Today's Independent newspaper carried a story on Snowdon's new summit building with the headline, Makeover for 'highest slum in Wales', referring to Prince Charles' comment on the previous structure. Jonathan Brown reported favourably on his sneak preview last week, describing Hafod Eryri as a "sensitive new destination" that "melts seamlessly into the wild landscape". However, writing "Portugese rather than local granite was used for the outer skin" wasn't totally correct, since the granite cladding used for the walls came from Cwt y Bugail quarry near Blaenau while the stone on the roof is from Portugal. Nit-picking you might say but decisions about the source of materials caused a good deal of controversy at the time. You can expect to see the building appear in the news quite a bit over the coming days.


Hafod Eryri nearly ready to throw its doors open.

When the workmen returned to the summit this morning following the sunny Bank Holiday break, it was typically hidden by cloud and surprisingly cold up there in the biting wind. With just a few 'teething issues' remaining the building will soon be handed over to Snowdon Mountain Railway who lease the building from the National Park Authority. Too late I'm afraid for today's walkers on the outside looking-in. They had to content themselves with the wind-break offered by the building instead of being able to buy a warming cup of tea in the café. For those at the top around mid-afternoon they were at least rewarded with clear views and a sun-dappled landscape below their feet.


Words by the former National Poet of Wales, Gwyn Thomas, on the wall of glass
dubbed 'window on the world'.

It's less than three weeks now to the official opening on June 12th, although it is still planned to have Hafod Eryri open to the public before then.


Interpretation on the floor.