tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-50564118625872916622024-03-13T07:58:16.849-07:00Pam's coastal walk for VelindrePamela Mallpresshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08938256713646288802noreply@blogger.comBlogger37125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5056411862587291662.post-30896924783236966322016-03-15T10:47:00.001-07:002017-06-20T05:52:57.102-07:00Walking for Velindre 2016Having walked for fun last year on <a href="http://themallpresses.blogspot.co.uk/2015/09/offas-dyke-path-day-1-8th-may-2015.html" target="_blank">Offa's Dyke</a>, this year we are planning more fundraising, walking various paths - so see new blog....<a href="http://mallpress2016.blogspot.co.uk/" target="_blank">Walking for Velindre 2016</a>...<br />
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And if you would like to donate...my <a href="https://www.justgiving.com/Pamela-Mallpress2016" target="_blank">Justgiving page...</a><br />
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Thank you!!Pamela Mallpresshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08938256713646288802noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5056411862587291662.post-26876969221137308112015-09-04T09:31:00.000-07:002015-09-20T06:56:18.530-07:00Post script - Castlemartin West - 17th August, 2015In addition to the Final Lap!!, we always knew there was this particular part of the Path that we had missed. This due to the fact that the MOD owns this part of the coast and has done since the war. It was used extensively for training for wartime activities - a lot of them secret, and it is still used today quite extensively. For those of you who know the Pembrokeshire path, you will know that you can only cross certain parts of the southerly path at certain times when no firing is taking place. We had been lucky on the walk that we had been able to pass across to see St Govan's Head and chapel and the Green Bridge but that was partly due to doing the walk in the winter I think!<br />
Castlemartin West is only open to walkers a very few times a year. These walks can only take place with guides who are volunteers from the Pembrokeshire path wardens. We had duly booked on this walk at the beginning of the year so were really excited to now be able to cover this ground! Back to Castlemartin...<br />
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The group of about 24 of us met at Merrion camp by 10. A new experience for us on a guided walk! It was a beautiful morning - warm and sunny. We drove our cars and the mini bus to the car park at Stack Rocks. First of all we took a look again at the Green Bridge -<br />
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- fabulous views and not nearly as windy as last time we'd been here when we nearly got blown away!<br />
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We also heard that a cliff bridge had collapsed after the storms - strange to think it had been attached on our last visit....<br />
Before....there it was in the middle looking at it on approach..<br />
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....and there it was looking from the Green Bridge in October, 2013<br />
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and after.... as it is in August, 2015<br />
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So off we set onto forbidden territory. It was exciting to be walking here although we were warned not to touch anything that looked like ordnance - and we did see quite a lot of old shells and so on and evidence of bouncing shells all day. The guides were super all day - Vicky and Ian. We heard so many interesting facts about history, landscape, wildlife - and as you will see, also saw so much on an idyllic day!<br />
First of all we headed to the Wash. As we walked we saw lots of cocoons in the grass and discovered these were the eggs - and now caterpillars - of the marsh fritillaries...<br />
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The Wash is a special little cove which we recognised we had seen from the last headland of our October, 2013 walk, Mewsford Point near Bullslaugter Bay. Today the grass path down to the Wash was full of golden samphire...<br />
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....and normal marsh samphire and plenty of sea lavender. The view was terrific on rock which must be very slippery in wet weather - today it was stunning!<br />
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And within the rocks which again are limestone here, were so many fossils. I can't remember all the names now - that's something else I have to check out when I have time! But here a couple of pictures of them. There were SO many!<br />
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And apparently another good place to see a lot around here is at Stackpole - when the tide is out!<br />
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Back up to the path again on the top, we soon found more lovely flowers - the eyebright..<br />
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..amongst others. So many of these marine plants grow kind of in miniature because of the weather conditions. There were also lots of scabious which is the main food attraction for the marsh fritillaries. Ragwort is apparently the main food for cinnabar beetles - I told you we found out lots of things!<br />
As we walked along with marvellous views out to sea, we also passed the odd rusty old tank or 2, testimony to past and present!<br />
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The cliffs on the whole stretch of coast here are just amazing....<br />
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and once around that particular headland, we saw a huge blowhole. Clear to see that it won't be too long before there is another cliff collapse going to happen. The noise that the sea must make here in winter must be phenomenal!<br />
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I gather that with younger groups, the guides do take people crawling along the grass to peer into this hole - glad we were deemed too old!<br />
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More my cup of tea was spotting 3 choughs as we walked along - and they were not at all spooked by our approach. It was amazing to see them so close and I got quite a lot of photos of them, both in the grass and in flight! I had my camera with me today so wasn't relying on a camera phone so they were much better quality..<br />
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And our next port of call was the magnificent Pen-y-Holt Bay...<br />
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It was such a beautiful place and we sat here and had lunch overlooking the amazing view. There is a collapsed arch which collapsed I believe in Victorian times...<br />
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and a wonderful stack......wonder who you might think it looks like...<br />
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And once more cliffs which have been crushed and bent into amazing shapes...<br />
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....we even had a crab fisherman to watch...<br />
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And here was the group watching..<br />
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From there we followed the coast closely, passing behind the stack - did he look different from this angle?<br />
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Along the way were more astonishing cliffs to see..<br />
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And what about this angle? Now we had to reveal our guesses - the vast majority had gone for de Gaulle who is usually the favourite it seems. I had gone for Ted Heath and Ken Dodd was a popular guess.<br />
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As we were coming towards an iron age fort (which I was very excited about again!), we passed a couple of rock stacks where Ian asked us to spot a shell....I was looking for ages for a seashell having forgotten that we were actually on a military site so it took me longer than everyone else to see it - can you see it there top right?<br />
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Having walked around Pen-y-Holt Bay and its stack, we had also been walking around a small rocky island out at sea which has been and still is a bit of a nasty danger to shipping. There have been several wrecks on it. To me it looked like a big sandcastle today.<br />
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And so we came to the fort - of course some of it is already in the sea but there is a lot of it left too. The trainees are warned not to fire in this direction! It is quite an impressive fort which had huge earthworks..<br />
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There are ring huts inside which can be spotted more easily form above in winter but the ditch at the western end has fallen into the cove and so it has formed a real transverse section of what the earthworks would have been like so you can get a good indication of how massive it would have been.<br />
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So we came round to Linney Head with its old lookout tower, now redundant. The views across to the Dale peninsula and Skomer Island were wondrous..<br />
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In the sea off the headland here was spotted a grey seal..<br />
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..who saw us very clearly. I was in severe trouble going near the edge...as you can see we were quite high up...<br />
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and the cave nearest us was where the seal headed..<br />
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Following the coast like glue, we soon had views across to Frainslake Sands (MOD property - think they should share it...) which adjoins the fantastic Freshwater West - or Fresh west to locals.<br />
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On the cliffs here was a Tobruk shelter which was a training shelter for wartime as these would have been built in enemy lands - and in fact are still used today..<br />
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We couldn't cross the Sands here as we would have been able to before the storms as the cliffs beyond are now a little unstable so we just had a rest on the beach looking out to the Dale peninsula, Skomer and Skokholm islands. <br />
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We saw a ferry going out of the Haven. And the beach itself was so pretty - the rock formations an absolute picture..<br />
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And so we had to leave the sea behind to cross the Brownslade dunes. </div>
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There were still interesting things to discover. First we passed a now sunken watermill - Frainslake Mill..</div>
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and soon passed a limekiln - of course, with so much limestone around! and the land here had belonged to a Mr Myerhill who had set up a model farm here back in the 1700's. He had a large mansion, now demolished but only by the army in the 1970's and an outstanding garden, now just completely overrun. And a little further along the track is the huge farm which had to be given over to the MOD and is now just ruinous. </div>
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Such a tragedy to lose so much history. Ironically, the farm manager's house has had a roof put on it, albeit made of tin, because there are a pair of barn owls residing in it! Well, I thought it ironic.<br />
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And so we were back at the minibus which was to return us to Stack Rocks car park. What a wondrous day - and a credit to the 2 guides who showed us so much. We reckoned we'd walked about 7 and a half miles on the walk which is "advertised" at 6 - whatever it had been, it was worth every foot of it!<br />
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We hope to be doing more return walks to our favourite parts so will keep you "posted"!<br />
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Hope you enjoyed reading about it - book yourselves on a walk soon!<br />
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In the meantime, we have now walked Offa's Dyke Path too........see blog at:<br />
<a href="http://www.themallpresses.blogspot.co.uk/" target="_blank">Pam and Chris Walking Offa's Dyke</a>Pamela Mallpresshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08938256713646288802noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5056411862587291662.post-22399841829128800372015-03-26T05:53:00.000-07:002015-03-26T07:01:35.542-07:00Final Lap! 13-16 March 2015This really is the final lap of the coastal walk proper now. Chris had missed out the Barmouth to Harlech miles last year due to bad feet and was determined to win his certificate by fair means and with pride! So we organised this weekend before Christmas. All the Wales Coast Path helpers were with us to celebrate!<br />
We set off on <b><u>Friday 13th</u></b> (always been a lucky date for me!) with great excitement and anticipation to be on the WCP once more. We were driving first thing through some sleet and the hills had icing sugar tops which was a bit worrying but the forecast looked not bad....we hoped! So we arrived at Dyffryn Ardudwy and parked up (expensive at £5 we thought) as we had decided to walk back to Barmouth from here so that we could meet up with Julia and Richard who would be walking back towards us from Barmouth. We said hi to the beach and then headed inland - always annoying to do that on the coast path but the daffodils in the hedgerows made it prettier and it had to be done!<br />
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Crossing some fields, this time with many new lambs, we soon headed up to the road and having passed around Tal-y-Bont, we had good views back towards the Llyn and to the beach below us...... a shame the tide was in or we could have beach walked! (My never ending WCP cry!!)</div>
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.....and ahead towards Barmouth and over the estuary to Llwyngwril with memories of that lovely walk almost a year ago now! The sky was quite glowering which added to some of the views...It did seem strange to be going the WRONG way round again!</div>
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And soon we arrived at the Barmouth sign to welcome us once more...</div>
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It wasn't long then before we spotted Julia and Richard heading towards us. They had had a long journey to get to us from Surrey!</div>
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Julia and I remembered our walk here, the couple of times when we got lost particularly! We had liked this little church on our walk last year - what a lovely place...</div>
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It wasn't long before we were dropping down to the promenade across the railway, ready for lunch! And with wonderful views of the sea and the whole of Barmouth Bay..</div>
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We had made good time achieving our 6 miles and headed across the dunes to meet up with the next WCP comrade, Chris's sister, Joanna. </div>
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We drove to the lovely house we had booked for the weekend, Tan Llan just up the estuary in Llanelltyd, passing a snow dusted Cadair Idris en route! What a spectacular mountain!</div>
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During the evening, after we had enjoyed a good meal at the Last Inn in Barmouth (Julia's favourite!), the rest of the party assembled......Helen, Greg and the boys (our partners from the end of Anglesey) then Jane and Arthur and the girls (partners from the Llyn peninsula) and then Catherine and Olwyn (partners from Pendine to Stackpole). </div>
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<b><u>Saturday 14th March</u></b></div>
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After a wonderful night's sleep in the luxurious house, we set off with a cunning plan of where to leave which cars which actually worked perfectly! All foregathered on the beach at Dyffryn once cars were in place....</div>
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It had been decided that the remaining 9-10 miles to Harlech was too far for the smallest so the party split. </div>
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Chris was accompanied by Jane, Julia, Catherine, Greg and Richard for the whole distance. </div>
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Off they set.....</div>
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...........soon disappearing ahead of us....</div>
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..............whilst I walked with Joanna, Helen (suffering with sciatica), Arthur, Ben, Alex, Olwyn, Abigail and Susannah. We had parked a car at Llanbedr so our party needed to walk to shell Island. What a fun day! </div>
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As we set off around midday finally (!) the sky was bright with wonderful light over the sea...and the children loved the dunes...There was hardly anyone else on the beach until we arrived closer to Shell Island.<br />
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The children were all so good and enjoying themselves. But after we had stopped for lunch in the dunes, the cloud seemed to make the temperature drop and although there was no complaining, I was aware that we still had a way to go and the little ones were really cold.....</div>
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As we left the beach at Shell Island - I think we had walked 3 or so miles in fact - I called the forward party thinking they would nearly have finished and be able to assist with cars and was surprised to find they had only just passed Llanbedr. I was in trouble for such comments.........in fact they averaged 2.7 mph that day!</div>
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So in the meantime, here they were heading off the beach...</div>
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It seems the signposting is better than last year here as Julia and I ended up walking across the causeway and now the signs are clear to see. Then they headed over the dyke beside the river after the car park in Llanbedr.....</div>
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..........and then out around the estuary at Pensarn station ( the bridge is repaired now so they didn't get lost on a diversion here as Julia and I did!!)</div>
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They passed the lovely little church at Llandanwg - Richard loved the word....</div>
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..then headed up to the road for a short distance before heading back down to the beautiful Harlech beach....</div>
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...Chris was especially pleased to be here at last!</div>
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And so having crossed the railway and scrambled across the rocks...</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JPMWDDomZlM/VRP6Gm67tXI/AAAAAAAADEs/YKxvl64dpP4/s1600/Descending%2Bonto%2BHarlech%2Bbeach-web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JPMWDDomZlM/VRP6Gm67tXI/AAAAAAAADEs/YKxvl64dpP4/s1600/Descending%2Bonto%2BHarlech%2Bbeach-web.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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............. they were beach walking once more, </div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QpaPX6HXcaw/VRP6Ifrzi4I/AAAAAAAADFM/74ykbTho9CE/s1600/image%2B(23)-web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QpaPX6HXcaw/VRP6Ifrzi4I/AAAAAAAADFM/74ykbTho9CE/s1600/image%2B(23)-web.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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.and almost at the end...</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gmq1rGCb_9g/VRP6ILBzPxI/AAAAAAAADFI/7MoxplJqy-Y/s1600/image%2B(22)-web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gmq1rGCb_9g/VRP6ILBzPxI/AAAAAAAADFI/7MoxplJqy-Y/s1600/image%2B(22)-web.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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......just heading up to the car park near the imposing castle...</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hbAUyHwm1M8/VRP6Gm2ibhI/AAAAAAAADE8/Fr8JmY5tPgc/s1600/Final%2Bsteps%2Bto%2Bthe%2Bcar%2Bpark-web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hbAUyHwm1M8/VRP6Gm2ibhI/AAAAAAAADE8/Fr8JmY5tPgc/s1600/Final%2Bsteps%2Bto%2Bthe%2Bcar%2Bpark-web.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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...and ready to celebrate!</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sJ2vjjs5FUU/VRP6JzoVZiI/AAAAAAAADFQ/1QGeXIn21jY/s1600/image%2B(26)-web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sJ2vjjs5FUU/VRP6JzoVZiI/AAAAAAAADFQ/1QGeXIn21jY/s1600/image%2B(26)-web.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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I'm afraid I don't have photos of my little party finishing at Shell Island. I was just so relieved to find the cafe open there!!!!! It was warm and we had food and drinks whilst poor Arthur had to retrieve the car, easily a mile and a half further. Oh dear my planning had gone a bit to pot! We rendezvoused with an extra car and got home before the Harlech group but only just really in the end. Warm baths and showers and we were ready for the meal that Arthur prepared earlier. </div>
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We were also celebrating my niece, Catherine's birthday!<br />
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And so the Path is completed.....we will be returning to favourite places but that will probably be later in the year after we have walked Offa's Dyke....all booked now so a new blog will be following I feel sure!</div>
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<b><u>POSTSCRIPT : Sunday 15th and Monday 16th March</u></b></div>
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We had a relaxing Sunday with much table tennis played before Richard prepared a superb brunch before the various groups left once more. How quickly it went!! Julia and Richard stayed with us for an extra night and we wanted to walk up Rhinog Fawr the next day. Sadly it was raining as we left the house but as we approached Harlech it brightened so we headed up Cwm y Bychan, the start place for the walk and set off after all.</div>
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It was a super walk, quite steep going up the Roman steps where we had walked last in 1989, don't think Julia could remember! But there we were.....<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CgsQ1ooA5po/VRP_hvZPRmI/AAAAAAAADG8/0bp6Te6w0vE/s1600/roman%2Bsteps_0001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CgsQ1ooA5po/VRP_hvZPRmI/AAAAAAAADG8/0bp6Te6w0vE/s1600/roman%2Bsteps_0001.jpg" height="215" width="320" /></a></div>
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It was very rocky so quite scrambly in parts.</div>
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We were quite aware that we had in the end set off quite late and that Julia and Richard had to head back home today so we decided not to go to the top so made it as far as the beautiful little lake, Llyn Du, Black Lake....with the summit of Rhinog Fawr behind...<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WpzS3SPpNVM/VRP-rg8LBzI/AAAAAAAADGc/31aAcQWU-j4/s1600/Picture%2B121-web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WpzS3SPpNVM/VRP-rg8LBzI/AAAAAAAADGc/31aAcQWU-j4/s1600/Picture%2B121-web.jpg" height="320" width="180" /></a></div>
...and then we headed down. Ahead here was looking over towards Trawsfynydd with its now disused nuclear power station (couldn't see it from here, it was a bit misty!) and the Arenig hills beyond.<br />
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So the weekend finished as we drove our separate ways leaving the car park and its view of the Rhinog Fawr....</div>
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...it will still be there another day!</div>
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And in the end....Chris did get the certificate!!</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1vX-OcrhuCo/VRQCALX2gPI/AAAAAAAADHE/Zwh7AAzGhsE/s1600/certificate.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1vX-OcrhuCo/VRQCALX2gPI/AAAAAAAADHE/Zwh7AAzGhsE/s1600/certificate.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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Pamela Mallpresshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08938256713646288802noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5056411862587291662.post-12249337813996541042014-11-22T04:10:00.000-08:002014-11-22T04:10:06.580-08:00FINAL TOTALWell - all calendars are sold now so that really is the end of this fundraising challenge. I thought if anyone bobs back to look at any of the walk it would be interesting to know how much we raised.....<br />
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<b><u><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: green; font-size: 18pt;">£5,181.67</span></u></b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 18pt;"> </span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 18pt;"><br /></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 18pt;">for Velindre’sVictory over Cancer appeal </span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 18pt;"><a href="http://www.velindrefundraising.com/" target="_blank">http://www.velindrefundraising.com/</a></span></div>
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Many, many thanks for all your kind support and donations to make this possible. It's been an amazing experience - watch out for more adventures...........</div>
Pamela Mallpresshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08938256713646288802noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5056411862587291662.post-16247021555218235322014-10-03T10:30:00.000-07:002014-10-03T10:30:12.239-07:00Calendar reminder and new links!Really hope you will have enjoyed reading the blog......any feedback gratefully received at pamelamallpress@btinternet.com and if you would like recommendations on where to walk, just ask!<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dkuP4UcDXVg/VC7cZqSkDDI/AAAAAAAADBk/aB-Cr4UYNjg/s1600/Calendar%2B-%2Bweb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dkuP4UcDXVg/VC7cZqSkDDI/AAAAAAAADBk/aB-Cr4UYNjg/s1600/Calendar%2B-%2Bweb.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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Thought I would just remind about the 2015 calendar available from me with 12 pictures from our walk, the proceeds going to Victory over Cancer for the Velindre appeal. The cost is just £6 so if you would like one you can pay at my <a href="http://www.justgiving.com/Pamela-Mallpress">JustGiving</a> page then drop me an email with your address and I will post one to you. If you prefer to pay by cheque, drop me an email again with your address and I will reply with my address to send the cheque to.</div>
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And here are some links with details of completing the path if you would like to read them....</div>
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<a href="http://www.walescoastpath.gov.uk/about_the_path/hall_of_fame/pamela_mallpress.aspx">http://www.walescoastpath.gov.uk/about_the_path/hall_of_fame/pamela_mallpress.aspx</a></div>
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<a href="http://www.velindrefundraising.com/index.php?id=10&news=252">http://www.velindrefundraising.com/index.php?id=10&news=252</a></div>
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Thank you all so very much!!</div>
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Pamela Mallpresshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08938256713646288802noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5056411862587291662.post-65167634456785233072014-10-02T03:41:00.002-07:002014-10-02T06:00:46.355-07:00Facts - Figures - Highlights<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-waUZFvity8E/VC0j632lMjI/AAAAAAAADBQ/Lai7yZhZ70k/s1600/path%2Bsign.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-waUZFvity8E/VC0j632lMjI/AAAAAAAADBQ/Lai7yZhZ70k/s1600/path%2Bsign.jpg" height="120" width="200" /></a></div>
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Thought it may be interesting to put together some of the statistics of the adventure....</div>
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<span style="color: #6aa84f; font-size: large;"><b>DISTANCES</b></span></div>
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<b>- Total mileage : 900.5</b></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">(Think path mileage is nearer 890 than 870. Our personal mileage accounts for getting lost and finding way to the car etc.)</span></div>
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<b>- Total days walked : 75</b></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">(In 14 months. We had 3 months with no walking between May '13 and September '14)</span></div>
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<b>- Average miles per day : 12</b></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">(don't envy the non-stoppers doing up to and over 20 miles a day - they must miss a lot! Our longest day was into Port Talbot at 17 miles - phew!)</span></div>
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<b>- Average miles per hour: 2!!</b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">- Total ascent : 95,781 feet</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">(with the maximum single height at 1,155 feet - Yr Eifl I think!)</span></div>
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<b>- Estimated 170 miles on roadsides</b></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">(sometimes NOT very coastal)</span></div>
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<b>- 16 out of 22 Counties walked through</b></div>
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<span style="color: #6aa84f; font-size: large;"><b>WEATHER</b></span></div>
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- Days we got wet (but never a whole day) : 4</div>
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- Days with a shower (other than those 4) : 5</div>
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- Misty days : 5</div>
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- Days when a planned walk was cancelled by bad weather (storms etc!) : 5</div>
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<span style="color: #6aa84f; font-size: large;"><b>PERSONAL TRAUMA</b></span></div>
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- Chris wore out 1 pair of trousers</div>
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- Chris had 1 pair of boots the whole distance apart from the first 2 days, which in the end were held together with Gorilla Glue!</div>
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- Chris had foot problems, achilles and instep, a podiatrist may be needed</div>
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- I wore out 2 pairs of boots</div>
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- 2 rucksacks were worn out - broken zips</div>
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- 2 walking stick rubber tips were worn out (or lost). Carried for anti cow and dog protection - and sometimes they were really helpful downhill!</div>
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<span style="color: #6aa84f; font-size: large;"><b>SOME TIPS</b></span></div>
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- Carry a stick!</div>
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- We used Allport Pro GPS which was useful</div>
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- I also used OS Getamap, printing out the relevant pages for each walk</div>
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- Don't go without a map, sometimes the signs are not reliable - or visible!</div>
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- Tidetimes.org was very useful to assess beach walks - and stepping stones availability!</div>
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<span style="color: #6aa84f; font-size: large;"><b>SOME HIGHLIGHTS</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">(Don't know why I've said that, there are far too many!)</span></div>
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- The storm erosion and damage, boulders strewn everywhere - and plastic bottles (where did they all come from??)</div>
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- The ancient forests revealed by the storms</div>
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- The hillforts and other prehistoric sites, so many and so many more we missed. Wish I'd counted them!</div>
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- The lime kilns - so much lime was produced!</div>
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- And of course most importantly, so many absolutely amazing beaches and coves. We have so many of these as our favourite places. So many, some hidden, so remarkable - sands, stones, dunes, shingle banks. (Maybe a new blog of beaches will have to be written....)</div>
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- Clockwise is better!!!</div>
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Looking back on the walk is kind of like looking back on life - the friends you've met along the way, the places you wanted to stay longer in - and those you wanted to leave as soon as you could (especially those with bulls in for instance!) Most of all the joy of the whole experience - each day with new thngs to see and discover!</div>
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<span style="color: #6aa84f; font-size: large;"><b>Hope you'll be inspired to go and see some of it - if not all. </b></span><br />
<span style="color: #6aa84f; font-size: large;"><b>Go on, you know you want to!!</b></span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fTZ2bcgU6cE/VC0j6u7k2XI/AAAAAAAADBc/exSkZ4Oyxhw/s1600/Wales.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fTZ2bcgU6cE/VC0j6u7k2XI/AAAAAAAADBc/exSkZ4Oyxhw/s1600/Wales.jpg" /></a></div>
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pamelamallpress@btinternet.com</div>
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<a href="http://www.justgiving.com/Pamela-Mallpress">www.justgiving.com/Pamela-Mallpress</a></div>
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<br />Pamela Mallpresshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08938256713646288802noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5056411862587291662.post-40871553821397504362014-10-01T03:21:00.003-07:002014-10-01T04:23:10.197-07:00The Final Lap - 25th-27th September, 2014What a finish....can it be true! Still reeling really with the fact that we did it!! And still quite tired.....just as well we're at the end maybe.<br />
First of all a big thank you for all the support from my wonderful family and especially to Paul and Jane in New Radnor who came to join us too. Paul promised on new Year's Eve last year he would walk the last 5 miles with me - and he did!! (Don't think he'll be speaking to me this New Year - just in case I have another plan......).<br />
Lots of other big thank you's for so many kind donations - really so much appreciated as that was what the whole idea was about. Arthur's godfather's family even held a coffee morning raising so much - thank you, Kim.<br />
I have produced a calendar with pictures of our walk which I am selling at £6 - the whole profit going to the appeal - I really hope to reach that £4,000 target and it's getting nearer after so much kindness. If you would like a calendar, you can email me at pamelamallpress@btinternet.com with your address and put the £6 on www.justgiving.com/Pamela-Mallpress and I will post one to you. This is the front.....<br />
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It's A4 size - it was hard choosing just 12 pictures!</div>
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When we got back from the walk, we received in the post our Anglesey certificates - and they are lovely! The wording is really meaningful - and enticing you to go and do it again. Well - it was one of my favourite parts....</div>
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Have written to the WCP to ask if there is a certificate for the whole thing but I did make myself one anyway! So - on with the story's conclusion....</div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><b>Thursday 25<sup>th</sup>
September</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><b>Prestatyn to Holywell (Greenfield)</b></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB">Off we go
again….didn’t seem much of a break but here we are….final lap! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB">Left home
by 7 and it was a pretty sunrise with mist hanging in the valleys. </span></div>
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This time we
went via Welshpool….seemed different leaving the old route behind but it's still a pretty route...<br />
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. Not too bad a journey….3 hours back to
Prestatyn, it didn’t seem long since we finished here. A bit cloudier and
breezier today and quieter too ..and we could see the wind farm, with some
turbines going round too. <br />
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So off we set down the prom. <br />
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The beaches here are
lovely, sandy and big. Looking back there was the Great Orme reaching out into Liverpool Bay.....<br />
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The last <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placetype w:st="on">beach</st1:placetype>
of <st1:placename w:st="on">Prestatyn</st1:placename></st1:place> is Barkby
and we walked along the beach just past there up to the Gronant dunes, now
getting closer and closer to the Point of Ayr and its lighthouse…..we would be
leaving the sea behind for the last time. The sky over the Wirral was looming black but the rain held off all day....the mist rising from the waves contrasted with the black clouds...<br />
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We left the beach for a while where
it grew stoney. Chris has quite an injured foot now so the stony ground wasn’t
what we needed so we took to the path through the huge dunes for a while. <br />
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Some
sea holly was still trying to flower but most had gone to seed now. Restharrow
was still showing a pretty mauve face here and there. <br />
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We couldn’t resist a
boardwalk out to a viewing point at the beach – <br />
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looking ahead to the Wirral
over the <st1:place w:st="on">Dee</st1:place> <br />
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and back to the Great Orme!
Always with the wind farm on the horizon here. <br />
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Back through the dunes we
approached Presthaven sands via a caravan park although we didn’t go through,
or even see, the park. Then along the sands again where so many gulls and waders were gathered...<br />
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Here the coastal path signs have the path symbol in a big wooden sign. <br />
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And we came across quite a few signs with high tide alternative paths on these couple of days - only caught us once later in the day when we had to retrace steps!!<br />
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I loved this beach walk maybe more than others because I knew it was the last one. I enjoyed listening to the waves and watching them burst onto the sand even though they are quite muddy looking waves here being near the estuary and today the wind was driving them in a bit fast...<br />
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The
little tern is a special visitor along this coast, the only part of North Wales
where it travels the 3,000 miles from <st1:place w:st="on">West Africa</st1:place>
to nest. Apparently they love the sand eels here! There were lots of gulls and
oyster catchers! My favourite! <br />
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And the natter jack toads are protected all
around the coast here, right across to the <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on">Hilbre</st1:placename> <st1:placetype w:st="on">Islands</st1:placetype></st1:place>
off the Wirral. We didn’t see the toads today. We walked right at tide’s edge,
lovely! Views here across to the West Hoyle wind turbines and lots of razor
shells dumped by the waves crackling underfoot. <br />
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Then we passed the old Point of
Ayr lighthouse on Talacre beach. A bit of a sad sight as it has been out of use
since the late 1800’s. <br />
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I think a lightship took its place – today only the
waves were keeping it company. Just here a whole school – it seemed a lot – of
children passed going beachcombing. And so we got to Point of Ayr – we couldn’t
actually walk to the very ends as the RSPB had a STOP sign out though we didn’t
think birds would still be nesting now. There were a lot of birds here though.
We even saw some sanderlings and ringed plover flying off over the waves….<br />
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We
stopped for lunch overlooking the spit at the Point <br />
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and behind us the gas
refinery which refines gas brought in from <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on">Liverpool</st1:placename> <st1:placetype w:st="on">Bay</st1:placetype></st1:place>.
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Down river we could look ahead to the gas fired power station at Connah’s Quay
and the big chimney of the paper mill nearby. We continued passing the refinery
and around a huge old industrial site that was the last deep coal mine in north
Wales which closed only in the late 1990’s. Now it is just a huge old reminder of times gone by, all gone to seed, with its own railway sidings. It’s now taken over by elderberries,
blackberries – and lots of trees, all now showing more and more of their autumn
colours. <br />
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We headed a little inland then where more of the path is being
landscaped and then crossing fields and roads, we headed into the <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placetype w:st="on">village</st1:placetype> of <st1:placename w:st="on">Ffynnongroyw</st1:placename></st1:place> (must have been another
old spring or well here, Ffynnon-well in Welsh). We walked along its High Street and
approached the main road again where we noticed the first coastal path
signs/buttons, in the footpath itself! <br />
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Another new sign today. We had the
choice here to take a high road over the hills or keep to the low road – which
we preferred today. We couldn’t beachwalk the estuary here as it was coming
into Mostyn Docks and, tightly alongside estuary, is the railway. <br />
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So we road walked
here into Mostyn. Mostyn docks is still a busy place. It supplies lots of
material for the wind farms and an important part of its activity is sending
Airbus wings from here to <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Toulouse</st1:place></st1:city>!
The wings are made just upriver at Broughton and sent to Mostyn on special
rafts before being sent on their way. There have been docks here since Norman
times – at least I should think, probably longer. <br />
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It was from here that Henry Tudor escaped from
Richard III and went into exile, before returning to beat Richard when he
sailed back to <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on">Mill</st1:placename>
<st1:placetype w:st="on">Bay</st1:placetype></st1:place> in Milford Haven,
remember? It was Henry Tudor as King Henry who made the first Lord of Mostyn,
giving this land up as far as Llandudno to him. We were able to turn away from
the road again here and headed along the estuary. We saw another curlew and
lots of oystercatchers and other wading birds too far away to see. <br />
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Soon we came
to the old ship the Duke of Lancaster which has been left here since the 1970’s.
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It was intended to be made into a hotel, then an adventure park but nothing
happened, though it was once a market apparently. <br />
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Don’t know if it was because
of no planning or lack of money that it has just been left – quite a sad sight.
