Going back to spend a few days at Tal-y-Llyn was like stepping back in time for me. As a youngster we had a Holiday Cottage out on the Llyen Peninsula so the beauty of North Wales was at once familiar and new.

The journey from home in the Cheshire countryside into the Snowdonia National Park took a little over two hours. My recollection was that it used to to take us so much longer but now the motorways and much improved A and B roads make the journey so much quicker.

The welcome that awaited us at the small hotel we had found on the Internet was excellent. Tucked a way at the edge of the lake was The Old Rectory on The Lake of which more later! A friendly smile and the coffee offered on arrival make all the difference when you have been travelling. The many city centre hotels I have to stay at around Britain could learn much from Mark who welcomed us for our three day stay.

Created as a lake during the last Ice Age when the Tal-yLlyn Pass was dammed the lake does live up to it's the name the English gave it of the "Lake of Quiet Retreat".

It's original Welsh name was Llyn Mwygni meaning fertile narrow lake. To open your bedroom curtains at the Old Rectory on The Lake in the morning and see the soaring mountains opposite reflected in the lake is definitely a joy. It is a view which the owners tell us they never tire of whatever the weather. They have an obvious and infectious enthusiasm for this beautiful part of South Snowdonia.

Given that The food at the Old Rectory on The Lake has merited a mention in Hansard, the official record of UK Parliamentary proceedings one's expectations are raised!

To say that the cooking was exceptional is an understatement. We frequently eat out and the food prepared by Ricky and served so well by John deserves very special mention. Ricky cooks all the food and is very modest about his very obvious talent for using local produce to create wonderful meals. What was especially pleasing for us was that he was able to cope with my Wheat and Gluten allergy and produce delicious food!