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.