Tuesday, 5 June 2012

Monday 28th May – Pandy


We were in two minds as to whether to stay another night but Jane was really suffering from midge bites so we decided to move on.
We enjoyed lovely views on the whole journey south on the A470 and, despite it being a major road, it wasn't at all busy. It did however get quite interesting as we approached Dolgellau. On the opposite carriageway we started passing police motorbike outriders and police cars. Then there were fire engines parked in lay-bys and even a large breakdown tuck on standby. We were passing the Olympic Torch Relay and it was organised like a military operation. Traffic was stopped from joining the road in amongst the Relay vehicles. We must have passed at least 6 coaches all marked ‘Olympic Torch Relay’ although none of them appear to have any passengers. Eventually the torch-carrying vehicle passed us although we didn’t see the torch itself. Jane attempted to take some photographs as we passed the cavalcade but I haven’t included them as pictures of hedges and asphalt are not very interesting!
We stopped in the pretty town of Llanidloes for lunch, finding a traditional butcher to buy a joint of Welsh lamb for use later at home.
We left the A470 to head for Hay on Wye, then taking a minor road south through the Black mountains. This would eventually take us past Llanthony Priory but before then we stopped at Capel-Y-Ffin. Here was a view point with a spectacular 180° view stretching for many, many miles. Lots of people had driven or walked to this point to admire the view and we stopped for some time to look at it.
The road up to this point had been narrow but it became more narrow and twisty – a single track road with passing places. We were very lucky to only meet two other vehicles on the 12 mile journey and managed to manoeuvre around them.
We arrived at the Caravan Club Site at Pandy and settled into our perfect pitch in amongst the manicured grass. I find the club sites a little too perfect and full of rules and regulations but they are well equipped and comfortable.
Photos: The Market House in Llanidloes; The remnants of a stone circle at Capel-Y-Ffin, with the view behind; Another view from Capel-Y-Ffin.



No comments: