Day 43 - Llanrwst to Rhuthyn - 17.7 miles
Today was another of the walks I've had to shorten to make it tenable.
I arranged a taxi to give me a lift to Cerrigudrudion where I could pick up my original intended route.
I have never visited, seen or even heard of a self service shop before but Cerrigydrudion has one - for all I know it might be the first. There' a rank of vending machines for staples and then there's a chilled display with an honesty box for locally made ready meals and pies. It is unstaffed but the lady next door comes in regularly to top up stocks, keep the place clean and empty the honesty box. Brilliant!. It's what Harlech needs to stop the high street being lost.
I must have been so distracted by the
Fergie bach for sale that I headed off in totally the wrong direction.
Another suprised reception committee !
The signs for Llwybr Hiraethog - the Hiraethog Trail, seem to have been specially selected to merge in with the background like camouflage - even the signposts are trying their best to revert.
I spotted two hares on the road so stood still for a few minutes until their inquisitiveness took over. One nervously came closer, probably drawn by the intoxicating smells emanating from my rucksack - hopefully the Chicken Ceasar salad sandwich I'd bought earlier rather those 500 mile socks !!
The start of the Glocaenog Forest.
There must be a very succesful plastic window salesman around here somewhere. I walked past a house where every window, every door, every window cill even the log box was plastic! Here in the middle of the Glocaenog forest!!!?!
I remember Mum telling us she'd had a recurring nightmare in which there was an immense waterwheel. I've similarly had fear of the shear sides of a ship or any immense structure. It almost induces a vertigo.
Like being chased through the forest by fearsome robots at every turn......
At last, I faced up one of my demons!
Thankfully, the noise eventually subsided as I got further away and the sound of birdsong reclaimed the wood.
It always feels good when your destination first appears on a road sign.
As I came out of the forest I had my first views of the blue Clwydian hills.
Robin and Shirley's place sits just below Moel Famau.
Greeted with a few bottles of Adnams and a lovely hot shower before a walk around the garden to see the bluebells, enjoy the evening sunshine and then tuck in to a delicious supper followed by blissfull sleep.
Having walked for 10 minutes I looked at the map and realised my mistake and then found a path that cut across farmland to get me back on track.
....and an opportunity to admire some walls.I climbed over the wall and met Glyn who was surprised to see anyone arrive from that direction especially when I told him I was heading for John o' Groats.
Way over to the right there was a great view of the Berwyn mountains.
The signs for Llwybr Hiraethog - the Hiraethog Trail, seem to have been specially selected to merge in with the background like camouflage - even the signposts are trying their best to revert.
I spotted two hares on the road so stood still for a few minutes until their inquisitiveness took over. One nervously came closer, probably drawn by the intoxicating smells emanating from my rucksack - hopefully the Chicken Ceasar salad sandwich I'd bought earlier rather those 500 mile socks !!
The start of the Glocaenog Forest.
Perverse!
The sound of the wind turbines haunts the forest...
it's no less here. - their shear size!!
At last, I faced up one of my demons!
Thankyou both - a memorable evening of good chat and great food. All the best for now - see you in Arundel in the Autumn.
Total distance walked so far = 549.9 miles
Total ascent so far 67 639 feet
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email: david.LL.thomas@gmail.com
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If you're tempted to contribute to any or all of the great charities I'm supporting, here are the relevant links.
Parkinsons UK - My dad had Parkinsons in his latter years and the research work this charity funds and the support it provides to patients and their families is invaluable. - https://www.justgiving.com/
Just Wheels UK - this is a small charity set up to provide wheelchairs in a rural community in Tanzania. It does this through funding training, education and the local fabrication and servicing of bespoke wheelchairs. My nephew uses a wheelchair and as he grows I can see the life changing freedoms that proper wheelchairs can bring to both users and their families.-
- RNLI - these are the brave guys who selflessly head out to sea to help others. I volunteer at Littlehampton RNLI shop and often meet families of those who’ve had first hand experience of their loved ones being saved from the sea. Having sailed for years I can say thankfully we’ve never had to call on the RNLI's services but it’s amazing what it does to know they are there
I recently learned that I have a little Welsh ancestry, so this part of the trip is especially fun to follow. (And I didn’t know wind turbines were so loud!)
ReplyDeleteAh ha! The little bit can often be the best bit!!!
DeleteI can imagine poor Glyn must have been surprised ...pwy? John o ble???😂
ReplyDelete