Looking across the Afon Llia beyond some apparently starstruck sheep. According to the map there is evidence of settlement upon the lower slopes of the mountain. Maen Llia is out of shot to left.
Image credit: Robert Gladstone
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Just when I thought that I knew this area really well, you go and post an image that I don't recognise . I'm guessing it's from South of Maen Llia , down by Blaen Llia car park.
Yeah... on the road just north of the Nant y Groes. Have you seen the 'settlement' marked on the map?
There is some wall foundations a bit further north than this , just about opposite the point that the Sarn Helen roman? road emerges from the tarmac road and heads off N/Wish , towards Rhyd Uchaf , marked by the " no vehicles " sign that nobody (off roaders) seems to see . It's on the western flank of Fan Llia , about 100 meters up from the river . It's on really steep terrain for housing so probably more likely to be animal related I would say.
Between there and your photo , on the same flank of Fan Llia, are some other smaller remains . Opposite those , on the western flank of Fan Nedd , right next to the stream , is a long house and a curious kind of stone arrangement that , at about 3 feet diameter , must be the local ancient hobbit stone circle . According to the Royal commission inspector it may have been a kind of hearth , probably medieval ? I'll post the grid ref. if I can find it .
These local longhouses do tend to be right next to streams , and they must have flooded regularly , most strange .
That junction is significant for me since I once had a blow-out there and ended up on Sarn Helen... a freak blizzard, missing the sharp left with the Mam C's kids - as were - in the back. Stupid uncle's crashed the car! Now I'd never seen one on that road before or since (some 30 years)... but after about an hour one of those tipper trucks arrived... the driver got out, stuck a chain around my axle, pulled me onto the road.... and then buggered off without saying a word. The chances of that happening were too ridiculous to imagine. After that the place just feels like I'm meant to be there every now and again, you know?
It's a very special place , for sure , and I think I know what you mean , I can't stay away either.
I once had a puncture , on the way to west Wales for a holiday , again with a car full of kids , and a boot full of luggage . The spare , by the time I had emptied the luggage out , was flat , and I couldn't find my pump. Just then a car and a trailer drew up, with an air compressor and fully loaded tank . He filled the tyre in seconds , and then just left . It does make you wonder doesn't it ?