<br />
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So we headed down the side of the <st1:place w:st="on">Dee</st1:place>. Huge
rocks along the water blocked our view – more signs of anti flood defences. At the tip of the Wirral we could see the Hilbre Islands which are easily accessible at low tide over the sand flats there. (Wirral apparently is from old English meaning myrtle corner as there were myrtle bogs there).<br />
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The
feeling of the sea was in the empty mussel shells along the path, perhaps left
by those greedy oystercatchers! We had to cross a lot of stiles as we headed
down to <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Greenfield</st1:place></st1:city>
where Joanna, Chris’s sister met us! And it was still 20 degrees. <br />
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The cloudy
morning had given way to the sun at last as we took our leave and headed to
Ledsham and its last holiday house!<o:p></o:p><br />
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<span lang="EN-GB">Lots of
hemp agrimony today along the roadsides, all gone to seed. Knapweed, thistles,
willowherb….<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB">14 miles - seemed long!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</div>
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<span lang="EN-GB">Start
10.15 Finish 4.30<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB"><b>Friday 26<sup>th</sup>
September</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><b>Holywell (Greenfield) to Queensferry (Garden City)</b></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB">So up and
off by 9 today to leave a car at the end point over Jubilee Bridge, Garden City
and then Joanna took us back to Greenfield to meet Amy Jones a student at Swansea University working towards her Human Geography PhD about Walking Wales and the Coast Path, its Global positioning and a sense of place. Amy has walked quite a lot of the path in various areas and in differing directions so it was an interesting day.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on"><span lang="EN-GB">Greenfield</span></st1:place></st1:city><span lang="EN-GB"> is actually at the bottom of the
hill from Holywell. We went back to visit Holywell after the walk ended, on the Monday following (we stayed longer for a rest!). As we have seen so many holy
wells, we didn’t want to miss one so close to the path. It is indeed a very
interesting place. It was St Winefride who is renowned here and this has been a place of pilgrimage since the 7th century. </span><br />
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<span lang="EN-GB"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-F5q0ArKccoQ/VCvWJSyNnMI/AAAAAAAAC64/2JxPCai7QMI/s1600/The%2BFinal%2BLap%2B083-web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-F5q0ArKccoQ/VCvWJSyNnMI/AAAAAAAAC64/2JxPCai7QMI/s1600/The%2BFinal%2BLap%2B083-web.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></span></div>
<span lang="EN-GB">She was
anointed by St Beuno, he from Clynnog Fawr close to the Lleyn. There are many legends
about Winefride, one of which says her head was chopped off and Beuno brought
her back to life. As a result of all the surrounding legends, there is here the stone of
Beuno which is part of the well story and its associated healings. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3LY66o_uITg/VCvWJMNuK-I/AAAAAAAAC6s/tpfY4Mojdp8/s1600/The%2BFinal%2BLap%2B079-web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3LY66o_uITg/VCvWJMNuK-I/AAAAAAAAC6s/tpfY4Mojdp8/s1600/The%2BFinal%2BLap%2B079-web.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
The chapel survived
even through the Dissolution as a place of pilgrimage and through the following years when all things Catholic
were destroyed. It was once so popular it was dubbed the Lourdes of Wales in
the 19<sup>th</sup> century but lost its appeal after the wars when it also
lost its water due to water being removed from the hills where the spring came
from. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BLUNdY_cRm4/VCvWJ67lN8I/AAAAAAAAC68/IW1-BSU_81E/s1600/The%2BFinal%2BLap%2B085-web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BLUNdY_cRm4/VCvWJ67lN8I/AAAAAAAAC68/IW1-BSU_81E/s1600/The%2BFinal%2BLap%2B085-web.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
Part of its riches were due to the water mills which grew because of the
flow of water going down the hill and there were also a number of hostelries
which belonged to the church here for travellers to stay at.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on"><span lang="EN-GB">Greenfield</span></st1:place></st1:city><span lang="EN-GB"> down on the estuary then was once
an important dock. It was used to export the copper coming from <st1:place w:st="on">Anglesey</st1:place> </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-GB"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EHKForWcaVo/VCvWADrgL1I/AAAAAAAAC6A/0RIqMrvaybU/s1600/The%2BFinal%2BLap%2B010-web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EHKForWcaVo/VCvWADrgL1I/AAAAAAAAC6A/0RIqMrvaybU/s1600/The%2BFinal%2BLap%2B010-web.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></span></div>
<span lang="EN-GB">............and it is also where the ancient Wats Dyke ends. Wats Dyke ran from here down to Oswestry whose iron age hill fort we also visited on the way home....</span><br />
<span lang="EN-GB">The
weather showed promise but was a bit breezy and cloudy as we went along the
estuary with the tide coming in – the current looked quite strong. We approached the Bagillt marsh, hugging the estuary side with views down to the power station at Connah’s Quay and the paper mill alongside. </span><br />
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<span lang="EN-GB"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-U8tZ4GIPaG8/VCvWAShlieI/AAAAAAAAC6E/2Unv7RiwYT8/s1600/The%2BFinal%2BLap%2B014a-web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-U8tZ4GIPaG8/VCvWAShlieI/AAAAAAAAC6E/2Unv7RiwYT8/s1600/The%2BFinal%2BLap%2B014a-web.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></span></div>
<span lang="EN-GB">There is still a
lot of history to see here. First we came to the Milwr tunnel. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-E0_w7Gs8e5E/VCvWAyZ93rI/AAAAAAAAC6k/xjvCAiS8BlA/s1600/The%2BFinal%2BLap%2B017-web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-E0_w7Gs8e5E/VCvWAyZ93rI/AAAAAAAAC6k/xjvCAiS8BlA/s1600/The%2BFinal%2BLap%2B017-web.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
The water
gushing out is that from the Halkyn hills which were rich in lead and at their peak
in 1850 were producing 12 per cent of Britain’s lead. The tunnel was built to
drain water from these mines. (And as you read above from the Holywell spring....). <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TeW1wloJ1dY/VCvWBL9HflI/AAAAAAAAC6Q/XxaPjx8P4_U/s1600/The%2BFinal%2BLap%2B020-web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TeW1wloJ1dY/VCvWBL9HflI/AAAAAAAAC6Q/XxaPjx8P4_U/s1600/The%2BFinal%2BLap%2B020-web.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
The tunnel is part of a network of mines and cave
systems that extend up to 60 miles under the hills. Soon we came to Bettisfield
colliery buildings now all ruinous, a reminder of their former importance.
Nearby is a wooden statue of Bettisfield Bob, carved by a local craftsman. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qvcl62Ygyss/VCvZumuIALI/AAAAAAAAC7Q/MRDIGOoYqcY/s1600/The%2BFinal%2BLap%2B022-web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qvcl62Ygyss/VCvZumuIALI/AAAAAAAAC7Q/MRDIGOoYqcY/s1600/The%2BFinal%2BLap%2B022-web.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
Out
to a viewpoint we found the dragon beacon on Bettisfield Hill, positioned so it
faces the rising sun on the longest day. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--HD6uKd5Z9I/VCvZuxboF0I/AAAAAAAAC7c/ixLLqG2hnbE/s1600/The%2BFinal%2BLap%2B024-web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--HD6uKd5Z9I/VCvZuxboF0I/AAAAAAAAC7c/ixLLqG2hnbE/s1600/The%2BFinal%2BLap%2B024-web.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
And from her we could look down the estuary to its end...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MpwNr04HHLY/VCvZu5vnrtI/AAAAAAAAC7U/03ofqBPe_FI/s1600/The%2BFinal%2BLap%2B025a-web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MpwNr04HHLY/VCvZu5vnrtI/AAAAAAAAC7U/03ofqBPe_FI/s1600/The%2BFinal%2BLap%2B025a-web.jpg" height="209" width="320" /></a></div>
And look back from where we came with the Hilbre Islands just peeping on the horizon...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Fairly soon after we came to Station
Gutter or Holy gutter at the main dock serving Bagillt. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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The dock served many
collieries and was connected to the busy railway system. At low tide we could
see the wooden pilings from the old wharves. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-naz9ysGIYWY/VCvbHiaFsRI/AAAAAAAAC8U/rKGvdkAS3Jw/s1600/The%2BFinal%2BLap%2B033a-web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-naz9ysGIYWY/VCvbHiaFsRI/AAAAAAAAC8U/rKGvdkAS3Jw/s1600/The%2BFinal%2BLap%2B033a-web.jpg" height="243" width="320" /></a></div>
Today only cockle boats are seen.
About 50 fishermen have licenses to cockle at low tide along the Dee.The Dee
was once much less silted than now and all these old docks we passed were
testament to the importance this river once had. The Mersey, as a growing river
and docking area in the late 19<sup>th</sup> century, was dredged and the silt was
dumped into <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on">Liverpool</st1:placename>
<st1:placetype w:st="on">Bay</st1:placetype></st1:place>. This silt found its
way into the <st1:place w:st="on">Dee</st1:place> and really that was the end of the Dee's importance as an industrial competitor to Liverpool. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB">We went
then along Panton Cop sea wall – </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-GB"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-R50QvkCy_Qc/VCvaOmwUyxI/AAAAAAAAC74/ag4YbM5bA3Y/s1600/The%2BFinal%2BLap%2B034-web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-R50QvkCy_Qc/VCvaOmwUyxI/AAAAAAAAC74/ag4YbM5bA3Y/s1600/The%2BFinal%2BLap%2B034-web.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></span></div>
<span lang="EN-GB">again we had expected to be diverted inland
here, luckily we weren’t! The clouds emptied themselves here a little so we had
to man waterproofs for a short while. Down the sea wall we went and soon came
to Flint Point with its beacon and some small cliffs showing the river erosion
– and a fisherman! <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xwqwT-dJdqc/VCvaO66gl_I/AAAAAAAAC78/5vTxIx_x-VA/s1600/The%2BFinal%2BLap%2B035-web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xwqwT-dJdqc/VCvaO66gl_I/AAAAAAAAC78/5vTxIx_x-VA/s1600/The%2BFinal%2BLap%2B035-web.jpg" height="217" width="320" /></a></div>
It was a pleasant walk through birch trees to <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Flint</st1:place></st1:city> and its castle, passing another beacon....<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--uS02Yvze-A/VCvbH-polDI/AAAAAAAAC8k/DbY8vixwNUM/s1600/The%2BFinal%2BLap%2B036-web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--uS02Yvze-A/VCvbH-polDI/AAAAAAAAC8k/DbY8vixwNUM/s1600/The%2BFinal%2BLap%2B036-web.jpg" height="260" width="320" /></a></div>
and then Flint dock, 200 years ago this was one of the busiest docks in Britain, hard to believe with its ducks and peacefulness today .
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Quite a squat castle is Flint sitting at the edge of the marsh, power station and industry beyond in stark contrast. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Slightly lost the path
here but soon refound...............<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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and headed down the short prom in front of the castle
where we had lunch overlooking the water now in the sunshine! <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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We soon had to
head over fields and boardwalks over the marsh..<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6IwXByTbJgA/VCvcbtwuMLI/AAAAAAAAC9E/s_1XnddigGg/s1600/The%2BFinal%2BLap%2B056-web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6IwXByTbJgA/VCvcbtwuMLI/AAAAAAAAC9E/s_1XnddigGg/s1600/The%2BFinal%2BLap%2B056-web.jpg" height="190" width="320" /></a></div>
and then cross the railway and road walk for a short while heading
under the busy A548 but then soon headed back down to the estuary again. We
passed the Hawarden rail bridge and the Tata steel works across the river at Shotton.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1O8AJdq2vwA/VCvdE_aImqI/AAAAAAAAC9Y/Zt-YFivuQX4/s1600/The%2BFinal%2BLap%2B063-web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1O8AJdq2vwA/VCvdE_aImqI/AAAAAAAAC9Y/Zt-YFivuQX4/s1600/The%2BFinal%2BLap%2B063-web.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
And then passed around the old harbour at Connahs Quay. The information board here told us that the river had been fished for salmon as late as the 1970's - not so polluted then. The information board showed us the old fishing boats and the old coal driven power station behind...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-deNh4Jcy7DY/VCvdFrv9B7I/AAAAAAAAC9g/MOL2vbQWI-g/s1600/The%2BFinal%2BLap%2B068-web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-deNh4Jcy7DY/VCvdFrv9B7I/AAAAAAAAC9g/MOL2vbQWI-g/s1600/The%2BFinal%2BLap%2B068-web.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
...so it was an interesting comparison with how it looks today....<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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We crossed more fields and a red bricked building across the water,
all boarded up now is testament to the HQ of the original owners of the steel works here at Shotton, The Summers family. this was the John Summers HQ. And so we crossed fields heading to the blue Jubilee <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placetype w:st="on">Bridge (named for Queen Victoria's jubilee in 1897)</st1:placetype></st1:place>,
our destination. We had one last field to cross with cows….<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-V3GtWX25LXA/VCvdFxbb6AI/AAAAAAAAC9k/akpDNAD9nfA/s1600/The%2BFinal%2BLap%2B072-web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-V3GtWX25LXA/VCvdFxbb6AI/AAAAAAAAC9k/akpDNAD9nfA/s1600/The%2BFinal%2BLap%2B072-web.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
Amy and I were not
too amused but all was well! We had our first sign with <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">CHESTER</st1:place></st1:city> on, <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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quite a shock to me to realise we
were really nearly at the end! We crossed the bridge to meet with Amy’s parents.
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What a lovely day in the end! We had expected this walk to be tramping along the road but as usual the Path had more to offer! And I’m sure Amy will do the whole path too when
her PhD is finished. She has helped us today with our Welsh pronunciation – it
was fun. Thank you, Amy!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB">12.5 miles<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span lang="EN-GB"><b>Saturday 27<sup>th</sup>
September</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><b>Queensferry (Garden City) to THE END!</b></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB">Wow – all the
family arrived last night and we all arranged meeting place for this morning.
Back to Queensferry Hotel to get together..........</span></div>
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and to meet Paul and Jane, our
friends from home, New Radnor coming to walk the last 6 miles with us. What lovely people after they only got back from holiday last night - and then had an horrendous journey when all roads leading to Chester appeared to be closed.<o:p></o:p><br />
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<span lang="EN-GB">There we
were all lined up and ready to go, even Susannah at 3 years young. I was very proud of them
all. </span></div>
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We knew it would be a bit of a boring walk today – just straight along the
canalised river. Canalised to save <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Chester</st1:city></st1:place>
from flooding. And very straight it was – but not boring! We laughed and sang
and saw more lovely things – not including cyclists I’m afraid, they kept
getting in our way! Strange though that we were walking today with water to our right - that didn't seem normal! Had a chat with a man going the other way as we set off. He has just started doing the whole distance. I felt quite envious.<br />
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<span lang="EN-GB">The bridge behind was pretty reflected in the river...</span></div>
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Herons were flying high and low,<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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oyster catchers were
flocking, cormorants were diving. I really have never seen so many herons all on one day....<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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The old wharves were silhouetted in the water...........<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Looking back at the landmarks we had followed for 3 days, now behind us...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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and then as we approached
Saltney footbridge, a wondrous thing happened. I turned to take pictures of the
Jubilee bridge and the power station and Flintshire road bridge (built in 1998 to take the A548 over the river, and very pretty it is) reflected in the
water and the water was making a different sight and sound….<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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the tide was coming in and
meeting the outgoing river and there was the Dee Bore!!! <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I had read that the
Dee and the Mersey have bores similar to the famous <st1:place w:st="on">Severn</st1:place>
bore but never believed I would see it today! There it was!!! I was so excited.
Across the river here is the Airbus factory....<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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...and the landing place where the wings are shipped down to Mostyn...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Behind us the tide was already high with its lovely reflections still...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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...and I was just so fascinated watching the bore head upriver....<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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..almost wanted to run to keep up with it, almost!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Soon afterwards we stopped for lunch –
the children were hungry! Typically just as we were eating lunch, it rained a
bit. This has happened a lot to Chris and me, just as we stop, we have a
shower. Still it wasn’t much at all and as we set off again it had stopped. We
went around the footbridge at Saltney Ferry now with lovely reflections and blue sky....<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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...we watched a water skier on the now full tide and cheered him..<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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and then before we knew it the end was in sight as
we turned a slight bend. The children ran ahead and had a green tape to put
across the path for the finishing line!! <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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It was strange to think this was
it..the end. think all I could do was smile...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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What an amazing thing...all the family there, such support...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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...and Paul had done a tremendous job as the main pacesetter all day...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I had been at the back mostly, in a way I think I didn't want to finish.<br />
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<span lang="EN-GB">The signs here are a bit disappointing really. There are 2 stones, one at each side of the path with carvings on, now a bit indiscernible. On the
footpath is a stone with 2012 and Croeso on but the stone is now cracked. </span></div>
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And
the Welcome to <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Wales</st1:place></st1:country-region>
sign has been scratched away and looks sad. There is a stone with the coast
path symbol as you cross into <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Wales</st1:place></st1:country-region>.
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But there was nowhere to sit down and reflect either before or after the path
is walked. We had to then walk about another mile, going back to a track leading
to the football stadium where the cars were.<o:p></o:p><br />
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<span lang="EN-GB">What a lovely
day – celebrations were held with a meal all together that evening </span></div>
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and now Chris and I need
time to reflect….<o:p></o:p><br />
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</span><br />
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<span lang="EN-GB">4.85 miles
– excluding return to cars. W</span>ell done everyone!</div>
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<span lang="EN-GB">I will be adding a conclusion to this blog with my facts and figures so don't stop checking back just yet.....<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB">THANK YOU ALL!!!</span></div>
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Pamela Mallpresshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08938256713646288802noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5056411862587291662.post-30830641796952153982014-09-21T08:34:00.003-07:002014-09-23T09:00:01.995-07:00Walks 47-53 Traeth Dulas to Prestatyn 12th-18th September, 2014Hello again and thank you for the donations received recently. We appreciate it very much. We had recent support from the MaDwalking friends we met on the Lleyn who finished round Wales in June and are now walking in Canada, their home, and from family and friends once more - you are all very kind. It does make it worthwhile for us when we see the support we receive for such a worthwhile charity. Click here if you would like to donate or see how we're doing...<a href="http://www.justgiving.com/Pamela-Mallpress">JustGiving</a><br />
<br />
Well what a quick summer....but a beautiful one! We did keep in trim walking when we could - the Radnor Forest is a lovely place to walk and we did more discovering of new local walks too. Have enjoyed family times too and we were very happy that Helen, our eldest daughter and Greg, our son-in-law and our 2 lovely boys would be joining us to finish Anglesey and get on to the north Wales coast.<br />
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<b>Friday 12th September </b><br />
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So we were excited to be off again this morning. Left bright and early we thought, just past 7, but the roads were quite busy. We went the pretty route still via Dolgellau and Porthmadog and it was a typical autumn morning, the mistiness making the hills silhouettes against the sky with the sun trying to peep through. Made it to Red Wharf Bay, our pre-arranged meeting place with the taxi lady, Annie's Cabs, just in time! Annie was a lovely lady and she took us back to Traeth Dulas, our last finish point. Annie said she never likes it here as it's a bit smelly and always wet. It was a bit smelly this morning and really damp to say we've had no rain for so long but the seaweed on the bridges we were soon to cross told us that the tide had been high here recently.</div>
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Rounding the estuary and crossing the fields at the other side, we couldn't resist the blackberries - a feature of the whole week...what a good harvest! and aren't they a bit early this year? </div>
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As we crossed fields heading back to the coast there were lots of pheasants in evidence and it looked like they may breed them here too. We first came to Traeth Ora......what a stunning place, so pretty and now bathed in sun!</div>
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We chatted to a couple from Sheffield here who know Anglesey quite well. Thank you so much Mr and Mrs Matthews for your donation after we met! Much appreciated and it was good to meet you - take care. It was lovely to be walking by the sea again and the views each way and of the rocks below were just lovely.</div>
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Very soon we approached Lligwy Bay - by now the twinkling sea was looking great...</div>
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what another lovely beach...<br />
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....and we know that in the fields behind is all that history - the iron age village, huge dolmen and ancient church...on such a marvellous coast line who could blame them all for having built here!</div>
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By now we were leaving Dulas Island behind and out at sea we could see 3 big boats at anchor, for Liverpool we guessed and every now and then their fog horns sounded - it was hazy out to sea.This area had its own coast path signs - though a little hard to read now....</div>
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The rock formations are still so amazing but dangerous too....it was on these rocks that the Royal Charter sank..........</div>
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We soon came round the headland to Moelfre, first passing a memorial stone on the headland above us, commemorating those who lost their lives on the Royal Charter, a big boat which hit rocks in a storm just off Moelfre and broke up.</div>
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Just
before getting into the village we passed a modern statue which supposedly is
to celebrate the surroundings here….the slate, rock and metal…..didn’t quite
get it and it didn’t seem to fit with the heritage of this lovely corner of <st1:place w:st="on">Anglesey</st1:place>. </div>
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Moelfre is a lovely little village where the lifeboat station figures highly. There is a statue at the Seawatch centre here of Richard (Dic) Evans, the lifeboat master who helped to save all lives when the Hindlea broke in half on the rocks after being at anchor in a huge storm in 1959.<br />
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There is also a lovely bronze statue commemorating again the loss of the Royal Charter in 1859. It was on its return journey from Melbourne when the disaster struck killing 450 people.<br />
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And apparently there was one brave boy who tried so hard to save lives going up and down the cliff to help.</div>
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The good news is that weather forecasting was begun after this terrible misfortune!</div>
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Moelfre has seen a lot of ships in trouble I think, which may be why they are building a huge new station, meantime the lifeboat is moored just our at sea.</div>
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As we left the village we passed the anchor from the Hindlea.....<br />
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which was across the road from a memorial to the men of the village lost in the war and the subsequent bringing of electricity to the village.<br />
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Leaving Moelfre behind, we rounded the cliffs and here they are limestone, much like Glamorgan in structure and appearance but not so high. We passed a lime kiln at Traeth Bychan by the boat club and then further on there was a huge one, the biggest, tallest one we have seen! We had to walk behind the beach at Traeth Bychan as the tide was too far in and then we climbed up the cliff at Dinas - an old settlement we were sure, and the only bit of limestone cliff left here. Once around there we sat and enjoyed a drink looking back to Dinas - see it below? - and beyond.<br />
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We went straight along the cliff edge then to Benllech which was mostly caravan sites but the beach is beautiful.....<br />
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although we could have beach walked here with the tide going out, we stuck to the path through the trees (it was cooler in the now hot sun!) and rounded a huge caravan park, St David's. We soon dropped over the next headland into Red Wharf Bay looking really wide with the tide well out.<br />
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We turned then to the car park next to the Old Boathouse restaurant ready for our onward journey! We were tired after 10 and a half miles, finishing at 4.30. Then a drive to the Conwy valley near Rowen to find the house before the family arrive!<br />
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We saw fishermen at Traeth Dulas this morning.....lots of yellow fritillary butterflies around the headland between Bychan and Benllech, it was like a butterfly house! Campions still flowering but a bit woebegone, herb robert, buttercups struggling to keep going in this long summer...bracken turning brown and crispy....so many blackberries! The gulls are quieter at this time of year; the cormorants were swooping low over the sea and near Moelfre we saw a heron looking out to sea - lovely to be back!<br />
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<b>Saturday 13<sup>th</sup> September<span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> </span></span></b></div>
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The family arrived just after 10 last night....all ready for the walking ahead, I think!! We were up and off by 8.30 leaving a car at Red Wharf
and then another at car park at Llandonna where the boys would stop and rejoin again later so that they wouldn't get too tired. Back
to <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on">Red</st1:placename> <st1:placetype w:st="on">Wharf</st1:placetype> <st1:placetype w:st="on">Bay</st1:placetype></st1:place>
to set off passing the Ship Inn which looks really nice and apparently does good food....</div>
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.........after poor Alex had a nose bleed. A kind lady gave us a
donation after taking pic of us all! <br />
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The 3 big boats which we heard sounding
their fog horns yesterday were still there in the bay. Lovely walk around the estuary ............<st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on">Maurice Wilks, the man who designed the Land Rover, first drew it in the sand at Red</st1:placename> <st1:placetype w:st="on">Wharf</st1:placetype> <st1:placetype w:st="on">Bay. He </st1:placetype></st1:place>lived at Dwyran on the west of the island, and is buried in Newborough....a memorial in was set up to him in Dwyran only in 2011 at the school there.<br />
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We crossed over the river Nodwydd. ...<br />
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<st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on">Alex counted jellyfish that had been left at the tide's edge and got to 45 by the end of the day! </st1:placename></st1:place><br />
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We saw crabs and razor clams too.....and then had a lovely, if scary, walk
over a high sea wall, eating blackberries the while.... </div>
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This boardwalk was much higher than it looks but it made crossing the wetland much easier. Along it it had "passing places" and each had been "dressed" up with flowers and feathers, quite artistic!</div>
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Very soon we arrived at Llandonna beach which looked really pretty in the sun...</div>
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After our picnic (where the lovely lady at the cafe donated our coffee money to our collection tin), Greg and the boys stayed to play on the beach and to meet us in a couple of hours at Penmon Point. Helen and the old folk continued....up to Bryn Offa, there it is on the hill above the beach....</div>
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We peered down the long beach to see the boys and to look back to Red Wharf Bay and beyond as we set off...</div>
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...and then enjoyed the climb!</div>
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After getting up the hill we then went around to Bwrdd Arthur, another hill fort which we observed from below this time, deciding we had far enough to walk today! There had been a diversion near here but had been told it wasn't necessary to avoid it now and indeed the landslide wasn’t bad at all, have seen much worse places on the path. It was a very uncoastal bit of walk but we enjoyed it still...crossing lots of fields but often with lovely views back across the huge Red Wharf Bay and forwards to Snowdonia </div>
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and soon we could see our destination, Penmon Point and Puffin Island, Ynys Seiriol. Apparently Puffin Island doesn't have puffins visiting any more, the rats chased them off!<br />
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Along the way we ate more blackberries! and saw lots of haws....a sign of a bad winter?? So many people we have spoken to about the wonderful weather this year have said, Oh we'll no doubt have to pay for it with a bad winter!! </div>
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There were again a lot of fritillary butterflies - and I managed to get a picture, if not a very good one!</div>
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We also passed another old windmill looking smartly painted ....and more horses...</div>
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Near the end we came across a big lime kiln, really quite inland unusually and then we did have to cross a field of bullocks but they weren’t young ones so they ignored us! Helen and I weren’t that brave! The guinea fowl we saw earlier weren’t quite so scarey! As we approached Penmon Point the boys came to meet us. The lighthouse is a very pretty black and white standing dinging its bell in the middle of the sea.</div>
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We enjoyed drinks at the little cafe where once more we had donations, whilst the big boys did car changing again ready for us all to walk together to finish the day. It took them a while as Beaumaris had a food festival going on! Helen and I and the boys walked down to the toll at the old monastery and dovecote and there is a lovely holy well to St Seiriol there. He set the first church up here along with one on the island in the 6th century. The original well was covered with an 18<sup>th</sup> century roof over....</div>
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We played a bit waiting for the
car movers to return........</div>
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...then off again down the road towards the sea and
very beautiful the Menai Straits looked! </div>
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It had been a lovely day, warm and
mostly bright. Seemed strange to have
clouds after the lovely sunny weeks we’ve just had. We walked along the side of the Straits with views down towards Llandudno... </div>
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....and across to the hazy hills of Snowdonia.<br />
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We
crossed a bit of the Lleiniog beach gathering stones and shells, watching the
cormorants hang out their wings ...</div>
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And so arrived at the car park and played once more whilst the 2nd car was retrieved...the boys did so well. We had had such a lovely day!</div>
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Saw sanderlings today and heard curlews crying over the marsh......many blackberries,
scrummy...scabious, oxeye daisy, knapweed, bugle...all a bit
bedraggled.....lots of fritillaries again on the headland...Ben saw some
dragonflies. Couple of fishermen with their rods.....<span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> </span></span><br />
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11 and a half miles....finish about 5.30.....<span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> </span></span></div>
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<b>Sunday 14th September </b></div>
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So...all slept well I think..up and off by 8.30. </div>
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We were dropped at Lleiniog where the boys found hidey holes in the rocks to shelter from the cold breeze whilst we waited for the big boys to do car moving to pick up points. It had looked like rain as we left the house but by now the sun was creeping through. We knew there is a ruined castle at Aberlleiniog in the woods nearby but it was a 1km walk inland and we ran out of time really. It was built before Beaumaris and superceded.</div>
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So off we set down the stony beach. Tide was out so we had a brilliant walk beside the sea! The boulder clay here is amazing...some artistic people have left their marks...</div>
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It is incredible to think this clay full of tiny stones collected in the ice age amassed as the ice brought it down from Scotland or Ireland to be dumped here!</div>
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Helen was suffering a bit this morning with many blisters from yesterday but she trekked on without complaint! My first aid could have been of good use yesterday had I known! The view across to the hills on the mainland were stunning in the sunlight and we could see the sun reflected from cars going up a hill over there...</div>
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We passed some old fishing net stanchions and all along the beach were collecting pretty stones...</div>
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.....and could see the barnacle covered limpets waiting for the tide to return!<br />
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The tide was so far out that we were able to keep to the beach all the way into Beaumaris and along the final approach to the town, we passed what seemed to be the remains of an old lifeboat station.....complete with rusty old launching stage...</div>
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.....and a bollard for tying up...</div>
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Very shortly we came to the harbour wall where we had to climb up the steep ladder - it looked much steeper than the picture shows!</div>
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..and the blue sky lit up the path we had come from...looking back to Puffin Island.</div>
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And so we emerged onto the green in front of the castle and here Greg, Chris and I took our leave of Helen and the boys who would amuse themselves in Beaumaris until we re-met at Menai Bridge town.</div>
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The food festival was still ongoing and the smell of bacon sandwiches quite alluring! Another of those moments when you wished you could stay longer! But we had to press on and we knew we had some climbing to do out of town! This was another reason why we had decided to split the day here for the boys.</div>
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We left the town, passing a lovely harpist by the side of the road. The emblem for Beaumaris on all its signs is a Puffin. Boat trips to the island seem to be popular....</div>
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So we soon struck uphill passing the golf club - and it was quite steep! The view back was lovely back to Penmon and on a hill was an obelisk which I found out later is a memorial to Sir Richard Williams-Bulkeley (1810-1875), the Bulkeley monument made from local Penmon limestone. After a little wood walk where we heard noisy jays shouting, and several fields crossed, we had missed our way slightly so had to do a commando manoeuvre around barbed wire! Once back on the track we had great views across to Bangor and its pier - our destination for today!</div>
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We headed won through Llandegfan where we enjoyed a drink from the post office and the lady kindly signed our last space on our Anglesey path forms for us to get our certificates! We dropped down to the main road heading into Menai Bridge town with views still across the Straits. you can just see Bangor pier - I hope!</div>
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The 4 miles with Greg had taken around 1 and a half hours - some going uphill for us! The pacemaker had done a good job! Though this is as nothing compared to those who take part each year in the <a href="http://www.ringofire.co.uk/">Ring O' Fire</a>. It was the last weekend in August this year and Arry Beresford-Webb (who ran round the Wales Coast Path when it first opened, and down Offa's Dyke and kindly donated to me a little while ago - thank you again, Arry!) took part I believe. The Ring O' Fire involves running round the Anglesey path in a very short time - phew!</div>
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As we went down the High Street, 2 lovely boys ran to meet us telling us about their time in Beaumaris. A kind lady there in a cafe donated generously when the boys told her what they were up to this afternoon. How lovely! They had been so good at fundraising!</div>
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After a picnic lunch by the side of the Straits watching the boats go by, the cars were duly changed once more. The rest of us wandered down under the Menai Bridge. First in search of the Eisteddfod stones...these commemorate the Eisteddfod held on Anglesey in 1965....</div>
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and then just nearby is a sculpture to celebrate the coastal path....<br />
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We walked a little way on the Belgian Promenade, didn't seem that long ago that Chris and I had done this the first time in June! It was lovely to look at the Britannia Bridge again...especially with Helen with me!</div>
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Wish we had found the stone lions under the bridge which were first there under the original bridge but are now underneath the road bridge....next time!</div>
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Then the boys really enjoyed skimming stones into the water near the Menai Bridge - into the Swellies., the water between the bridges so called because of its unpredictable and strong currents!</div>
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When we walked back up to the end of the bridge, there were our car movers. So off we set across the bridge - really I was quite sad to be leaving Ynys Mon.</div>
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It had been such a great time on the island. 125 miles with an elevation gain of 13,675 feet! Anglesey, the home of windmills, rocky outcrops, horses - and my ancestors! There are 143 scheduled monuments on the island, 89 of which are prehistoric - so definitely need to revisit with more time to explore. Still didn't get a photo of the Marquess of Anglesey monument peering out high above the bridges. He was the one who lost his leg at the battle of Waterloo, Henry Paget and the Paget family still hold the title with their home on the island, close to that town with the longest name........Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwlllantysiliogogogoch.......or Llanfair PG to locals! Wanted to take the boys but ran out of time! It was a name invented to entice tourists in Victorian times and guess it worked!<br />
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But we hadn't finished yet - we still had to get to Bangor! First we headed alongside the road but soon dropped down coastwards crossing fields and into Nant Porth nature reserve, a walk through a limestone woodland alongside the Straits and quite reminiscent of the wlak though woods betweeen the 2 bridges on our way onto Anglesey. Quite soon after many up and down steps!, we came to a pretty beach where we could see across to Beaumaris and up to Bangor pier</div>
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Alex was amazed to realise how far we had come! we could have gone the rest of the way on the beach had the tide been out but instead we had to go up a steep hill!!Never mind we had beach walked all morning! And the view to sunny Beaumaris was lovely...<br />
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We soon arrived in the town and walked through a park and passed University buildings to arrive by the pier. Alex with a sniffling cold now and Helen with blistered feet - they had done well! Alex did our special Velindre Victory sign as he had in Swansea last year!</div>
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We played I-Spy whilst the other car was retrieved once more...and rounds of "Didn't we have a lovely day, the day we went to Bangor" was sung! Our other song of the weekend has been " I'm walking on sunshine...and don't it feel good" as Ben has been singing it at school and it was most appropriate!</div>
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Just before we drove home, I had to get some pics of the pier!</div>
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On the way back, we passed Penrhyn castle which we had been trying to name for a few days now! We will walk around it tomorrow.....</div>
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Fritillaries and dragonflies in the woods. Oyster catchers, cormorants and gulls by the sea...</div>
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Missed the northern lights last night but Ben thinks he saw them Friday when they drove across.</div>
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Think we're all looking forward to the final lap together in 2 weeks...</div>
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10.6 miles. Start 10.15 ...finish about 4.30 </div>
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<b>Monday 15th September </b></div>
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A cloudy but dry start as we left around 9 to get the 9.53 train from Penmaenmawr back to <st1:place w:st="on">Bangor</st1:place>. </div>
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Was fun on the train again and the guard was quite chatty and a bit envious as he has always fancied walking the coast here.
