== By Train ==

[http://www.livedepartureboards.co.uk/virgintrains/summary.aspx?T=DWD Dolwyddelan] has a [http://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/191490 station] on the [http://www.conwyvalleyrailway.co.uk/ Conway Valley Railway]; although the trains are [http://www.conwy.gov.uk/upload/public/attachments/638/ConwyPublicTransportGuideWEB.pdf infrequent], (pages 88 & 89 in the link) travel from Manchester, London, Birmingham, Cardiff &c. is entirely feasible. Bryn Teg is about 10 minutes walk from the station:

* Leave the station by the lane past the school and then turn right, [http://dalesman.files.wordpress.com/2009/01/dolwyddelan-and-moel-siabod-7-jan-09.jpg toward the centre of the village.]

* Turn right at the crossroads, along the main A470.

* Go along this road past the [http://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/568120 Moriah Chapel] and the Elen's Castle Hotel and, after seven more houses, turn left up a tarmaced lane, Allt Singrug.

* Bryn Teg is at the top of Allt Singrug, but note the warnings below!

There is a path across the field from the war memorial to the foot of Allt Singrug which cuts off a corner. The path starts at the right hand edge of [http://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/568116 this picture] though the dilapidated metal gate has been replaced by a smart wooden one. Bryn Teg can be seen above and to the left of the white house near the right of this picture.

There are many more trains from Llandudno Junction; it takes about 35 minutes each way to take to, or collect from there. The taxi fare from Llandudno Junction to Dolwyddelan is about £40.

Gwynedd County Council has withdrawn its subsidy for the [http://www.expressmotors.co.uk/Timetables/X1%20Blaenau%20-%20Llandudno%20from%2001Sept2015.pdf bus service] so it has been severely curtailed in this part of the valley.

With some forward planning it is possible to holiday at Bryn Teg without a car. A shopping trip to Llanrwst is fairly convenient by train and the [http://www.swissitalianpaddlesteamers.com/snowdonsherpa/home.html#index Snowdon Sherpa] bus network gives access to some of the mountains and tourist hot spots of Snowdonia. Since we came to Bryn Teg we have seen a significant decline in the Snowdon Sherpa network and public transport generally in that area so please make use of it if you can.

=== Live Train Times ===

* [http://www.livedepartureboards.co.uk/virgintrains/summary.aspx?T=DWD Dolwyddelan]
* [http://www.livedepartureboards.co.uk/virgintrains/summary.aspx?T=LLJ Llandudno Junction]
* [http://www.livedepartureboards.co.uk/virgintrains/summary.aspx?T=CTR Chester]

== By Car ==

Bryn Teg's post code is LL25 0EQ, Grid Reference 273705,352633 so directions from anywhere in the UK can be obtained from [https://www.google.co.uk/maps/place/Dolwyddelan,+Conwy+LL25+0EQ/@53.0586441,-3.8841403,15z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m2!3m1!1s0x4865123d753c2ab3:0xb35d04c029c2d8e6?hl=en Google Maps] and, presumably, from satellite navigation kit - though we have not checked this out for ourselves! For those without access to these technologies, the cottage is about 200 metres off the A470 trunk road between Betws-y-Coed and Blaenau Ffestiniog. More specifically, when travelling from Betws-y-Coed on the A470, about 4 miles after turning off the A5, watch out for the Dolwyddelan village name signs (there are two) and the 30mph sign. About 300m after this there is a narrow gap between the houses on the right. Turn into this lane, Allt Singrug, ignoring the ''Anaddas i Fodur/Unsuitable for Motors'' sign! Take a very sharp left turn where the tarmac ends; Bryn Teg is at the end of this lane - just visible in [https://www.google.co.uk/maps/@53.055594,-3.884473,3a,75y,271.76h,72.66t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sAPznRVR6Wt5Od_Arau_TEg!2e0!7i13312!8i6656?hl=en this view].

== Allt Singrug (the road up) ==

'''''However''''', these various presentations of the directions leave out one crucial bit! Allt Singrug is '''''extremely''''' steep and narrow and at the top there is a hair-pin bend into the track leading to Bryn Teg. We very strongly advise drivers not to attempt to drive up until they have walked up and checked what is involved. It is '''''definitely not''''' possible to grasp the reality of Allt Singrug from Google Street View even though, to our considerable surprise, it is on there. First-time visitors frequently struggle with Allt Singrug and damaged clutches have resulted from rash attempts to drive up! Be aware that if you get stuck there is little assistance close at hand.

