Nantlle Ridge from near Talysarn, Gwynedd, Wales

There is a very consistent reason for keeping Talysarn and its surroundings out of the Snowdonia National Park; it's a place that has been very scarred by slate mining. Nevertheless, that isn't to that there isn't anything redeeming about the place as I discovered while trying out a new pair of boots on a walk to Betws Garman. Firstly, there's some pleasant woodland to soften any visual unpleasantness and views towards the Nantlle Ridge help too. Speaking of the latter, the prospect of walking along its length from Nebo to Rhyd Ddu, or vice versa, has been unlocked for me so that might be an excuse for a return after being away from the area for as long as I have. However, when you consider that I passed through mining paraphernalia, over a field wrecked after being used to over-winter cattle on it and seeing a field of neatly parked crashed vehicles, I suppose that I cannot be blamed for this.