I have to say, the month of June 2014 has been a very busy one for me in regards of photography. It started off with another exhibition, this time in the very touristy village of Llangollen. This exhibition was very daunting for me as it was much more “classy” than any of the other ones I had previously. Although I was only showing 28 images and 2 canvas prints all the images had to be mounted and framed to the highest standard. I was just lucky that the gentlemen that organise them exhibitions in the museum were more than willing to help me to hang the prints / frames. Well, actually they did all the work while I just told them were I wanted them rofl. The exhibition ran from the first Wednesday of the month to the first Wednesday of the following month. As a direct result of the exhibition I managed to sell 3 prints, one framed and two unframed. Well pleased with that result. Below just a couple of snapshots taken with my mobile phone while we were hanging the images.
The exhibition in itself gave me a bit of a boost, something I was running a bit low on lately and I made an active effort to get out more with my camera. I was especially interested in exploring new areas within Snowdonia as well as going towards south wales again to continue with finding some more of the dams that area seems to be have an abandon's off. My first stop for my new explorations therefor was Pontsticill Reservoir.
Pontsticill Reservoir is a large reservoir laying partly in the county of Powys and partly within the county of Merthyr Tydfil in south wales. It lies within the Brecon Beacons, south wales equivalent National part to what Snowdonia is to north wales.
The reservoir is popular with sailors, anglers and picnickers. The Taff Trail has been developed for walkers and cyclists and runs through the woods on the western side of the Reservoir. Merthyr Tydfil sailing club is based on the eastern bank and the Brecon Mountain Railway which runs up its eastern side from Pant Station to Dolygaer. The image below show the Bell-mouth spillway and the valve tower, a very photogenic structure in my opinion.
On my way home I stopped off at Llwyn On Reservoir, but it was getting dark fast and my exploration was a bit fruitless. I managed to get a shot of the valve tower but my drive around the lake afterwards was rather fruitless in regards to photography. It is however worth another visit in my opinion as the walks around the reservoir seem to be very nice and well way marked.
The weekend after my explorations in south wales I decided to spent my free time exploring another area of Snowdonia. For a wile now I had my eye on exploring among the Carneddau mountain range a bit. I was in particular interested in any lakes or reservoir that area might hold. Ffynnon Llugwy was just what I was looking for as it did not seem to steep or to far a walk when I researched it on the maps. Gosh… was I wrong lol.
Ffynnon Llugwy lies at a height of about 1,786 feet (544 m) and covers an area of some 40 acres (16.19 ha). It has a maximum depth of 146 ft (45 m).
Since the early 20th century water has been taken from its outflow, Afon Llugwy to feed Llyn Cowlyd via a series of leats.
Since the mid 1970s the lake has additionally acted as a reservoir for Bangor and eastern Anglesey, which necessitated the laying of an 11-mile pipeline to the water treatment works at Mynydd Llandegai.
Afon Llugwy which flows via Capel Curig and Betws-y-coed before becoming a tributary of the River Conwy.
There was an inscription on the cross overlooking Ffynnon Llugwy but I could not read all of it at the time. All I could make out was that someone died while doing some sort of run up there. I tried to find a reference of it online but had no luck up to now. If anyone got more information I would be grateful for a share.
On the way down from the reservoir it became clear that I might be blessed with a lovely sunset so I took my time but ended up standing around in a field full of sheep looking towards Tryfan, hoping for a sunset. It was not as spectacular as it could have been but I was just more than happy to wait and see what developed. The midges were just to happy too as I was an easy meal for them. Even the dog was not to impressed with them little pests. I think it was worth it though as the shot of Tryfan on fire was something quite lovely to see.
I slept in the car that night coming down from the hike among the Carneddau, in hope for a sunrise, which I was trying to get just around the corner at the Nant Ffrancon Valley. I had visited that place before with a friend but did not get the shot I had hoped for at the time. I hoped to get more lucky that day as I was there much earlier, seeing the sun rise. Well, actually not seeing the sun rise as it just did not happen in photographic terms. It got lighter and lighter but no color in the sky or dramatic cloud formations. DARN !!! lol. Never mind though, I took some shots to make the journey and the sleepless night in the car worth while and headed back home. Next time though.
My next and last few days free off work I spent in and around Llanberis. I noticed a hiking path leading up into the old slate mines the last time I visited that place and decided to explore and see what shots there was to be had.
The slate industry in Llanberis was dominated by the Dinorwig Quarry on the slopes of Elidir mountain. Many of the quarrymen came from outside the Llanberis area and would live in the barracks during the week, arriving to work from Monday morning until midday on Saturday. Despite being cold and damp, the barracks and the cabans (quarry mess rooms) became known as centres for debating politics, religion and literature. Much of Dinorwig Quarry is now part of Padarn Country Park and the Welsh Slate Museum.
Extensive paths and trails have been marked out for keen walkers and even the Weatherman done a programm on the walks in Season 6 ( http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p014y8m8 ). I certainly could not miss out retracing the steps of the Weatherman. Some lovely views were certainly reward enough for another gruelling encounter with them man eating midges.
I again slept over in the car for the hope of getting a sunrise, this time at Llyn Padarn and its semi-famous tree. I was a bit more lucky that time and some color developed in the sky, but again no interesting clouds, just plain blue skies. However, the mist was rolling over the lake and it was just the most amazing sight to behold. Shame I was not so lucky as to be able in catching that view, especially the mist over the lake. Again…. next time.
July instalment is in the making although it will not be as long as this one as I dont think I will be able to do that much photography next month. But I will keep you all posted.
Keep safe and keep on clicking xx