Anyway off we went and at the station took a cab to the pier. It was easily a mile's walk and we knew today was a longish one so a cab seemed a good idea to us! Students are back next week the taxi driver informed us...16,000 of them!</div>
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It seemed a bit lonely leaving Bangor pier just the two of us after the lovely weekend. </div>
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Tide was out too as we walked around the edge of the old harbour which had been a huge one in its day.<br />
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The harbour is near one of the entrances to Penrhyn castle which we skirted around all morning but never near enough to get sight of it. It is National Trust owned - that organisation that owns so much....and was apparently originally a medieval manor. the present "castle" is a 19th century "fantasy" castle built by some rich industrialist of yore...We soon entered the Cegin Valley nature reserve...its entrance decorated by a local school...</div>
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..and we enjoyed another pleasant walk through woods. Passing under and over the railway several times, we were now on the North Wales path!</div>
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This took us through a NOT industrial estate which remains for sale. It had obviously been built some time ago with all facilities I'm sure and the roads and footpaths neatly marked out only to be used as a coastal path...all courtesy of the EU...</div>
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Soon we crossed the Afon Ogwen and edged further round the Penrhyn estate and as we approached Tal-y-Bont, we turned again towards the sea following the river and had a wonderful walk at the edge of the Straits with the tide far out.</div>
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Lovely views across to Penmon and Puffin Island and ahead to our destination.<br />
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Birds were calling - we saw egrets and oyster catchers, gulls and even a lone swan. The area here is Traeth Lafan and lovely it is! We had our picnic at Morfa Aber overlooking the marshy ground between us and Anglesey. This had been a good ancient crossing place which was why Llewellyn built his castle a little inland here at Abergwyngregyn. Too far for us to visit today - there in the mist shrouded hills...</div>
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Along this stretch the farmers were using straight pieces of slate for their fencing...</div>
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And then the sun started to shine - Beaumaris looked happy over there in the sun!</div>
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It didn't seem far then to Llanfairfechan, the first of the so called quarry villages. From all the quarrying in these here hills - Penmaenmawr being the biggest just up the road. A hill fort on the top was recorded before it was also quarried! As we left the beach, it was astounding how many millions of cockle shells there were - great banks of them
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The walk into Llanfairfechan took us along the seafront and with the now blue sky the seascape looked fantastic...across to Penmon..<br />
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....and along the seafront to Penmaenmawr...</div>
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We came into the town passing a funny old sign which gave people of the town right to pass here by the boating pool - by the Governors of a hospital in Northampton!</div>
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The seafront and its cafes looked very inviting but then we had to turn up through the town and head along the road to then get across the busy A55. It wasn't as bad as we had anticipated as the dual carriageway has a footbridge - well also a cycle track which made it a bit dangerous! Why don't these modern bikes have bells?? Still it was funny looking down at the tunnels under the mountain....</div>
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And so we headed into Penmaenmawr along its High Street...not a very endearing sort of place although it does have its park...</div>
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...and it must have been a lovely seaside in its day as we passed a bust to Gladstone, donated by public funds in 1899, statesman, scholar, orator! He enjoyed holidays here it seems.<br />
We were quite relieved to get back to the car and head for the hills. We met with Joanna in the pub in the village, the Ty Gwyn in Rowen - and very nice it is too. We enjoyed 3 meals here this week - better than cooking!<br />
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Lots of yarrow, silver weed, coltsfoot large and small, going to seed, thistles, some samphire on the marsh, </div>
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some fritillaries again as we wandered at the coast near Aber Ogwen.<br />
Plenty of blackberries, sloes and leaves crunching underfoot more and more...beech, birch,<br />
sycamores, chestnuts mostly so far... </div>
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13 and a half miles<br />
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<b>Tuesday 16th September </b><br />
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Awoke to a real Autumn morning..warm with the promise of sun to come...and it did! Chris and I<br />
left the carat Penmaenmawr once more and headed under the road and train track onto the<br />
lovely beach...We decided that the A55 and train track should be moved under the hills so that<br />
people can regain the coast...it's such a waste.
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Anyway off we set along the beach. We could really ignore the sound of vehicles. We could </div>
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just see Angelsey and <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on">Puffin</st1:placename> <st1:placetype w:st="on">Island...</st1:placetype></st1:place></div>
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and ahead onto the Great Orme at Llandudno....</div>
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The tide was well out and we knew it wouldn't be full tide until tea time so my dreams were answered and we could walk all the way to Conway on the beach! Such a bonus when we had expected to be tramping along the A55 for at least the first 2 miles.</div>
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As we turned at the headland where the tunnel began under Penmaenbach, the beach here was so<br />
lovely and private, a real secret beach.</div>
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Another couple riding their bike to Penmaenmawr stopped to admire the view and told us they never see anyone else here ever. There is a tunnel here too so should the tide come in there is a quick escape!<br />
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Across the sands and the Conwy estuary stands the impressive hill above Deganwy, about which a little more later....</div>
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We approached the dunes at Conwy Morfa and passed some stanchions and cement blocks which we thought must have been someting to do with the Mulberry harbours that were built along here. The harbour had been invented by a Welshman as a means of getting all the soldiers and equipment safely into France at D-Day.</div>
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It may have been that they were also built further round where new housing and a pub called the Mulberry now stand...</div>
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And overhead went a Hercules!</div>
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We followed the riverside and soon had our first view of the magnificent castle!</div>
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It was quite busy at the quayside where we passed a boat being renovated, the Helen II, a mussel boat...</div>
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....and a mussel processing plant with its Mussel statue outside it!<br />
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We passed alongside the castle over the bridge, built in 1958 ....</div>
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So we continued along the riverside heading now for Deganwy where we were to meet Joanna. Still with lovely views back to the castle...</div>
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and its walls.....the red house you should be able to see is the smallest house in Britain apparently....</div>
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We had lunch overlooking the sea where we had expected a diversion but in fact the storm damage wasn't that bad so we could pass once more just beside the sea...first we did car placing to have one at the end which involved driving up the Great Orme to the summit where it was really busy. We passed also the <a href="http://www.greatormemines.info/">Ancient Bronze Mine</a>, 4,000 years old which we visited on our final day, Friday before we headed home. So here is a picture of inside it....an amazing story....</div>
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This was our lunch view. Couldn't believe we had walked around the point at Penmaenbach over there - the tide was now in!</div>
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We enjoyed more beach walking alongside the ancient castle site of Deganwy or Gannock above us. ....(we did visit here on Friday ..so here is a view from it from our tour on Friday.)</div>
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It was the centre of the ancient kingdom ruled by Maelgwyn Gwynedd in the 6th century and was built in stone by Henry III. Edward I later preferred the site further upriver - or maybe his castle designer did...<br />
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And here was some of the beach walking...</div>
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The sun was twinkling beautifully on the sea and the hills beyond, Pemaenmawr, Penmaenbach and Conwy mountain, were silhouettes once more...</div>
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We walked along the prom at the West Front of Llandudno overlooking the sea all the while. It was uphill so a slow walk and we could see below us some very impressive homes and back the way to Deganwy and the Conwy valley, now disappearing a little in the mist...</div>
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We even saw the Hercules heading back....</div>
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Soon we rounded the end of the Orme to reach the Rest and be Thankful cafe for a deserved coffee! </div>
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What a lovely day! As we drove back down <st1:street w:st="on">Marine Drive</st1:street>, there was Paddy McGinty's goat! </div>
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It was still 22 degrees as we drove off to pick up other car and headed home...</div>
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Gulls, oystercatchers, curlews......saw heron over Conwy estuary as we lunched..Some kind of samphire along the river? Sea aster, lots of sand!! Saw 2 fishermen off the rocks at Deganwy.. </div>
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11.75 miles...</div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><b>Wednesday 17th September </b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><b><br /></b><span style="font-size: small;">Wow...another sunny day. Sky was blue even as we set off at 9.30. Left car at Rest and be Thankful cafe but this time we got there through Llandudno centre and so paid the toll man at the start of Marine Drive...</span>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">We parked the car and set off along the path...</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">As we looked down at the sea below the cliffs, a little boat was sailing and as I looked I thought I saw one of our floating rocks...but wait, No! It was indeed a group of dolphins!</span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iZfT2rMfEJ0/VCAr_LOb1rI/AAAAAAAACtI/bW91zTj7Tt4/s1600/IMG_9258a-web.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iZfT2rMfEJ0/VCAr_LOb1rI/AAAAAAAACtI/bW91zTj7Tt4/s1600/IMG_9258a-web.JPG" height="320" width="297" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">It was a marvellous walk down the side of the Great Orme, completing the circuit, with good views of the carboniferous limestone </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">cliffs - and rocks </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">below</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">...The limestone outcrop appears from Anglesey down to Llangollen. Crazy to think this was all the seabed.....</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UX1allynsuo/VCAr_hY5SeI/AAAAAAAACtM/lbxPGoQ7-Tw/s1600/IMG_9266-web.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UX1allynsuo/VCAr_hY5SeI/AAAAAAAACtM/lbxPGoQ7-Tw/s1600/IMG_9266-web.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">And soon we looked out over to the Little Orme....</span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5Ag8FbcMnpE/VCAtaTzafhI/AAAAAAAACtc/tXLAdNYo1KA/s1600/IMG_9271-web.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5Ag8FbcMnpE/VCAtaTzafhI/AAAAAAAACtc/tXLAdNYo1KA/s1600/IMG_9271-web.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">The pier looked pretty in the twinkling sun ...and not a sign of the wind farm out at sea here. We soon dropped down to walk around the pier ....</span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3gD_IK1h7vQ/VCAtao7vXgI/AAAAAAAACtk/Etxn71CIU3I/s1600/IMG_9278-web.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3gD_IK1h7vQ/VCAtao7vXgI/AAAAAAAACtk/Etxn71CIU3I/s1600/IMG_9278-web.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">...the longest in Wales and the fifth longest in Britain...</span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ruIp39Yj5Uc/VCAtb_TQ8GI/AAAAAAAACtw/XAVuCnneKGg/s1600/IMG_9285-web.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ruIp39Yj5Uc/VCAtb_TQ8GI/AAAAAAAACtw/XAVuCnneKGg/s1600/IMG_9285-web.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">...it was very busy in Llandudno which was good as the cockle seller was there - yummy!</span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CvHLfEwf-ss/VCAtbpHwaFI/AAAAAAAACt0/u2GCVCubFhQ/s1600/IMG_9284-web.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CvHLfEwf-ss/VCAtbpHwaFI/AAAAAAAACt0/u2GCVCubFhQ/s1600/IMG_9284-web.JPG" height="320" width="213" /></a></div>
The beginning of the beach at Llandudno is sandy but it is "imported" sand which has to be renewed - about which I think there is some debate.Should it just be left as a stony beach? It was when the town was first created at the beginning of the 20th century as a seaside town that the decision was made to make a sandy beach....<br />
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The railway gave the opportunity for the Mostyn family and others to build a seaside resort. And long has it lasted! We passed the St George's Hotel where many important dignitaries have stayed....and then the Imperial where we as a family celebrated Chris's parents' Golden wedding in 1999!</div>
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Around the town are wooden sculptures of characters from Alice in Wonderland as the Alice on whom the story is based, stayed here for a year. We passed the Mad Hatter!</div>
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We walked along the prom which had its reminders to cyclists to be kind to pedestrians.....</div>
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We soon came to the Little Orme which we then had to go over....</div>
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This had also been the site of a quarry....the workings left behind...</div>
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And we could see pour destination ahead again. The hill in the middle of the picture is the site of a hill fort - some conjecture whether it is iron age or Romano-British..., Bryn Euryn.</div>
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We enjoyed a drink up here before setting off once more heading now along Penrhyn Bay with views back to the quarried Little Orme...</div>
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Along the seafront there had been storm damage once more and as a result many huge rocks have now been "planted". All the entrances to the shingly beaches were boarded up with flood gates as they were right along to Llandulas at least. The houses on the seafront here appeared lower than the sea, obviously built on reclaimed land. Penrhyn just runs into Rhos-on-Sea. A lovely walk on the prom here and the town has lots of history. It has the smallest church in Britain, St Trillo's which must have begun life as a hermit cell we decided. </div>
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This part of land was </span>an island <span style="font-size: small;">in the </span><span style="font-size: small;">6th century. The church is again based on an ancient holy well.<br />
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We enjoyed lunch here, watching the terns diving again and peerin at the wind turbines...can you see them if you screw up your eyes?</div>
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To be honest we were quite glad we couldn't see them through the autumn mist...and they weren't' going round anyway. These are the turbines of Rhyl Flats I think - 25 of them. A further 30 stand at North Hoyle, nearer to Prestatyn and the Wirral and Gwyn y Mor is still being built with another 160 turbines a little further out in Liverpool Bay.</div>
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Rhos also boasts a medieval fishing weir but we couldn't see it today as the tide was now in.</div>
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We soon came round to Colwyn Bay, really it's hard to know where one town stops and another starts along here. It was still quite busy and a pleasant walk along the front...</div>
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The old Victoria pier is a right old mess and eyesore...<br />
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Everything around it is having a face lift along with more sea defences, but it seems no-one can make a decision what to do about the pier....guess they may wait til it falls down...</div>
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We enjoyed a further wlak along the front even though the trainline and the A55 came up alongside. To begin with an embankment protected the seaside from its view.</div>
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Again the busy transport links seem to split places apart - couldn't the scars of the countryside go behind the hills here? </div>
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We left Colwyn Bay following a cycle track here and soon saw some different sea birds on the rocks - what are they? I still haven't had time to investigate!.....<span style="background-color: red;">UPDATE........I think they are Turnstones!!!!</span></div>
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We soon came around a headland and could see both a jetty transferring rock by sea from a quarry across the other side of the A55....</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-n-t7wBPXNeo/VCA0ZO7zN4I/AAAAAAAACv8/n2NJGDBvar4/s1600/IMG_9361-web.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-n-t7wBPXNeo/VCA0ZO7zN4I/AAAAAAAACv8/n2NJGDBvar4/s1600/IMG_9361-web.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
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..and just beyond that, the car park we were headed to! The sea defences here are huge tap shaped concrete units which will interlock when the sea is high - they looked like huge sea anemones!</div>
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Passing by a viaduct for the A55, another busy road we've been beneath....</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9D2INDtzax8/VCA0aaPTenI/AAAAAAAACwM/vV5rHxsn0XY/s1600/IMG_9374-web.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9D2INDtzax8/VCA0aaPTenI/AAAAAAAACwM/vV5rHxsn0XY/s1600/IMG_9374-web.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
...we soon dropped down to the car park, passing the first caravan park we'd seen.<br />
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We looked out again at the turbines...<span style="font-size: small;"> </span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oQM6hSF9gG8/VCA0ZQSAlMI/AAAAAAAACwA/efgscfpxZUE/s1600/IMG_9363-web.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oQM6hSF9gG8/VCA0ZQSAlMI/AAAAAAAACwA/efgscfpxZUE/s1600/IMG_9363-web.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">...this is more or less what they should look like....</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rxUXCQ3sbT4/VCA3gT7OY1I/AAAAAAAACxA/ZHOZcowqRis/s1600/Rhyl%2BFalts%2Bturbines...jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rxUXCQ3sbT4/VCA3gT7OY1I/AAAAAAAACxA/ZHOZcowqRis/s1600/Rhyl%2BFalts%2Bturbines...jpg" height="177" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">and soon the car park was there..</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wfEmfHA_tAc/VCA0Z9iJFkI/AAAAAAAACwQ/Ez6ebtKOdeo/s1600/IMG_9370-web.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wfEmfHA_tAc/VCA0Z9iJFkI/AAAAAAAACwQ/Ez6ebtKOdeo/s1600/IMG_9370-web.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">...with many cormorants hanging out their wings. We picked the car up at the Rest and be Thankful cafe again - very thankful for the coffees! 2 Eurofighters flew over today as we sat in the sun. Still 21 degrees! People were swimming at Deganwy as we passed. Now only about 40 miles to Chester - unbelievable!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">The north coast has proven to be much more enjoyable than we feared. So far no walking on busy roads which was our big fear and many more interesting things to have seen.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Wondering if we will need passports to get to </span><st1:country-region style="font-size: 12pt;" w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Scotland</st1:place></st1:country-region><span style="font-size: small;"> after </span><span style="font-size: small;">the vote tomorrow..... </span><br />
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Saw fishermen at Colwyn Bay, 1 with 3 rods though he said he hadn't caught anything yey and this year had not been a good one!<br />
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Final path had lots of hemp agrimony, buddleia, honeysuckle, valerian, all going to seed! </span><br />
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The leaves have been changing colour more each day and crackling underfoot and there are </span><br />
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lots of haws this year......</span><br />
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The obelisk overlooking the Conwy,Deganwy junction at Bryn Pydew is a folly </span><br />
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built in 1992 by a local hotel..... </span><br />
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12.6 miles...</span></div>
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<b>Thursday 18th September </b></div>
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<b><br /></b>Not quite so bright a start but still warm, just a bit hazier today. Back to Llandulas to start and nearly got muddled with the local rambling group going into the hills.......think we were glad to be sticking to the FLAT coast today!<br />
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Very pleasant walking right by the sea, stony beach so stuck to the path. We passed our first caravan park of the day </div>
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Good views of the birds..lots of cormorants again today, oyster catchers, lots of gulls, and curlews! And we even caught sight of a seal - small in the distance but it was there!</div>
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Soon we could see the castle in the hills behind us - Gwrych castle, a 19th century pretend medieval one that is now a ruin.<br />
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We soon passed a tourist place with cafe and so on at Pensarn again across the railway line from the caravan haunts of tourists. But then we could drop down to the beach and what a lovely beach walk it was - a mile long, lovely!<br />
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We had to go back to the wall along the edge of the beach as there were rivulets to cross and we were approaching Kimnel Bay. Along the wall, the landward side again looked no higher than the sea to our left again. It was a little like walking the levee on the Severn estuary. We passed a funfair site right beside the wall sort of between 2 caravan parks in the middle of nowhere...and with the train track alongside..I did fancy a go on the helter skelter though. I thought they weren't allowed any more for health and safety reasons...<br />
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And so we arrived at Kimnel Bay and its caravan park...<br />
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The sands were lovely though and there are many dunes here...<br />
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and sea holly, now past its best...<br />
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We soon came round to the river Clwyd going out to sea at Rhyl and so had to cross at the new bridge, opened in October last year and so improving the coast path. The bridge is called Pont y Ddraig, dragon bridge and was named by a little boy at a local school.<br />
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The tide was quite low so the mud revealed its hulk...<br />
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It seems the bridge is "advertised" as a cyclists' bridge, completing cycle track number 5 no doubt...and cyclists are warned to watch out for pedestrians who may get in their way over the bridge! The cheek of it! At the other side of the bridge is a metal sculpture with 3 men - one seems to be John Lennon, another Richard Nixon, president of the USA and the other a footballer, I don't know who and neither can I discover its significance...</div>
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Once across the bridge, Rhyl reveals itself.. a sad sign reports it will be Ocean Plaza...one day...it looks an old sign...</div>
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We went to the beach again but the sand is quite estuarial to begin with so it was heavy going and there were lots of breakwaters so we went back up to the prom. The buildings are quite dilapidated....the fun park didn't look at all inviting...and we couldn't identify what the tall tower did....</div>
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and it had strange sculptures on its walls of ........bread buns?</div>
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Even the new buildings seem to have just been dropped anywhere with not a lot of planning for what they might want as a finished article...</div>
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Nevertheless the beach is huge and we enjoyed watching a kite flyer as we had lunch....</div>
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The beach here is its outstanding interest, even with the tide out....</div>
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We enjoyed the walk to the end of the prom...</div>
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.............and then as we left Rhyl behind we rounded the next headland to see an area of drowned forest which was a pleasant surprise. This was Coedwig Dan y More where we could see the peat floor of the old forest and apparently there are a few tree stumps still left..</div>
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Soon we approached a very straight section of a kind of prom. Quite new with a sloping wall like a velodrome to suit the cyclists I'm sure. We had seen a lot of them on this flat north Wales stretch by now!</div>
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We saw fishermen along here as we passed the Prestatyn sign - hooray!</div>
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No sign of the wind farm again with the haze, it may as well not exist! The sun was beating down once more as we approached buildings and we felt sure this was the car park we were looking for where Joanna was to meet us. Chris's injured foot causing some concern now. But here we were, Prestatyn, the Lido car park as it turned out.</div>
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And this is just alongside Offa's cafe where a coffeee was enjoyed - and where Offa's Dyke path begins - or ends! Mmmmm - maybe next year! Met a lovely couple from Baildon who donated to us - thank you so much and take care!</div>
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I recited the Philip Larkin poem especially for my niece beneath a Prestatyn sign. Joanna had been paddling on the beach.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Offa's Dyke path start/finish!</td></tr>
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10 and a half miles </div>
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Still 24 degrees as we arrived back at Rowen - what a week!</div>
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So there we are - the North Wales section complete. It just remains to get down the side of the Dee to reach Chester. A mere formality at 29 miles after this week's 81 miles!!</div>
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Pamela Mallpresshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08938256713646288802noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5056411862587291662.post-18730294763534105792014-07-29T09:58:00.002-07:002015-07-11T08:36:22.940-07:00Walks 41-46 Aberffraw to Traeth Dulas 11th-18th July, 2014Well, a busy time since the last walk...celebrating with Julia and Richard for their engagement and visiting Hampton Court Flower Show.....now proud owners of a lovely dragon, he'll arrive during August.<br />
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Thank you once again for supporting this fundraising. We had fantastic donations on Anglesey so far, very kind. Not long to go to the final countdown so do remember why we're doing this and take a look at <a href="http://www.justgiving.com/Pamela-Mallpress">www.justgiving.com/Pamela-Mallpress</a> if you can donate a little...<br />
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<u><b>So Friday 11th July saw us on the road again - Aberffraw to RAF Valley</b></u><br />
We collected a hire car again this trip as taxis were so costly so set off early to the Menai Straits. It was a lovely morning with those clouds that hang in the valleys with blue sky and sun above them...<br />
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...and Cadair Idris stood very proud today.<br />
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Picked the car up and off again across the Britannia Bridge, this time continuing up to RAF Valley/Anglesey airport where we left the hire car and off back to Aberffraw. We were on our way before 11.30 over the lovely old bridge..<br />
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...back down the other side of the river Ffraw. We looked back to the headland on the Bodorgan estate from the end of our last walk and where another iron age fort was, Trwyn y Parc which is visible back at Dinas Dinlle on the Llyn peninsula. This morning we couldn't see the hills of the Llyn as the clouds were low and lurking on the mainland.....not so with us....clear blue sky and sea on Ynys Mon! It really was a pleasant walk, a real coastal walk again. We were tempted to stay and paddle and picnic on Aberffraw sands...but we pressed on. The first beach of the day was Porth Lleidiog, so many limpet shells in particular. Lovely hedgerows of honeysuckle looking back at the last walk's view..</div>
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Soon we cam round to Porth Cwyfan. A pretty beach and at the end of the causeway, the little island, Cribinau, with its lovely old church, Llangwyfan, St Cwyfan's Church. The church in the sea...</div>
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The island wasn't always an island but the waves ate away at it and now the church is only accessible at low tide over the causeway. It was in real disrepair in the mid 19th century when a local architect built the wall around it to prevent more erosion and repaired it to make it usable again..<br />
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Some locals are apparently not too keen on its new whiteness after it was refurbished and whitewashed in 2005..</div>
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A beautiful setting but probably best visited when there are no motor races going on at the Anglesey track just above it on the cliffs. Today it was quite noisy as we ate our lunch! The circuit is owned I believe by the Bodorgan estate who reacquired the circuit from the MOD after they had used it in the war. Off after lunch up the track alongside the circuit, where fortunately it must also have been lunchtime as it was quiet now. Through some fields of clover, we soon headed back to the coast with lovely views across to Holyhead mountain.</div>
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Lots of flowers and butterflies as usual....some very strange caterpillars on the ragwort, all stripey, don't know what they were....</div>
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It was great walking here just up above the sea...we did witness a murder here when we heard the cries of a bird being carried off by a bigger bird! Perilous for young birds here! All that was left was a heap of feathers. Porth Trecastell was the next beach, as blue as the Med! We crossed the back of the beach and went down the other side heading to Barclodiad y Gawres (Giantess's Apron), a fantastic neolithic passage grave and burial chamber.</div>
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We weren't able to go inside as its opening times are limited due to vandalism! But it is in a really unique setting, lovely!</div>
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And it stands so clear and proud to be seen from quite a distance....</div>
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...even from the next beach...Porth Nobla...</div>
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A few beaches join together here at low tide so we could walk quite a way at the side of the sea, along Porth Sur, Porth y Tywydd, Traeth Llydan. Not amazingly stunning beaches, quite rocky and seaweedy but pleasant nonetheless making a brilliant beach walk up to Rhosneigr. Rhosneigr is a lovely town too and we found a cafe to shelter from the sun in for a drink and ice cream! Marvellous - we were really hot now! Then through town to cross the bridge over the river Crigyll. And now we had great views coming up to RAF Valley - well it was actually the noise we heard first - and then 3 Hawks setting off down the runway together - the noise was phenomenal...</div>
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(hope you can make out the planes there....) Once over the bridge we trekked through the dunes with their fair share of restharrow and along the perimeter of the runway and out over the dunes - there were a lot of them again - to the sea - what a sight!</div>
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The Llyn hills were much clearer now - hope you can see them. And the rocks, sea and sand between us and Holy Island (Ynys Gybi) just glistened in the sun...</div>
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This was yet another of my favourite places, Traeth Cymyran! We enjoyed another beach walk, the tide well out, aeroplanes for entertainment and we even had a Search and Rescue helicopter swinging towards us as we waved so we could get a good photo I'm sure....</div>
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So we turned up a track at the end of the beach and headed back to the car park passing close to RAF Valley - hot and tired! A lovely day though and 10.5 miles further</div>
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Off then to our holiday house at Gwalchmai - forecast not so good for tomorrow...</div>
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<b><u>Saturday 12th July RAF Valley to Trearddur Bay</u></b></div>
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Had a fairly early start today as we feared the rain was coming in in the afternoon. It was a cloudy start as we set off from RAF Valley once more. </div>
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Today though no aircraft noise apart from some of the Search and Rescue helicopters and motor bikes from the circuit for much of the morning. The morning was mostly field walking and getting around the inlets of the Inland Sea (formed by the next big cob. the Stanley Embankment, joining Holy Island to Anglesey on the A5).<br />
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There was lots of walking over boardwalks and along quite overgrown paths, brambles, nettles, willow herb, campion, bracken - some a lot higher than us!</div>
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And we spotted sea lavender again along the inlets..</div>
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Before the big cob, we crossed a smaller more modern one, a flood defence for the town of Y Fali..</div>
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Battle was done with horses and bullocks; the cows were quite acquiescent with no calves around! And so we crossed onto Holy Island, Ynys Gybi, at Four Mile Bridge which is actually only 170 metres (?) where a group of canoeists were practising..</div>
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We followed the edge of the Inland Sea for a while before heading inland and then taking a wooded, bracken filled path inside the Bodior Estate rather than road walking. And here we re-met with the ladies we had chatted to at Llandwyn - they were finishing the whole path today heading back to Burnley from Four Mile Bridge. Well done them! More field crossing followed and then we dropped down through a conifer wood where we had lunch - very tranquil! And so down to Traeth Llydan, Silver Bay - another beautiful beach!</div>
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With the rocks out at the tide's edge, it made the whole bay here almost circular - really impressive! We should have had good views of the Llyn - but too cloudy today. We could see back down to Rhosneigr and the headlands at Bodogan. It was a lovely real coastal walk again here around to Borth Wen. Before we dropped down to the beach we passed a hedge of the wild rose, rosa rugosa, and I can still smell them now when I think about them. We had seen a lot of these already around Anglesey and more followed the rest of the week...</div>
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We crossed the beach at low tide, with its seaweed covered rocks and canoeists at the water's edge.</div>
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And the little islands just out of the bay, one with a beacon, Rhoscolyn Beacon - very picturesque even through the cloud. This was a favourite place for Chris!</div>
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We climbed out of the Bay, now with a wind getting up a bit and a little drizzle falling - coats at the ready! We headed up towards an old coastguard station with good views now of the Beacon..</div>
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And then down the other side we passed another holy well, St Gwenfaen's...</div>
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...another magical place and as we rounded the headland Chris spotted a couple of goats on the rocks - hope they jumped back later - where was a goatherder when you needed one? </div>
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We soon came down to Porth Saint with its red rocks in amongst the dark ones - oh, for a geologist! <br />
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And lying on the beach.....the rocks appeared to form a prostrate dragon, or was it a slumped duck??<br />
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On around the cliffs we went and almost missed the next magical sight...the fantastic natural arch, Bwa Gwyn..white arch...</div>
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Soon followed around the next headland by Bwa Du...black arch. We really thought these just as splendid as the Green Bridge of Wales!</div>
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And then passing a lovely big house on the clifftop with its cannon pointing out to sea (there on the right..)- we wondered if they were heading off the taxman or were they announcing the arrival of Mary Poppins? Whichever they had magnificent views!<br />
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Keeping close to the sea, we came around to Porth Y Garan with its caravan park and soon dropped down to Trearddur Bay. Passing pretty Porth Castell and Porth Diana before seeing the wide sweeping sands of Trearddur. </div>
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A lovely day's walking, quite a long one at 13 miles.... and not wet at all. Still quite humid really and the South East of England had been really hot and sunny, heatwaves all round.<br />
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Lots of oyster catchers today and stonechats, swallows, egrets. So many flowers....thyme and heathers on the headlands, vetch and yarrow<br />
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<b><u>Sunday 13th July Trearddur to Holyhead</u></b></div>
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Still a bit cloudy as we drove into Holyhead to drop a car with a bit of pattering rain...then back to Trearddur and now the rain had stopped. </div>
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We set off around the bay heading towards a house on the clifftop described in the Anglesey path guide as a bit "spooky", Craig y Mor. Kind of knew what they meant but at close quarters it was a very impressive almost Arts and Crafts type of building. It was in a lovely situation and alongside it was an old winch....not sure for what...boats?</div>
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We passed some pretty coves - Porth y Post which as you can see below is aptly named with its post-like stack..</div>
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From here we did have to walk on the road for a little while before dropping back down to the coast and the next beach at Porth Dafarch where there were lots of divers and coasteerers. Some of the divers had chatted to Chris in the car park earlier and told him they were heading to a wreck not too far from shore, the Missouri, a ship that sank with animals aboard some time ago.</div>
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From there it was a super coastal walk all day long! We passed Copper Mine Creek with its glassy green water...</div>
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Had great views in all directions - here up to the next hill fort, on an almost island, Dinas, so we couldn't explore...</div>
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But the island did have a natural arch for us to marvel at...</div>
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And great views to Holyhead mountain - getting nearer now!</div>
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The headlands were covered in heathers - ericas and callunas - and the butterflies, particularly the common blue, loved these....CORRECTION - I discovered more recently that in fact these blue butterflies on the heath here are more likely the silver-studded blue!!</div>
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And so did another small brown butterfly - or moth...<br />
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We had views back down towards yesterday's walk, Rhoscolyn beacon and down the Llyn - and we even heard and saw the emblem of the Anglesey path - the tern. We found another favourite beach which we couldn't resist going down to...so pretty.</div>
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Following the coast around we soon came to our first view of South Stack and its lighthouse and Ellin's tower - a lookout built for the wife of a local MP in the 1800's. Don't think she'd get planning permission today!</div>
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We continued up through the heather, spotting a common lizard en route. Then headed up the road to South Stack.<br />
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We went down the path to walk right on the clifftops around to South Stack - stopping for a lunch break looking out to sea - wonderful.</div>
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We could see right down the Llyn and across the sea we could make out the Wicklow mountains and further up, the Isle of Man. As we set off again, there were choughs on the cliffside - should have my better camera for such occasions! We passed Ellin's Tower and the many photographers looking down to South Stack - the many birds were quite noisy!</div>
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As we climbed up away from South Stack and towards Holyhead mountain, Mynydd Twr, the sky was blue, apart from over Snowdonia and it was warm though a bit fresher than Friday had been - lovely! We passed the entrance to South Stack, an RSPB location, and headed up to a lookout with amazing views down to South Stack and the Llyn - and out across the sea.</div>
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It was quite rugged walking here as we first passed views to North Stack, the fog signal station which has served sailors for 200 years..</div>
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..and we could see now the lighthouse on the rocks at sea, The Skerries. We then headed up to the limestone white hill of Holyhead mountain to see its iron age hill fort, Caer y Twr. </div>
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From up here the outgoing Ireland ferry was so tiny!<br />
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It was stunning on top of the mountain! The "official" path actually goes around the mountain via North Stack but we preferred the top of the mountain today....hill forts, as you may have noticed, are too enticing to ignore for us!</div>
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As well as the hill fort, there are also the Roman signal station remains </div>
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....and the views - well what can I say?<br />
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We headed down then and luckily found the path passing through the gateway of the hill fort! and we spotted some of the original walls enclosing the 17 acre site!<br />
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It was a pleasant, if difficult, walk down made easier by the beauty around us. The snake-like breakwater of Holyhead seems to reflect the shape of the coast it protects...</div>
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And the sky and sea were so blue looking out towards tomorrow's walk!!!<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
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As we dropped down there was more evidence of industry - the limestone near the bottom obviously the site of quarrying and the big chimney testament to another former brickworks. As we came down to walk through the country park here to head on the low cliffs we saw a memorial to some US airmen who had been killed crashing into the mountain at North Stack..<br />
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And looking back at the mountain, the old quarry tramways were clear to see...</div>
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We headed towards the breakwater - not nearly as impressive as it had been from above and passed a few derelict buildings - old naval or old houses, not sure..<br />
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We passed the marina heading into town - a lovely promenade. Passing the old lifeboat station, now the maritime museum, and Thomas Hughes Dock, named after a 19th century mariner who had rescued a woman and child from the sea here, we soon passed through the old market square now undergoing some refurbishment and so to the church of St Cybi's which is based on the old roman fort.<br />
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And this is also the official start and end of the Anglesey path. <br />
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We passed through the pedestrianised town centre and headed over the new Celtic Gateway bridge which joins the town to the station and port...<br />
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...and so headed back to the car park - the Stena long stay. Passing en route the monument on the hill overlooking the town to John Skinner. an American whose family backed the wrong side in the War of Independence and so they fled to Bristol. John became master of the Holyhead packet ship but died at North Stack with his first mate when they were washed overboard in a storm. He is commemorated for his kindness to the poor families of Holyhead who he helped a lot it seems. What a sad story!<br />
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We were tired and hot now after another 11.5 miles, some of them quite steep.....so we were ready to head back to collect the other car at Trearddur. More toll houses spotted - one at a neighbouring village, Caergeiliog - and some hares in a nearby field, sunning themselves, this evening!<br />
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt;"><b><u>Monday 14th July Holyhead to <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placetype w:st="on">Church</st1:placetype> <st1:placetype w:st="on">Bay</st1:placetype></st1:place></u></b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt;">Bit late setting off this morning really and
it was difficult to find somewhere to park the end vehicle which ended up a
couple of miles further than originally intended...oh well.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt;">Returned to Holyhead and the Stena long term
car park where the bus driver kindly signed our round <st1:place w:st="on">Anglesey</st1:place>
walk forms..another certificate in store! Set off by 10.45 and it was cloudy
and pattering with rain as we began.</span></div>
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Not easy to find the first sign which
luckily was very close to the car park...it had apparently been chopped off.
