Recently returned from a visit to Snowdonia, spending Christmas in the village of Beddgelert. Legend has it that the hamlet grew up around the grave of a dog - Gelert - who was accidently slain by his master Prince Llewellyn who returned after a hunting trip to discover his son missing and the hound covered in blood. Jumping to a terrible conclusion, he unsheathed his sword and despatched the dog only to later discover his son save and well with a dead wolf by his side. Distraught, the prince buried Gelert by the river, the grave - surely one of the most romantically situated resting places in the world - drawing visitors ever since. Situated at the confluence of two mountain rivers, Beddgelert is graced by the seasonal runs of both salmon and sea trout, salmon continuing up the Glaslyn to spawn in a beautiful lake, sea trout miraculously turning left up the Colwyn to spawn in it upper reaches.
I was very impressed by the village and its people, the views of white mantled Snowdon and a conversation I had with a local in the bar of the Prince Llewellyn, whetting my appetite for a return visit in the spring. Keen angler Rob Ball has promised to show me the most promising pools.
Before I left, I spied a pair of dippers on the Glaslyn bobbing a farewell. I'll be back pretty birds!
The photograph shows my family posing against the backdrop of the great mountain.
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