths and has a companion fungus that grows on its roots producing toxins that are poisonous to any local flora and fauna for a seven-year period after the Rhododendron infestations have been eradicated. As a result, there are a number of desolate landscapes.'

Discoveries on a Walk

On another walk up to the well, we came across the body of a curious looking creature that was equal parts snake, lizard, and worm. It's called a slow worm (Anguis fragilis) but is actually a legless lizard that spends much of its time underneath things. It is described as semifossorial for this reason.

This overlooked creature has been given Protected status in the U.K. Its population is declining due to habitat loss.

Then we came across 2 different feather types, both of which appear to have come from a Ringneck pheasant, an introduced species

What a beautiful pattern up close

And then we found this little beauty, what I think is greater stitchwort (Stellaria holostea) peeping out from under a hedgerow. This is another native that I'm happy to see.

Earlier that same day I had found a moth known as a snout moth (I can see why). It's also referred to as a bee moth (Aphomia sociella) since they lay eggs in bee and wasp nests so the developing larvae can feed on the handy comb as their food source. Britain and Europe are part of its native range.