Around fields and a play park at the side of the inland sea, along a very
overgrown path and then across a little, pebbly beach at Penrhos and then just
hugging the coastline. Ferries were coming and going and the Hawks and
yellow helicopters were back in action today. For a while we feared we may be
about to get wet through but the wind was blowing so much it seemed to blow the
clouds away. Not altogether though, we hardly saw the top of Holyhead mountain
today so were glad we'd been up there yesterday with those terrific views! <br />
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We
passed an old Napoleonic battery for coast protection, holes for its cannons. It's not known whether this was actually used or whether it was just to put the French off! I thought it looked quite quirky with the chimney of Anglesey Aluminium alongside!<br />
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We
went up to a good viewpoint overlooking the harbour and its breakwater and then
down passing another beach and through a nature reserve park with a pets' graveyard...this is the Penrhos estate owned by the Stanley family after whom the embankment is named and I guess they may have contributed to its cost! At the edge of the park where it
meets the inland sea again, is a memorial to a young man from nearby who was
killed in the Falklands War at 20 years old.<br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="color: #222222;">Passing a toll house, now a cafe
but closed today, </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222;">we came to the Stanley Embankment, the long Cob built by </span><st1:place style="color: #222222;" w:st="on">Telford.......</st1:place><br />
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<span style="color: #222222;">............and so forming the inland sea. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #222222;">In the middle of this
was a frightening sight of the sea rushing into a "plug hole".....
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Amazing and quite scarey. Across the embankment we went down to the shore although the tide was
still quite well in. It was a pleasant <span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt;">walk right at the edge of the sea, the
rocks here were pretty pastel colours and there were many shells, limpets and
cockles galore. We couldn't get quite as far as we wanted and were harried a
bit by a black headed gull which seemed to be protecting a nest maybe (Chris
says I'm a cowardly custard) so one way or another we had to go inland a bit
before dropping back down to Gorad beach where we enjoyed our lunch just
watching and listening to the little waves lapping up next to us. Next we had
to get around the river Alaw, which forms quite a big inlet here, so inland we went
following the water's edge. We found our way on quite a well kept path which is quite newly opened, to the
bridge over the river and so back down the other side! </span><br />
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We were heading directly towards the
chimney at Anglesey Aluminium and Holyhead mountain (except for the sea of course..) so kind of felt we hadn't
made much headway! It was hard going here as the fields full of wavy grass were
uneven underfoot. Soon we were back onto the shoreline and although the clouds
threatened we kept dry if windswept. </span><br />
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Now we were headed in a northerly
direction at least and Porth Penrhyn Mawr was the first beach we crossed looking
across still to Holyhead and after a track walk, Tywyn Mawr beach followed. It
is a really beautiful bay and beach but as a backdrop has many caravans. This time of year though it wasn't that busy..</span><br />
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Not
far then to Trefadog where we would have preferred to stop today but there
really wasn't anywhere to park. Not a beautiful beach, quite rocky but we did see a heron flying across to fish on the rocks....</span><br />
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Then along
the coast we went passing a few more beaches, all quite rocky and not
completely spectacular. Porth Terfyn was overlooked by a lovely big house and
also a strange encampment complete with the hulk of an old boat and
various rusty machines! </span><br />
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Then we passed Porth Tywyn.........we had to go behind the beach here<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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and then battled with another
quite overgrown path to Porth Fudr, Porth Crugmor, Porth Tyddyn Uchaf and so to
Porth Swran, <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placetype w:st="on">Church</st1:placetype>
<st1:placetype w:st="on">Bay</st1:placetype></st1:place>! <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Up above the beach is another old windmill....so many on Anglesey...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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A long walk
today....13.5 miles! <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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So very happy that the cafe, Wavecrest, was open and a
coffee was just the thing! What's more, the owner gave us a big donation as we
left...thank you so much!<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt;"><u><b>Tuesday 15th <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on">July</st1:placename> <st1:placetype w:st="on">Church</st1:placetype>
<st1:placetype w:st="on">Bay</st1:placetype></st1:place> to Cemaes</b></u></span><br />
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px;">Left a bit earlier today on a bright and sunny morning. Feeling a bit fresher at first but it soon hotted up, in the afternoon it was baking! After car manoeuvring, which was easier today as the car park in Cemaes, our finish point, was easy to spot. Back to Church Bay, Swtan, and after observing a massive concrete job going on in the rocks beneath a house on the edge of the cliffs, off we set!</span></div>
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A really lovely coastal walk today, complete with ups and downs so not the easier walk we had hoped for! At times it was quite hard going dropping to coves and inlets and then up again, quite like being back in Pembroke, anyway the views were spectacular!</div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px;">We could easily see Holyhead mountain today! We followed a little fishing boat for quite a way around the coast as far as West Mouse Island.</span><br />
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He was very busy putting his creels in the water for crab and lobster. We found another favourite spot quite soon at Ynys y Fydlyn! What a place!</div>
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With views both to Holyhead.....</div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px;">....and then across to the Skerries with its (their?) lighthouse.....</span><br />
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px;">....and a huge lump of an island all complete with a shingle beach and then as we were about to leave, Chris saw the amazing arch. Just a perfect place..</span><br />
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We then headed up the cliff again, this onto private land which is closed to the public over winter......a shooting area maybe. Anyway we were glad we could go up today - it was beautiful...</div>
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As we turned another corner, we could see the Skerries, Ynys y Moelrhoniaid, and West Mouse Island, Maen y Bugael, with its little white beacon....</div>
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And then a chimney came into view at Carmel Head. The chimney and nearby ruined buildings and winch were once part of the copper industry hereabouts.....also here are the 2 beacons, sort of triangular shaped monoliths which had been white at one time and which are known as the Two White Ladies.</div>
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These 2 huge 45 feel tall stone beacons apparently line up with the beacon on West Mouse Island to form a line and warn of Coal Rock a further 1.5 miles away from West Mouse.</div>
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We walked along beside the sea, sometimes higher, sometimes lower, passing pretty Porths along the way...</div>
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....always with magnificent blue sea to our left - and splendid views all round....</div>
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...it was hard to stop gazing out to sea, watching the Skerries and West Mouse disappear behind us.....</div>
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.......and listening to the sound of the terns which we were now watching as they dove into the sea, fishing...and we saw a group of Canada geese swimming along with a neighbouring group (flock?) of another type of goose for company......</div>
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.....and nearby cormorants were fishing too....</div>
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We came then to Hen Borth, a shingly beach which looked irresistible for lunch. As we came close to the shingle, the final field we were crossing had a bull lying in it....he was HUGE! Luckily I hadn't spotted him til the last minute so he was soon passed!</div>
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And then what a wonderful lunch setting!</div>
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We sat watching the blue waves and white surf lap onto the shingle and saw many terns diving for us! Wonderful! And a group of sheep were keen to share our lunch - I wasn't so keen on that happening...Then we dragged ourselves away and headed over another headland with the calls of the terns growing louder as we approached Cemlyn Bay.</div>
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It really was hot now as we watched the rough water over the sandbanks, an obvious good feeding ground for the birds getting noisier and noisier. And still flowers to spot.....I really must get to know the umbellifraes better...</div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Fu_gz968yoI/U9jOirr_igI/AAAAAAAACV4/vmmNsw95SaY/s1600/Aberffraw+to+Traeth+Dulas+328-web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Fu_gz968yoI/U9jOirr_igI/AAAAAAAACV4/vmmNsw95SaY/s1600/Aberffraw+to+Traeth+Dulas+328-web.jpg" width="281" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px;">Cemlyn Bay is a strange land formation with a shingle embankment behind which is a huge lake. The embankment is not passable at high tide but we were ok today. As we began to cross, there is a huge house on the banks surrounded by a huge stone wall - storms must be terrible here. As a backdrop to all this is Wylfa nuclear power station which I didn't think was unsightly.</span></div>
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The terns and the black headed gulls were really noisy feeding their young with a non-stop flight in and out by the parent birds. So many of them! Photographers and ornithologists were having fun! It was hard going walking across the mass of shingle....</div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px;">And so we headed towards and around the power station..still with many busy birds to watch..</span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px;">Passing its visitor centre, we thought we'd have a drink since this short walk seemed to be going on longer than anticiapated, but it had just closed! So onwards and upwards. We went through the nature trail running through the grounds of the station which has just been replanted with native trees and a new bat barn has been built....obviously trying hard to keep everyone happy!</span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XxdvXP_7uI8/U9jOjgeLG6I/AAAAAAAACWM/26AoSHiJKCk/s1600/Aberffraw+to+Traeth+Dulas+346-web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XxdvXP_7uI8/U9jOjgeLG6I/AAAAAAAACWM/26AoSHiJKCk/s1600/Aberffraw+to+Traeth+Dulas+346-web.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px;">As we emerged from the wood, we were first of all heading for Wylfa Head but decided then that we would bypass it, it being an optional "extra" but we did in the end go around the next headland by mistake! Never mind it was such a lovely afternoon and from here we could overlook Porth Wylfa, where someone was snorkelling - looked inviting! ....and Ynys Badrig, Middle Mouse Island, just off the headland.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: 13px;">And here we could see on the hills around quite a lot of wind turbines.............quite ironic so close to the nuclear power station, don't you think?</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13px;">Following the coast around, we came into Cemaes. A very pretty bay and a lovely little town with many of its old cottages down by the beach and harbourside. It is the most northerly village on Anglesey and has some of the most important geology in the world. As we walked around the coast on the way to the centre, we passed 3 or 4 plinths each with various rocks on them with their identification and where they had been found on the island - rocks ranging from granite to jasper.........would like to revisit them as there was too much to take in when you're tired! The growth of Cemaes had been based on limestone and marble and of course shipbuilding. Out at sea here are the Harry Furlough's rocks, named after a man who used to put the lights out on the beacons so he could plunder the ships wrecked as a result! In the bay is the fairly recently erected Time and Tide bell which rings out when the tide comes in..............</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13px;">..........quite reminiscent of the bell under the harbour at Aberdovey, which serves as a reminder of the bells of Cantre'f Gwaelod, Wales's Atlantis. We were mighty relieved to get back to the car in the really hot sun!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13px;">So much for a shorter walk today............my mapping skills are a bit rubbish....11 miles further though with some serious ups and downs, but worth it! Just a shame that the Wavecrest cafe back at Swtan didn't open on Tuesdays...................</span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt;">Seagulls fighting overhead, couple of buzzards
today, sandwich terns, black headed gulls........cormorants, stone chats
chattering, oyster catchers shrilling, swallows, skylarks......<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt;">Campion, vetch, coltsfoot, heathers, thyme, so
many.....<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt;">Plenty of butterflies today and cinnabars...<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt;">Super views of <st1:place w:st="on">Snowdon, yr Wyddfa,</st1:place>
and his friends as we drove home down the A5 and down the Llyn past Yr Eifl and
friends. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt;"><b><u>Thursday 17th July Cemaes to Traeth Dulas</u></b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt;">Well, if anyone tells you <st1:place w:st="on">Anglesey</st1:place>
is flat, don't believe them! Not on the northern coast it's not. Yesterday we had had to
spend just exploring in the rain which was great as I could visit my ancestor haunts and at Lligwy the chambered burial cairn....</span></div>
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and iron age settlement were fascinating....<br />
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We had enjoyed a lovely meal though in the evening when the rain subsided at the Oystercatcher in Rhosneigr. A great place sponsored by the Timpson Foundation and opened in 2011 to support young people both as chefs and waiting staff in their training - what's more, the food was fantastic! <br />
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We decided it just wouldn't be fun to walk in
heavy rain so today could be a long one........The day began bright and sunny
with maybe more cloud in the east we hoped.....it is said that like Cornwall
and Devon, the "other" side of the peninsula, or in this case, island
the weather can be totally different. So off to Traeth Dulas first to drop a
car then back passing Amlwch and its Parys mountain, copper mountain since
Roman times, and the biggest copper mine in the world in the 18th century. It is a strange place, like a lunar surface and I think has been used to film science fiction things...<br />
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More of the more modern windmills were passed before arriving back at Cemaes....<br />
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We left the pretty beach at Cemaes by 9.45 and so the last coast walk of our week began. <br />
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Until the very last couple of miles, we hugged the coast today
with all its ups and downs! And with the calling and chuckling of the gulls,
the piping of the oystercatchers, the lulling of the sea, the chattering of
stonechats and the chirruping of grasshoppers for company! Actually this was
maybe one of the busiest bits of coastal path we've walked on for other
walkers. Maybe only surpassed on the Gower. Across Cemaes Bay we said goodbye to Wylfa....<br />
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...and more of our lime kilns were passed as we approached Porth Padrig....<br />
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The uphill started heading off to
Porth Padrig, known as White Lady bay with its chalky stack in the middle of
the beach. <br />
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The rest of the rock here appeared totally different to the stack
but there are reputedly lots of caves here made by smugglers! And here we saw
another young gull being carried off by another larger bird, could it have even
been a larger gull? <br />
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Off up to the headland at Llanbadrig with its 4th century
church and churchyard overlooking the sea. Think the main bit of the church
looked more like maybe 11th or 12th century so guess it's 4th century boast is
about an original base here, probably around a well I wouldn't be surprised.<br />
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Many ups and downs started with great views and now quite a lot of harebells....<br />
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As we came around to the first of the northerly beaches, our legs were quite tired already!<br />
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The most northerly beach is Porth
Llanlleiana. An amazing place with its old industrial heritage still there.
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This had been a porcelain mine! Incredible to believe now but for the old
chimney and big industrial building and a watchtower or beacon up above. Up
once more next to see the hill fort, Dinas Gynfor. Sadly not really much to see
now especially with the bracken so high. Soon we came round to Porth Cynfor,
otherwise known as Hell's Mouth because it is a stormy, windy place .....but
not today, it was more like its name related to the heat! <br />
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Another climb from
the beach up along the cliff, maybe you can get some idea of the steepness here.....still with Middle Mouse Island peeping round...<br />
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Soon we were dropping down to Porthwen. There were the 2
huge chimneys shooting out beneath us..........<br />
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so we had to go down through the gorse
and brambles! And it is unreal to see the disused brickworks and its harbour
sitting at the side of the sea! How on earth did the workers get there? <br />
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A bit
like a mini Porthgain which we passed back in Pembrokeshire. <br />
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Another walk
around the head of the beach and the views back to the brickworks. The harbour wall was built alongside a natural arch in the cliff..<br />
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and just by the side of its own shingle beach....<br />
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and then uphill again around a lovely cliff walk
where we soon had our lunch stop..meltdown! Continuing, we soon came around to <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on">Bull</st1:placename> <st1:placetype w:st="on">Bay</st1:placetype></st1:place>
which is quite a walk around! <br />
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But a pretty bay where we saw lots of fishermen!
Some in boats even too. And its prettily planted boat on the shore...<br />
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And then around the headland, passing a very unpretty
and now disused chemical plant, to <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on">Amlwch</st1:placename>
<st1:placetype w:st="on">Port.</st1:placetype></st1:place> On approach we saw another old windmill..<br />
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....and statutory Anglesey horses....<br />
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...must get a better picture before we leave the island! <span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px;">Amlwch was the main port in the 19th century for exporting its copper.</span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt;"></span><br />
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt;">
We had visited here about 11
years ago too and it still is an interesting place, now quite a modern marina and still complete with its huge lime
kilns! </span><br />
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt;">
And also a lovely cafe, the Sail Loft, which also doubles as a heritage museum where the people really spoiled us
getting us cold drinks, hot drinks, newspapers to read and even a huge
donation...thank you so much! This was where we would have stopped yesterday,
but due to adverse weather, now we had to carry on.. Still clinging to the
coast, it was a really lovely walk and we met other people here too who live in
<st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on">Bull</st1:placename> <st1:placetype w:st="on">Bay</st1:placetype></st1:place> and had a good chat. The lady is an
Owen so could be my relative - and she has given a kind donation on<a href="http://www.justgiving.com/Pamela-Mallpress"> JustGiving</a> - thank you so much! My great grandparents came from Amlwch and
Llaneilian which was our next Porth and where we had visited its church
yesterday, a really interesting old church well worth a visit, where my great grandparents married. </span><br />
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Before passing Porth
Llaneilian, we passed its well. Again the early holy well of St Eilian. </span><br />
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We
could have walked around Point Lynas stretching out from Llaneilian but as it
doesn't form a necessary part of the path, today we decided against it. </span><br />
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Point Lynas looked lovely both on approach and as we left it behind...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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More
lovely Porths were passed and we met a young chap who kindly donated. He was
from <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Cardiff</st1:place></st1:city>
area...and his cousin was a little way behind following him. They were on their way to Amlwch to camp for the night. It was a little easier walking
here, well at least not as steep as the northerly beaches part but still quite
hard in the heat. And here we could now see the north coast of <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Wales</st1:place></st1:country-region> east of
Snowdonia, though a bit hazy....nearly the end of this 870 mile walk! <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Soon we had to head inland to
walk around the Dulas estate, they must not approve of a coastal path! And this
was the worst bit today. No sea to see, going steadily up through fields in
heat and marauded by horse flies! It seemed to go on a long time, avoiding the
estate, and then we dropped down through a field toward Llangwenllwyfo church,
a modern one and in the field,we saw a hare! I hadn't imagined it the other
day! And a pheasant flew over, we have heard them here and there over the last
few days. So we came finally to the Dulas estuary, phew! Complete with its old hulk...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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We wandered up the
side of the marshy estuary to the calling of a sea bird and were very pleased
to see the little car! 15 miles!! Finished walking at 7pm!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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On the way home saw a flock of soay sheep, or
some similar breed, with horns and a flock of Jacob's sheep......<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt;">Weather all over the <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">UK</st1:place></st1:country-region> has been
tropical it seems and the south east in particular so thunder and lightning due
there tonight!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt;">Today's flora and fauna: Scabious, sage, heather, harebells at the
northerly beach! Heather, willow herb, ragwort, silver weed (has been a lot of that this week), tormentil, orchids
near Llaneilian....<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt;">Choughs....one feeding a young one on a
headland and another one ringed! I like choughs!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt;">So home in the morning - waiting til September for the end of Anglesey and beyond......keep in touch, pamelamallpress@btinternet.com</span></div>
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Pamela Mallpresshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08938256713646288802noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5056411862587291662.post-90865737768403601862014-07-05T06:17:00.002-07:002014-07-10T05:13:31.898-07:00Walks 36-40 Trefor to Aberffraw 27th June to 1st July, 2014Ready for the next instalment? Getting excited now as Anglesey fast approaches, birthplace of my great grandparents! Thank you again for your support everyone. Chris and I sometimes have to remind ourselves it's in a good cause when we hit those tired moments! Anyone wishing to donate, have a look at <a href="http://www.justgiving.com/Pamela-Mallpress">www.justgiving.com/Pamela-Mallpress</a> or if you would like to offer any suggestions or comments, please email me on pamelamallpress@btinternet.com So off we went......<br />
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<span style="font-size: 11.0pt;"><b><u>Walk 36: Friday 27th June
Trefor to Dinas Dinlle<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></u></b></span><br />
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It's been a lovely hot and sunny couple of weeks or more so we were not surprised to see the forecast change! But really it has been too hot to walk. So off we set bright and breezy back to Trefor. No rain at all until we reached Porthmadog and then the showers began, but not too heavy so far. we left the car at Dinas Dinlle, of which more later, and taxied back to Trefor. A very nice man, DCO Taxi Service, told us about his walks on the Llyn and Snowdon and about Lord Newborough, the local gentry. He also kindly deducted the fare so we put the deduction in our tin - thank you! He did also give us his mobile number - not sure if he thought we wouldn't make it but it was very kind. Later, in the rain, the thought did cross my mind........On reaching Trefor it was a bit wet....but pretty nevertheless...</div>
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...with good views of the harbours old and new.<br />
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We walked back from Trefor harbour to Traeth Eifl which we had bypassed last time as it was so hot and the legs were tired after the height gain. we had left Trefor and the Irish Sea looking like the Med, it was a bit more British today but clouds can be pretty too, don't you think? It was indeed a lovely walk beside the sea and in the end about the only real sign of the coast today so we were glad we did it, though it did feel strange to have the sea to the right of us! Cormorants and gulls were sitting on the rocks, not too pleased at our presence and we disturbed a few bullocks.....and I saw a fisherman! The sky cleared as we looked back at Yr Eifl and Nefyn point; Garn For sloping steeply down to the mirror-like sea, beautiful!<br />
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We walked back the way we had gone rather than cutting through the town as we had done last time, so passing once more the old harbour, now disused, where the trackway led down from the quarry from where once the granite would have been brought down to export. Then we passed again the new harbour which was quite busy relatively speaking. We had set off fully kitted up in wet gear and by now the sun came out so we were really hot as we climbed up the hill to the road out of town so we decided to undress a little! So the road walking began....we just trudged along the A499, first of all keeping quite dry. We were walking quite a lot on the old road (it looked very narrow) so Chris did a "he's so Moneysupermarket.com" impression!</div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">If you don't watch the adverts on TV you will wonder what<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>I mean...We had a respite at </span><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Clynnog Fawr, first passing Beuno's well, an earlier holy site</span><span class="apple-converted-space" style="font-size: 11pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 11pt;">taken over by Christianity when Beuno came here in the 6th century,</span>probably from Powys.</div>
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He set up the church here, a lovely old building. really a very big place as Beuno made it a centre for teaching too. It has Beuno's tomb and.....</div>
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<span style="font-size: 15px;">...</span>an 11th century sun dial in the churchyard. this was also a gathering place for the pilgrims heading down the Llyn to Bardsey Island, Ynys Enlli. As we left the church, the rain came down heavier so we coated up again, although it was still very warm! We ate lunch as we walked in the absence of a suitable, dry place to sit. We saw the Llyn path sign and felt a little sad that we were now leaving it behind.</div>
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We were then on the lookout for Arianrhod's rock/castle out at sea. She was a beautiful lady, mentioned in the old Welsh book, the Mabinogion, who wasn't awfully nice. She denied that a boy, Lleu ,was her son and so her home was taken by the sea. Apparently it can still be seen at low tide but we couldn't spot it today. We were quite a way from the sea though although we did see Maes Dylan, albeit in the distance, in the rain!</div>
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Reputedly the grave of Dylan, son of the Wave, who after he was baptised made for the sea and turned into a fish and swam away. We felt pretty much the same by now.......quite damp that is! The traffic rushing past us splashed and kept threatening to turn my umbrella inside out, terrible behaviour and not much of a coast path this! At least we saw plenty of ox eye daisies and the pink of the mallows and campion, the blue of scabious and the yellow of bords foot trefoil...</div>
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Lots of valerian now too which was not smelling too good in the rain. As we turned left and headed seawards, it was quite difficult walking along a busy byroad with no footpath and it was quite busy..maybe cars heading for the airport..or Bird World? And our feet were quite sore now. We even heard a clap of thunder as we headed back to Dinas Dinlle.<br />
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We could vaguely see Yr Eifl in the mist as we turned and headed to the fish n chip shop which luckily did a great coffee....bliss! Our exploration of the hill fort will wait for tomorrow when we are hoping for drier weather....I know we nee<span style="font-size: 11pt;">ded some rain, I'm not</span> complaining! Think I heard a curlew as I changed my <span style="font-size: 11pt;">boots.....</span><span class="apple-converted-space" style="font-size: 11pt;"> </span><br />
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We headed then to our holiday home in Briensiencyn on the Isle of M</span><span style="font-size: 11pt;">ô</span><span style="font-size: 11pt;">n. After a huge queue</span><span class="apple-converted-space" style="font-size: 11pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 11pt;">to get over </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11pt;">the <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on">Britannia</st1:placename> <st1:placetype w:st="on">Bridge</st1:placetype></st1:place> we made it. Views of <st1:place w:st="on">Snowdon, Yr</st1:place></span> Wyddfa, from our home for a few days...and chips for tea! <span style="font-size: 11pt;"><br /><br />
10 and a half miles<span class="apple-converted-space"> today.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11pt;"><b><u>Walk 37: Saturday 28th June<span class="apple-converted-space"> Dinas Dinlle to Parc Menai</span></u></b><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Julia's birthday! Hope the weather was good for her party. Sure they'll be celebrating their recent engagement too!</span></span></div>
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<br /><span style="font-size: small;">The rain had been heavy in the night and although overcast this morning, it was dry. We collected a hire car first, a Fiat 500. The taxi cost for Sunday morning was going to be £40 so a car hire for a few days made much more sense. Then we found a place to leave the said car and found that Parc Menai, the Natioanl Watersports Centre just outside Caernarfon was just right and they were quite happy for us to do that. Then back down to Dinas Dinlle and this time we went up to the hillfort. Great views of cloud covered Yr Eifl.....</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11pt;">and out to Anglesey, we could see the lighthouse at <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on">Llanddwyn</st1:placename><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><st1:placetype w:st="on">Island, one of our targets in the coming few</st1:placetype></st1:place></span> days. It is quite a big hillfort with its inner fort clear to see. </div>
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About a third has fallen into the sea. Some say it once belonged to Lleu, son of Arianrhod, she who had th<span style="font-size: 11pt;">e castle</span> out to sea. W<span style="font-size: 11pt;">e still couldn't see it! </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11pt;">The taxi driver yesterday said he has seen the fort erode </span>over time. Then off we went by the sea,hooray! The thrift was still in abundance these few days though maybe past its best now...</div>
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We walked up the peninsula leading to Fort Belan but had to turn inland at Caernarfon Airport. It really has one,<span style="font-size: 11pt;"> more of a leisure one </span>now but it was an RAF station d<span style="font-size: 11pt;">uring the war and until 1955.</span><span class="apple-converted-space" style="font-size: 11pt;"> </span></div>
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It was quite a wet walk across some marsh land here and we got damp legs as we approached Foryd Bay, a nature reserve. Never mind, we saw egrets and swallows. We walked around the bay for some distance, looking back at the Yr Eifl views and Dinas Dinlle just in front....</div>
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<span style="font-size: 11pt;">We walked around the bay for<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>some distance, very pleasant ....</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11pt;">.....and soon had to go inland to cross the river Gwyrfal. </span><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Close to</span> here is another fort, Dinas Dinoethwy but no time to explore today. We were soon back to For<span style="font-size: 11pt;">yd</span> Bay, now looking across to Fort Belan at the end of its peninsula and looking across to Isle of Môn. A lovely place for lunch!</div>
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It was then a nice walk, if a little windy, to get into Caernarfon. All the walking today apart from the brief one up to the airport and through the marsh, was on lanes that also had traffic. Not a lot but some. But that also meant that the going was fairly easy on tarmac roads. As Caernarfon came into view, we were amazed at the walls which neither of us remembered....it is a long time since we were last here though!</div>
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It was really impressive to approach the town from this direction with the castle and the town walls to greet us. and both of us agreed there appears to be a Dinas, the original settlement, in amongst. Edward I certainly built a good castle.....</div>
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And the seafront has been really well updated with a good pathway alongside the walls......<br />
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The remains of the Roman legionary fort, Segontium,are further west of the town so we didn't pass them but I don't think much remains. The path led us around the marina, what was earlier the coal or slate quay, and is now very well refurbished and modern with lovely apartments and eateries.<br />
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<span style="font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span>The path continued along the edge of the water for a little while but soon the Menai Straits could only now and then be glimpsed through the trees as this path is also cycle track number 8. It seemed a long trek along here and a black cloud seemed headed our way, was it? We got nearer to the road and soon were at the busy roundabout where we turned left and were soon back at Plas Menai.......and the cloud had held off!<br />
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We enjoyed a marvellous coffee before heading off to retrieve the other car! <br />
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<span style="font-size: 11pt;">12 miles<span class="apple-converted-space"> today...</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 11.0pt;"><u><b>Walk 38: Sunday 29th June<span class="apple-converted-space"> Plas Menai to Moel y don</span></b></u><br />
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After a beautiful sunset last night, really stunning colours, </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">we
awoke to </span>a sunny morning sooff we went leaving car 1 at Moel y Don, just a couple of miles from Brynsiencyn where we are staying where we saw on the map there is a small car park. Had decided last night that we would like a shorter walk today so tried to cut it back to 10 miles....ha! Ha!....</div>
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Really pretty place by the Straits w<span style="font-size: 11pt;">ith a skeleton boat in </span><span style="font-size: 11pt;">the mud </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11pt;">...and views across the
Straits to Y Felinheli, quite near our</span><span class="apple-converted-space" style="font-size: 11pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 11pt;">start for the day.</span><span class="apple-converted-space" style="font-size: 11pt;"> </span></div>
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Back to Plas Menai in other car to restart. So kind of the people there to let us park for the day. I spotted some orchids in the garden there. We saw lots of orchids this walk ranging from pale pinks and mauves to dark pink and purple.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">So began quite a<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>lot of road walking as we went first along a tree lined lane....(cycle track 8....)</span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ju6xFRpZb4c/U7feSh2WanI/AAAAAAAAB9o/zyTwv1lWhaI/s1600/Trefor+to+Aberffraw+121-web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ju6xFRpZb4c/U7feSh2WanI/AAAAAAAAB9o/zyTwv1lWhaI/s1600/Trefor+to+Aberffraw+121-web.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
.....and then through Y Felinheli<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>down by the water, so pretty. We could see our car on the banks across the water!<br />
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<span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">Just before the town </span>is a place called Dinas which seemed to be where the marine engineers were and Y Felinheli had a festival going on. Soon we passed Port Dinorwic which is now a little marina. </div>
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Clearly it had earlier been involved in coal distribution and had probably been an important landing place for some time as it is a long inlet. We then passed through another wood and found ourselves following the cycle track no. 8 signs in the absence of coastal ones! More road walking followed and then uphill on the Caernarfon to Bangor busy road reaching a roundabout at the Britannia Bridge crossing where the map told us to go down through Parc Menai, an industrial estate on the edge of the Vaynol Estate which I tihnk belongs to the Queen. It has impressive roadside gates!</div>
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Someone though didn't give us path signs here and we wandered through the industrial estate which was quite busy for a Sunday. We even passed the offices of Natural Resources Wales at one point which is now partly responsible for the Coast Path - no-one was there though. We wandered to the edge of the park as we knew from the map that the path should be there....but it wasn't. All really frustrating all the more so because it was really hot now and the nearby sewage works were very smelly! So we had to retrace our steps deciding to go back and follow cycle route no. 8 again over the Menai Bridge which meant more road trudging. I wasn't pleased. As we crossed the busy road we saw a road apparently leading down to the Straits so we took it and came to the underneath the bridge path! It is interesting to see the railway track on the underside.Bet it would be noisy when a train went through!</div>
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And at the edge of the straits, there were the Coastal Path signs once more….. bold as brass!</div>
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The bridge was rebuilt in1978 after a fire in 1970. <span class="apple-converted-space" style="font-size: 11pt;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11pt;">It was then a lovely walk </span><span style="font-size: 11pt;">through a wood once more where we lunched. We arrived at </span><st1:place style="font-size: 11pt;" w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on">Treborth</st1:placename> <st1:placetype w:st="on">Gardens</st1:placetype></st1:place><span style="font-size: 11pt;"> boasting its breeding red</span><span class="apple-converted-space" style="font-size: 11pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 11pt;">squirrels, hurray! And a huge old oak tree. </span><span style="font-size: 11pt;">The gardens are part of </span><st1:place style="font-size: 11pt;" w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on">Bangor</st1:placename> <st1:placetype w:st="on">University</st1:placetype></st1:place><span style="font-size: 11pt;">.</span><span style="font-size: 11pt;"></span><br />
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<span class="apple-converted-space" style="font-size: 11pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Shortly we arrived at the </span><st1:place style="font-size: 11pt;" w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on">Menai</st1:placename> <st1:placetype w:st="on">Bridge</st1:placetype></st1:place><span style="font-size: 11pt;">. </span><br />
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It was so exciting to walk across it! And so we arrived<span class="apple-converted-space" style="font-size: 11pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 11pt;">on </span><st1:place style="font-size: 11pt;" w:st="on">Anglesey</st1:place><span style="font-size: 11pt;">! </span><br />
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We had decided a little while ago that we would also walk clockwise around Anglesey so we turned left immediately on leaving the Bridge, going down to the water's edge, now following the new sign for the Anglesey path!<br />
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We walked along the pretty Belgian Promenade looking<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>ahead, or was it back? to the Britannia Bridge.<br />
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We walked along the <span style="font-size: 11pt;">straits with pretty views in every direction, including across to Snowdon. We saw a lot of Yr Wyddfa these few days! </span><br />
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</span><span style="font-size: 15px;">And the Menai Bridge looked stunning against the blue sky! </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 11pt;">We soon passed the shore looking</span> across to the little island, Ynys Goreg Goch, with 2 homes on it. This was on TV a little while ago with Griff Rhys <span style="font-size: 11pt;">Jones. </span><br />
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They have a special licence to catch fish here so have nets out all the time. This was the sort of place and day that we would have liked to stop and sit and watch but we had more miles to do yet! We soon went back under the Britannia Bridge <br />
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...and so up the roadside before we dropped down again to the beach, passing a pretty church with a huge monument...who was it to? And then on the beach there was a huge statue of Nelson. he was a popular chap!<br />
