Monday 20 June 2011

Yr Wyddfa

On the A498, a little above Llyn Gwynant, there is a lay-by. In the lay-by is this curved slate marker, sketching out the view upon which you can gaze; the centrepiece of which is Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon 1085m, 3,560ft) the highest point in Wales.




It was after Snowdon that the National Park was named. Formed in 1951, Snowdonia was one of the first National Parks to be created, following hard on the heels of the Peak District (which was first!) and the Lake District. The formation of these parks was made possible by the National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act of 1949 (something else I have learned about while helping Ben to revise!).

Unlike in other countries, our National Parks are not owned by the government. They are living and working landscapes which are protected by law because of their natural beauty and the opportunities they provide for outdoor leisure. Each National Park has its own Park Authority which has legislative powers and responsibilities to protect the landscape and to promote understanding and education, the aim being to ensure these areas are still around for the enjoyment of future generations.



And so, people pull off the steep winding road to admire the beauty of Snowdon; its pointed peak towering majestically over the landscape against a backdrop of clear blue sky...


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Oh, c'mon! What did you expect? This IS Wales!

Last time I was on top of Snowdon... (but I think I've told that story before!)

5 comments:

  1. We stayed near Snowdon a few years ago - didn't climb it that time - and we drove past that layby many times, but for some reason we never stopped to see the view!

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  2. In all the times I have been to this part of Wales I have only seen the top of Snowdon on very few occasions!

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  3. Hahaha...clear blue sky indeed ;)

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  4. Your clear blue sky is a lot like ours!

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