The little headland was absolutely full of rabbits - big ones, baby ones, groups and individuals just mooching about and nibbling on the grass, though when they saw us they ran off in all directions. Now if there's a collective term for a group of rabbits I had no idea what it is so I invented one right then - a 'scattering', because that's exactly what they did. Thank goodness Sophie and Poppie were on the lead, they would have had a field day otherwise.
Back at the van I sorted out some breakfast then packed away all the smaller camping items, leaving the rest of the stuff for later, and by 9am I was on the road heading to Parys mountain - I hadn't managed to get there earlier in the holiday and in such good weather the photo opportunities were far too good to miss. Leaving the van in the car park I set off on the main path to the left, working my way round and up the mountain until I got to the old windmill at the top.
The inside of the windmill was accessible on two levels although when I'd been in there two years ago there was nothing there, however the 'ground floor' level now had clear plastic window panes, a timber floor and ceiling and information boards in frames round the walls - it looked like someone was finally making a feature out of the old building.
From the windmill I worked my way gradually round the mountain; with many paths to choose from I could have spent hours exploring them all but mindful that I had to go home sometime that day I kept to the ones I'd taken on my previous visit as I knew where they would lead to. Eventually I came to the freshwater lake and the path from there led me past the old precipitation ponds; a short walk down the hill from there took me back to the car park, and of all the time I'd been walking round I hadn't seen another person - I'd had the mountain completely to myself.
I was back at the camp site for 11.30 and after a much-needed chilled can of Coke I set about packing up the rest of my stuff. By 1pm everything was done and after a quick scout round the pitch for any stray tent pegs I was ready to hit the road. It was a good journey back with sunshine all the way and no delays and I was home for 3.30pm - in spite of a couple of dodgy days weather-wise it had been a good holiday, and as I downloaded my photos later on I was already making plans for my next visit to Anglesey.
Fabulous colours. And looks like they have made a nice job of the windmill.
ReplyDeleteThe colours are amazing Anabel and on a sunny day they really stand out. The ground floor in the windmill does look good - there was no indication as to who's done it like that but it'll be interesting to see if any of the upper floors get done up in the future.
ReplyDeleteIt's always good to have a good start on such a glorious day. The pictures are usual are awesome much peace and traquility surrounds that wonderful place. Happy Travels.
ReplyDeleteYvonne.
A glorious day like that was far too good to waste Yvonne, even though I did have to go home later. The landscape and colours of the mountain make for some great photos :)
DeleteSuch stunning colours in the sunlight. The windmill has had lottery funding so it's a visitor information centre and I expect more will be done to it sometime. I was taken aback at plastic window frames though, functional but not in keeping :)
ReplyDeleteI've just googled it and the mountain and Amlwch port received lottery funding back in 2011 though it seems to have taken a long while for anything to be done. When I went to the port I noticed that the square near the main road and the Sail Loft cafe overlooking the fishing dock had been done up only in the last couple of years. It's only two years since I last went in the windmill and it was still completely derelict then so the new information part has only been done since then. Your comment about the windows has me doubting myself now; the frames are timber but the panes do look like clear plastic although I could be wrong - I didn't actually touch them to find out. That's a good excuse for another visit there next time!
DeleteThe landscape of the old mine is gorgeous, reminds me of some of the Mars pictures coming back from 'Opportunity'.
ReplyDeletehttps://roadtoendeavour.wordpress.com/
I've just followed your link and the 'alien' landscape does look very similar. Scrolling down there's a photo with a shadow in the distance which looks like the windmill - maybe they didn't actually go to Mars, they just went to Parys mountain instead! lol Saying that, the mountain has previously been used as a filming location in several films and tv series, including Mortal Kombat 2 and Dr. Who, and this year two new drama series, Hard Sun and Safe House, are being/have been filmed up there. The landscape is certainly spectacular and the rich colours are fabulous :)
ReplyDeleteI was on the 55 road early this morning going through the tunnels before entering it was dry but on coming out the other side it was raining ..me being the first time driving the tour bus my hands were everwhere trying to find the windscreen wipers thus using indicators as part of the find ..got it eventually
ReplyDeleteI've experienced the difference in weather at each side of the tunnels on more than one occasion - bright sunshine going in then cloud and rain coming out. I did the windscreen wiper/indicator thing when I started driving my van as they were the complete opposite to the ones in the car I learned to drive in :)
DeleteIt was very strange...the weather can change in just an instance only 3 weeks ago I was on a tour learning the ropes sat near the driver we stopped at betwsy coed if ive spelled it right I got soaked just going on a small walk the heavens opened and I was just wearing a shirt ..thats just walking to the shop
ReplyDeleteNorth Wales weather can be really weird sometimes, especially on Anglesey. One day last year I experienced blue sky and sunshine one minute then a couple of miles down the road it was foggy. On a different day I got back to the camp site on a lovely sunny evening, a couple of hours later looked out of the tent and the fog was so thick I couldn't even see across the camping field!
ReplyDeleteSo pleased to see your pictures of Parys Mountain with the heather in bloom; it's an amazing place, almost other-worldly. I was lucky enough to see it in the sunlight - though earlier in the year, so no heather. The Parys blend of colours is just begging to be made into tweeds or screenprints or something. Who knew that post-industrial waste and dereliction could be so beautiful?! Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteThank you for your comment Jan :)
ReplyDeleteWhen I first drove past Parys mountain a few years back I thought it looked like an ugly blot on the landscape but then when I explored it two years ago I discovered how beautiful and rich it is in colour. I'm planning on going back there this coming weekend as the heather should be in full bloom by now so hopefully I'll get some more good photos - fingers crossed for some sunshine :)