It is best if you park just round the hair-pin bend, where there is space for two cars. Don't drive right up to the gate unless there are those in your party with impaired mobility or you have particularly heavy items to deliver.

There is no street lighting so, if you arrive after dark, you will need a torch and be prepared to carry basic over-night luggage up to the cottage, leaving full unloading until daylight.

There is lighting on track between Allt Singrug and the gate to Bryn Teg with a proximity sensor at the "car park". The lights are switched on in the glass lean-to; see [[more on the glass lean-to]].

== Parking at Bryn Teg ==

[[File:Jazz parked.JPG|200px|Thumb|right|Like this|]] There is space for two cars on the track from Allt Singrug to the cottage. It is just about possible to park one car [https://www.google.co.uk/maps/@53.0547765,-3.8841686,3a,75y,50.79h,78.74t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1s__PsRK4EqNwRdddn9Q68FQ!2e0!7i13312!8i6656?hl=en adjacent to the hedge and the seat where Allt Singrug meets the main road] provided care is taken not to impede access or sight lines.The nearest alternative car parking which does not inconvenience local residents is [https://www.google.co.uk/maps/@53.0532369,-3.8876688,3a,75y,115.01h,66.6t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sgrVT8AGxWTcTXgnVBZIhSw!2e0!7i13312!8i6656?hl=en opposite the church on Church Street/Stryd y Llan].

Would those who have stayed at Bryn Teg in the past note that it is no longer possible to use the Elen's Castle Hotel car park when staying here. Charging points for electric cars are being installed in the part of the car park our visitors have used hitherto. Please also respect the [https://www.google.co.uk/maps/@53.0550734,-3.8841565,3a,60y,254.49h,76.24t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1s4pCvDfMLLNriefrtp0ITZg!2e0!7i13312!8i6656?hl=en ''Private Parking''] notice opposite the greenhouses at the bottom of Allt Singrug; '''do not park there''' because doing so can block access to Eurwyn Roberts' commercial nursery.

== Getting into Bryn Teg ==

When you arrive at the house if you go through the gate from the drive on your right hand side is a porch/small greenhouse with a green door which is left unlocked. Immediately to the right of the light switch inside is a key safe containing a key to the adjacent glass-panelled door. Ask one of the Fletchers for the key safe code a couple of days before you plan to get to Bryn Teg. Inside the cottage, on the kitchen work surface, is a bunch of all the keys you will need. Please return the single key to the key safe as soon as you have let yourselves in and, at the end of your stay, leave the bunch of keys where you found it.

2015-09-22T17:50:31Z

Dad: /* By Train */

== By Train ==

[http://www.livedepartureboards.co.uk/virgintrains/summary.aspx?T=DWD Dolwyddelan] has a [http://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/191490 station] on the [http://www.conwyvalleyrailway.co.uk/ Conway Valley Railway]; although the trains are [http://www.conwy.gov.uk/upload/public/attachments/638/ConwyPublicTransportGuideWEB.pdf infrequent], (pages 88 & 89 in the link) travel from Manchester, London, Birmingham, Cardiff &c. is entirely feasible. Bryn Teg is about 10 minutes walk from the station:

* Leave the station by the lane past the school and then turn right, [http://dalesman.files.wordpress.com/2009/01/dolwyddelan-and-moel-siabod-7-jan-09.jpg toward the centre of the village.]

* Turn right at the crossroads, along the main A470.

* Go along this road past the [http://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/568120 Moriah Chapel] and the Elen's Castle Hotel and, after seven more houses, turn left up a tarmaced lane, Allt Singrug.

* Bryn Teg is at the top of Allt Singrug, but note the warnings below!

There is a path across the field from the war memorial to the foot of Allt Singrug which cuts off a corner. The path starts at the right hand edge of [http://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/568116 this picture] though the dilapidated metal gate has been replaced by a smart wooden one. Bryn Teg can be seen above and to the left of the white house near the right of this picture.

There are many more trains from Llandudno Junction; it takes about 35 minutes each way to take to, or collect from there. The taxi fare from Llandudno Junction to Dolwyddelan is about £40.

