Day 44: Tonfanau to Aberdyfi

It was a relatively short day today as we only travelled 12 km from Tonfanau to Aberdyfi with most of this being along Tywyn Beach. Having caught the train to Tonfanau we walked along the road before crossing a new footbridge over the Dysynni Estuary and then following along the edge of a marsh until we reached the settlement at Tywyn. Here we followed the promenade which followed the rocky shore. Greg was interested in all the different coastal defense structures which included groins and a tombolo.

The sea battered promenade at Tywyn

The promenade gave way to a gravel path along the back of the beach before this turned into a trail through the back of the dunes. As the tide was at it’s peak and the beach was full of larger stones we stayed to the rear of the beach until the tide went out far enough for us to walk along firm sand.

Walking along the stony path to the rear of Tywyn Beach

Walking through the dunes at Tywyn Beach

An old rifle range to the rear of the beach

The stony shore of Tywyn Beach

Looking inland across an adjoining golf course

 We eventually made our way inland and Aberdyfi came into view. The township clings quaintly to the hillside of Cefn Rhos above its small harbour. It was cut off from road and rail until 1827.

Tide going out at Tywyn Beach

View to Aberdyfi from the shore of Afon Dyfi

In the past week or so we have been encountering some nasty biting flies. We’ve done a bit of research on the internet and we think that they are deer flies. Whenever we encounter these little shits, we do something we like to call the ‘Deer Fly Dance’. It goes something like this: you wave your arms and walking sticks around frantically, stomp your feet and slap your thigh!

Enjoying a break along the path