A short walk today as I’m meeting The Prisoner later. It begins with a pretty walk through the Morfa Harlech Nature Reserve, greeted by bedraggled ponies in hope of food. Someone else looks a little less welcoming.
The gently rolling hills are covered in lush grass, burnt umber bracken and yellow gorse, beautiful despite the ever-present cloud.
High tide at Ynys presents a problem.
I’m debating options when Colin comes to my rescue and beckons me over a stone wall. He’s rented this imposing house for 30 years from Lord Harlech, which unfortunately floods in exceptionally high tides, the water rising up through the floor stones.
His family presented him with a humorous blue “memorial” plaque. Taking a photo, I struggle to get the large house in the frame.
“I need a wide-angle lens.”
His smile vanishes. “I’m not that big!”
I have a way with words.
Colin warned the river bridge crossing was likely to be flooded.
To avoid a long detour, I take my chance across the railway bridge, as the two-carriage train only runs every couple of hours up and down the line.
Portmeirion, the wonderful architectural folly designed and built by Sir Clough Williams-Ellis, is the highlight of my week.
The riot of pastel colours battles against the gloom. There are quirky details hidden everywhere, waiting to be discovered.
It’s also geek heaven as The Prisoner was set here, a surreal 1967 British television series starring Patrick McGoohan, a British intelligence agent abducted to this mysterious village and designated Number Six. Was I really six years old when I watched it? I wonder how it plays now?
There are 70 acres of exotic woodlands, with hidden gardens and majestic trees.
Dangerous bears roam the woods.
Reluctantly, I return to the path for the last couple of miles into Porthmadog, crossing the Ffestiniog railway.
“Toot toot!”
I must stop doing that every time I cross a railway track. You can be on your own for too long.
The Cob, a long embankment across Traeth Mawr, leads me into town.
A fun day.
“I am not a number; I am a free man!”
Walk distance: 13 miles.
Total distance: 2,694 miles.
Brilliant, any giant bouncing balls
I was a little nervous on the way out … but all clear! 🙂
Smiled from beginning to end of this one! Once again, glad I didn’t have to do it. The Prisoner was repeated in the 80s or 90s which is when I saw it. Totally bamboozling but very enjoyable.
Aha, I probably saw the repeats. I’m not sure my parents would have allowed me to watch at it the age of six. 🙂