
Frost in Cwm Cynfal
This image, taken in January 2009, proves that you don’t need an SLR to take good photos. Sometimes it helps, though!
A ruined bothy (or bwthyn) stands on the side of Cwm Cynfal, near Ffestiniog in North Wales. This is a remote and beautiful spot: on a fine day, you can see right across to the Llyn Peninsula, and down towards Arenig Fawr and Cadair Idris in the south. There used to be a few red grouse up there on the moors, as well as hen harriers and merlins.
Taken with a Lumix DMC-TZ5 © Jo Woolf


14 Comments
Susan Abernethy
Beautiful Jo!
Jo Woolf
Thank you, Susan!
tearoomdelights
I love the lighting effects you get in winter, that orangey yellow pinkish glow in the foreground is gorgeous.
Jo Woolf
It was lovely lighting, which didn’t last for long before the sun sank on another freezing cold evening. The sunsets were spectacular that winter.
Cornel A.
Lumix DMC-TZ5 is at least 3 times better than my camera…
Beautiful colours!
Jo Woolf
Thank you, Cornel! The Lumix is a good little camera but it has its limitations. I still have no idea how you get the results that you do, with your own compact!
Cornel A.
Sometimes, when you have no choice, you must find a way to do something great with your limited resources.
Jo Woolf
That’s very true, Cornel, that’s when the inspiration comes in!
Watching Seasons
A gorgeous photo indeed!
Jo Woolf
Thank you very much! I was pleased with that one.
Einir Kirkwood
Hi there, thanks for the photos. It’s not an old bothy. It was a small holding called ‘Hafod Offeiriad’. My grandmother lived there at the beginning of the last century. A few years before WWl, the family moved to another small holding near Bont Newydd (still Cwm Cynfal), to be closer to Llan Ffestiniog (and to the chapel and county school).
Jo Woolf
Hi Einir! Thank you so much for telling me about Hafod Offeiriad and your grandmother. It’s really nice to know something about the history of the place! It’s in a truly beautiful spot. I used to love that drive over from Penmachno to Ffestiniog, and the amazing views. With all good wishes for the New Year, Jo
Einir Kirkwood
No probs!
Einir Kirkwood
And a happy New Year to you too!