Concerned about your carbon footprint? Give your car a rest! Part 2

In part 1 we explored various excursions, journeys and walks that you can take, heading north from Llwyngwril, without using a car.
This time we're looking at where you can go and what you can do, if you head in a southerly direction from the village.
By train (remember to hold your hand out to stop the train as its a request stop!) the first station you will come to is Tonfanau. Note the unusual bat box on the old station wall.

During the Second World War an army base was created near the village. Around 600 men were stationed at the camp, which specialised in training personnel in anti-aircraft artillery.
In 1972, the base was reopened and used as a refugee centre. Over 3,000 Ugandan Asians, fleeing from persecution by Idi Amin, were housed there for six months before being settled elsewhere. In fact a few years ago we had one family staying at Pentre Bach, who were descendants of some of those refugees, and they'd wanted to see where their parents and grandparents had lived when they'd first arrived in Wales.
Further inland is a one mile race track that is used for motor bike races one Sunday a month.https://www.tonfanauroadracing.co.uk/

If you carry on heading south from the station you will cross over the impressive Tonfanau Bridge, which was installed as part of the Wales Coastal Path over the Dysynni Estuary.

Once over this bridge you can head inland along the edge of Broadwater and the Dysynni River , through the delightful woodlands that form part of Ynysymaengwyn Caravan Park. 

You will then emerge onto the main road between Bryncrug and Tywyn, where you can catch the No 28 bus back to Llwyngwril or otherwise continue further inland along the beautiful Dysynni Valley and perhaps as far as Bird Rock (Craig y Aderyn)! This is where a large number of nesting cormorants and choughs can be found.

An alternative to heading inland would be to carry on heading south to the seaside town of Tywyn. Of course you can always continue on the train and get off at Tywyn station. The town boasts an excellent beach that stretches all the way to Aberdyfi. Tywyn isn't perhaps the prettiest of towns but there are a number of independent shops to browse and many cafes and restaurants where you can refuel and spend some time.There is also the famous Tal y Llwyn railway https://www.talyllyn.co.uk/  The Talyllyn Railway ( Rheilffordd Talyllyn) is a narrow gauge railway in Wales running for 7 ¹⁄₄ miles from Tywyn to Nant Gwernol near the village of Abergynolwyn. There is a cafes at both ends , as well as an interesting museum and shop in Tywyn.

Of course we can't forget about the amazing Magic Lantern Cinema in Tywyn www.tywyncinema.co.uk. This wonderfully preserved old cinema has been in existence since 1893 and nowadays shows all the most up to date films as well as Live Screenings.

So you can walk from Tywyn to Aberdyfi along the wide sandy beach or of course carry along on the Cambrian line to one of the two stations that serve Aberdyfi. Aberdyfi is a lovely little seaside town with many individual shops, cafes, restaurants and pubs. Children particularly enjoy the traditional seaside pastime of catching crabs off the pier.

One of our favourite walks is one of Derek, the weatherman's walks, a 6 mile circular walk that starts and ends on the beach in Aberfyfi. 
www.bbc.co.uk/tv/weatherman-walking/walks/Aberdyfi

If you continue on the Cambrian line you can get off at Aberdyfi Junction where you can catch a connection to the university city of Aberystwyth or carry on to the market town of Machynlleth. Here there is the lovely art gallery MOMA, and many antique shops and vegetarian cafes (lots of non veggie as well!).

If you prefer to take the bus, then the number 28 stops at places such as Bryncrug, Abergynolwyn, Talyllyn lake and Corris, starting points for some spectacular walks.

So lots of reasons to leave your car behind. Enjoy.