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Really stunning views of the bridges and jet skis were racing about! Leaving the beach at a little pier at Pwllfanogl, we went uphill up a track under trees so at least it was cool! We then had to follow the road again but there was a path parallel to the road behind a hedge so we didn't have to battle traffic. And the path was mostly on boardwalks so the going was quite smooth but it was really hot here! Soon we turned right up over fields to Bryn Celli ddu.....a chambered cairn that we were really looking forward to exploring. The going was hard over the fields but we still had the Snowdon views.............<br />
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<span style="text-align: start;">...and then we were annoyed again as we crossed the stiles towards the now visible cairn only to find the farmer had put up a Private sign!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11pt;"> <a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SN7k6_uMTyo/U7fi1cJU5II/AAAAAAAACAQ/1OEVax6ox-8/s1600/Trefor+to+Aberffraw+188-web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SN7k6_uMTyo/U7fi1cJU5II/AAAAAAAACAQ/1OEVax6ox-8/s1600/Trefor+to+Aberffraw+188-web.jpg" height="157" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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Retracing steps once more, passing a mad cow also....oh dear, we followed the fields around to find a better made path which led to the cairn. What a sight, brilliant!<br />
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It had been excavated in 1928 and rebuilt and is in fact smaller than it was but it really is amazing. It had been a henge originally it seems and is unusual in having a standing stone at the front which has swirly patterns....<br />
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.....which<span class="apple-converted-space" style="font-size: 11pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 11pt;">are also seen on
standing</span> stones in Brittany. Travellers then as now! <span style="font-size: 11pt;"> </span><br />
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A magical place! So we were on the final lap but had already covered over 14 miles! Yikes! So off we went towards the road again then crossing the main roa<span style="font-size: 11pt;">d and so back</span> down to Moel y Don, the last mile seemed a long one but we had marvellous views across to Snowdon and Yr Eifl to the right. It did look so lo<span style="font-size: 11pt;">vely across the water!</span><span class="apple-converted-space" style="font-size: 11pt;"> </span><br />
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Not a lot of butterflies today except some chocolate
coloured ones over the fields.</span> Don't know what kind. Meadowsweet, birds foot trefoil, campion, blackberries flowering, silver weed, honeysuckle, clover. Oyster catchers....gulls...herons....swallows....<span style="font-size: 11pt;"><br />
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Another 16 miles !! A lovely day.</div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.0pt;"><u><b>Walk 39: Monday 30th June. Moel y Don to Llyn Rhos Ddu<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></b></u><br />
<br />Had decided last night that today would be a shorter walk, really! So we</span> planned around the tides as the early part of the walk said we should only be able to go on the beach at low tide and so we could have a later start as high tide today was midday. A lovely bright, sunny morning again a<span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">n</span>d as we awoke, we heard aeroplanes from RAF Valley, realising it has been quiet the last 2 days of weekend without them. Not that there are lots, just that they are there now and then and perhaps mostly helicopters. First of all we had a drive to Caer Leb which was very close to us. It is an impressive Iron Age defence site with good ditches still in place.</div>
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Just had to fight off the horse flies a bit! Thought about also visiting another Iron Age site, Castell Bryn Gwyn, but it looked a longer walk so decided to leave it til later. Off we went by 11.30 to drop the first car at the finish position, a car park at Llyn Rhos Ddu. However, the car park was closed due to tree cutting but with no lumberjack, or anyone else, in sight. <br />
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So an alternative had to be found and we had passed a model village so went back there and asked if we could leave the car and the man was only too pleased to agree especially as we had bothered to ask when usually people leave cars without permission. So back then in the other car to Moel y Don to find a coach stuck at the bottom of the narrow road! what he was doing there was a mystery....satnavs eh? Anyway there was space for us and he did manage to turn around so off we set on our walk....</div>
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It was now clear to see<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>the Dinas across on the other bank of the Straits, a tree covered outcrop at Y Felinheli.And the skeleton boat was now submerged by the high tide....<br />
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First of all we walked along lanes and then soon dropped down to the beach at Llanidan, oyster catcher spotting on the way ....<span style="font-size: 11pt;"> </span><br />
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and we enjoyed a lovely walk watching the boat lessons being taught by the tutors at the National Watersports Centre<span style="font-size: 11pt;"> across </span>from us now on the other bank of<span style="font-size: 11pt;"> the straits. </span><br />
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We sat on the beach here for a while enjoying an early lunch and mountain spotting across to Snowdonia....<br />
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....there were the Glyders too....<br />
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We then headed inland through wooded lanes, passing Llanidan house, the first of many big estates we saw today including Plas Newydd which we had diverted around yesterday, Plas Coch now a holiday estate. Anglesey does have some big estates and we also saw lots of horses today, Llanidan has its stud farm too. <br />
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Not too far across fields, before we were back to the side of the sea again and we were still heading back towards Yr Eifl, another corner to turn soon.....</span></div>
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We had a lovely<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>walk with <span style="font-size: 11pt;">views across to our walk of yesterday soon coming across from Caernarfon, its</span> walled town now clear to see.<br />
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We passed the settlement of Foel with its sea zoo and Mon Halen (Salt of Anglesey) which is a thriving business. We had seen the Mermaid Inn on the map so planned on a coffee stop but it seems to be a name only as i<span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">s the Ferry House next to it. We went</span> then on to the beach with good views of Yr Eifl, if <span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">very hazy. </span></div>
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It was warm today but humid so not as clear as yesterday. We chatted to an avid photographer here, Rick Bull, a Nikon user. After a short walk along the pretty beach we headed inland again. the last of the coastal bit for today. We headed over fields, up tracks, past houses, got lost a bit missing a hidden in the undergrowth stile, until we came to the river Braint which was very picturesque...<br />
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Here we had stepping stones to cross. Not an easy feat for me...but I made it. My they were huge stones...</div>
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<span style="font-size: 15px;">This river is also tidal as we were now quite near Newborough and its Warren and sands, but as I said before we knew we were at low tide now so all was well. Lovely views back down the Llyn, though hazy. We could see Badrun, Fadrun and even down to Anelog. Then we had just a straight walk up a track, along the road and soon arriving back at the model village.......only to find the gate closed with a padlock on it! Oh no......but all was well after a quick panic as the chain could be lifted over the gate post! Although not so far today, it had been warm so we were glad it was no further. We visitedCastell Bryn Gwyn on the way to collect the other car...</span></div>
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Another typical Neolithic site with ditches, some of it now under a nearby house or farm. Apparently excavations here revealed it had been inhabited into Roman times. The remains of a stone circle are supposedly nearby but were not very apparent to us.......but pretty little Jersey calves wer<span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">e! We had seen many more butterflies today too.</span></div>
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we are so enjoying all the Neolithic sites here! Tea at the pub tonight...the Groeslon Hotel in the village!</div>
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9 miles<span class="apple-converted-space"> today - far enough.....</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.0pt;"><u><b>Walk 40: Tuesday 1st July Llyn Rhos Ddu to Aberffraw<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></b></u><br />
<br />Off we set in the hot sun even at 9.30! Left a car at Aberffraw and so back in other car to start at </span>Llyn Rhos Ddu where luckily the car park was open today!</div>
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Lots of horses in the fields here. It was really hot as we set off on the sandy track, first accompanied by little blue dragonflies, and I had forgotten my hat! soon we were walking alongside the forest which wasn't so good as were well and truly flied! Both of us don't get on with horse flies in particular having succumbed to them all our lives, not to mention earlier this week! So it was no surprise we got got again.....first aider to the rescue...It did kind of spoil the opening gambit for today but it was soon forgotten except for itchy lumps and bumps, as we approached the dunes and went onto the fantastic, breathtaking Traeth Llanddwyn......</div>
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<span style="font-size: 11pt;">with its island and its</span><span class="apple-converted-space" style="font-size: 11pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 11pt;">lighthouses.... </span></div>
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and the hills of the Lleyn and Snowdon on the horizon, albeit a bit hazy again.<span class="apple-converted-space" style="font-size: 11pt;"> </span><br />
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We could see right down to Bardsey if we screwed our eyes up. </span></div>
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We had a lovely beach walk with the dunes and forest on the landward side and as we came up to the causeway across to the island, were just amazed at the views....</div>
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We enjoyed a lovely ramble onto the island which <span style="font-size: 15px;">is dedicated to St Dwynwen, </span>saint of lovers and in Wales her saint day, 25th January, is the Welsh St Valentine's Day. The skyline on the island is so lovely - with the Celtic cross, the runied church and the more modern of the 2 lighthouses standing so clearly against the sky!<br />
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A strange love story though.<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>Dwynwen was promised to another by her father so she put the man she loved in a block of ice but then felt bad about it so unfroze him and promised she would never marry and so dedicated her<span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">self</span> to help other lovers and she had a holy well full of eels which apparently had some powers! The church here was <span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">made ruinous at the Dissolution.</span><br />
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There are apparently 5 holy wells on the island, we did see 1 of them. </span><br />
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It is a truly magical<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>place with simply stunning views, even through the haze. </span><br />
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Chris saw maybe a baby Dunlin here, on the wall under the lighthouse.....</span><br />
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and there were</span> lots of shags or cormorants on the rocks. Once more the views across the Straits were beautiful...here below with the old lighthouse set against them.<br />
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Think this was one of my most favourite places though I think it will be very busy in the summer months...glad I saw it today. We then made our way back across the causeway with the tide still coming in (don't think it will get cut off except with high winter (or are they spring?) tides!)around to the adjoining beach, Tra<span style="font-size: 11pt;">eth Penrhos and were about the only people on it. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-size: small;">The rock here is a bluey green colour and is volcanic, pillow lava it is called, which shot up and cooled on reaching the surface - amazing! There was more of this too on Aberffraw beach at the end of our walk today.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 11pt;">Traeth Penrhos was another</span> lovely beach walk with many crabs, lots of all types of clam shells, sea urchin shells and even a coconut! <br />
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And it was hard to resist the views looking back to the island and the Lleyn - that peninsula soon to disappear for us...turning another corner...<br />
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We followed the beach round along the huge dunes.....<br />
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and so up the Cefni es<span style="font-size: 11pt;">tuary and its marshes.</span><span class="apple-converted-space" style="font-size: 11pt;"> </span><br />
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We stopped for lunch on the beach just before we crossed the March and met some lovely ladies just starting the Anglesey coast walk. One of them had walked Lands End to John O'Groats a few years ago. They all work for charities, some I think for the NSPCC, and kindly donated to ours....thank you all and enjoy your walk! And so after the marsh and some forest track walking, we crossed the quite long Cob into Malltraeth.</div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.0pt;"><br />Here we saw fish jumping in the river being followed by a white egret...</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">and could that v shape have been an otter? This cob was opened in</span> 1812. As yet I haven't checked its history....but Malltraeth was home and inspiration to one of the best British wildlife artists, Charles Tunnicliffe....<a href="http://www.thecharlestunnicliffesociety.co.uk/shorelands.html">http://www.thecharlestunnicliffesociety.co.uk/shorelands.html</a> ...lovely paintings. We had a coffee at the Joiners Arms here and a good chat with the interesting landlord. We then met 2 girls walking the whole path<span style="font-size: 11.0pt;"> the other way. They</span> are 2 weeks in to their target of finishing in 9 weeks so we had a chat exchanging stories.<br />
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They are walking for the Wildlife Aid Foundation and we wish them lots of luck...and much fun en route...to see their story...<a href="http://www.facebook.com/welshwalkforwildlife">ww</a><a href="http://www.facebook.com/welshwalkforwildlife">w.facebook.com/welshwalkforwildlife</a> or <a href="http://www.justgiving.co.uk/teams/welshwalkforwildlife">www.justgiving.co.uk/teams/welshwalkforwildlife</a> <br />
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We dipped back do<span style="font-size: 11pt;">wn to the marsh</span> again briefly before we crossed more fields and followed more tracks, sometimes going uphill with fantastic views back to Snowdonia.<br />
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We cut through lanes <span style="font-size: 11pt;">on the Bodorgan Estate.....an estate going back over a 1,000 years
and a farmhouse behind the huge Bodorgan Hall was where Prince William and Kate
lived </span><span style="font-size: 15px;">when</span><span style="font-size: 11pt;"> they were on </span><st1:place style="font-size: 11pt;" w:st="on">Anglesey</st1:place><span style="font-size: 11pt;">. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-size: small;">Soon we could see Holyhead mountain looming ahead and the dunes of Aberffraw...</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 11pt;">We decided to take the beach </span><span style="font-size: 11pt;">route back</span><span class="apple-converted-space" style="font-size: 11pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 11pt;">to the car so detoured through the dunes. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-size: small;">They do come inland a long way here. Many orchids, much restharrow to be seen crossing the dunes and cinnabar moths on the ragwort.....</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 11pt;">and weak knees to be felt! It was</span><span class="apple-converted-space" style="font-size: 11pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 11pt;">though a super beach walk with the tide now a long way out and the sun glistening on the water.</span><span class="apple-converted-space" style="font-size: 11pt;"> And I had improvised a hat for the day!</span><br />
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So we followed the river Ffraw up away from the sea and to the car parked near the old bridge...</div>
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<span style="font-size: 11pt;">Another 15 miles down, making it 62.5 these 5</span> days! And now we have to wait for a week before we continue on our way! </div>
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<span style="font-size: 11pt;">Hampton Court Flower Show awaits next week then back for another week walking......hope you can join us for the next section!
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Pamela Mallpresshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08938256713646288802noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5056411862587291662.post-40619655370216599142014-06-03T07:25:00.001-07:002014-06-03T07:25:22.244-07:00Walks 29-35 Criccieth to Trefor (the Llŷn Peninsula) 24th-31st May<div class="MsoNormal">
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<span style="background: white;">Left home VERY early...6 which is early for me!
Decided to go for the 9 am bus replacement for the train(remember the line is closed until the bridge is mended back at Maentwrog) in the hope of avoiding the threatened
afternoon rain. Quite a bright morning as we approached Dolgellau once more,
and the bluebells are still an amazing sight on the slopes here. So arrived in
Pwllheli in plenty of time even to have a coffee at the station cafe. Bus was
there in the bus station across the road with very chatty driver, a Wrexham
supporter. Arrived Criccieth and set off walking by about 9.20. </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #454545; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 9.0pt;"><span style="background: white;">Lovely walk
along the seafront...we like Criccieth. Great views of the castle and it's
Dinas and across to the rest of the Lleyn and back to Porthmadog, Harlech and
Barmouth. The mountains of Snowdonia and the Rhinogs to the south not too clear
this morning...all had their cloudy hats on. We walked quite close to the sea for a while..</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #454545; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 9.0pt;"><span style="background: white;">At the river Dwyfor...meaning big water...we had
to go inland at Llanystumdwy, home to Lloyd George, quite a big estuary with
lots of flotsam and jetsam along it, complete with its boardwalk. </span></span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vWDYduSiQ4M/U42qFZ3-P0I/AAAAAAAABnQ/EjAy22W3E5g/s1600/The+Lleyn+peninsula+033-web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vWDYduSiQ4M/U42qFZ3-P0I/AAAAAAAABnQ/EjAy22W3E5g/s1600/The+Lleyn+peninsula+033-web.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #454545; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 9.0pt;"><span style="background: white;">Then just
footpath pounding along roadside, A 497, for about 4 miles. This is a
relatively new road, we could see the narrow old road alongside us from time to
time and its old toll house and at least the hedgerows are pretty just now!</span></span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-07r8mJg4oVU/U42qF6UB_iI/AAAAAAAABng/J5CxYuC2M4I/s1600/The+Lleyn+peninsula+041-web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-07r8mJg4oVU/U42qF6UB_iI/AAAAAAAABng/J5CxYuC2M4I/s1600/The+Lleyn+peninsula+041-web.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #454545; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 9.0pt;"><span style="background: white;">At Afonwen we dropped down to the coast
again...great views in all directions and oyster catchers making their
noise.</span></span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gvYiH6rc1OM/U42qGJyRMKI/AAAAAAAABnk/5vtyOegPL2k/s1600/The+Lleyn+peninsula+045-web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gvYiH6rc1OM/U42qGJyRMKI/AAAAAAAABnk/5vtyOegPL2k/s1600/The+Lleyn+peninsula+045-web.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #454545; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 9.0pt;"><span style="background: white;">Caravans alongside the sewage works seemed a bit strange..but the views
were lovely....</span></span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VNVwfNLajSE/U42qGsU8aDI/AAAAAAAABns/sFkLQvTix4M/s1600/The+Lleyn+peninsula+048-web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VNVwfNLajSE/U42qGsU8aDI/AAAAAAAABns/sFkLQvTix4M/s1600/The+Lleyn+peninsula+048-web.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-z5Pa_Z6DaxE/U42rVfmXu8I/AAAAAAAABoo/N0q_r3AlzZM/s1600/The+Lleyn+peninsula+051a-web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-z5Pa_Z6DaxE/U42rVfmXu8I/AAAAAAAABoo/N0q_r3AlzZM/s1600/The+Lleyn+peninsula+051a-web.jpg" height="242" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #454545; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 9.0pt;"><span style="background: white;">...so we headed out to Pen-chain point with all its thrift flowers </span></span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nYGVmB008oE/U42rVaovyvI/AAAAAAAABoA/EkesFD0LHfk/s1600/The+Lleyn+peninsula+061-web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nYGVmB008oE/U42rVaovyvI/AAAAAAAABoA/EkesFD0LHfk/s1600/The+Lleyn+peninsula+061-web.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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and had lunch
beside an old gun emplacement...<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_MO4FnWmmQE/U42rWau688I/AAAAAAAABoM/eaU79r4tOAQ/s1600/The+Lleyn+peninsula+063-web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_MO4FnWmmQE/U42rWau688I/AAAAAAAABoM/eaU79r4tOAQ/s1600/The+Lleyn+peninsula+063-web.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #454545; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 9.0pt;"><span style="background: white;">with good views across to Pwllheli along the
beach, Morfa Abererch,</span></span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tFihvM_KOkc/U42rVqAaHvI/AAAAAAAABn8/jloxuMhCyOM/s1600/The+Lleyn+peninsula+062-Morfa+Abererch-web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tFihvM_KOkc/U42rVqAaHvI/AAAAAAAABn8/jloxuMhCyOM/s1600/The+Lleyn+peninsula+062-Morfa+Abererch-web.jpg" height="143" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #454545; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 9.0pt;"><span style="background: white;"> which we proceeded to cross after lunch to beat the
clouds coming in....would we?....It was a lovely beach walk once more...mostly
shingle and stones rather than shells...the dunes had been bashed about by the storms </span></span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VDaxVq6wISs/U42rWWGN3ZI/AAAAAAAABoQ/ynRZ5lAeAmI/s1600/The+Lleyn+peninsula+067-web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VDaxVq6wISs/U42rWWGN3ZI/AAAAAAAABoQ/ynRZ5lAeAmI/s1600/The+Lleyn+peninsula+067-web.jpg" height="203" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #454545; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 9pt;">..and behind them were caravans and the railway. Tide was out so it was preferable to stay on
the beach rather than the official path which would have taken us inland. Someone had done a brilliant picture of Homer on the sand!</span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hcxoZ3pPgmY/U42rXKvdwAI/AAAAAAAABoc/RRGdFcQNSB4/s1600/The+Lleyn+peninsula+068-web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hcxoZ3pPgmY/U42rXKvdwAI/AAAAAAAABoc/RRGdFcQNSB4/s1600/The+Lleyn+peninsula+068-web.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #454545; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 9pt;">Good
views across to Crochan Berw at the harbour entrance and the marina entrance...a flotilla of little
sailing boats had set out to sea as we found a path across the dunes to rejoin
the road into the town...and the rain started, not too bad though and still
warm. </span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BM2Ekc9IVSc/U42rXepMfbI/AAAAAAAABog/c2xZc-_Da6Y/s1600/The+Lleyn+peninsula+071-arriving+at+Pwllheli-web+.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BM2Ekc9IVSc/U42rXepMfbI/AAAAAAAABog/c2xZc-_Da6Y/s1600/The+Lleyn+peninsula+071-arriving+at+Pwllheli-web+.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #454545; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 9pt;">We headed on the very nice marina path back to the car, first finding a cafe for a
coffee, before heading off to Aberdaron and the holiday house, Cyll y Felin
Fawr, the big hazel mill...or my preferred version hazel tree by the big mill (neither of which we in fact saw...), to await our holiday friends, the Beatties our daughter and son-in-law and 2 lovely granddaughters, who had
been enduring a long, slow journey from Kent!</span></div>
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<span style="background: white;">11 miles done! Mostly flat so quite
quick...finished by 2.15!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #454545; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 9.0pt;">Walk 30. Monday 26th May</span></div>
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<span style="background: white;">Wow! What a wonderful day yesterday,
on the beach with the Beatties all day, first at lovely Porth Ysgol
with its rocks and island and then at Aberdaron..with a lovely crab ciabatta to
finish. We visited the ancient church on the beach, St Hywyn’s – R S Thomas, the Welsh
poet was vicar here from 1967 to 1978. </span></span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nIXvx6GAe4I/U42t6ubcL9I/AAAAAAAABpg/dA3zb44RJi8/s1600/The+Lleyn+peninsula+287-web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nIXvx6GAe4I/U42t6ubcL9I/AAAAAAAABpg/dA3zb44RJi8/s1600/The+Lleyn+peninsula+287-web.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #454545; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 9.0pt;"><span style="background: white;">A really tranquil place we thought. Then
today off we set at 9 to Pwllheli to resume the walk this time with Jane. </span></span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-B_63g_qniFg/U42tV1rND0I/AAAAAAAABpY/K3HGLLUdo04/s1600/The+Lleyn+peninsula+094-web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-B_63g_qniFg/U42tV1rND0I/AAAAAAAABpY/K3HGLLUdo04/s1600/The+Lleyn+peninsula+094-web.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #454545; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 9.0pt;"><span style="background: white;">Set
off by 10 from the marina and headed out to the coast first along a path by a
golf club with stunning views in all directions.....ahead to Abersoch and St Tudwal's Islands..</span></span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZjVkVHju8BM/U42tWS9FmnI/AAAAAAAABo8/on_GkjiCFOs/s1600/The+Lleyn+peninsula+096-web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZjVkVHju8BM/U42tWS9FmnI/AAAAAAAABo8/on_GkjiCFOs/s1600/The+Lleyn+peninsula+096-web.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #454545; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 9.0pt;"><span style="background: white;">...back down the beach to Pwllheli and its harbour..</span></span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_KmfBtjDfuA/U42tWe7foWI/AAAAAAAABpA/qzveH0Wv5Ec/s1600/The+Lleyn+peninsula+097-web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_KmfBtjDfuA/U42tWe7foWI/AAAAAAAABpA/qzveH0Wv5Ec/s1600/The+Lleyn+peninsula+097-web.jpg" height="145" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #454545; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 9.0pt;"><span style="background: white;">....and across the sun glistening sea to the mainland, dimly seen through the heat haze...</span></span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oSnbqPdWiDw/U42tW6h16KI/AAAAAAAABpM/st_H8PMQOg8/s1600/The+Lleyn+peninsula+103-web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oSnbqPdWiDw/U42tW6h16KI/AAAAAAAABpM/st_H8PMQOg8/s1600/The+Lleyn+peninsula+103-web.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #454545; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 9.0pt;"><span style="background: white;">Soon we were heading over the dunes and onto the beach, Traeth Crugan as the tide was out once more....</span></span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-b5mxOdezKRY/U42tXL9YtTI/AAAAAAAABpc/VAI-31JPECo/s1600/The+Lleyn+peninsula+105-web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-b5mxOdezKRY/U42tXL9YtTI/AAAAAAAABpc/VAI-31JPECo/s1600/The+Lleyn+peninsula+105-web.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #454545; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 9.0pt;"><span style="background: white;"> We headed around a headland Carreg y Defaid with
nice views and pretty foxgloves....</span></span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-b6U5qeY8on0/U42tXUQeSoI/AAAAAAAABpQ/rBqLtyhOAYk/s1600/The+Lleyn+peninsula+117-web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-b6U5qeY8on0/U42tXUQeSoI/AAAAAAAABpQ/rBqLtyhOAYk/s1600/The+Lleyn+peninsula+117-web.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #454545; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 9.0pt;"><span style="background: white;">and it was getting very warm!</span></span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UzTX-QhNBM8/U42vPDOl8wI/AAAAAAAABqQ/zQckesMrKeQ/s1600/The+Lleyn+peninsula+118-web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UzTX-QhNBM8/U42vPDOl8wI/AAAAAAAABqQ/zQckesMrKeQ/s1600/The+Lleyn+peninsula+118-web.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #454545; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 9.0pt;"><span style="background: white;">We soon were on our next beach of the day at Llanbedrog....with its lovely beach chalets </span></span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VUEtYj6PBpA/U42vOKuLIeI/AAAAAAAABp8/R61nVQ6ag6c/s1600/The+Lleyn+peninsula+122-web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VUEtYj6PBpA/U42vOKuLIeI/AAAAAAAABp8/R61nVQ6ag6c/s1600/The+Lleyn+peninsula+122-web.jpg" height="146" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #454545; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 9.0pt;"><span style="background: white;">...and soon headed steeply uphill here to see
the tin man...apparently he replaced an earlier tin or iron man who had replaced a much earlier wooden man who had been on a stern of a ship...</span></span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tPeRgSytqoY/U42vPJPUW6I/AAAAAAAABqg/nA9n2KAN5dg/s1600/The+Lleyn+peninsula+134-web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tPeRgSytqoY/U42vPJPUW6I/AAAAAAAABqg/nA9n2KAN5dg/s1600/The+Lleyn+peninsula+134-web.jpg" height="320" width="221" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #454545; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 9.0pt;"><span style="background: white;">Wow what views! </span></span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RsAxlS87kgs/U42vOnI-htI/AAAAAAAABqM/zGpgCgg8lx0/s1600/The+Lleyn+peninsula+133-web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RsAxlS87kgs/U42vOnI-htI/AAAAAAAABqM/zGpgCgg8lx0/s1600/The+Lleyn+peninsula+133-web.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span style="color: #454545; font-family: Helvetica;"><span style="font-size: 9pt;">We walked along the tops here for a while and soon got
views of Abersoch and the 2 </span></span><st1:place style="color: #454545; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 9pt;" w:st="on">St.</st1:place><span style="color: #454545; font-family: Helvetica;"><span style="font-size: 9pt;"> Tudwal's
Islands. Steeply back down dropping a bit inland as the cliffs were steep and
rocky facing </span><span style="font-size: 12px;">the</span><span style="font-size: 9pt;"> sea, as we saw once we were down there! </span></span></span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gn_jLqbLdHg/U42vPqK0w0I/AAAAAAAABqc/HOTdFMgOnl8/s1600/The+Lleyn+peninsula+144-web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gn_jLqbLdHg/U42vPqK0w0I/AAAAAAAABqc/HOTdFMgOnl8/s1600/The+Lleyn+peninsula+144-web.jpg" height="119" width="320" /></a></div>
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beach, the Warren, where we were very pleased to see more ancient forest
revealed...</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #454545; font-family: Helvetica;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hywgOd1b1OA/U42vQPeOR_I/AAAAAAAABqw/1jENqE1mGW8/s1600/The+Lleyn+peninsula+149a-web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hywgOd1b1OA/U42vQPeOR_I/AAAAAAAABqw/1jENqE1mGW8/s1600/The+Lleyn+peninsula+149a-web.jpg" height="279" width="320" /></a></span></div>
<br />
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Snowdon and the Glyders and could even see the top of Cadair Idris...magical! We
could have headed around the headland to Abersoch's south beach but the river was in the way....</span></span></span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2AgJRvR_tcY/U42vQ_LdAPI/AAAAAAAABq8/0lmrSAgky-4/s1600/The+Lleyn+peninsula+158-web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2AgJRvR_tcY/U42vQ_LdAPI/AAAAAAAABq8/0lmrSAgky-4/s1600/The+Lleyn+peninsula+158-web.jpg" height="166" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oh6YhwDi0Qw/U42vRmzuvnI/AAAAAAAABrI/elO6X_x-va8/s1600/The+Lleyn+peninsula+161-web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oh6YhwDi0Qw/U42vRmzuvnI/AAAAAAAABrI/elO6X_x-va8/s1600/The+Lleyn+peninsula+161-web.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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yacht club, </span></span></span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-83hqfgXw14g/U42xc0M6TMI/AAAAAAAABrQ/aGy3xK5YSic/s1600/The+Lleyn+peninsula+164-web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-83hqfgXw14g/U42xc0M6TMI/AAAAAAAABrQ/aGy3xK5YSic/s1600/The+Lleyn+peninsula+164-web.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span style="color: #454545; font-family: Helvetica;"><span style="font-size: 9pt;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
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breakwaters heading down to the end of the beach, our meeting place with Arthur and the
girls. </span></span></span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XJF4CohEvPc/U42vR8mkG1I/AAAAAAAABrA/71kZbK_75Sg/s1600/The+Lleyn+peninsula+168-web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XJF4CohEvPc/U42vR8mkG1I/AAAAAAAABrA/71kZbK_75Sg/s1600/The+Lleyn+peninsula+168-web.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #454545; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 9.0pt;">Walk 31. Tuesday 27th May</span></div>
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<span style="background: white;">Forecast last night showed that today and
tomorrow may be showery and first thing it was indeed wet. Off we set about 10, this time Arthur, Chris and I back to Machroes...much quieter here than yesterday, bank
holiday Monday in the sun! </span></span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-leTwoUWOV7k/U42yNqg7g1I/AAAAAAAABrc/jGHhFlf0dAY/s1600/The+Lleyn+peninsula+177-web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-leTwoUWOV7k/U42yNqg7g1I/AAAAAAAABrc/jGHhFlf0dAY/s1600/The+Lleyn+peninsula+177-web.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #454545; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 9.0pt;"><span style="background: white;">We headed up and over the headland, low clouds over
the mountains today with a still, grey sea, very ethereal! Had to go up a road that had been severely washed away thanks to those storms but we did think the Road Closed sign seemed to have been ignored....</span></span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gmWUQhLtg30/U42yOCUV4zI/AAAAAAAABro/iwupgbxXMu8/s1600/The+Lleyn+peninsula+181-web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gmWUQhLtg30/U42yOCUV4zI/AAAAAAAABro/iwupgbxXMu8/s1600/The+Lleyn+peninsula+181-web.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #454545; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 9.0pt;"><span style="background: white;">We passed some old
shafts which we later discovered were
mines for lead. The huge old building which we assumed had been a winding house
for the shaft was in fact a pumping station to keep water out of the mine(thank
you, Jane – you are a good researcher!).
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZxcXmj3nziA/U42yOZ_K1zI/AAAAAAAABrw/yIu0qa_WjmM/s1600/The+Lleyn+peninsula+182-web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZxcXmj3nziA/U42yOZ_K1zI/AAAAAAAABrw/yIu0qa_WjmM/s1600/The+Lleyn+peninsula+182-web.jpg" height="279" width="320" /></a></div>
Other strange buildings we couldn't imagine what their purpose was...then or now...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-k8HoT71jKjo/U42yOkOFdNI/AAAAAAAABr4/62UhS9fNhR8/s1600/The+Lleyn+peninsula+183-web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-k8HoT71jKjo/U42yOkOFdNI/AAAAAAAABr4/62UhS9fNhR8/s1600/The+Lleyn+peninsula+183-web.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #454545; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 9.0pt;"><span style="background: white;">And then back along the coast. The islands of st Tudwal's came into view...</span></span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EtfUyjbYkRg/U42yPCzCIFI/AAAAAAAABsQ/K6L7kRgJNbw/s1600/The+Lleyn+peninsula+187-web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EtfUyjbYkRg/U42yPCzCIFI/AAAAAAAABsQ/K6L7kRgJNbw/s1600/The+Lleyn+peninsula+187-web.jpg" height="147" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #454545; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 9.0pt;"><span style="background: white;">and
we met a family watching dolphins,,,,,at last there they were, we had walked all up Cardigan Bay and not seen one! There really were some playing just beneath us here - I know you'll have to take my word for it....but you can at least see how still and glassy the sea was!</span></span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ycB5kGejsTo/U42yPtN8NiI/AAAAAAAABsg/cEtSNwU5uww/s1600/The+Lleyn+peninsula+188-web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ycB5kGejsTo/U42yPtN8NiI/AAAAAAAABsg/cEtSNwU5uww/s1600/The+Lleyn+peninsula+188-web.jpg" height="177" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #454545; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 9.0pt;"><span style="background: white;">The family
donated too - thank you! We stood and watched for a while and then off again with the islands now falling behind us...</span></span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-w-lKTt6caqU/U42yQMvNguI/AAAAAAAABsM/pLxmvBBoeHg/s1600/The+Lleyn+peninsula+197-web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-w-lKTt6caqU/U42yQMvNguI/AAAAAAAABsM/pLxmvBBoeHg/s1600/The+Lleyn+peninsula+197-web.jpg" height="176" width="320" /></a></div>
and very soon saw Porth
Ceiriad come into view, a lovely beach ....<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-n4hoZ49CysI/U42yQqhixdI/AAAAAAAABsc/O4sTD0NJLJM/s1600/The+Lleyn+peninsula+199-web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-n4hoZ49CysI/U42yQqhixdI/AAAAAAAABsc/O4sTD0NJLJM/s1600/The+Lleyn+peninsula+199-web.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #454545; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 9.0pt;"><span style="background: white;">with an Iron Age hill fort on the other side falling into the sea once
more! </span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #454545; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 9pt;">We had to head inland then for a while as we met a detour around a
holiday village of some sort....got a bit lost finding its new route but made
it in the end and then back to the coast. The sea was so still!</span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iXFW9AY0H_c/U42yQ1jXFOI/AAAAAAAABs0/t-yN2pvEpOA/s1600/The+Lleyn+peninsula+210-web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iXFW9AY0H_c/U42yQ1jXFOI/AAAAAAAABs0/t-yN2pvEpOA/s1600/The+Lleyn+peninsula+210-web.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #454545; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 9pt;">Around the headland we went with some steep
uphills where we could see both sides of the peninsula and St Tudwal's Islands ahead and now even Bardesy Island appeared! </span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--80ApwaqCDk/U42yRIVXXjI/AAAAAAAABsk/3t4eJ4E9ivQ/s1600/The+Lleyn+peninsula+211-web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--80ApwaqCDk/U42yRIVXXjI/AAAAAAAABsk/3t4eJ4E9ivQ/s1600/The+Lleyn+peninsula+211-web.jpg" height="130" width="320" /></a></div>
This was around where
we had stopped on our last walk here 2 years ago. Heading now towards Hell's
mouth beach, Porth Neigwl, which came into view once over the last incline at
the trig point ....<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nrjrHyC1khA/U42yRpWJj6I/AAAAAAAABsw/6wgaFrVEreg/s1600/The+Lleyn+peninsula+213-web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nrjrHyC1khA/U42yRpWJj6I/AAAAAAAABsw/6wgaFrVEreg/s1600/The+Lleyn+peninsula+213-web.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1bUCktHCxm0/U42ySp5FBoI/AAAAAAAABtM/nhGK6e31Xvk/s1600/The+Lleyn+peninsula+218-web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1bUCktHCxm0/U42ySp5FBoI/AAAAAAAABtM/nhGK6e31Xvk/s1600/The+Lleyn+peninsula+218-web.jpg" height="144" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #454545; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 9pt;">and inland we could see Carn Fadrun, the hill with one of the largest hill forts in the country!</span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GhEu_BCRcKo/U42ySxN0GrI/AAAAAAAABtA/CAG_Pe88o30/s1600/The+Lleyn+peninsula+217-web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GhEu_BCRcKo/U42ySxN0GrI/AAAAAAAABtA/CAG_Pe88o30/s1600/The+Lleyn+peninsula+217-web.jpg" height="129" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #454545; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 9pt;">Then we had to head inland a little with a strange path under a hawthorn, passing a
badger sett and steeply downhill! Not such a great Coastal Path here....Soon now going towards the beach and trying
to see Jane and the girls. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0xU0o_F7Q5w/U42yS0II6MI/AAAAAAAABt0/oR5VW7Yj1hg/s1600/The+Lleyn+peninsula+224-web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0xU0o_F7Q5w/U42yS0II6MI/AAAAAAAABt0/oR5VW7Yj1hg/s1600/The+Lleyn+peninsula+224-web.jpg" height="241" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #454545; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px;">They soon started to walk towards us, we had done 8 miles to here! </span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-19Xjk-ts5Ng/U42yTrfT4AI/AAAAAAAABtw/WKfNIVLFXTg/s1600/The+Lleyn+peninsula+226-web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-19Xjk-ts5Ng/U42yTrfT4AI/AAAAAAAABtw/WKfNIVLFXTg/s1600/The+Lleyn+peninsula+226-web.jpg" height="239" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #454545; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 9pt;">We sat together for lunch but it was a bit chilly in the wind so Susannah
preferred to be on car duty now. Jane, Abigail and I set off to cover the last
3 miles of the beach whilst the others sorted out the cars!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QpeHv5imkIo/U42yT9eJgvI/AAAAAAAABtY/QBby3-Jf3D8/s1600/The+Lleyn+peninsula+229-web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QpeHv5imkIo/U42yT9eJgvI/AAAAAAAABtY/QBby3-Jf3D8/s1600/The+Lleyn+peninsula+229-web.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
Coastal path
actually goes inland along lanes here but hey, the tide's out, the beach
beckons! Abigail did a great job, energised with a packet of mints! <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_nAw0aSZUAY/U42yUdp4_WI/AAAAAAAABtc/BPVbcT3gG_E/s1600/The+Lleyn+peninsula+235-web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_nAw0aSZUAY/U42yUdp4_WI/AAAAAAAABtc/BPVbcT3gG_E/s1600/The+Lleyn+peninsula+235-web.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
The sand
dunes gave way to sandy cliffs, very eroded. Saw a few sanderlings and tiny
crabs here and there. </span><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NXLbzjFdpHU/U424lRlrKBI/AAAAAAAABwg/bC6-Pgrxheg/s1600/birds.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NXLbzjFdpHU/U424lRlrKBI/AAAAAAAABwg/bC6-Pgrxheg/s1600/birds.jpg" height="133" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #454545; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 9pt;">The beach had been pretty stripped of the soft sand we'd
seen last time here. Here and there were sinking sands which was slightly
alarming, good job we were following a tiny pirate! Did we need a beach guide?
