3. Machynlleth and the Centre for Alternative Technology at Llwyngwern, Powys (CAT for short)

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After climbing Cadair Idris (above) we headed south on the A470 to stay the night at Machynlleth.

Machynlleth Town: Near where we were staying in Machynlleth, Mongomeryshire, was this old black and white timber framed house dated 1628. The town is based on plans laid down in medieval times.

Machynlleth Town: The iconic elaborate 'Gothic' Victorian Clock Tower at the town centre, Machynlleth.

Machynlleth Town: We had a good evening meal in the White Lion pub, like the clock tower, it is on Penrerhedyn Road. There was an interesting conversation on the next table - covered with a few laptop computers and a most animated conversation on the merits of different types of solar cells! - pre-empting our trip to CAT the next day.

Centre for Alternative Technology: After ticket purchase the way into the 'Centre for alternative Technology' is via the water operated lift system.

Centre for Alternative Technology: The pond was being replenished by the falling rain - but no matter - this is a really interesting place to visit.

Centre for Alternative Technology: Wind turbines and photo-voltaic cells galore!

Centre for Alternative Technology: Lots of ideas for 'land management' of your garden.

Centre for Alternative Technology: They practice what they preach on generating electricity from wind generators.

Centre for Alternative Technology: Examples of floor insulation - often ignored in older house - we always do the loft don't we?!

Centre for Alternative Technology: Wood can be used in many ways in the kitchen, both functional and decorative.

Centre for Alternative Technology: The design of a 'living' and 'insulating' roof.

Centre for Alternative Technology: Solar panels on the roof of the cafe - photovoltaic cells.

Centre for Alternative Technology: Panelling for greenhouses and roofs to 'harvest' the sun's energy.

Centre for Alternative Technology: A design for a winter heat well.

Centre for Alternative Technology: Welcome to the mole hole!

Centre for Alternative Technology: So, what is going on underground? How can we keep the 'organic' soil good and healthy for good crop yields.

Centre for Alternative Technology: The central hub of three wind turbine blades.

Centre for Alternative Technology: A 'simple' water turbine system.

Centre for Alternative Technology: Wave and tidal power generation of electricity explained.

Centre for Alternative Technology: Examples of wood pellets for wood burning or multi-fuel stoves.

Centre for Alternative Technology: The bookshop for your next project.

Centre for Alternative Technology: AND, finally, one of the most important venues of CAT on a rainy day, the cafe !!!

Centre for Alternative Technology: A BIG THANKS to all who work for and support CAT and we wish the project increasing success in the future, cos, boy, does this country need it.

	Machynlleth, a small market town with plenty of places to stay and eat in. The Banks's 'The White Lion' ('The Inn by the Clock' is on Hoel Pentrerhedyn) and the 'Wynnstay Arms Hotel' (in Newtown Road) near the Clock Tower both serve good food. The 'neighbouring' conversation in the White Lion was all about batteries and solar cells via an opened laptop computer, no doubt such discussions were linked to the Centre For Alternative Technology which is a few miles north of Machynlleth.
	Just up Newtown Road from the Clock Tower past the cute black and white 'olde' house dated 1628 is the friendly guest house - B and B called Maenllwyd Guest House. Good parking space, garden at the back and reasonably priced - congenial hosts, a comfortable room a good full 'Welsh' breakfast! It was a welcome resting place - overnight stop after climbing Cader Idris (see bottom pictures).
	Machynlleth Town, Powys, Wales also has the Bwyty Cyfanfwyd, very good wholefood cafe run by the Centre For Alternative Technology (pictures below) and it is next to the Banks's pub called the Red Lion.
	Y Gegin Fach is another cafe in near the centre of Machynlleth for cheap daytime food and in the evening the Taj Mahal provides an Indian alternative.

Centre for Alternative Technology, Machynlleth, Powys in Mid-Wales has lots of interesting exhibits, a comprehensive 'alternative technology' bookshop (including nice toys for grown-ups) and a cafe-restaurant! The 'exhibits' include the water-balanced cliff railway, by which you enter the centre. Greenhouses, plants for bees and butterflies, solar cells, photovoltaic cells, water turbine generators, wind turbines, turf roofs, varieties of wall and roof insulation, wood pellet fuels and stoves/burners to match.
There are plenty of places to stay and eat just south of CAT in Machynlleth and of course the splendours of Cader Idris.

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