May 28, 2017

Mouth of the River Daron | Wales


This postcard show picturesque Aberdaron, a community and former fishing village at the western tip of the Llŷn Peninsula (Welsh: Penrhyn Llŷn) in the Welsh county of Gwynedd. It lies 14.8 miles (23.8 km) west of Pwllheli and 33.5 miles (53.9 km) south west of Caernarfon, and has a population of 965. It is sometimes referred to as the "Land's End of Wales", or in Welsh Pendraw'r Byd (roughly "far end of the world"). The community includes Bardsey Island (Welsh: Ynys Enlli), the coastal area around Porthor, and the villages of Anelog, Llanfaelrhys, Penycaerau, Rhoshirwaun, Rhydlios, Uwchmynydd and Y Rhiw.

Y Rhiw and Llanfaelrhys have long been linked by sharing rectors and by their close proximity, but were originally ecclesiastical parishes in themselves. The parish of Bodferin/Bodverin was assimilated in the 19th century. The village was the last rest stop for pilgrims heading to Bardsey Island (Ynys Enlli), the legendary "island of 20,000 saints". In the 18th and 19th centuries it developed as a shipbuilding centre and port. The mining and quarrying industries became major employers, and limestone, lead, jasper and manganese ("Mango") were exported. There are the ruins of an old pier running out to sea at Porth Simdde, which is the local name for the west end of Aberdaron Beach. After the Second World War the mining industry collapsed, and Aberdaron gradually developed into a holiday resort.

Aberdaron means "Mouth of the River Daron", a reference to the Afon Daron (English: River Daron) which flows into Bae Aberdaron (English: Aberdaron Bay) in the village.

The card was posted on 31 August 1975 5:45 pm from Pwllheli. It reads: 'FRIDAY Arrived here on Wednesday after a long journey with many stops. Making the most of our  short stay by going to the beach as often as possible. It's been reasonably warm, with a breeze. As long as it doesn't rain, we don't mind. Aberdaron, shown overleaf, is about 3 miles from our cottage but it usually gets quite crowded so we go elsewhere. Do hope you're keeping well. Love Sheila, Nick, Caroline & Paul'.

No comments:

Post a Comment