Building work in Coed y Bleiddiau

I took Molly for a walk this afternoon, through the nature reserve. The bracken had started to fall over and patches of purple heather were sprouting forth. Some impressive mushrooms too. But the biggest good news was to see scaffolding around Tŷ Hovendon, the railway inspector’s house in Coed y Bleiddiau. This might be a preliminary stage to secure the roof before the long awaited restoration of the house.

I’ve heard that The Landmark Trust is taking a long lease from the Ffestiniog Railway and will run it as a very special holiday cottage; targeted at people wanting to get away from it all, maybe penning the final chapters of a book. Holiday guests and their provisions will be transported by special trains from Porthmadog with daily deliveries of milk. They will be our nearest neighbours!

Illuminating the wolf

Gate gone, gaping hole in stone wall, wheel tracks in mud .... surely not off-roaders in Coed y Bleiddiau? Half way down the path to Bronturnor 3 men inched and winched a huge pole, dangling from a rope strung through the trees.

Electricity supply to Tŷ Hovendon, the railway inspector’s house, was cut by a falling tree a couple of years ago. Empty since Bob and Babs Johnson left, people have been wondering what will happen to this beautiful retreat. Does this mean it’s up for sale or renovation?

The old poles could not be used mainly because they were too short with high voltage less than 11 feet above the path at one point.