Pont Newydd, Hen Broblem

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Pictured, the recently-completed and now publicly open Pont Sarnau across Afon Ogwen between the rugby club and Tanysgafell. The old bridge had become a precarious affair and was closed down some time ago. All of the pathways heading up to the back road between Braichmelyn and the village of Tregarth have been similarly upgraded and the place is now a fine and pleasant place to walk again. It now forms part of Lôn Las Ogwen, a foot and cycle path that now stretches from Nant Ffrancon right down into Bangor and Penrhyn Quay. We're starting to feel the benefits of funds raised as a result of the slate valleys' recent elevation to a World Heritage Site [not before bloody time, either], and the new bridge and pathways are just one small part of a growing renewal in recognition of the historical importance of the area to the world.

However, as always, something conspired to sour our circular walk to see the new structure today. We parked the car just behind our old house at Brynbella and walked along Lôn Las Ogwen along what would originally have been the trackbed of the L&NWR line between Bethesda and Bangor, to the new bridge,  which sits directly opposite the site where Bethesda Station once stood, now occupied by Y Clwb Rygbi, Bethesda. From there, we crossed and made our way back along the old road towards Tregarth and back to the car, over the bridge at Yr Hen Felin [now a bunkhouse]. On this last stretch of less than a hundred metres of road, we picked up a whole carrier-bags'-worth of people's discarded cans, bottles and McDonalds wrappers from the roadside. Visitors or residents, and I don't care which; whoever is responsible for this litter should really develop some basic respect not only [and principally] for the environment, but for those of us who live here...

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