Gwynedd County Council have withdrawn its subsidy for the [https://diogel.cyngor.gwynedd.gov.uk/GwasanaethauGwe/FfeiliauSystemau.Allanol/AmserlenBws/Ffeil?llwybr=[35_X1]-[Dolgellau_-_Blaenau_Ffestiniog_-_Betws_y_Coed_-_Llandudno]-[Dolgellau_-_Blaenau_Ffestiniog_-_Betws_y_Coed_-_Llandudno].pdf bus service] so it has been severely curtailed in this part of the valley.

With some forward planning it is possible to holiday at Bryn Teg without a car. A shopping trip to Llanrwst is fairly convenient by train and the [http://www.swissitalianpaddlesteamers.com/snowdonsherpa/home.html#index Snowdon Sherpa] bus network gives access to some of the mountains and tourist hot spots of Snowdonia. Since we came to Bryn Teg we have seen a gradual decline in the Snowdon Sherpa network and public transport generally in that area so please make use of it if you can.

=== Live Train Times ===

* [http://www.livedepartureboards.co.uk/virgintrains/summary.aspx?T=DWD Dolwyddelan]
* [http://www.livedepartureboards.co.uk/virgintrains/summary.aspx?T=LLJ Llandudno Junction]
* [http://www.livedepartureboards.co.uk/virgintrains/summary.aspx?T=CTR Chester]

== By Car ==

Bryn Teg's post code is LL25 0EQ, Grid Reference 273705,352633 so directions from anywhere in the UK can be obtained from [https://www.google.co.uk/maps/place/Dolwyddelan,+Conwy+LL25+0EQ/@53.0586441,-3.8841403,15z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m2!3m1!1s0x4865123d753c2ab3:0xb35d04c029c2d8e6?hl=en Google Maps] and, presumably, from satellite navigation kit - though we have not checked this out for ourselves! For those without access to these technologies, the cottage is about 200 metres off the A470 trunk road between Betws-y-Coed and Blaenau Ffestiniog. More specifically, when travelling from Betws-y-Coed on the A470, about 4 miles after turning off the A5, watch out for the Dolwyddelan village name signs (there are two) and the 30mph sign. About 300m after this there is a narrow gap between the houses on the right. Turn into this lane, Allt Singrug, ignoring the ''Anaddas i Fodur/Unsuitable for Motors'' sign! Take a very sharp left turn where the tarmac ends; Bryn Teg is at the end of this lane - just visible in [https://www.google.co.uk/maps/@53.055594,-3.884473,3a,75y,271.76h,72.66t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sAPznRVR6Wt5Od_Arau_TEg!2e0!7i13312!8i6656?hl=en this view].

== Allt Singrug (the road up) ==

'''''However''''', these various presentations of the directions leave out one crucial bit! Allt Singrug is '''''extremely''''' steep and narrow and at the top there is a hair-pin bend into the track leading to Bryn Teg. We very strongly advise drivers not to attempt to drive up until they have walked up and checked what is involved. It is '''''definitely not''''' possible to grasp the reality of Allt Singrug from Google Street View even though, to our considerable surprise, it is on there. First-time visitors frequently struggle with Allt Singrug and damaged clutches have resulted from rash attempts to drive up! Be aware that if you get stuck there is little assistance close at hand.

It is best if you park just round the hair-pin bend, where there is space for two cars. Don't drive right up to the gate unless there are those in your party with impaired mobility or you have particularly heavy items to deliver.

There is no street lighting so, if you arrive after dark, you will need a torch and should be prepared to carry basic over-night luggage up to the cottage, leaving full unloading until daylight.

There is lighting on track between Allt Singrug and the gate to Bryn Teg with a proximity sensor at the "car park". The lights are switched on in the glass lean-to; see [[more on the glass lean-to]].

== The complexities of parking at Bryn Teg ==

There is space for two cars on the track from Allt Singrug to the cottage. It is just about possible to park one car adjacent to the hedge and the seat where Allt Singrug meets the main road provided care is taken not to impede access or sight lines. The nearest alternative car parking which does not inconvenience local residents is opposite the church on Church Street/Stryd y Llan.