At the edge of the beach near where we were to take our leave, the beach was
covered in plenty of stones and boulders. We were again to find out on our return that there had been a jetty here to take away the quarried manganese as there had been at Porth Ysgo. all organised from Rhiw and Benrallt on the headland above. Amazing!!</span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-O5geoM0CC6A/U4216ydWS9I/AAAAAAAABt8/IN2Vw_V1MCQ/s1600/jetty_porth_neigwl_1_small.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-O5geoM0CC6A/U4216ydWS9I/AAAAAAAABt8/IN2Vw_V1MCQ/s1600/jetty_porth_neigwl_1_small.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #454545; font-family: Helvetica;"><span style="font-size: 9pt;">We saw the rest of our party coming
to meet us and soon had to make our way up the now collapsed footpath! </span></span></span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HczoD5bDIk4/U42yUUb9OrI/AAAAAAAABts/HE-RqGKxh_o/s1600/The+Lleyn+peninsula+238-web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HczoD5bDIk4/U42yUUb9OrI/AAAAAAAABts/HE-RqGKxh_o/s1600/The+Lleyn+peninsula+238-web.jpg" height="162" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="color: #454545; font-family: Helvetica;"><span style="font-size: 9pt;">And so
back to the cars, parked neatly on the coast path route! </span></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #454545; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 9pt; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xtwGQmIiQ9c/U42yU35SANI/AAAAAAAABto/T1ta_t3a85w/s1600/The+Lleyn+peninsula+240-web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xtwGQmIiQ9c/U42yU35SANI/AAAAAAAABto/T1ta_t3a85w/s1600/The+Lleyn+peninsula+240-web.jpg" height="270" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="color: #454545; font-family: Helvetica;"><span style="font-size: 9pt;">Finished about half
past 4. 11 miles! Through the 600 now and </span><span style="font-size: 12px;">Abigail</span><span style="font-size: 9pt;"> had walked a magnificent 3 miles on the beach! She's a star! And she and Susannah were given more donations in the shop and car park - thank you!!</span></span><br />
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<span style="background: white; color: #454545; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 9.0pt;">Walk 32. Wednesday 28th May</span></div>
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<span style="background: white;">Well we had a surprise today as we expected a
rainy day after the forecast last night. It was in fact a bright morning so off
Jane, Chris and I set, back to the base of Rhiw hill..lovely ethereal views of
Snowdonia, that means a bit hazy! Off up the hill by 10 which Jane had
wanted us to stop at the top of....</span></span></div>
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walked through Plas en Rhiw, a 17th century
national trust house but somewhere here we lost path signs so just headed up
the road to where we met the path again. The path headed to the coast passing Mynydd y Graig, with its fort on top and lots to see!
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Was that a collapsed dolmen?....we could live here with its lovely views and history!
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Passing the stony outcrops....the Lleyn is just a mass of volcanic outcrops,
perfect for hill forts!, and as we discovered, very much quarrying! <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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We saw a pair of very yellow birds near these rocks....yellowhammers or
budgies? I'm in favour of yellow hammers....<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Chris was very excited to spot the sewage works...Jane and I more
interested in possible burial mounds in a field! Soon heading down towards the coast again
but we went too far so had to retrace..uphill of course! But we did get great views towards Porth Ysgo and beyond to Bardsey....<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Turned through a farm
with its enormous pig<br />
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<span style="color: #454545; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 9.0pt;"><span style="background: white;">and out across fields with their Dexter cows..nice ladies
gave us a donation here and were very interested in our walk, thank you! Lovely hedgerows full of campion and cow parsley. </span></span></div>
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Then we turned back to
the coast through Nant Gwaden passing the levels....<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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to where the manganese quarries would have despatched their finds out to the little boats...the old winding houses were here too....<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Our researcher on return home, once again informed us that these
mines were for manganese in the stainless steel industry....<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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So strange to think that so many beautiful places we have visited were
once, not so very long ago, scenes of so much industry – good to see that
nature has its way and turns it all back to a beautiful place. Porth Ysgo is such a lovely cove...especially in this bright sunshine! <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Not quite as
sunny as on our "free" day", Sunday, but the morning had been fine! Just a brief look down to where we had spent those lovely hours....<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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and then along the coast with
lots of nettles.....then across fields, one with rams and cows! And so to the
coast road and down into Aberdaron. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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We spotted lots of old enclosure / boundary
earthworks in the fields - all now fenced off and protected which you will see more of later. Certainly a protected species on the Lleyn.. We should have
headed to the river to head into town but we stayed on the road as we had a
meeting to keep with Arthur and the girls for lunch...It was lovely dropping into the
pretty town passing the church overlooking the beach and a house having its
new thatch! Lovely lunch at Ty Newydd, the pub with a terrace overlooking the beach, crab sandwiches! Then
back on the path....over the cliffs once we'd got up the steep steps. Lovely
views as we went along the path...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ClTDnWyaQ_8/U423IrBlfZI/AAAAAAAABwY/v5K24dnoeoo/s1600/The+Lleyn+peninsula+293a-web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ClTDnWyaQ_8/U423IrBlfZI/AAAAAAAABwY/v5K24dnoeoo/s1600/The+Lleyn+peninsula+293a-web.jpg" height="232" width="320" /></a></div>
....out to Porth Meudwy....<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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with quite a few people walking the path for a little while...and
then no-one, pretty much like most of our route has been so far! A young man with
his dog were inspired by us to carry on walking but of course he had things to get back for....So
many people we have stopped to chat to have said they too would love to do a
long walk – just do it I say! Soon we were out on open land again Llanllawen I think, a lot of the land here is National trust land....and more of those protected ditches, here with lovely thrift growing on it.. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Crossing fields we had to bravely pass quite closely to a
cow and her calf! Jane and I were brave! It was a lovely bracing walk heading out to Pen
y Cil, the headland, <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QvCAT4dFXxU/U423IBIPCdI/AAAAAAAABv8/XJpX5yoSamM/s1600/The+Lleyn+peninsula+316-web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QvCAT4dFXxU/U423IBIPCdI/AAAAAAAABv8/XJpX5yoSamM/s1600/The+Lleyn+peninsula+316-web.jpg" height="189" width="320" /></a></div>
and great views to <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on">Bardsey</st1:placename> <st1:placetype w:st="on">Island</st1:placetype></st1:place>.
Spotted a few choughs but no dolphins today...see the chough on the fence...really it was!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Past St Mary's well, we
headed up to the car park to meet our companions<span class="apple-converted-space"> ....<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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</span><span style="background: white;">11.25 miles..up to 1500 feet elevation gain today</span><br /><br />
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<span style="background: white; color: #454545; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 9.0pt;">Walk 33. Thursday 29th May</span></div>
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<span style="background: white;">Arthur, Chris and I set off and parked at Pen y
Cil to set off just before 10 and what a hilly start! </span></span></div>
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Passing St Mary's Well and up
and over Mynydd Mawr with views of Bardsey, passing an old observation point
and it's concrete standing and then onward over to Anelog...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-G3Rf9vsBNtc/U43FnX7hPXI/AAAAAAAABxY/nFblls3Oobg/s1600/The+Lleyn+peninsula+343a-web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-G3Rf9vsBNtc/U43FnX7hPXI/AAAAAAAABxY/nFblls3Oobg/s1600/The+Lleyn+peninsula+343a-web.jpg" height="145" width="320" /></a></div>
....we thought we
wouldn't go so high today! A challenge! Lovely views across the headland to the little Aberdaron islands...Ynys Gwylan Fawr and Ynys Gwylan Bach. <span style="background-color: white; color: #454545; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px;">Saw some choughs and plenty of flowers.</span><span style="color: #454545; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 9.0pt;"><span style="background: white;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Soon after we met Mona and Dave from <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Canada</st1:place></st1:country-region>....they are also walking the coast path, the other way round, for Velindre and for other charities too. lovely to meet them and best of luck! They'll finish before us....see them at: <a href="http://www.madwalking.com/">www.madwalking.com</a>.......</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #454545; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 9.0pt;"><span style="background: white;">Still lovely views behind and ahead...here the lovely coastline..</span></span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ohaC-_JMUqQ/U43IVVmZuoI/AAAAAAAABxs/ATPbVKb55rw/s1600/The+Lleyn+peninsula+353a-web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ohaC-_JMUqQ/U43IVVmZuoI/AAAAAAAABxs/ATPbVKb55rw/s1600/The+Lleyn+peninsula+353a-web.jpg" height="237" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span style="color: #454545; font-family: Helvetica;"><span style="font-size: 9pt;">and then the patterns and smell of newly cut grass...early sileage this year, it's been a good growing year!</span></span></span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Z5MpETr4Tgs/U43IVKWwjhI/AAAAAAAABx4/VEZQlX8lThE/s1600/The+Lleyn+peninsula+357-web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Z5MpETr4Tgs/U43IVKWwjhI/AAAAAAAABx4/VEZQlX8lThE/s1600/The+Lleyn+peninsula+357-web.jpg" height="188" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="color: #454545; font-family: Helvetica;"><span style="font-size: 9pt;">....we had
a meet planned for 12.30 on Porth Oer, Whistling sands. Jane and Abigail had so
looked forward to it and this section of the </span><span style="font-size: 12px;">walk</span><span style="font-size: 9pt;"> was planned so that they could join us....and there they were flying their kite! </span></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #454545; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 9pt; text-align: center;">
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<span style="color: #454545; font-family: Helvetica;"><span style="font-size: 9pt;">Had another kind donation
just as we dropped onto beach, thank you. And the sands are still whistling....not quite as much as before the storms apparently but </span><span style="font-size: 12px;">Abigail</span><span style="font-size: 9pt;"> and Susannah loved making the noise as they rushed along the sands. Off again after lunch...</span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: 9pt; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pGh4frK0GKk/U43IWQHIq0I/AAAAAAAAByE/G0-pY_uGhNo/s1600/The+Lleyn+peninsula+375-web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pGh4frK0GKk/U43IWQHIq0I/AAAAAAAAByE/G0-pY_uGhNo/s1600/The+Lleyn+peninsula+375-web.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: 9pt;">...leaving our walking companions and the beach behind...</span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: 9pt; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: 9pt;">We had expected to go inland
but we stayed on the coast, the coastal path must have just opened here so we went past
Porth Iago...</span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: 9pt; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tThX2fv8fRI/U43IXXwgjlI/AAAAAAAABzw/gF7MZCk0ifw/s1600/The+Lleyn+peninsula+382-web-Porth+Iago.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tThX2fv8fRI/U43IXXwgjlI/AAAAAAAABzw/gF7MZCk0ifw/s1600/The+Lleyn+peninsula+382-web-Porth+Iago.jpg" height="200" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: 9pt;">and Ferin. I was very excited to see these secret beaches! Another donation here too followed by another from 2
families who were very chatty and friendly, thank you. Still lots of flora - here once more lots of pretty thrift....</span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: 9pt; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ul84_S4DOpY/U43IXqW68gI/AAAAAAAAByg/hUOVoLgYHaw/s1600/The+Lleyn+peninsula+387-web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ul84_S4DOpY/U43IXqW68gI/AAAAAAAAByg/hUOVoLgYHaw/s1600/The+Lleyn+peninsula+387-web.jpg" height="320" width="295" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: 9pt;">The path was a bit difficult here and
there but with quite stunning cliff views and more ups and downs. </span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: 9pt; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-K4RKV01JBfQ/U43IYbTicrI/AAAAAAAABzY/iJi6c4enp3Y/s1600/The+Lleyn+peninsula+393-web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-K4RKV01JBfQ/U43IYbTicrI/AAAAAAAABzY/iJi6c4enp3Y/s1600/The+Lleyn+peninsula+393-web.jpg" height="198" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: 9pt;">Saw the quite rare
Spring Squill here – had seen it here and there over the past few days, what a
treat! </span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: 9pt; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-d6CiuywgU_M/U43IY4Dje_I/AAAAAAAABys/jsBxh5rldEY/s1600/The+Lleyn+peninsula+397-web-spring+squill.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-d6CiuywgU_M/U43IY4Dje_I/AAAAAAAABys/jsBxh5rldEY/s1600/The+Lleyn+peninsula+397-web-spring+squill.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: 9pt;">Around to Porth Widlin and views up to Penrhyn Colmon now. </span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: 9pt; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-04BpRYCgqHQ/U43IZGATSII/AAAAAAAABy0/bvHVUa1Ev0A/s1600/The+Lleyn+peninsula+411a-web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-04BpRYCgqHQ/U43IZGATSII/AAAAAAAABy0/bvHVUa1Ev0A/s1600/The+Lleyn+peninsula+411a-web.jpg" height="185" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: 9pt;">The cliffs
here were quite low and not as spectacular but soon we saw Traeth
Penllech.....a stunning stretch of beach. </span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: 9pt; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IxP5BP0f2KI/U43IZHjVWSI/AAAAAAAABy8/oFXBVZQIjzQ/s1600/The+Lleyn+peninsula+415-web-Penllech.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IxP5BP0f2KI/U43IZHjVWSI/AAAAAAAABy8/oFXBVZQIjzQ/s1600/The+Lleyn+peninsula+415-web-Penllech.jpg" height="138" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: 9pt;">Even saw some wild orchids here. We
walked some on the beach where a family were building a spectacular dam where the river came down, complete with seaweed to add to its strength...further along the cliffs were of boulder clay complete with yellow flag irises which we saw a lot this week here and there...</span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: 9pt; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BgQFZAXd89o/U43IZpw83II/AAAAAAAABzQ/yQqND3ZNqFs/s1600/The+Lleyn+peninsula+416-web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BgQFZAXd89o/U43IZpw83II/AAAAAAAABzQ/yQqND3ZNqFs/s1600/The+Lleyn+peninsula+416-web.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: 9pt;">But some walking was on the cliff top too...quite hard going! </span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: 9pt; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-snDe7SLgLpI/U43IaaZsonI/AAAAAAAABzM/Pn2nFh_Ba2E/s1600/The+Lleyn+peninsula+426-web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-snDe7SLgLpI/U43IaaZsonI/AAAAAAAABzM/Pn2nFh_Ba2E/s1600/The+Lleyn+peninsula+426-web.jpg" height="204" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: 9pt;">Lovely sun
came out for a while...it had been a warm day with just a little wind now and
then. Soon came to Porth Ysgaden...a lovely sight with a natural harbour using
the rocks and this had been the home of herring fishing – Sgaden is Welsh for
herring. It also had had a lime kiln here and had seen lots of imports and
exports. The gable end of a house still stands proud where once the harbour
master had lived who was paid extra for catching smugglers! </span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: 9pt; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ExLmvchSgz0/U43IarnZmyI/AAAAAAAABzs/nWtwHYscbDk/s1600/The+Lleyn+peninsula+432-web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ExLmvchSgz0/U43IarnZmyI/AAAAAAAABzs/nWtwHYscbDk/s1600/The+Lleyn+peninsula+432-web.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: 9pt;">The house had been
last lived in in the 1930’s by brothers who were coal merchants. Quite soon we
could see Towyn coming into view...phew! First across Porth Ysgaig....pretty
bay with canoes and a little village of caravans, crossing a river with a
waterfall. </span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: 9pt; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WdBjJnzJFJM/U43IbGf5f8I/AAAAAAAABzo/s-R-C1wChJI/s1600/The+Lleyn+peninsula+437-web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WdBjJnzJFJM/U43IbGf5f8I/AAAAAAAABzo/s-R-C1wChJI/s1600/The+Lleyn+peninsula+437-web.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: 9pt;">Then we looked out for our companions waiting for us on the pretty
beach at Towyn, Abigail climbing the rocks...what a relief to see them! Had a
chat with a lady here and she was very impressed with
our walk – if you read this I would like to say a big thank you for your kind
donation on </span><a href="http://www.justgiving.com/Pamela-Mallpress" style="font-size: 9pt;">JustGiving</a><span style="font-size: 9pt;">– it is really appreciated. The support we get really
does help when we sometimes find the going tough! </span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span style="color: #454545; font-family: Helvetica;"><span style="font-size: 9pt;">Never lost sight of the sea
at all today...and 2 fishermen on the beach at the end! First of the
week....somewhere along the way we saw a duck family on a swimming lesson..</span></span></span><br />
<br /><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #454545; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 9pt;">......13.5 miles later!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #454545; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 9pt;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-size: 9pt;">Walk
34. Friday 30th May</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">Wow! What a beautiful morning! Bit achey after
yesterday but off Chris and I set to Towyn to set off once more by
10....</span></span></span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-joduYW59ZE0/U43OdF5NxNI/AAAAAAAAB0Y/DNGHdomm6Ds/s1600/The+Lleyn+peninsula+438b-web-Day+6+start+at+Towyn.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-joduYW59ZE0/U43OdF5NxNI/AAAAAAAAB0Y/DNGHdomm6Ds/s1600/The+Lleyn+peninsula+438b-web-Day+6+start+at+Towyn.jpg" height="293" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #454545; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 9pt;"><span style="font-size: 9pt;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">apparently only 6-7 miles today.....such a lovely morning, blue sea and
sky....</span></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NVULV_EsWXY/U43Odc_JOiI/AAAAAAAAB0E/ycZ_tbi--IE/s1600/The+Lleyn+peninsula+442-web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NVULV_EsWXY/U43Odc_JOiI/AAAAAAAAB0E/ycZ_tbi--IE/s1600/The+Lleyn+peninsula+442-web.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
...a bit hazy so the hills of Yr Eifl not clear yet...absolutely lovely views, bay and
beach after beach and bay<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8QJUjuZbKi4/U43OdTShTeI/AAAAAAAAB0I/ZYVtsQkR1yM/s1600/The+Lleyn+peninsula+445-web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8QJUjuZbKi4/U43OdTShTeI/AAAAAAAAB0I/ZYVtsQkR1yM/s1600/The+Lleyn+peninsula+445-web.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
.....Walking first over the clifftops, we saw many lambs, some quite big now....<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EQurakQZ2NM/U43OeJViAbI/AAAAAAAAB0U/EXnXfDGU6aQ/s1600/The+Lleyn+peninsula+447a-web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EQurakQZ2NM/U43OeJViAbI/AAAAAAAAB0U/EXnXfDGU6aQ/s1600/The+Lleyn+peninsula+447a-web.jpg" height="221" width="320" /></a></div>
...another duck family, Mum with her 7 ducklings floating about the rocks, <span style="background-color: white; color: #454545; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px;">many cormorants</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #454545; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 9pt;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #454545; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px;">and even a </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #454545; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 9pt;">seal bobbing about...there he is just to the right of the top rock....you may have to take my word for it, but who could blame him on a day like today!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NqjSWAc-cFs/U43OelWa16I/AAAAAAAAB1Y/IlQVjBm922Y/s1600/The+Lleyn+peninsula+456a-web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NqjSWAc-cFs/U43OelWa16I/AAAAAAAAB1Y/IlQVjBm922Y/s1600/The+Lleyn+peninsula+456a-web.jpg" height="205" width="320" /></a></div>
Another pretty little cove...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KcdbtizCRXE/U43OfLtlogI/AAAAAAAAB0s/KYOXd9xrYlo/s1600/The+Lleyn+peninsula+459-web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KcdbtizCRXE/U43OfLtlogI/AAAAAAAAB0s/KYOXd9xrYlo/s1600/The+Lleyn+peninsula+459-web.jpg" height="278" width="320" /></a></div>
..which was simply idyllic...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sUwcec1rpiI/U43OfczjwYI/AAAAAAAAB0o/HN0hiwFTe20/s1600/The+Lleyn+peninsula+460-web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sUwcec1rpiI/U43OfczjwYI/AAAAAAAAB0o/HN0hiwFTe20/s1600/The+Lleyn+peninsula+460-web.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
....could have stayed here all day...and then found yet another one...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qIwmx-wMpsY/U43OgcY8IaI/AAAAAAAAB1U/owg3Fe9A4Hg/s1600/The+Lleyn+peninsula+467-web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qIwmx-wMpsY/U43OgcY8IaI/AAAAAAAAB1U/owg3Fe9A4Hg/s1600/The+Lleyn+peninsula+467-web.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
as we went out to Penrhyn Cwmistir point and passed more coves on the way to Aber Geirch, really pretty with cliffs and yellow flag irises
by the marsh. Up then to the Nefyn golf club...what a place for a golf club with beautiful Borth Wen at the bottom of the Porth Dinllaen peninsula,<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xeR631D5XYA/U43Ogk6N81I/AAAAAAAAB1A/YIgsP-PRmtE/s1600/The+Lleyn+peninsula+482-web-Borth+Wem%252C+Nefyn+golf+club+beach.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xeR631D5XYA/U43Ogk6N81I/AAAAAAAAB1A/YIgsP-PRmtE/s1600/The+Lleyn+peninsula+482-web-Borth+Wem%252C+Nefyn+golf+club+beach.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
Up
and around the peninsula of Porth Dinllaen, with its Iron Age hill fort on its
end...a lovely place for lunch overlooking the bay of Porth Dinllaen with the Nefyn beaches...the famous, and very busy, pub on the beach at Morfa Nefyn, the Ty Coch, the red building...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gNqLe9D-0XE/U43Oha5tVdI/AAAAAAAAB1M/6eA73DKyk98/s1600/The+Lleyn+peninsula+491-web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gNqLe9D-0XE/U43Oha5tVdI/AAAAAAAAB1M/6eA73DKyk98/s1600/The+Lleyn+peninsula+491-web.jpg" height="207" width="320" /></a></div>
....and the Yr
Eifl hills behind...wondrous...still an ethereal mist at the foot of the hills
in the sea. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RQGX_sCOl-E/U43OhDkBBDI/AAAAAAAAB1o/0ddscbtuz7A/s1600/The+Lleyn+peninsula+488-web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RQGX_sCOl-E/U43OhDkBBDI/AAAAAAAAB1o/0ddscbtuz7A/s1600/The+Lleyn+peninsula+488-web.jpg" height="186" width="320" /></a></div>
After lunch we dropped down between the old gateway of the hill fort....<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZunaH9tFqH4/U43Ohry6N1I/AAAAAAAAB1Q/ZE8kqqy9zbI/s1600/The+Lleyn+peninsula+496-web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZunaH9tFqH4/U43Ohry6N1I/AAAAAAAAB1Q/ZE8kqqy9zbI/s1600/The+Lleyn+peninsula+496-web.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
We skirted round the beach...marvelling at the view..<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-p_O73_b7s6Q/U43OiOJNY-I/AAAAAAAAB1s/yzOGI1-vyU0/s1600/The+Lleyn+peninsula+497-web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-p_O73_b7s6Q/U43OiOJNY-I/AAAAAAAAB1s/yzOGI1-vyU0/s1600/The+Lleyn+peninsula+497-web.jpg" height="186" width="320" /></a></div>
.....it was very busy here as we made our way across the sands...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-arG27Ocy_zQ/U43OiaxZ-XI/AAAAAAAAB1w/BGAvlYSfU98/s1600/The+Lleyn+peninsula+500-web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-arG27Ocy_zQ/U43OiaxZ-XI/AAAAAAAAB1w/BGAvlYSfU98/s1600/The+Lleyn+peninsula+500-web.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
The path went then up to the top of the cliffs
around to Penrhyn Nefyn......stupendous blue sea....and soon we dropped down to the beach
at Nefyn<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nSghhA0IMfY/U43OjrsILzI/AAAAAAAAB18/t84D33kbV9g/s1600/The+Lleyn+peninsula+509-web-Nefyn+beach.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nSghhA0IMfY/U43OjrsILzI/AAAAAAAAB18/t84D33kbV9g/s1600/The+Lleyn+peninsula+509-web-Nefyn+beach.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
....just as our companions arrived around 3.....they had been on
Whistling Sands all morning, sailing the boat and playing boules. We played a
while longer, except Susannah who was asleep in the tent...it was too lovely to
leave just yet...what a splendid day!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lCiQpjk9bpY/U43OjwGEs0I/AAAAAAAAB2A/HrfAq943SUM/s1600/The+Lleyn+peninsula+514-web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lCiQpjk9bpY/U43OjwGEs0I/AAAAAAAAB2A/HrfAq943SUM/s1600/The+Lleyn+peninsula+514-web.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">8.26 miles in the end!!</span><br />
<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">Maybe a bit less floriferous today...not so much
campion and cow parsley going over, a bit less blousy...plenty of oyster
catchers today and gulls and cormorants....and I even saw a peacock at Towyn when I was on car duty...</span></span></span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EhhX8s0FtdU/U43PZx_cm7I/AAAAAAAAB2Q/ehWqWyNSWJg/s1600/The+Lleyn+peninsula+518-web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EhhX8s0FtdU/U43PZx_cm7I/AAAAAAAAB2Q/ehWqWyNSWJg/s1600/The+Lleyn+peninsula+518-web.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #454545; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 9.0pt;">Walk 35. Saturday 31st May</span></div>
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<span style="background: white;">Bit sad this morning as we had to leave the
holiday house and it had been such a lovely week. Our holiday companions set
off by 10 to head for <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:country-region w:st="on">Kent</st1:country-region></st1:place>....whilst
Chris and I set off to Trefor, with its little harbour..and fisherman...</span></span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AtacziWk3y4/U43T5XJJ9WI/AAAAAAAAB2g/el_8Em-Xm7I/s1600/The+Lleyn+peninsula+521-web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AtacziWk3y4/U43T5XJJ9WI/AAAAAAAAB2g/el_8Em-Xm7I/s1600/The+Lleyn+peninsula+521-web.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
the other side of Yr Eifl, our destination for
the day...Jane said we had to do as many miles as we could! We called a cab
Nefyn Taxis which arrived soon after with the driver's 2 little girls too, 6
and 2 year olds so a bit like our granddaughters! Arriving back in Nefyn on the
beach road, the sun began to appear..and it got hotter and hotter all day! We
couldn't find the path for a while...it was hidden down a side street but once
there it was a pleasant path to the right of the road, not quite coastal but
with good views nevertheless and pretty tropical gardens even with a picnic
decking over one of the ponds. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Nz84Xk9j6hs/U43T5ihwSaI/AAAAAAAAB2o/Lrkk7H6hjfo/s1600/The+Lleyn+peninsula+524-web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Nz84Xk9j6hs/U43T5ihwSaI/AAAAAAAAB2o/Lrkk7H6hjfo/s1600/The+Lleyn+peninsula+524-web.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #454545; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 9.0pt;"><span style="background: white;">Gunnera was great! The Nefyns and Porth Dinllaen were already
disappearing. </span></span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uIDSHoRLWdQ/U43T6YKO1lI/AAAAAAAAB3E/Gw8mY00dpoI/s1600/The+Lleyn+peninsula+530-web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uIDSHoRLWdQ/U43T6YKO1lI/AAAAAAAAB3E/Gw8mY00dpoI/s1600/The+Lleyn+peninsula+530-web.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
We climbed a little passing an old quarry, on the hill Gwlywyr, <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-O4_ODk1k8-E/U43T5xf0QyI/AAAAAAAAB2s/i2Z4SpwZjZM/s1600/The+Lleyn+peninsula+529-web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-O4_ODk1k8-E/U43T5xf0QyI/AAAAAAAAB2s/i2Z4SpwZjZM/s1600/The+Lleyn+peninsula+529-web.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
Apparently the granite
still being quarried at the other side of Yr Eifl is used to make curling stones. Soon we had to negotiate manic dogs...luckily
they were tied up otherwise I wouldn't have made it past them. We then crossed
the road which also became the Pilgrims Way, the path to Bardesy...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uFTmPaWDjmo/U43T6nYWVFI/AAAAAAAAB24/2OCMT-gDStA/s1600/The+Lleyn+peninsula+533-web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uFTmPaWDjmo/U43T6nYWVFI/AAAAAAAAB24/2OCMT-gDStA/s1600/The+Lleyn+peninsula+533-web.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
and then dropped coastward once more. Passed above Pistyll here and
crossed a track with a surfeit of path signs for a change.........<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bFC4V7mjAxM/U43T7i3jkwI/AAAAAAAAB3g/ta_LGXd4SFc/s1600/The+Lleyn+peninsula+537-web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bFC4V7mjAxM/U43T7i3jkwI/AAAAAAAAB3g/ta_LGXd4SFc/s1600/The+Lleyn+peninsula+537-web.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
made me
laugh as we've been so many places where there were no signs when you needed one! Slight incline then crossing fields toward Porth y Nant and views of Yr
Eifl looming ahead! <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pe4RKGeyxcM/U43T6_kPgUI/AAAAAAAAB3A/1wjpGyBPSDI/s1600/The+Lleyn+peninsula+536-web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pe4RKGeyxcM/U43T6_kPgUI/AAAAAAAAB3A/1wjpGyBPSDI/s1600/The+Lleyn+peninsula+536-web.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
A group of boys and girls from <st1:place w:st="on">Liverpool</st1:place>
were ahead and then following us here before dropping onto the beach – they
were headed for Trefor too. We lunched overlooking the beach, Porth y Nant, and could see some
buildings down by the sea expecting them to be a private house of some
sort....<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HsC9STCnv2I/U43T86h0HlI/AAAAAAAAB4I/WdCLvqF970M/s1600/The+Lleyn+peninsula+551-web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HsC9STCnv2I/U43T86h0HlI/AAAAAAAAB4I/WdCLvqF970M/s1600/The+Lleyn+peninsula+551-web.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
....we walked then above the stony beach some 600 feet below us..I know
that because my GPS told me so. Passing through an old oak wood where we saw
some amazing trees shaped by the wind <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8_pIi5_JAYw/U43T9AKWtmI/AAAAAAAAB3k/sC03Z1DYWH4/s1600/The+Lleyn+peninsula+553-web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8_pIi5_JAYw/U43T9AKWtmI/AAAAAAAAB3k/sC03Z1DYWH4/s1600/The+Lleyn+peninsula+553-web.jpg" height="252" width="320" /></a></div>
and some pretty butterflies, a tiny
yellow one which I got a picture of and a really small dark blue one which I
couldn't catch, we started to descend...oh my! And so down to the
beachside....the old quarry workings and buildings were quite a sight here <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-c3jAOKEAIK4/U43T-BSG23I/AAAAAAAAB34/ufUH0y7zMcg/s1600/The+Lleyn+peninsula+562-web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-c3jAOKEAIK4/U43T-BSG23I/AAAAAAAAB34/ufUH0y7zMcg/s1600/The+Lleyn+peninsula+562-web.jpg" height="181" width="320" /></a></div>
...and
it's astonishing to see how high up the cliffs the buildings were and to try to appreciate
what hard work those quarrymen must have done. We had passed a couple with a
young boy and the man had told us there was a cafe ahead. I kind of thought he
was joking but thank goodness once we had walked up the steep track to a car
park, there was a cafe!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-y32DpXeBoO0/U43Ws67PiOI/AAAAAAAAB5A/NonxBdPFbFQ/s1600/The+Lleyn+peninsula+568-web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-y32DpXeBoO0/U43Ws67PiOI/AAAAAAAAB5A/NonxBdPFbFQ/s1600/The+Lleyn+peninsula+568-web.jpg" height="167" width="320" /></a></div>
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How we enjoyed a drink...and the aircon! The buildings
we had seen way back...well about 4 miles away...were in fact renovated quarry men's
houses and very nice they looked too. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4B4QXvHxa48/U43WtUbtwiI/AAAAAAAAB5M/zcutN6IbMdE/s1600/The+Lleyn+peninsula+571-web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4B4QXvHxa48/U43WtUbtwiI/AAAAAAAAB5M/zcutN6IbMdE/s1600/The+Lleyn+peninsula+571-web.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
This settlement is Nant Gwrtheyrn, Vortigern's Valley. <span style="background-color: white; color: #454545; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px;">This was also the home and then the burial place of Vortigern, a king of the Ancient Britons who had tried to beat those Romans!</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #454545; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px;"> Easy to see why he chose it - impossible to access really and even today, it is so remote. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #454545; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 9pt;">It
seems that the quarry here was used to make setts, all those industrial towns
to be cobbled must have been good business.</span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MdguQEzViD8/U43WtNtudGI/AAAAAAAAB5E/XZZlcY0umIE/s1600/The+Lleyn+peninsula+569-web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MdguQEzViD8/U43WtNtudGI/AAAAAAAAB5E/XZZlcY0umIE/s1600/The+Lleyn+peninsula+569-web.jpg" height="206" width="320" /></a></div>
Even a lovely church which is
obviously used a lot...it had a sign outside, “I will” on one side and “We did”
on the other side - and indeed a wedding
was being celebrated today in the village.. This is also the centre for Welsh language teaching. Courses are held throughout the year. Then it was a really steep zigzag path up to the next car park
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4GzUHPCzTg8/U43T-g-ZPII/AAAAAAAAB4E/8zpfB9rcJNI/s1600/The+Lleyn+peninsula+576-web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4GzUHPCzTg8/U43T-g-ZPII/AAAAAAAAB4E/8zpfB9rcJNI/s1600/The+Lleyn+peninsula+576-web.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
.....but luckily it was new tarmac so not the mountain track we had been expecting. But it was now VERY hot. The track now became a quarrymen track
heading up over the shoulder between the hills of Yr Eifl which means The Rivals. The 3 main hills of the range are Garn For, the seaward hill with the quarry, Garn Ganol in the middle and Tre'r Ceiri the most inland one with its huge hill fort on top. We went up there on our last visit 2 years ago. Fascinating place. The path leads between Garn For on the left of the picture below and Garn Ganol on the right.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-j5wYTizTuis/U43UANmx7rI/AAAAAAAAB4k/YZDi_Gcc91k/s1600/The+Lleyn+peninsula+578-web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-j5wYTizTuis/U43UANmx7rI/AAAAAAAAB4k/YZDi_Gcc91k/s1600/The+Lleyn+peninsula+578-web.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
Great views back as
far as Porth Oer, although a bit misty and difficult to photograph I'm afraid...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-x7RmbVs3MUs/U43T-zIjpSI/AAAAAAAAB4M/Qakwd52ewhs/s1600/The+Lleyn+peninsula+583-web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-x7RmbVs3MUs/U43T-zIjpSI/AAAAAAAAB4M/Qakwd52ewhs/s1600/The+Lleyn+peninsula+583-web.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
....and then soon views to the other side, Moel Pen Llechog, one
of whose 3 summits also had signs of an earlier settlement. And so across to <st1:place w:st="on">Anglesey</st1:place> and its beaches....<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OjVJNmeKF3o/U43T_i6fPdI/AAAAAAAAB4Y/nx5ZhHvf_ZY/s1600/The+Lleyn+peninsula+588-web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OjVJNmeKF3o/U43T_i6fPdI/AAAAAAAAB4Y/nx5ZhHvf_ZY/s1600/The+Lleyn+peninsula+588-web.jpg" height="150" width="320" /></a></div>
...not far to get there now. And
so we dropped down to the harbour at Trefor.....the old knees were a bit weary on the way down!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9j1ukARlbic/U43T_38V0SI/AAAAAAAAB4g/7DNQflL7Yt8/s1600/The+Lleyn+peninsula+591-web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9j1ukARlbic/U43T_38V0SI/AAAAAAAAB4g/7DNQflL7Yt8/s1600/The+Lleyn+peninsula+591-web.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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So ended a really
lovely day... <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-i5Sbr3hR5jM/U43UArQLZcI/AAAAAAAAB4s/QztXtZeL9pc/s1600/The+Lleyn+peninsula+599-web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-i5Sbr3hR5jM/U43UArQLZcI/AAAAAAAAB4s/QztXtZeL9pc/s1600/The+Lleyn+peninsula+599-web.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
A bit sad to say goodbye to the Lleyn, it had been much
fun......and beautiful weather with good walking companions!<o:p></o:p><br />
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<span style="color: #454545; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 9.0pt;"><span style="background: white;">9 and a half miles today....think around 75 this week with an elevation gain of around 6,500 feet overall!! Time for a little rest!</span></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #454545; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 9.0pt;"><o:p>Thank you all so much for the support. Don't forget to contact me if you would like to add anything pamelamallpress@btinternet.com. </o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #454545; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 9.0pt;"><o:p>And if you are interested in how the effort is resulting in help to Victory over Cancer: <a href="http://www.justgiving.com/Pamela-Mallpress">www.justgiving.com/Pamela-Mallpress</a></o:p></span></div>
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Pamela Mallpresshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08938256713646288802noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5056411862587291662.post-44699958198133138092014-05-19T10:14:00.002-07:002014-05-19T10:15:15.828-07:00Walks 24-28 Barmouth to Criccieth 12th-17th May, 2014<div class="MsoNormal">
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<span lang="EN-GB"> </span>Walk 24. Barmouth
to Llanbedr 12th May, 2014 </div>
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<span lang="EN-GB">Arrived Lle
Bach, Tremadog, our house for the week, on Saturday having stopped for lunch at
the Last Inn, Barmouth by Julia special request! Lovely to have Julia with us
this time if only for a couple of days...greatly appreciated support especially
as Chris has a damaged achilles. We thought at first that it was a return of
gout but it hasn't improved with lots of water etc and the pain had become more
centralised. Maybe carrying too big logs...or just walking too much? Barmouth had been VERY windy and
rainy on Saturday so watching the Eurovision was order of the day (Conchita
Wurst from Austria won..."lady" with a beard.....) and then Sunday
was so wet that walking was so impossible we chilled watching Spanish GP followed
by a couple of episodes of I Want to Live in Spain..or <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:country-region w:st="on">Portugal</st1:country-region></st1:place>! Could hear the steam
engines on the Ffestiniog or Welsh Highland railway calling!<br />
It was a year yesterday since this mad walk began! So with a reasonable
forecast for Monday, Julia and I set off early. Chris just couldn't make it so
had to stay for more rest....well at least he's caught up with lots of reading!
