Coming to the northern extremity of the Bala valley, I entered a pass tending due north.

Here the road slightly diverged from the river.

I sped along, delighted with the beauty of the scenery.

On my left was a high bank covered with trees, on my right a grove, through openings in which I occasionally caught glimpses of the river, over whose farther side towered noble hills.

An hour's walking brought me into a comparatively open country, fruitful and charming.