Country diary: take me to the river where Cambria looks like Cumbria

Dolgellau, Gwynedd: The similarity of this corner of Wales to the landscape of the southern Lake District is striking

The path by the Afon Wnion was liberally scattered with small branches and twigs still carrying tattered leaves, the debris of the storm the previous night. The wind had moderated slightly but the flag on St Mary's church still stood out strongly from the pole on the tower. Beyond it, the severe northern flanks of Cadair Idris slid in and out of focus as clouds swept across the mountain, their speed reinforcing my doubts about taking a high-level route alone. Today, I decided, was one for the lowlands - a decision that, coincidentally, allowed time for a cooked breakfast.