Afon Soch facts for kids
The Afon Soch is a short but interesting river located on the Llŷn Peninsula in Gwynedd, Wales. It's a great example of how rivers shape the land around them!
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Where Does the Afon Soch Begin?
The Afon Soch starts its journey in the hills north of a village called Sarn Meyllteyrn. From there, it flows right through the village itself.
The River's Path to the Sea
After leaving Sarn Meyllteyrn, the river turns and heads southeast, flowing towards the village of Botwnnog.
Just past Botwnnog, the Afon Soch gets a boost! It's joined by another river, its main helper, called the Afon Horon. The Afon Horon starts its own journey to the east of a hill called Carn Fadryn.
Together, the two rivers flow towards the coast near a place known as Porth Neigwl. This spot is also sometimes called Hell's Mouth because of its strong waves! But the river doesn't just flow straight into the sea here. Instead, it makes a sharp turn north at Llanengan. Then, it curves around to the east, finally reaching Abersoch where it flows into the sea.
The Wales Coast Path and the River
If you're exploring the beautiful Welsh coastline, you might even walk alongside the Afon Soch! A small part of the river's valley is followed by the Wales Coast Path. This path takes a route inland, away from the direct coast at Porth Neigwl.
How Were the River Valleys Formed?
Both the Afon Soch and the Afon Horon are what scientists call "misfit streams." This means the rivers seem a bit too small for the large valleys they flow through.
- Misfit streams: Imagine a tiny stream flowing in a huge ditch. That's a misfit stream!
- Glacial meltwater: These big valleys were actually carved out a long, long time ago by powerful streams of water from melting glaciers (huge sheets of ice). The rivers we see today are just small leftovers of those ancient, mighty flows.
What Does "Soch" Mean?
The name 'Soch' for the river is thought to come from an old Irish word, 'socc'. This word means 'sow', which is a female pig. It's used in the sense of an animal that burrows or digs through the land. This is quite interesting, as there are a few other Irish names found in the Llŷn area too!