It was a bit sad to set off without him. We headed off to leave the car at
Llanbedr station for the 8.30 train and with the road around the estuary, the
rivers Dwyryd and Glaslyn, having to put up with single file traffic in daytime
because of the bridge works, repairing Pont Briwet, after the storm. So trains
are still only running on this Cambrian railway as far north as Harlech until
July. The weather looked set to rain so we were prepared...but not quite early
enough....it really was close thing to missing the train, particularly as there was
no apparent parking so the car was left hitched up on a path...still it really
is the middle of nowhere. Another pretty journey along the seafront, though I
was mostly putting on gaiters to avoid the wet which looked likely....so off we
set along the prom at Barmouth. </span></div>
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It wasn't as windy as Saturday had been and out
to sea, the sky was blue..yeah! </div>
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We liked this sign....inviting us to beach time...</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0IkjrbS3DEY/U3ootCh60aI/AAAAAAAABYc/HYuDKrWlNMI/s1600/Barmouth+to+Harlech+011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0IkjrbS3DEY/U3ootCh60aI/AAAAAAAABYc/HYuDKrWlNMI/s1600/Barmouth+to+Harlech+011.jpg" height="177" width="320" /></a></div>
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Great views all around and then we crossed the
railway where workmen were busy with tidal defences of some sort then we headed up
to the road, the only hill of the day! Lovely views from above..</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TrNADrq5JRs/U3opHs4ih4I/AAAAAAAABYw/cujiQa4j9lw/s1600/Barmouth+to+Harlech+021a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TrNADrq5JRs/U3opHs4ih4I/AAAAAAAABYw/cujiQa4j9lw/s1600/Barmouth+to+Harlech+021a.jpg" height="182" width="320" /></a></div>
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Headed past a couple of caravan parks, through some fields </div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Qtwa-_nIWII/U3opIS0i6cI/AAAAAAAABY8/CiaugZ18zo0/s1600/Barmouth+to+Harlech+030.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Qtwa-_nIWII/U3opIS0i6cI/AAAAAAAABY8/CiaugZ18zo0/s1600/Barmouth+to+Harlech+030.jpg" height="227" width="320" /></a></div>
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and then over a couple of funny stiles,</div>
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On we went, through a holiday park and then back over railway
and over fields alongside a pretty and noisy stream, the Ysgethin, up to Tal y Bont ...</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oZP9RVIFAiI/U3opuN6ncOI/AAAAAAAABZI/8G-CtmLjFe0/s1600/Barmouth+to+Harlech+042.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oZP9RVIFAiI/U3opuN6ncOI/AAAAAAAABZI/8G-CtmLjFe0/s1600/Barmouth+to+Harlech+042.jpg" height="205" width="320" /></a></div>
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to cross its bridge and then head down the other side. Always signs of the storms...if not on the beach then with fallen trees here and there..</div>
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By now the sun was
bright and warm as we headed over a bog..wet sock for Julia....towards the
dunes, passing a sheep bully en route! </div>
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We crossed the now well known shingle
levee...with dunes behind...</div>
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....onto a lovely beach with sensational views so off we went towards
Llanbedr. </div>
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We weren't sure if we were shadows of our former selves..</div>
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Soon we passed the path down from Dyffryn where we stopped for a drink.</div>
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Lovely sands followed with the dunes getting bigger
and bigger all the way along the 3 miles we walked. Needed the marine biologist
today..Julia found me a starfish, <br />
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we saw so many pretty shells and a jellyfish...<br />
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I didn't
bring that home! A sign approached which we diverted to read..it announced that
this was now a naturist beach....and there indeed were 2 examples even though it
really was a little on the chilly side! We enjoyed watching a sand cart which
looked great fun...<br />
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and then saw a couple of groups of people at the tide's edge,
the tide having now gone out a long way. We guessed they may be cockle pickers.
As we got nearer, we realised they were in fact cormorants, standing with
outspread wings! <br />
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We did laugh! As the high dunes were ending, the path took us
up off the beach as it turns a corner into <br />
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<st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on">Shell</st1:placename> <st1:placetype w:st="on">Island</st1:placetype></st1:place> or Mochras. There were fabulous views here - the mountains, the sea, the dunes...</span></div>
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...we could even see Harlech castle now!<br />
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<span lang="EN-GB">Here we should have been able to see the most northerly Sarn, Sarn Badrig, the final outpost of Cartre'f Gwaelod, but sadly it just wasn't apparently visible ...or we were looking in the wrong place. I thought it was out at sea from the river Artro. </span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB">Nonetheless we had lunch at a perfectly placed picnic bench with magnificent views to the Lleyn, Snowdonia, Barmouth and the Rhinog hills and around to Harlech and its castle! A bit of a struggle to find the path heading inland now so headed for the toll into <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on">Shell</st1:placename> <st1:placetype w:st="on">Island</st1:placetype></st1:place> and they said the path is nearby but we could cross the causeway which joins the path anyway so over we went. </span></div>
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We did think a return visit to <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on">Shell</st1:placename> <st1:placetype w:st="on">Island</st1:placetype></st1:place> would be a worthwhile day out. <br />
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Apparently there are so many different shells to be found...take an observer book probably. We passed a now disused airfield, maybe used by air cadets these days. Soon we were back at the station...a wonderful day! <br />
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11.7 miles and 5 hours later...Julia is a good pacemaker!<br />
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<span lang="EN-GB"> </span>Walk 25.
Llanbedr to Harlech 13th May, 2014 </div>
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<span lang="EN-GB">Yesterday
evening we had lovely meal at Y Sgwar in Tremadog and very nice it was too.
Tremadog is an interesting town, built by William Alexander Madocks in the early
1800's. He was the local landowner and also built the 'wall', the Cob, creating the harbour at Porthmadog, a perfect place to export the slate from nearby
Blaenau Ffestiniog. Tremadog backs onto huge cliffs...the sea cliffs of long
ago.<br />
Julia had to leave us today..why can't we all be retired? So we had decided to
do a short walk before she had to leave. Sadly Chris wasn't confident enough to
join us but we all set off to Harlech to leave a car there and Julia and I
drove to Llanbedr to start. </span></div>
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It was really quite wet as we set off along a
pretty riverside, the same river which goes out to sea at <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on">Shell</st1:placename> <st1:placetype w:st="on">Island</st1:placetype></st1:place>
and its falls in the car park which we had now found. The grass was a bit
damp....crossed the river over a pretty bridge<br />
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<span lang="EN-GB">.....and had to head up the road to
Pensarn station. It looked like the diversion I'd read about had been sorted, had it? No...at the
outward bound school, with lots of excited children waiting to go rock
climbing, an instructor told us the footpath was further up the road...thank
goodness she told us, the sign only announced "footpath closed". So a
bit further up the road was another footpath sign which we followed through
fields...seeing a lovely ragged robin flower, not a lot of those around I
think. </span></div>
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We soon had to cross the railway which, as we had somehow missed a
tunnel going under it, we had to climb gates to get over it. Oh dear! Then we
realised that a little above us on a levee around a sea inlet, was the coast
path once more. <br />
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Heading for dunes once more, not as high as those near <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on">Shell</st1:placename> <st1:placetype w:st="on">Island</st1:placetype></st1:place>, we passed many sheep. In particular we liked this one...the Mummy behind the rock appearing to have a solid middle!<br />
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The path skirted around the little hamlet of Llandanwg with its
old church beside the beach which I had to peek at ....A taxi lady from <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:country-region w:st="on">Zimbabwe</st1:country-region></st1:place> told us a couple of days later that David Tennant had recently been to a wedding there.....<br />
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....and through the dunes to
see if the Sarn was visible...it wasn't. <br />
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We headed away from the
coast back up to the road to head to Harlech. Lovely view looking back to <st1:placename w:st="on">Shell</st1:placename> <st1:placetype w:st="on">Island</st1:placetype>
and not far before we turned down a steep cliff, along lovely hedgerows full of
pink campion, <br />
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with good steps though, into the amazingly beautiful <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on">Harlech</st1:placename> <st1:placetype w:st="on">Bay</st1:placetype></st1:place>. <br />
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What dunes! And how is there a
house right in the middle of them? <br />
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Had to cross the railway again...great
views...was that the Sarn looking back to Mochras?<br />
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Another lovely beach walk,
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Julia was holding onto the feeling to take back to <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">London</st1:city></st1:place> with her. <br />
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We could see across the edge
of the Lleyn to Criccieth with its castle rock in the middle. <br />
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The views not
quite as good today as the clouds were lower. Where is the the marine biologist
when you need one...strange proliferation of strange semi circular things we could not name
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but also clams and sea urchin remains. The path sign was clearly visible to
take us through the dunes, again quite high here, and passing the golf club
back to the car park, just below the lovely impressive castle. <br />
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Perspective
changes all the views...here the castle doesn't appear to perch over the coast
as much as it actually does. We drove back to Llanbedr to pick up our car and
to say goodbye for now to Julia...she had been so supportive, thank you!<br />
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Today
we had done 4.7 miles...a bit further than our guess at 2-3....in 2 hours. The
afternoon promised to brighten as yesterday had as Julia headed south. What to
do about my injured partner? Would we go home?<br />
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<span lang="EN-GB">Walk 26.
Harlech to Maentwrog 15th May, 2014 <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB">No! Chris
was determined to find a way to do some walking but yesterday had still not
been comfortable in his boots so we visited a pharmacist for medical assistance
and had also decided that softer training shoes may be more comfortable. So we
visited Porthmadog, for the first time in a long time! Very bustling it is too
which is great to see.<br />
So armed with special Ibuprofen cream, heel insoles for achilles injuries and
comfy pair of trainers, off we set to Llandecwyn, or so we thought, to get the
train, bus replacement back to Harlech which would have been the other half of
the walk started with Julia on Tuesday. We were headed for the 10.10 bus once
more around the roadworks. In fact Llandecwyn station is right at the end of
the bridge works and so where the road works start so I had thought it was near
the next village, Talsarnau which in fact is Talsarnau station! Oh well, the
bus would still come here. It has good views across the estuary to Portmeirion.
We were amazed that there was no charge for the bus! Missed opportunity? Again
back at Harlech with its marvellous castle, built by Edward 1st of course,
designed for him by James of Saint George as were the other Edwardian castles
in Wales. </span></div>
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It was a nice flat walk to begin over the fields heading away from
Harlech, a good introduction for my "partner". <br />
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We crossed some ex MOD
type tracks past a smelly new looking tip and once more into fields, the first
containing cows, calves and a bull! Oh eck! I bravely crossed to then cross a
cow field too. But the views were worth it across the estuary to Portmeirion <br />
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....perched on
the promontory between the 2 rivers of the estuary and then down the Lleyn to
Porthmadog, Borth y Gest and Criccieth. <br />
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Ynys Gifftan came into view ahead as we
rounded the marsh, Glastraeth, with views out to the sands of Traeth Bach where
rivers meet the sea.<br />
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We were directly across from Portmeirion and then soon
headed inland a little to the settlement of Ynys with its little church, then
passing an old mill, no jet skis on a sign allowed by Lord Harlech.<br />
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Saw a heron and swan as we headed around the edge of the marsh along the levee.<br />
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And Chris made friends with a lamb...</div>
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<span style="text-align: center;">Back at Talsarnau station the cloudswere lifting! </span>We ate our lunch in the car and Chris decided he could go further so off we went again, now with the sun high in the sky! We had watched a man go past with a cage on his head which seemed strange, it seemed he was flying his bird of prey on the marsh. We continued around the edge of the marsh and then climbed a little to head inland again with good views back to the estuary....<br />
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....and to Llandecwyn with its workers on the bridge.<br />
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A Hercules, probably from <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on">RAF</st1:placename> <st1:placetype w:st="on">Valley</st1:placetype></st1:place>,
flew across us. We heard lots of fighters going across today. We crossed the
A497 to head steeply up a lovely old quarry road, by now it was really quite
hot!<br />
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<st1:place w:st="on">We met a lady here who had lived here all her life telling us lots of trees had been chopped down recently after the storms and how her view has changed. She had seen the clouds come down over Snowdon</st1:place>
recently and realised she hadn't seen anything like that ever before....how easily we can forget to look. We came out at the top
near a pretty reservoir where a pair of <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:country-region w:st="on">Canada</st1:country-region></st1:place> geese were teaching their
gosling to swim, with lovely views back down to the estuary, even the row of
tall pylons couldn't spoil it. We soon dropped down near to the HEP station
which turned out to be nuclear cleaning place on side of A497.<br />
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Then we were
back steeply uphill on a track where the pipes also ran down the other side..<br />
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.arriving on the lovely tops with marvellous views...could we see <st1:place w:st="on">Snowdon</st1:place>?? No but we could see Cnicht and its friends...<br />
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But then it was
difficult to find the path for a while...a bit stressful for us with Chris's
heel. We found our way only to lose it again further down.....rather
frustrating as we clambered over fallen trees only to have to find another
way....at last we found our way into Maentwrog and the Grapes Hotel for a very
welcome drink of Evan Evans Cwrw beer. Taxi lady from <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:country-region w:st="on">Zimbabwe</st1:country-region></st1:place> took us back to Talsarnau...think we paid her flight! Beautiful evening, lovely day!<br />
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Stephen Sutton died yesterday, aged 19. What an inspiration.<br />
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<span lang="EN-GB"> </span>Walk 27. Maentwrog to Porthmadog 16th May, 2014 </div>
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Birthday
boy today...do still need him, do still feed him, now he's 64! All ok with his
heel so off we set to Porthmadog as we decided to get there from Maentwrog
today. Planned to get the train/bus to Penrhyndeudraeth from Porthmadog then a
cab to Maentwrog but the cab at P'deudraeth didn't answer as we waited in
Porthmadog so we just took a taxi all the way in the end. A sea fret was
hanging over Porthmadog as we passed the estuary as it did til the afternoon
but inland at Maentwrog the sun was shining, hats today as we were red faced
yesterday.</div>
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Walked through gardens passing Plas Tan y Bwlch, up through its
woodlands, its rhododendrons, its bluebells.<br />
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Passed pretty Llyn Mair, quite a
pull uphill again! Soon crossed the Ffestiniog railway track and heard a steam
train below us.<br />
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We were mostly in woodland as we traversed this northern edge
of the estuary....we have walked so many woodlands now! We could dimly see the
estuary going out to sea in the haze.<br />
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Passed another pretty lake where Chris
saw a snake tail!<br />
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Weird! Soon I saw a red butterfly! Not a cinnabar as it was
really red all over...no idea what it was and I was too slow to photo it. Did get one of the Peacock though!<br />
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Chris's foot pained him here as he crossed a stile by the side of the rail
track at Rhiw Goch signal point.<br />
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We stopped for lunch soon after where we did
catch sight of the train with lots of carriages. And a lady coming to the farm
chatted and told us she had lived here for a long time before moving to
....Presteigne! What a small world! We soon dropped into Penrhyndeudraeth where
we saw maybe the other half of the snake as we dropped down some steps.<br />
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We
walked along the road into Minffordd passing the station here with fine views
across to <st1:place w:st="on">Snowdon</st1:place>.<br />
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Then we turned left towards Portmeirion. Just skirted Portmeirion but like its ex-kitchen type garden!<br />
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Lovely walk zigzagging above the estuary and around Portmeirion. We chatted to a farmer as we came up to a view over Porthmadog and its Cob, very friendly chap.<br />
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What fantastic views! <st1:place w:st="on">Snowdon</st1:place>, the Glyders, Cnicht......we've been up them all in the past.<br />
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We dropped down through a little wood, nice in the shade! And here was a green veined white - I think!<br />
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We walked then across the Cob and into Porthmadog and return to the car at the station.<br />
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9 and a half miles today.<br />
Heard the cuckoo this morning in the woods.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB">Walk 28.
Porthmadog to Criccieth 17th May, 2014 <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB">Lovely
birthday dinner last night at the Union inn in Tremadog. Beer was good
too...Purple Moose Brewery (Bragdy Mŵs Piws) Elderflower Ale, this is a
Porthmadog brewery now exporting to <st1:country-region w:st="on">China</st1:country-region>
and <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Spain</st1:place></st1:country-region>
and a brew from Nefyn on the Lleyn, Cwrw Lleyn y Brawd Houdini. <st1:place w:st="on">Ping</st1:place> won Masterchef.<br />
<br />
So the last morning at Lle Bach. Drove to Criccieth, avoiding low bridge! Ha
ha! Didn’t really mean to…</span></div>
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Had coffee in a lovely tea room on the square as we
were early for the 11.10 train/ bus which duly took us back to Porthmadog. I
bought a new hat as we walked through the town so Chris could have his back...I
hadn't packed expecting so much sun!<br />
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<span lang="EN-GB">Lovely walk around the harbour and it's
old original houses. </span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB">Now it's a marina of course. We headed around the back of
many marine type garages with the <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placetype w:st="on">island</st1:placetype>
of <st1:placename w:st="on">Cei Ballast</st1:placename></st1:place> to be seen
through their edges before we headed over a headland into Borth y Gest. </span></div>
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What a
pretty village. Views of the Cob, boats, beach and the estuary across to
Harlech, <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on">Shell</st1:placename> <st1:placetype w:st="on">Island</st1:placetype></st1:place> and Barmouth, although a bit
misty round the edges.</div>
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It had been a small settlement before Porthmadog grew
with locals guiding people across the sands. Tide was going out so the
sandbanks were emerging between us and Harlech forming Traeth Bach at the end
of the estuary where the 2 rivers meet. We could just make out Harlech castle.
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Mountains galore so much fun guessing their names! Soon around to lovely Morfa
Bychan...what a place! We passed the little beach and a headland around the
golf club and there was the huge beach!<br />
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<span lang="EN-GB">Cars parked here and there...</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB">quite a lot
as it turned out as we walked further, complete with a 10 mph speed limit! </span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB">Barbecues were smelling good! What a lovely walk, Chris even had an ice cream. </span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB">We had to go inland as we approached Criccieth as the tide was still too far in
to get around Craig Ddu, Black Rocks. Met a young man at a farm on the tops who
named a lot of the mountains for us. </span></div>
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We dropped over the headland to follow the
railway once more with views of <st1:place w:st="on">Snowdon</st1:place> and
Cnicht for company...phenomenal! We soon crossed the railway behind the shingle levee
and soon emerged onto the path alongside the beach into Criccieth. </div>
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Missed a
burial chamber coming into the town..bother! Walked past the castle with its
Dinas and its St Andrew's flag.</div>
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Couldn't be in the Union flag as it wouldn't
match would it? Having bought a sandwich at Cadwalladers, we arrived back at
the station for lunch and the drive home.</div>
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7.5 miles today<br />
What a lovely week in the end. I have my marine specimens as mementoes....sea
urchins from Morfa Bychan </span></div>
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and the starfish that Julia found for me on Barmouth
beach.<br />
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Now we look forward to more of the Lleyn peninsula in a couple of weeks with
our granddaughters.....and their parents of course!<br />
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<span lang="EN-GB">Thank you so much for your support. The total for Victory over Cancer is steadily going up which makes it so worthwhile. <a href="http://www.justgiving.com/Pamela-Mallpress">www.justgiving.com/Pamela-Mallpress</a><br />
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Pamela Mallpresshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08938256713646288802noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5056411862587291662.post-22732985208293951262014-05-05T05:56:00.000-07:002014-06-03T07:37:02.123-07:00Walk 23 Llwyngwril to Barmouth 3rd May, 2014<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">Easter came and went so quickly and we had lovely times with the family. Kept in practice by taking our grandsons up Great Rhos, the mountain in our back garden - very proud of them! We were aiming for the 11.03 train from Barmouth today as it is about a 9 mile walk. Although a bit
further to drive, it’s another corner turned on our route coastwards and this same route will get us to the Lleyn and a bit beyond. Was lovely to get views of Cadair
Idris as we approached Dolgellau…I love Cadair Idris, memories of going up with our 3 young children! We bought tickets at the ticket office-cum-tourist information centre so
I actually bought a book about iron age hill forts in northern <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Wales too</st1:place></st1:country-region>…..may
become an “expert” yet! The train was actually very busy so this line looks
like it is certainly needed. The trains have only just been re-instated here
since the 1<sup>st</sup> May after the storm damage…before then it was just a
bus service as it still is from Harlech to Pwllheli which we will be trying out
very soon now. It was quite exciting to be going over the Mawddach estuary on a
train and the driver did appear to take it very slowly over the hill and under
the tunnel, maybe the bed is still settling in. Those Victorians certainly
built scenic routes! Let’s hope the winters calm a bit to make them last
longer! </span></div>
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<o:p></o:p><br />
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<span lang="EN-GB">We liked
Llwyngwril, a lovely little village with its tiny Welsh cottages, a lot being
renovated just now. We climbed steadily out of the village and had good views of the Lleyn from
the tops but the photos aren’t that good so you have to take my word for it. </span></div>
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A
bit sad that we haven’t really had good views over <st1:place w:st="on">Cardigan
Bay</st1:place> much..still, some more to go yet! We could also see the hill
fort of the last walk behind us… there it is highlighted in colour...</div>
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Soon we came
upon what on the map is shown as cairns/homestead…what a magnificent site! There were what appeared to be some hut
circles along with some rectangular shaped ones too and in the field beyond we
could make out almost 50 of these shapes. </div>
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What a place to have chosen to live! </div>
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The views out across the Lleyn – honestly! </div>
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We were still walking on a track –
it was easy walking today, the only place not a track was through the wood
later! – and passed several ruins, one of which seemed to have been a large
settlement complete with fishponds with some modern farms nearby. We crossed
the plateau and were overtaken by a couple of boys on bikes, the only people up
on top all day. We heard many skylarks and pied flycatchers over here and soon saw the next standing stones.</div>
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I believed they were part
of a circle as I could see lots of fallen down stones as I went round…should have
made the complete circle really just to check..or was it an alignment? We
stopped for lunch and it was one of the loveliest, if not the loveliest, spot
with views down across Fairbourne marsh, over the Mawddach to Barmouth and
beyond to the sand spit heading into Harlech and Porthmadog with the Rhinog
hills standing sentinel over it all. </div>
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We thought we could see Cnicht in
Snowdonia, the last mountain we climbed up there on our 40<sup>th</sup>
anniversary stay on the Lleyn…it is known as the Snowdonia Matterhorn so its
shape is a bit of a giveaway. And we believed the huge stones leaning together
were part of an earlier burial chamber of some sort, not just a sheep shelter! Though there were plenty of sheep and lambs up here.</div>
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My Lucozade picture is here – I am applying for a donation from Lucozade, fingers crossed – we
do drink it a lot. Chris swears it gives him refound energy when it’s needed! </div>
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Underway again we soon saw first views of Cadair Idris – I love it! </div>
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We then
passed more standing stones on the edge of a forestry area. </div>
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We began the descent then
passing a lovely old house and then going through a lovely old wood, mostly oak
just beginning to bust into leaf, </div>
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where we saw bluebells (not quite as many as
we saw in Emmets Wood in Kent last week but there none the less!) .....</div>
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......and heard the
first cuckoo of the year. It has been an absolute delight this year to have
watched, so closely, the seasons changing. And now Spring is so full on! I
bravely passed some cows with VERY big horns – quietly! All still with brilliant views down to Fairbourne and beyond.</div>
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Then we passed a
disused quarry – a very big one and saw an old bridge which must have carried
the old tramway carrying the slate down to Fairbourne. </div>
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A little stream in the
lane at the bottom bearing its Ransoms garlic in full flower. We were a bit lost here – and it seems that there had indeed been a
diversion here earlier in the year as we discovered after the event. Anyway we
made our way to the station at Fairbourne as the map told us and headed past
the light railway station too going down towards the sea again! This light railway had obviously been the tramway taking slate out to the estuary where there is now a ferry across to Barmouth. Think the tide was too far out his afternoon though.</div>
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We walked along the sea
wall with Llwyngwril not looking so far away behind us...and a kind donation which cheered us....</div>
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and with Barmouth ahead over the marsh
land and estuary. There was a train crossing the bridge - really!</div>
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We headed over the levee – another of those! – at the edge of
the marsh....</div>
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..... to the bridge with its footpath alongside the railway we had crossed
earlier. And it was very exciting to be passed by a train on its way into Barmouth!</div>
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We had good views both inland across the estuary to Cadair Idris and out to the dunes, the Fairbourne railway terminus and the mouth of the river....</div>
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It was very busy over here so we were a bit surprised at the other end
to find they weren’t charging the toll today – how silly, it could make a lot
of money, especially if they’d charged the many bikes a lot, thought Chris!
