After breakfast, we drove up the valley to Rhydd Du, overtaking the train we got down to Beddgelert Railway station for a photo opportunity before going into the town, then out to see Gelert's Grave and walk down the river trail to eat our picnic lunch on the bank above the waters. The weather was cloudy but we were spared rain, so it was quite pleasant and relaxing to sit and listen to the river.
The Parish Church of St Mary was open, welcoming visitors to a flower festival with a curiously interesting mix of traditional and contemporary subject themes. It's impressive that the congregation can achieve this in the busiest visitor month of the year, to this ever popular tourist venue.
We drove on up the Aberglasyn Pass road, as far as the junction for Llanberis and Capel Curig, stopping half way to savour the view and take photos. This is one of my favourite Snowdonia views. On the way back down we stopped at the visitor centre of Beddgelert's Sygun copper mine, which has a cafe and a small museum.
We weren't interested in going under ground for a tour of old workings, but the small eclectic collection of artifacts, geological and historical, all relating to the diversity and value of minerals found in this region was well worth spending time on. Man made objects on display spanned more than two millennia. All was well labelled and described but presentation and sequencing of exhibits was somewhat quirky. Possibly it's the work of a keen amateur collector. Certainly all the more interesting for not being displayed in any conscious didactic order. Every exhibit could just be enjoyed for what it is.
Another quiet evening of table talk with fellow guests at supper, and an hour of pleasure watching clouds move and change colour, slowly revealing Snowdon's summit, as the light faded and the sky cleared marvellously to make possible a viewing of the early stages of Perseid meteor shower passing by earth, for those with the energy to pass the night in the garden with bats and midges.
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