Aberdovey (7 miles) is home to the famous Aberdovey Golf Club of which my Great Great Grandfather was a founding member. Now over 100 years old, it is one of the best links courses in the UK and no golfer ever tires of playing there. The green of the par 3 12^th hole is pictured on the right as is a section of the spectacular Aberdovey beach - 5 miles of golden sand and dunes.

Aberdovey is also home to the Yacht Club where many sailors learn the art of handling boats in tidal water.

Inland from Aberdovey is Machynlleth, home of the Owain Glyndwr's first Welsh Parliament and today home to the fascinating Centre for Alternative Technology which is well worth a visit.

Wales is famous for its castles, both English and Welsh. It has, I believe, more castles per square mile than any other country in the world. The English castles were built mostly by Edward I as his "Ring of Stone" to subdue the troublesome.

Two of these castles are close. The closest is Castell-y-Bere only five miles from the house, but this was knocked down by Edward I and little remains. The castle pictured opposite is Harlech Castle and although further away is in much better shape and was garrisoned as recently as the English Civil War.

These castles represent the pinnacle of Medieval castle building and were built at huge expense by craftsmen from all over Europe in the 13^th Century. You can see more castles here.

Wales is also rightly famous for its "Great Little Trains" of which two are within easy reach of the house: the Talyllyn Railway and the Fairbourne Railway.

Pictured opposite is one of the Talyllyn Railway trains on its way from Tywyn to the Dolgoch Falls. And below is one of the Fairbourne Railway trains with the mainline bridge over the Mawddach Estuary in the background. Below right is the best beach in town!