While in North Wales, with others from Ty Newydd, I visited Portmeirion. The village was designed by Sir Clough Williams between 1925 and 1975 in the style of an Italian village. It is located on the estuary of the River Dwyryd about two miles from Porthmadog. The village has inspired many visitors including Noel Coward who wrote Blithe Spirit while staying in the village. It has been used as a location for several films but is best known as the setting for the 1960s spy drama, The Prisoner, starring Patrick McGoohan. You can see the opening title to the series here.
On the day I visited, the weather was splendid and it was possible to imagine that I was promenading a piazza in Italy. In the gardens, I was amazed at the rhododendrons, some already in bloom with lipstick coloured petals. Following a walk to the lighthouse, we took tea on the terrace of the hotel. If you’re in the area, Portmeirion is well worth a visit.
And just when it looks like this is a completely random post, I have details of a National Flash Fiction Day competition, dealing with random words. You’ll need to visit Helen Yendall’s blog for full details, but just to fill you in, she’s chosen four words (knit, blunder, perform and tingle) and asks you to complete a 250 words piece of flash fiction. Entry is free and the prize is a copy of Linda Lewis’ The Writer’s Treasury of Ideas. Good luck!
the writer is a lonely hunter 
Must try to get there one day. We love Italian gardens for instance and enjoyed Isola Bella in Lake Maggiore last week. It is a very famous one. That village sounds heavenly
I wonder how it measures up to the real thing – you’d be a good judge of that.
That ‘The Prisoner’ clip takes me back! I didn’t realise the setting was a real place.
I am not a number!
‘The Prisoner’ – I’m sure a source of many a short story! Lovely photos.
It was a lovely day!
Went to Portmeirion several years ago in the winter. It was a surreal experience, rather dreamlike, looking back on it. Would like to go in good weather when I’m sure the atmosphere is totally different.
It’s definitely worth revisiting.