A Leisurely Start to Day Three

Today began with a not-so-early start. I rolled out of bed at 8:30 AM after a great sleep and settled into my usual morning routine: two cups of coffee and a bacon sandwich. After clearing away breakfast and packing Black Betty, I decided to take an early stroll along Whitesands Beach before hitting the tarmac again.

I was the first to leave my footprints in the untouched golden blanket, walking the entire, pristine length of the beach. I then spent a peaceful 30 minutes just sitting there, mesmerized by the hypnotic rhythm of the waves and the silent ballet of two lone surfers.

Hitting the Road

After a wonderfully peaceful and calm start to the day, I took the captain's seat in Black Betty and rolled her out of the campsite, onto the open highway. We hugged the coast north, heading towards my next destination, about 2.5 hours away.

An Impromptu Stop

Mid-journey, I made an impromptu stop in the charming small town of Aberaeron. Parking up at the harbour, I strolled into town and grabbed a much-needed coffee and some essential supplies. This included some sole inserts for my walking boots, sun cream, and a cap to protect my already sore head.

With a nice cappuccino in hand I'm now sitting on a bench overlooking the harbour and updating you with this morning's adventure so far. 

Inland Journey to Devil's Bridge

After hugging the coastline all the way to Aberystwyth, I finally turned Black Betty inland. The scenery shifted dramatically as we travelled over endless green, rolling pastures towards my next destination: Devil's Bridge and Waterfall.

The Waterfall Walk

The waterfall walk there is definitely not for the faint-hearted. It involves a very steep descent down numerous steps, and just as many challenging steps back up once you've crossed the impressive waterfall.

ONCE UPON A TIME......

...an old lady lived near the river Mynach. One day her cow wandered across the river and because of the steep gorge she did not know how to get it back. The Devil appeared and told her that he would build her a bridge, but he wanted the first living thing which crossed it for himself. She agreed. He believed that she would be crossing first to fetch the cow. However, she outwitted him by throwing a crust of bread across the bridge. The old lady's dog ran across the bridge after the crust; the Devil had the dog and the old lady had her cow back. 

A Testament to Ingenuity

Whether myth or legend, the fact that the original bridge at Devil's Bridge still stands is a profound testament to archaic engineering. What's even more remarkable, and perhaps "slightly bonkers," is the more modern engineering that built new structures directly over the top of the older bridges, meticulously retaining and protecting each piece of history for future generations.

Experience the Force

Even the most stunning photos can't capture the raw power of these waterfalls. To truly appreciate their force, be sure to watch the video below.

Evening Plans at The Hafod Hotel

Dinner tonight is at The Hafod Hotel, and happily, my reservation comes with free overnight parking in their car park. I'm looking forward to a proper pub meal, but for now, I'm just sitting outside, soaking in the view with a nice cold pint.

An Afternoon with Locals

My afternoon was spent sitting in the sun, chatting with some friendly locals, Teresa and Paul. They moved to the area three years ago, leaving behind hectic careers as a paramedic and doctor in London to build a new life away from the rat race. Their Airbnb is linked below for anyone looking for the most amazing, friendly stopover – just be aware Paul might put you to work building the summer house, or whichever project he happens to be working on when you visit!

Dinner at The Hafod Hotel

Dinner was a very reasonably priced and incredibly tasty chicken Souvlaki, complete with chips, salad, and coleslaw. The food was cooked to an awesome standard; absolutely no complaints here!

Black Betty Calling

Back to the van after a hearty pub meal, an evening of reading and a decent cup of coffee are definitely in order.

Anticipating Snowdonia

The 2nd half of my week is what its all been about as I head towards the Welsh known Eryri national park, known to us foreigners as 'Snowdonia' 

Check back tomorrow to see a dramatic change in scenery!!