I CAN think of numerous reasons to pay a visit to Porthmadog, the rail journey from Machynlleth being just one.

It has to be amongst the top 10 most scenic in the UK and, as it takes the best part of two hours, there is time to relax and take it all in.

Then there is the Ffestiniog and the Welsh Highland Railways, two major attractions for any steam enthusiast. Unfortunately on my last visit early in January there were no scheduled trains, but as usual there was still some activity.

Track maintenance and loco movements between the excellent (and seemingly always open) facilities at the Ffestiniog terminus and the locomotive works and sheds at Boston Lodge are always on the cards.

Another attraction is a walk along The Cob.

Built by William Maddocks and completed in 1811 it allows for some close-up views of a variety of waterfowl and waders.

Indeed the birds are now so inured to walkers that it takes quite an event to see them fly off in alarm.

Any disturbance is more likely to be a passing peregrine or sparrowhawk looking for a meal, rather than any humans admiring the views up towards Glaslyn, Cnicht and Snowdon.

On this particular day the tide had barely turned and water was being released via several sluices from the freshwater marsh behind the Cob.

Not a lot of mud or shallow water was available so the wader count was low and bar-tailed godwits (barwits) were conspicuous by their absence.

On another day this has to be one of the best places in Wales to observe this elegant bird. Unusually they have a slightly upturned bill and although in winter their plumage might look somewhat nondescript, in summer the plumage changes to a rich chestnut, almost red.

Cob Records has been going for nigh on 50 years now and supplies vinyl, CDs and DVDs to a worldwide customer base.

It’s amazing to browse their collection of LPs, but my record find was discovered in the Oxfam shop which is tucked away behind the park and not far from the attractive harbour.

I had been on the lookout for this particular track for decades, ever since my vinyl single went astray.

Llyn Bach – what I have heard referred to as the inner harbour – is another feature and viewed via a circular walk easily accessed by a footpath that starts just behind Cob Records.

Little grebe overwinter here and there is always the chance of goldeneye, goosander and red-breasted merganser.

The latter two are sawbills and fish eaters that have been coming in for some flack from certain quarters of the fishing community.

Apart from on overstocked fisheries and fish farms I cannot see that their effects on fish stocks could be anything but minimal.

If we want to point an accusatory finger at re-declining fish stocks, my guess would be that we need to look in the mirror and reflect on some of our own damaging fishing practices.

On the way up from Machynlleth it was great to see fulmars soaring and exploring the cliffs above Fairbourne, a very early but sure sign that Spring really is on the way.

Here, on the return journey, we also had very close views of a peregrine, happily perched and preening as the train slowly passed.

Where else can you get within two metres of a wild peregrine without disturbing it in the slightest?

Then there are the long sweeping beaches, Harlech Castle, the views towards Cader from Barmouth bridge, sunset over the Llyn Peninsula and Ynys Enlli/Bardsey Island.

Yes, a trip to Porthmadog should be on everyone’s agenda.