Before we left North Wales, there was something that I just had to do. This involved a sixteen mile drive south to the scenic inland village of Betws-y-Coed on the A470. Fortunately, Shirley agreed to my proposal.
Many years ago, we bought an original landscape painting at The Great Sheffield Artshow and then three or four years later we bought another picture of what appeared to be the very same scene. The subject of both was "The Fairy Glen" just outside Betws-y-Coed.
We had tried to get there before on our way to The Isle of Anglesey but frustratingly we had lost our way and given up. This time I was determined to make it. The idea of actually visiting The Fairy Glen had been gnawing away at me like a weevil and I knew that if I didn't go this time, that weevil would continue to burrow.
Again, the location was not easy to find. To access The Fairy Glen you must cross private land and you pay for the privilege. At the path gate, the farmer's wife waited to grab our money and she wasn't even remotely interested in my tale of our two paintings. She wasn't giving out ticket receipts so you wonder how the tax people can harvest their dues. The farm is called Cwmanog Isaf.
The Fairy Glen is in effect a deep cleft in the land, a rocky gorge through which a tributary of The River Conwy flows. To get down there, you have to negotiate a series of rough slate steps. It would be very easy to tumble down them for they are quite precipitous and there is no handrail. However, we made it.
And there we were - standing in the very scene that has hung upon our walls for years now. Because Great Britain has had virtually no rain in the last six weeks, the little river that flows through Fairy Glen was way down - dribbling by instead of gushing.
But I didn't mind. The light was good and the glen felt quite magical. I took several pictures but this was probably the best of them...
Good work!
ReplyDeleteHow wonderful! Glad you were able to visit your paintings, as it were.
ReplyDeleteWhat a cool thing to find the actual spot!
ReplyDeleteThat's a cool experience that you gave yourself.
ReplyDeleteYou made it!
ReplyDeleteThat it is not easy to get to Fairy Glen is somehow fitting. It's a bit like in a fairy tale; you have to find your way first, then soothe a dragon to gain entry, and then negotiate a few more difficulties before you receive your magic shiny golden reward to take away with you in your heart.
It's stunning there.
ReplyDeleteIt is a pretty spot and that light makes it look quite mystical.
ReplyDeleteSmall time tax avoidance is rife, but I doubt it makes up anywhere near what is lost when the the tangle that large private companies wrangle around themselves is taken into account, and the governments allow this legal theft.
ReplyDeleteThe glen does look lovely.
Do you not have Google Maps YP? It takes us on some helter skelter single track roads. DOD the signs say: "There be Dragons"?
ReplyDeletehow typical that there'd be someone leaning on a gate taking the toll money.... i am surprised you didn't delight us with a tiktok video of you and Shirley in your wetsuits having a dip in the fairy pool? Well done on seeing through the mission.
ReplyDeleteYour preseverance paid off. Such a magical place was well worth the effort.
ReplyDeleteThat is a lovely story. I'm glad you made the effort.
ReplyDeleteI suppose at least it is protected on private land without loads of people coming to picnic etc. It looks perfect but I am sure the water was a dab noisy.
ReplyDeleteLooks a peaceful spot and now you can continue to gaze on it at home.
ReplyDeleteA modern pilgrimage.
ReplyDeleteThat doesn't even look real! It's a wondrous scene.
ReplyDeleteWhat a fun adventure! Glad you made it there and back. Lovely!
ReplyDeleteDoes the farmer's wife stand at the gate all day? What a dreary existence. I'm glad you got to finally visit and check the place out. Even with the lack of rain it looks mysterious and lush.
ReplyDeleteNow that's one place I did not visit. Glad it turned out as magical an adventure as you imagined it! :)
ReplyDeleteAnd now the actual experience has given the picture even more meaning. I'm sure you'll recall being there in person every single time you look at the picture hanging on your wall. Kudos for persevering; what a beautiful place. If you don't mind telling us, what is the usual fee for crossing private property? Do you have to call ahead so they know to stand out and wait for you?
ReplyDelete