Would those who have stayed at Bryn Teg in the past note that it is no longer possible to use the Elen's Castle Hotel car park when staying here. Charging points for electric cars are being installed in the part of the car park our visitors have used hitherto. Please also respect the ''Private Parking'' notice opposite the greenhouses at the bottom of Allt Singrug; '''do not park there''' because doing so can block access to Eurwyn Roberts' commercial nursery.

== Getting into Bryn Teg ==

When you arrive at the house if you go through the gate from the drive on your right hand side is a porch/small greenhouse with a green door which is left unlocked. Immediately to the right of the light switch inside is a key safe containing a key to the adjacent glass-panelled door. Ask one of the Fletchers for the key safe code a couple of days before you plan to get to Bryn Teg. Inside the cottage, on the kitchen work surface, is a bunch of all the keys you will need. Please return the single key to the key safe as soon as you have let yourselves in and, at the end of your stay, leave the bunch of keys where you found it.

Inside Bryn Teg

2015-09-22T11:49:29Z

Dad: /* Heating */

Although Bryn Teg has only two bedrooms, there are sleeping facilities for up to eleven people; some duvets and pillows are provided plus bed linen (usually) and towels.

== Downstairs ==

There are four main rooms
* kitchen [[More on the kitchen]]
* scullery and toilet off the kitchen [[More on the scullery]]
* main lounge [[More on the main lounge]]
* smaller lounge [[More on the small lounge]]

plus

* a recently (Spring 2015) refurbished glass lean-to at the kitchen end of the cottage [[More on the glass lean-to]]
* a decrepit stone lean-to at the other end [[More on the stone lean-to]]

== Upstairs ==

* Main bedroom [[More on the double bedroom]]
* Second bedroom with a double bed and a single bed [[More on the twin bedroom]]
* Bathroom [[More on the bathroom]]
* Toilet [[It is only a toilet!]]

The door at the top of the stairs leads out into the garden. Many of the doors in the cottage are rather low by modern standards and this one is particularly low so ''mind your head!''

== Heating ==

Heating is by a [http://www.flickr.com/photos/timjdfletcher/2802955139/sizes/o/in/set-72157606982559795/ wood-burning stove] in the main lounge, a new and a smaller wood-burning stove in the small lounge plus dual storage/convector heaters - three downstairs and two upstairs. There is a portable fan heater in the scullery and two heaters in the garden chalet.

All but one of the windows are double glazed so the cottage is cosy even in the most wintry weather.

The stoves burn wood, supplemented by coal where necessary. Supplies of both, plus kindling, are kept in the stone lean-to and there are fire lighters in the glass lean-to. Please use the stoves only if you will have time to clean them before you leave.

With careful management and in exceptionally cold weather the larger wood burner will stay in overnight and, even if it goes out, it keeps warm until morning.

During cold weather we keep all three downstairs storage heaters at about 2/3 full capacity but the one in the main lounge will probably not be required if the wood burner is being used. The upstairs is usually warm so we keep the two heaters upstairs on low settings.

We still have not fully understood how to prevent blackening of the glass in the stove doors so advice would be welcome. Coal appears to cause this promptly so please use it sparingly. The glass gets obscured if the stove is in overnight but it is usually easy to get this off in the morning before reviving the fire.

We had a rather disconcerting experience when lighting the wood burner for the first time in autumn 2008. It had been exceptionally wet in the previous few weeks so the chimney stack was sodden. Lighting the fire and thereby heating the chimney caused clouds of water vapour to appear upstairs, particularly in the double bedroom. Despite the alarm which this caused us, we are assured by the installer of the fire and the local repairer of chimneys, that the vapour is harmless and soon disperses, as indeed we found.

When the house is unoccupied in winter, the storage heater in the main lounge should be left on at about 1/3 full capacity and the other four switched off.

Frost stats in various places switch on various forms of heating if the temperature falls close to freezing. When the cottage is unoccupied in winter all the upstairs doors and all the downstairs doors should be left open so that the heat spreads to adjacent rooms.

== Water heating ==

Hot water for washing up and baths is provided by an immersion heater; the switch is in the scullery, over the door to the kitchen. The shower heats water as it is used; there is a pull switch in the bathroom for the shower.

== Water stop cock ... ==

... is at the back of the cupboard under the sink in the kitchen under the home-made cover which is there to try to prevent mice getting into the living area of the house.