BALA LAKE (Llyd Tegid)
BALA
NORTH WALES
April 2009
GROUP ... ME
This area holds a special place for me, as it was my nan's favourite locations. I can see why my nan loved the area so much.
It was the largest natural body of water in Wales prior to the level being raised by Thomas Teldord to help support the flow of the Ellesmere Canal. It is approx 4 miles long and 1 mile wide. The river Dee runs through it. The toen of Bala is at the northern end and the narrow gauge Bala Lake Railway runs along the southern shore.Bala Lake is the english name. Llyd Tegid is the welsh name. The lake's name comes from Tegid Foel, a character in the Mabinogi - a series of Welsh stories and legends from around the 6th century.
The lake today is used by various companies providing kayaks, yachts and other types of boats for use on the lake.PARANORMAL ACTIVITY
Legend says that the lake is home to a water dragon. We have all heard the tales of Nessie from Loch Ness in Scotland but our welsh version is known as TAGGIE. Its been reported here since the 1920's.
There is said to be a ghostly town under the lake. Legend states these buildings are the palace of King Tegid, husband of Ceridwen, the mother of the famous welsh bard Taliesin (c534 - c599). On moonlit nights, towers and buildings are said to be seen under the water. Also you can hear a church bell ringing at night.
I have wanted to come here for such a long time. You could very easily imagine the tops of buildings seen in the lake, it is quite a magical place.
Walking around the lake you feel miles away from anywhere. You are walking along the shore and finding yourself in different worlds.As I walked along the shoreline of the lake about half a mile from the cafe, I found a beauyiful little country church.
LLANYCIL CHURCH
This church occupies an ancient Celtic site.It is famous as the destination for a 15year old girl called Mary Jones. In 1800 she walked for 26 miles from Llanfihangel-y-Pennant to buy a bible from Rev Thomas Charles. But he had sold out. When he found out how far she had walked, he gave her his bible. She walked back home the same day, very happy.
The church closed in 2003 and is now used as a Heritage Centre by the Bible Society.
On the other side of the lake, I came across another small church.
LLANGOWER CHURCHLlangower is a small hamlet. It means enclosure or yard in Welsh.
The church is dedicated to St Gwyr or Cywair. It is an ancient structure and in the churchyard there is an old yew tree .The church is situated on the original turnpike road leading from Dinas-Mowddwy to Bala and Corwen
MORE PHOTOS OF BALA LAKE
Hi there,
ReplyDeleteI love your post about Bala. I have a story that happened to me 30 years ago. My family farm in Montgomeryshire so not too far away. In the summer holidays that year (1989) we went camping with my father at Bala. Just for a few days. Had a great time. We hired canoes for the afternoon with the intention of enjoying the lake from the water. However, my canoe was too short for me which at that moment didn’t worry in any way. We got out onto the lake and all was well. It was a humid cloudy afternoon in August and being on the water was a good idea. A slight breeze blew and played on the water. I paddled out quite far on my own, my father and brother Gareth we’re heading purposefully in another direction. I was at canoeing having done it for years with the Scouts. As I glided through the water a stronger than normal gust blew across the lake causing larger than usual ripples. I was at an awkward angle and my small vessel overturned. I was now underwater. It was cold as you might expect but I was prepared for that. The problem was that I couldn’t get out of the canoe. I was stuck fast. I never panicked or got upset. I felt really calm. As if I wasn’t alone. As I tried to get out I noticed a what appeared to be a woman with long hair coming up from the depths. As she got closer to me she vanished and I was released from the canoe and got back to the surface and fresh air.
This may sound crazy but I know what I saw. Have you heard any stories of a lady of the lake?
Kind regards
John
mabinogi wiki
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