Lovely views of the estuary and Cadair Idris! </div>
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And across to the Harbour View Cafe which is also the ticket office for the Fairbourne railway.<br />
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And so we headed back into a busy Barmouth with its ice creams and fairground rides and lots of people on the beach - good to see it busy. The GPS is working again - had been a bit impatient I think! Richard aided and abetted its reinstatement over Easter. So it was 8.97 miles today with an elevation gain of 1007 feet. A really lovely walk. Can't wait now for next week - heading beyond Barmouth with Julia joining us too for a few days. We are staying for a week in Tremadog with 5 walks in readiness to get us to Pwllheli. Thank you for your support and if you do want to contribute, have a look at...<a href="http://www.justgiving.com/Pamela-Mallpress">www.justgiving.com/Pamela-Mallpress</a></div>
Pamela Mallpresshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08938256713646288802noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5056411862587291662.post-87199486427039616572014-04-10T08:24:00.000-07:002014-05-05T05:16:48.639-07:00Walk 22 Aberdyfi to Llwyngwril 9th April, 2014<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">Another early start but it was a lovely golden sunrise! </span></div>
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Arrived Llwyngwril station by 8.30 so we had plenty of time to boot up ready for the 9.06 train. The station was
actually quite busy so a few lovely people kindly donated! The track runs right by the sea here with good views......</div>
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Arrived Aberdovey, we like Aberdovey, and off we set by 9.30 – headed for the beach – or traeth! Slight technological problems encountered as I couldn’t get the GPS app to work which meant that when I cancelled it, it also deleted the few first photos I’d taken! So we had no mileage check or elevation gained checks today but then we didn’t have those when we started walking so we’ll manage. It was a lovely, long walk along the beach and safe because we knew the tide was going out. </div>
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Ynyslas and Borth beyond were there on the horizon....</div>
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I had forgotten my jacket today too so was hoping that my forecasting held good and that it wouldn’t rain….thankfully it didn’t or Chris would have got wet! The dunes looked to have been damaged in the storms too and as we approached Tywyn, we could see more storm damage with shingle and boulders thrown in the fields behind. </div>
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It was good to be in dunes again and I guess we were walking on the beach for 2 hours and about 4 miles. The dunes gave way in part to the shingle as we approached Tywyn...</div>
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We soon saw the peat bog and submerged forest appearing…really exciting! </div>
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A lady on the train last week had told us there was more ancient forest revealed near Tywyn but we couldn’t have imagined how much was to be seen! </div>
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It is really amazing – but also a bit sad to think it will now be washed away being so fragile against the strong sea. Some of the tree stumps were such a size, it was astounding to think they have lain covered by the sand for so long! </div>
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And what force the storms had used to reveal so much...</div>
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And so we found ourselves then on the promenade at Tywyn – again the sand and stones washed up and over the high walls, proof of the strength of those storms. The sea, so pretty and gentle today, is such an incredible force. Soon we had to turn inland for a while at least. Again we were to have a walk of 2 halves – coast and country. Could have been in thirds with mountains too but it was just not clear enough to see Snowdonia (or the Lleyn) at all…we knew they were there, lurking! </div>
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Still it was dry and bright all day and the wind wasn’t too stiff! The path misled us a bit as we came towards the river Dysynni. First we crossed a bridge over a drainage channel running into the river...</div>
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I knew that a new route was open which crossed the river close to the sea cutting out a 5 mile inland detour, but the path tried to send us further inland so we ignored the signs and headed for where we had seen the bridge from the train this morning, passing by the pretty lake of Broad Water where there were 7 swans a-swimming, honest!</div>
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And the hill of tonfanau quarry behind the lake. </div>
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And a very smart bridge it is too. It was having its annual – and first – paint and canoeists were having lessons beneath. The path signs reappeared and took a different route to the one we had, which could well be shorter! So we added in a slight detour at Tonfanau and headed to the sea to look for the middle Sarn of the Bay, Sarn y Bwlch. </div>
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Remember we saw the Sarn going out to sea at Wallog on our last walk? Well sadly we couldn’t see anything today - or maybe I had the location not quite right! Still 1 more to look for near Harlech and that is supposed to be the longest. Anyway today we had a good spot by the Dysynni estuary for lunch watching the cormorants and gulls and listening to the oyster catchers.. We could see the bridges over the river behind us...</div>
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And again there were boulders and stones thrown all around and the fence demolished by them, the storms' damage was so severe..</div>
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The area around Tonfanau had various ruins which we thought must have been from military purposes – </div>
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...the brick buildings' ruins reminiscent of Porthgain – but the strangest was a huge wall further along the road, surely a shooting site – or an emblem of education…”all in all just another brick….”, oh dear! </div>
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We were walking on lanes for a while, going slightly up of course. Lovely Spring hedgerows now – not so many primroses for a while, and then lots! The summer ferns are beginning to unfurl..</div>
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And every field we cross is full of lambs!</div>
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The gorse is really bursting yellow and there's lots of blackthorn.We passed a hill fort site high above us near Rhoslefain where we crossed the A493 heading more steeply up an ancient track. Near here I saw 2 more swallows. <span style="text-align: center;">We soon passed a ruined house in a lovely setting with views of the sea in the distance between the hills...</span></div>
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and I bravely crossed a field with <st1:place w:st="on">Galloway</st1:place>
cows in!! More fields were crossed and we could vaguely see Fairbourne and
Barmouth in the hazy distance ...</div>
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...and Llwyngwril just past the caravan parks a bit
nearer! All was going well and then near another ruin, we lost the path sign! A bit of guesswork
and probably a bit of trespassing led us back to the path thank goodness. It
does get stressful when you can’t see where the next exit is. We crossed more
fields and just after a pretty valley with a stream and canopied trees, we passed
a house (with a big, loud dog, luckily tied up) and in its garden was an intact dolmen! Never seen one so well preserved! </div>
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Then , shortly after was an impressive hill
fort, Castell y Gaer, looking down on the caravan parks and sea beneath and
looking over the <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placetype w:st="on">village</st1:placetype>
of <st1:placename w:st="on">Llwyngwril</st1:placename></st1:place>. </div>
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It is like
lots we saw in Pembroke – with one major difference, it hasn’t fallen into the
sea! It did have spectacular sea views though, quite like Garn Fawr near Strumble! So we dropped down steeply into the village, passing the lovely hedges of gorse, </div>
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and back to the station. </div>
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We
finished by 4pm, 13 miles later, complete with aching bones! Watch this space for the next walk.... we have grandsons to entertain us and then Easter with our guests so not quite sure when we'll arrive in Barmouth quite!</div>
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Thank you for reading - and your support. I can't work out how to make the comments work on this blog so if you have any ideas, advice or would like to make a comment, please feel free to email me on</div>
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pamelamallpress@btinternet.com. I'd love to hear from you. And if you would like to support the Velindre appeal, (which I chose partly because some of the proceeds of the appeal will go to research into curing cancer so it's not only a Welsh appeal, it is a broad one...) please look at <a href="http://www.justgiving.com/Pamela-Mallpress">www.justgiving.com/Pamela-Mallpress</a></div>
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<br />Pamela Mallpresshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08938256713646288802noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5056411862587291662.post-48970203581095171962014-04-05T07:39:00.002-07:002014-04-05T08:44:18.861-07:00Walk 21 Machynlleth to Aberdyfi 4th April, 2014<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">Earlier start today heading for the station in Aberdyfi (Aberdovey) so had to drive
a bit further still. The journey over the
Cambrians was just a cloudy passage – no snow, mist or anything…sign of Spring
perhaps...and w</span>e actually arrived early! We did have a bit of a yellow dust on the windscreen, reminder of the recent Sahara desert "pollution". Quite excited this morning, using the train for the first
time since Kidwelly when Julia and Richard were with us. It duly arrived at 9.33 and we got back to Machynlleth just
before 10 ....and we walked into Gwynedd....</div>
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and even into the <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on">Snowdonia</st1:placename> <st1:placetype w:st="on">National Park</st1:placetype></st1:place>!</div>
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Now with 10 counties behind us (I know Powys was only a brief visit…), we only
have 5 more to go once we’re through Gwynedd! Was that the first swallow I saw
as we approached the river? Certainly looked like one. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2uAhKz6Tki8/U0AM07M7fAI/AAAAAAAABNU/vg4ACeURMoo/s1600/Machynlleth+to+Aberdovey+013-web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2uAhKz6Tki8/U0AM07M7fAI/AAAAAAAABNU/vg4ACeURMoo/s1600/Machynlleth+to+Aberdovey+013-web.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bridge over the Dyfi</td></tr>
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Crossing the river Dyfi
was a bit precarious on the narrow bridge and soon after we headed up a track –
VERY steeply. It seemed to go on for ever, first on a tarmac road and then
across fields, where we lost the path for a brief while which didn’t help our
humour! At least the sun wasn’t blazing down – it really was hot enough work as
it was! It was a relief to get to the top – for now at least, where we could just see Machynlleth way below us..</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Machynlleth way below - note the STEEP hill!</td></tr>
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It was actually a bit damp in
the cloud and very soon we dropped downhill to a forestry track...</div>
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Once on top of the first part, the downhill stretch was quite a long one and just gently sloping down on the forestry track made for easy walking through the
woods, listening to pheasants calling, birdsong and the sheep and lambs when
they heard their leader on quad bike approach! Near the end of the track, was
the entrance to a disused mine, so much mining and quarrying went on around
here. </div>
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Then we dropped into the <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placetype w:st="on">village</st1:placetype>
of <st1:placename w:st="on">Pennal</st1:placename></st1:place> and crossed the
A487 passing through a holiday bungalow resort based on a big old house, Plas
Talgarth. In its grounds on approach is Domen Las – a <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Norman</st1:place></st1:city> castle motte that had previously been
a Roman fort and was later used by Owain Glyndwr according to legend. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Domen Las</td></tr>
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In the
grounds of the holiday village is a slight detour of the path to avoid a huge section
of fallen trees, damaged in the January storms – there is much wood to be
chopped here! </div>
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We soon had first views of the estuary again – the railway line
which we had crossed this morning and the scenes of our walk to Machynlleth
earlier in the week. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rail bridge over the Dyfi and its nature reserve</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hFzgRTLIcME/U0AOLfSE1aI/AAAAAAAABOs/dc3-hixGqoM/s1600/Machynlleth+to+Aberdovey+034a-web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hFzgRTLIcME/U0AOLfSE1aI/AAAAAAAABOs/dc3-hixGqoM/s1600/Machynlleth+to+Aberdovey+034a-web.jpg" height="320" width="305" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Across to the Lyfnant Valley</td></tr>
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We got slightly lost then near a big house with caravans
so had to take a slight detour. After lunch eaten in a field with a stream – very pretty – we pressed on through fields, skirting a
little wood and headed to re-cross the A487, and heading seriously uphill again. Lots of violets in the hedgerow here ....</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kmxHGyBpffQ/U0AOK_b6YiI/AAAAAAAABOg/XF232mTOIPI/s1600/Machynlleth+to+Aberdovey+039-web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kmxHGyBpffQ/U0AOK_b6YiI/AAAAAAAABOg/XF232mTOIPI/s1600/Machynlleth+to+Aberdovey+039-web.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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........ and
wood anemones, dandelions,stitchwort ........</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kcCRP6FsfZc/U0AOKr2rLfI/AAAAAAAABOc/pyi_2Izg6HI/s1600/Machynlleth+to+Aberdovey+038-web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kcCRP6FsfZc/U0AOKr2rLfI/AAAAAAAABOc/pyi_2Izg6HI/s1600/Machynlleth+to+Aberdovey+038-web.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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.............primroses beginning to go past their best now...</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--YkCh-77rcg/U0AOJo4LX6I/AAAAAAAABOM/5tLyPgPMHtM/s1600/Machynlleth+to+Aberdovey+036-web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--YkCh-77rcg/U0AOJo4LX6I/AAAAAAAABOM/5tLyPgPMHtM/s1600/Machynlleth+to+Aberdovey+036-web.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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– lovely to see Spring arriving. The
bluebells are going to be beautiful I’m sure! The track turned into a mountain
track as we passed a farm in the middle of nowhere – still going up! Some of
the old walls here were made of slates standing on end. </div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oUT5I2xQwdk/U0AOLRXLZ2I/AAAAAAAABOw/F4GF-S69qZs/s1600/Machynlleth+to+Aberdovey+043-web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oUT5I2xQwdk/U0AOLRXLZ2I/AAAAAAAABOw/F4GF-S69qZs/s1600/Machynlleth+to+Aberdovey+043-web.jpg" height="198" width="320" /></a></div>
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Arriving at the top of this particular hill which had been like real hill walking, really lovely, was a stone marking
Carn Mach Arthur, (Stone of Arthur’s Horse). </div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-M6hD4LWctiA/U0AQKspoY4I/AAAAAAAABPE/gx-IJEIFy68/s1600/Machynlleth+to+Aberdovey+047-web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-M6hD4LWctiA/U0AQKspoY4I/AAAAAAAABPE/gx-IJEIFy68/s1600/Machynlleth+to+Aberdovey+047-web.jpg" height="316" width="320" /></a></div>
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This supposedly shows the hoof
print of King Arthur’s horse, Llamrai......can you see it?...</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Jrm2y8d2APs/U0AQPULh1wI/AAAAAAAABQE/tJS3JAVeZ_Y/s1600/hoofprint.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Jrm2y8d2APs/U0AQPULh1wI/AAAAAAAABQE/tJS3JAVeZ_Y/s1600/hoofprint.jpg" /></a></div>
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either as Arthur was called to help the
local people from some marauding force and he galloped from across the estuary to help, or, according to another perhaps more favoured legend, as Arthur and his horse
beat the creature, an Avanc, sleeping in the nearby Bearded Lake, Llyn Barfog....</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FaOFNKEHmwM/U0AQNJzUsOI/AAAAAAAABPg/6ybqPrfwJz8/s1600/Machynlleth+to+Aberdovey+052-web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FaOFNKEHmwM/U0AQNJzUsOI/AAAAAAAABPg/6ybqPrfwJz8/s1600/Machynlleth+to+Aberdovey+052-web.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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........from where it wreaked havoc on people who came too close! We couldn’t actually see the Lake from the path which is best approached from the <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on">Happy</st1:placename> <st1:placetype w:st="on">Valley</st1:placetype></st1:place>
direction. Today we were too tired by now to take a further detour! And soon we
had great views, first of <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on">Bardsey</st1:placename>
<st1:placetype w:st="on">Island</st1:placetype></st1:place> and then more and
more of the Lleyn peninsula revealed itself! </div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Is22PRYPmxw/U0AUqU8iiBI/AAAAAAAABQo/Sh-C5QbVw7c/s1600/Machynlleth+to+Aberdovey+055-web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Is22PRYPmxw/U0AUqU8iiBI/AAAAAAAABQo/Sh-C5QbVw7c/s1600/Machynlleth+to+Aberdovey+055-web.jpg" height="123" width="320" /></a></div>
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Once on top of this final
incline…we could see the whole of Cardigan Bay spread out before us – right from
Strumble Head, dimly in the distance but there nevertheless, and the clear shape
of Dinas Head, round passing all our route so far to New Quay and so to Borth and Ynyslas and to the north, the tip of the Lleyn and Bardsey Island jutting out
to make the Bay – a fantastic sight! </div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-aq029hKFmOQ/U0AQPGs3VOI/AAAAAAAABQI/stqxrKY5ZBA/s1600/Machynlleth+to+Aberdovey+062-web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-aq029hKFmOQ/U0AQPGs3VOI/AAAAAAAABQI/stqxrKY5ZBA/s1600/Machynlleth+to+Aberdovey+062-web.jpg" height="105" width="320" /></a></div>
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A little further and Tywyn revealed itself
just along the coast and where we will pass on the next walk – but out to sea
from Tywyn and the river Dysynni estuary was the next Sarn of the Cantre’f
Gwaelod – Sarn y Bwlch. This one stretches out under the sea for about 2 miles. </div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_2vf4fEDON0/U0ASjtI0qeI/AAAAAAAABQU/3cegJMZQNSY/s1600/Machynlleth+to+Aberdovey+058b-web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_2vf4fEDON0/U0ASjtI0qeI/AAAAAAAABQU/3cegJMZQNSY/s1600/Machynlleth+to+Aberdovey+058b-web.jpg" height="159" width="320" /></a></div>
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And so began the downhill stretch into Aberdovey – Ynyslas and its sand dunes now becoming clearer
and clearer and the Lleyn disappearing from view as we dropped into Aberdyfi on the eastward side of town....</div>
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Great views over the town and
its harbour and beach. </div>
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It had been another favourite walk - have lots of them now. This another not so coastal a walk but very enjoyable nevertheless. We said goodbye to the harbour - we like Aberdyfi! - until the next time!</div>
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Another successful 12 miles which has pushed us over the 500 mark!!! And we will walk 500 more....well not quite that many....</div>
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Although this walk is so much of a challenge and enjoyable all the more so because of that, the main motivation is to raise funds for the "Victory over Cancer" appeal for Velindre. All support you can give is so gratefully received.....<a href="http://www.justgiving.com/Pamela-Mallpress">www.justgiving.com/Pamela-Mallpress</a>....thank you!</div>
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Pamela Mallpresshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08938256713646288802noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5056411862587291662.post-85145085685140520782014-04-02T07:07:00.004-07:002014-05-05T07:03:54.350-07:00Walk 20 Tre'r Ddol to Machynlleth 1st April, 2014<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">All Fools’
Day! Well we hoped not as we awoke to a lovely, sunny morning and set off once
more heading for the Dyfi (Dovey) estuary walk part 1, the south of the estuary. As we went over the hills, the
mist was hanging in the valleys with blue sky above – a pretty sight. </span></div>
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We drove
in and out of mist patches and arrived at Machynlleth wondering if it would be
a day where the views would be limited. Taxi picked us up at 9.30 and down we
went to Tre’r Ddol – seemed a long way again! Oh dear! </div>
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Off we set through the
woods – we have already done a lot of woodland walking, but today’s was particularly
picturesque. Wood anemones were in abundance.... </div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SVVV1lEtR30/UzwTE7rvNpI/AAAAAAAABKE/i6JTXlBP48A/s1600/Tre'r+Ddol+to+Machynlleth+020-web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SVVV1lEtR30/UzwTE7rvNpI/AAAAAAAABKE/i6JTXlBP48A/s1600/Tre'r+Ddol+to+Machynlleth+020-web.jpg" height="320" width="259" /></a></div>
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...and they’ll soon be followed by bluebells and foxgloves in abundance. Pheasants
were calling and as we got higher and came out of the thick wood, we had
tantalising views of Aberdovey and its estuary through the trees..... </div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-X6Kuj-h2uZg/UzwTOl2NRYI/AAAAAAAABKM/yaGBYp6DV_c/s1600/Tre'r+Ddol+to+Machynlleth+010-web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-X6Kuj-h2uZg/UzwTOl2NRYI/AAAAAAAABKM/yaGBYp6DV_c/s1600/Tre'r+Ddol+to+Machynlleth+010-web.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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...and the hills of the Tarren escarpment at the other side of the river..</div>
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We then
rose higher and got better, clear views over the estuary. By now the mist had
gone completely and the sun was hot! We thought that there would be great views
of the Lleyn today! </div>
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All the time we had really only been walking parallel with
the A487 – Machynlleth to Borth road, we looked down on the settlement of
Furnace Bridge way beneath us as we sat and enjoyed chocolate bars, gazing at
the hills and river across the valley. <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on">Furnace</st1:placename> <st1:placetype w:st="on">Bridge</st1:placetype></st1:place>
had a huge water operated furnace in the 18<sup>th</sup> century for iron
smelting but it only actually operated for 50 years. It has now been renovated.
The wheel is huge. And just across from us was Ynys-Hir, the RSPB nature reserve where Spring Watch was filmed in recent
years. Saying goodbye to the estuary for a while...</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6cf5ebN6cEE/UzwUM3zIQKI/AAAAAAAABKw/TkzxggioQ7U/s1600/Tre%2527r+Ddol+to+Machynlleth+033-web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6cf5ebN6cEE/UzwUM3zIQKI/AAAAAAAABKw/TkzxggioQ7U/s1600/Tre%2527r+Ddol+to+Machynlleth+033-web.jpg" height="175" width="320" /></a></div>
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...we then we passed through more woods and crossed fields. So lovely to see that Spring is springing...</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8rYM4NoMjcw/UzwUYJqgF_I/AAAAAAAABLA/onGUpwRKrbY/s1600/Tre%2527r+Ddol+to+Machynlleth+044-web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8rYM4NoMjcw/UzwUYJqgF_I/AAAAAAAABLA/onGUpwRKrbY/s1600/Tre%2527r+Ddol+to+Machynlleth+044-web.jpg" height="320" width="244" /></a></div>
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...with lots of flowers all shooting and flowering although the trees are not generally so far forward yet..</div>
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We were climbing a little all the while until we crossed a lovely stream rushing down over rocks, the river Einion – a house here is in an idyllic setting! </div>
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It was a
lovely walk along this hillside til we dropped down at Melindwr – as its name
suggests, an old watermill.... </div>
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and here we met Tree – doing the coast walk the
other way to us. She started on
1<sup>st</sup> March so is doing great and hopes to finish early May. She is
fundraising for Kidney Wales Foundation and has already raised a significant amount - well done Tree! <a href="http://trwancy.wordpress.com/">http://trwancy.wordpress.com</a> We climbed out of the valley quite steeply then and had lunch in an old oak
wood – with views over the trees, just, of the coast. It really was a "coast and country" walk today!</div>
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It was probably the best lunch
so far – no clouds or rain threatened – it was perfectly quiet with only the
birds to listen to. I wondered if we should stay longer! We climbed again
out of the wood and here the smell of pine was amazing. Earlier we saw a larch
bursting with its pretty pink cones forming....</div>
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We then had to watch the views of Aberdovey slowly go from view - until next time...<br />
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From this angle, further inland, the river looks quite narrow - but then you can see - I hope - the railway crossing the valley..<br />
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Very soon we came to the Lyfnant
valley – a super setting. A house claiming its building date of 1925 was
sitting all alone – wonderful! Wondered if it had maybe belonged to a quarry
owner – there is so much evidence of quarrying on the hills around here. There
was a lovely waterfall rushing down the now quite steep cliffs....</div>
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and the sounds
of all the falls on the river Lyfnant rushing over rocks as we climbed out of
the valley was wonderful. And all around more and more signs of spring, heather blooming here and even the moss was flowering...<br />
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Soon we heard the chain saw! And the forestry
chaps were indeed felling trees right on to the path! An interesting climb over
the debris was had! </div>
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The men were not impressed either with us crossing their
work area or with the coastal path choosing this route – why didn’t it follow
the railway they asked? It does seem to be quite a narrow rail bridge to me
which might be even more exciting than crossing felled trees for the mere
walker! We soon passed what was for us the first Powys CC footpath sign <br />
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– not sure exactly where we had crossed the border into our home county! It was
quite another uphill walk first over fields and then up a track for quite
a while! And then of course we came to a downhill track. We soon crossed an uphill field to meet Glyndwr’s path coming
in to join us <br />
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and soon the joint paths dropped down into Machynlleth. <br />
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We had
good views of the town and out to <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on">Dovey</st1:placename>
<st1:placetype w:st="on">Bridge</st1:placetype></st1:place> – and over the
hills we will go on the next walk, out to Aberdovey and the sea once more! </div>
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<span lang="EN-GB">It had been
a wonderful, warm, sunny, blue sky walk accompanied by much better views
than we had expected – we kind of thought we would be in the woods most of the
time. 10 more miles along the way! Another 5 and we will have done those 500
miles!</span></div>
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<br />
<br />
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<span lang="EN-GB">We keep turning the corners – soon we'll be
headed on the road to Dolgellau on the way to Barmouth and beyond, unbelievable!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Pamela Mallpresshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08938256713646288802noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5056411862587291662.post-47671647242939434022014-03-31T09:24:00.001-07:002014-04-02T07:11:06.156-07:00Walk 19 Aberystwyth to Tre'r Ddol 30th March, 2014<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span lang="EN-GB">Mother’s
Day! Also the clocks sprang forward overnight so to bed early last night – then
up at 6.45 and off by 7.30. The tops today were just normal – lovely views and
bright with promise of a sunny, warm day ahead. We had arranged to meet the taxi at the community shop/café at Tre’r
Ddol at 9. The café people had agreed it was ok to leave the car there so we bought our sandwiches there.....and very nice they were too! The taxi took us back to the castle where we had a quick look around
before setting off at 9.15. </span></div>
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The seafront is recovered now from the storms – it
did suffer on the seafront, losing its old bandstand. But the defences had held
up, the pier is still there and the town had no serious flooding…<br />
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I had hoped we would get up
Constitution Hill using the funicular railway….</div>
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but it is closed til the middle of April! So up the hill we went – is that where the term taking a “constitutional” comes from I wondered? The only view of the railway was from the bridge crossing it ...uphill!..</div>
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On top of the hill is the world’s largest Camera Obscura….and views of the walk ahead..</div>
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Up on top we soon saw the caravan village ahead of Clarach – that was the settlement we had been viewing yesterday wondering if it was Aber. It was near Clarach where we realised I had left the map in the car….good job we had a good idea of the route today…hopefully! </div>
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We had good views back too looking over Aber and to New Quay and just about to Mwnt and maybe a bit further although it was still too hazy for it to be really clearly seen. It was really bright all day but still too hazy to see the Lleyn ( it was Barmouth, not the Lleyn, Pam!) Up again onto the clifftops once we passed Clarach – and it was a real cliff walk today with many ups and downs all the way to Borth. We soon saw the highlight of our day – Sarn Gynfelyn. </div>
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There are at least 3 Sarns in <st1:place w:st="on">Cardigan Bay</st1:place>, the other
2 further north which we hope we’ll see too – causeways caused by glacial
moraine which go out into the sea for 7 miles or so. It’s said that these Sarns
are really the edges of a sunken settlement, Cantre’f Gwaelod which was
inundated when the keeper looking after the locks to keep the sea out went to
sleep and the whole place was flooded. It was an amazing sight with waves
breaking all along it and on its beach was a lime kiln. </div>
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Lots of debris from the
storms was washed up here and there were 2 houses at the settlement, Wallog – what an idyllic place! </div>
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There were guinea fowl pecking away
in the nearby field – quite a strange sight! As we climbed away we kept looking
back and out to sea – could we really see the edges of Cantr’f gwaelod,
Ceredigion’s Atlantis?</div>
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We had a nice chat with a couple form <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Bristol</st1:city></st1:place> who are walking the coast path in
stretches. They completed the South West path some time ago. Lots of big cliffs
were to follow, sometimes the only useable gear was crawler! – and it was quite
hot and sunny! </div>
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Soon we could see Borth and make out Aberdovey across the estuary </div>
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before we
dropped down to the caravan park at Pen-y-Graig beside a lovely beach and the
outcrop of Carreg Mulfran </div>
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and so up the last hill before Borth with its war
memorial on top. </div>
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Walked down this last descent and had lunch overlooking the
sea gently washing into Borth, the tide was on its way out. A chap told us the
seas had been really wild and high here in the storms. We headed down Borth
High Street, The end of the Ceredigion coast path is actually at Ynyslas which
is about 3 more miles beyond Borth with its lovely high sand dunes, which our
grandsons love, and which looks across the river Dovey to Aberdovey. The
coastal path though crosses the railway near Borth station – the driver gave us
a wave! </div>
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And so began the second half of the walk. It was a walk of 2 halves
today – cliff top coastal – and now along a flat bog and estuarial. We have now
to head around the River Dovey. Borth Bog – or Cors Fochno – nature resrve. The whole of the Dyfi estusry area is the only UNESCO
biosphere in <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:country-region w:st="on">Wales</st1:country-region></st1:place>
and indeed it did make a lovely walk across the bog, through reeds, crossing the river Leri which was
canalised in the late 19<sup>th</sup> century, </div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zTnnNPf0na8/UzmVxh1UPBI/AAAAAAAABJM/qhBQV5x5e5Y/s1600/Llanon+to+Aberystwyth+156-web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zTnnNPf0na8/UzmVxh1UPBI/AAAAAAAABJM/qhBQV5x5e5Y/s1600/Llanon+to+Aberystwyth+156-web.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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passing ditches where man has
drained the land and from which ducks flew as we passed, and where alders were
just bursting into bud.... </div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UaRQoC5e7Fk/UzmV-7J01iI/AAAAAAAABJU/6P54p-5hOPA/s1600/Llanon+to+Aberystwyth+172-web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UaRQoC5e7Fk/UzmV-7J01iI/AAAAAAAABJU/6P54p-5hOPA/s1600/Llanon+to+Aberystwyth+172-web.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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The hedges have become more and more green over the
past few days of our travels. Towards the end of the bog, it was a long 2 mile
stretch as straight as an arrow....</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2Lb1KEplC3M/UzmWH8qjx5I/AAAAAAAABJc/23taKuiQg5A/s1600/Llanon+to+Aberystwyth+168-web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2Lb1KEplC3M/UzmWH8qjx5I/AAAAAAAABJc/23taKuiQg5A/s1600/Llanon+to+Aberystwyth+168-web.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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.....and which we were now looking forward to
reaching the end of as it was really hot in the sun, over 20 degrees it turned
out. Luckily the bog wasn’t too boggy today – it has had a few dry days so we
didn’t get too wet. Soon we could see the village of Tre Taliesin appearing
across the fields and shortly we reached the A487
to walk into Tre’r Ddol ..</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WWIOAFwvLug/UzmWezXbK5I/AAAAAAAABJk/iAZwHIE5Cjc/s1600/Llanon+to+Aberystwyth+175-web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WWIOAFwvLug/UzmWezXbK5I/AAAAAAAABJk/iAZwHIE5Cjc/s1600/Llanon+to+Aberystwyth+175-web.jpg" height="317" width="320" /></a></div>
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....where we enjoyed much liquid refreshment at the café
and where lovely people from Machynlleth gave us very kind donations – and also
good advice about path on the way to Aberdovey – thank you! So almost goodbye
Ceredigion now, a brief pass through Powys at Machynlleth and then comes
Gwynedd! Another 11 miles off the total.....</div>
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</div>
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</div>
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<o:p></o:p>Pamela Mallpresshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08938256713646288802noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5056411862587291662.post-79910318110667047602014-03-31T08:58:00.001-07:002014-03-31T09:24:45.979-07:00Walk 18 Llanon to Aberystwyth 29th March, 2014<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">Can't believe we're almost at Aberystwyth.....more than halfway now and hoping for some more sponsorship from recent letters....keep a lookout at <a href="http://www.justgiving.com/pamela-mallpress">www.justgiving.com/pamela-mallpress</a> We left home at 7.30 headed to Aber for taxi pick up at 9.30. Today it was misty over the tops
so promising to be warmer after the snow we saw Thursday! Back in Llanon and began walking by 9.45. Down <st1:street w:st="on"><st1:address w:st="on">Church Street</st1:address></st1:street> and passing the pretty
church at Llansantfraed which is really a hamlet joined on to Llanon. </span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-07cT-6kpToA/UzmL3gSkKxI/AAAAAAAABEY/71-lPv0CLDk/s1600/Llanon+to+Aberystwyth+001-Llansantfraed+church-web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-07cT-6kpToA/UzmL3gSkKxI/AAAAAAAABEY/71-lPv0CLDk/s1600/Llanon+to+Aberystwyth+001-Llansantfraed+church-web.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">Continuing along the flat levels beside the sea with the tide
well out so we had lovely pavements to see all day at the foot of the cliffs. We passed through a field of
heifers or bullocks, young cattle anyway who wanted to follow us – but I was brave! We
shouted at them in a <st1:place w:st="on">Yorkshire</st1:place> accent as it
sounded fiercer! </span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-krhn-nlsAhw/UzmMIVnCnUI/AAAAAAAABEg/CwALUPJXDo0/s1600/Llanon+to+Aberystwyth+007-web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-krhn-nlsAhw/UzmMIVnCnUI/AAAAAAAABEg/CwALUPJXDo0/s1600/Llanon+to+Aberystwyth+007-web.jpg" height="143" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><br /></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB">We soon came to the 4 lime kilns we had read about at Craig-las with remains of
jetties on the shore in front of them. </span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-P7qf3bV46X4/UzmMShl5rTI/AAAAAAAABEo/LIOucKrLSV4/s1600/Llanon+to+Aberystwyth+014-web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-P7qf3bV46X4/UzmMShl5rTI/AAAAAAAABEo/LIOucKrLSV4/s1600/Llanon+to+Aberystwyth+014-web.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">Another strange sight of previous industrial
scenes – we thought it must have been a businessman who wanted to take the
whole lime market hereabouts! Once again we passed the scene of much rock
throwing into the fields by the sea in the storms. </span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cgewNWwyFvk/UzmMhWGbMtI/AAAAAAAABEw/NLCG4RY09B8/s1600/Llanon+to+Aberystwyth+021-web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cgewNWwyFvk/UzmMhWGbMtI/AAAAAAAABEw/NLCG4RY09B8/s1600/Llanon+to+Aberystwyth+021-web.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">Arriving at the shingle bank
going into Llanrhystud, we were met by a Land Rover coming towards us across
the bank – quite precarious we thought! </span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-530LX6Cg3SM/UzmMqNnPRKI/AAAAAAAABE4/HUb2PbKOqx4/s1600/Llanon+to+Aberystwyth+026-web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-530LX6Cg3SM/UzmMqNnPRKI/AAAAAAAABE4/HUb2PbKOqx4/s1600/Llanon+to+Aberystwyth+026-web.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">There was an iron age hill fort in Llanrhystud, Gaer Penrhos, which had subsequently had a Norman castle built within its earthworks but it is on private land about 1 mile east of the village so we couldn’t see it today…we had to press on. In Llanrhystud we had to go inland to
avoid a caravan park and then go around the edge of another one before going up
onto the cliffs once more. </span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-s3tIcXu_Aqo/UzmM8YAg7JI/AAAAAAAABFA/XF7L4bRzEPw/s1600/Llanon+to+Aberystwyth+029-web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-s3tIcXu_Aqo/UzmM8YAg7JI/AAAAAAAABFA/XF7L4bRzEPw/s1600/Llanon+to+Aberystwyth+029-web.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">It was a lovely walk up on the cliffs with not too
many ups and downs yet but with much erosion and lots of contorted trees! It
was a bit hazy but bright so the views were not clear but we could look ahead at the ridge we had to follow today. </span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NZeo4dJAlTU/UzmNSLd9_wI/AAAAAAAABFI/RCSLF_dnaNU/s1600/Llanon+to+Aberystwyth+031-web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NZeo4dJAlTU/UzmNSLd9_wI/AAAAAAAABFI/RCSLF_dnaNU/s1600/Llanon+to+Aberystwyth+031-web.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">We could dimly make out
a settlement in front – was it Aber? And we thought we could make out Ynyslas
ahead too..... maybe. I kept looking down at the pavements..</span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7eZdFPO6QbU/UzmNiNYP48I/AAAAAAAABFU/K_1ldEq_HgI/s1600/Llanon+to+Aberystwyth+033a-web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7eZdFPO6QbU/UzmNiNYP48I/AAAAAAAABFU/K_1ldEq_HgI/s1600/Llanon+to+Aberystwyth+033a-web.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FoBkqTGjN6A/UzmNiLdUg-I/AAAAAAAABFQ/vuVemKcpIWw/s1600/Llanon+to+Aberystwyth+035a-web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FoBkqTGjN6A/UzmNiLdUg-I/AAAAAAAABFQ/vuVemKcpIWw/s1600/Llanon+to+Aberystwyth+035a-web.jpg" height="134" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">And glancing back at the route we had completed...</span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-O2LrwdIjzJU/UzmNwLO_BgI/AAAAAAAABFg/hqSqMZITpV8/s1600/Llanon+to+Aberystwyth+042a-web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-O2LrwdIjzJU/UzmNwLO_BgI/AAAAAAAABFg/hqSqMZITpV8/s1600/Llanon+to+Aberystwyth+042a-web.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
We lunched at Penberi cliffs – quite magnificent cliffs and a nature
reserve where fulmars and cormorants like to nest. We had seen cormorants
skimming low over the sea. <br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bPgh64D6XBo/UzmN52GAfJI/AAAAAAAABFo/YJ6KKtYKtvM/s1600/Llanon+to+Aberystwyth+047b-web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bPgh64D6XBo/UzmN52GAfJI/AAAAAAAABFo/YJ6KKtYKtvM/s1600/Llanon+to+Aberystwyth+047b-web.jpg" height="303" width="320" /></a></div>
And the trees here are some kind of oak which grow
only stunted because of the weather conditions. <br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-s0BbI3A2fE4/UzmOEkAxJ8I/AAAAAAAABFw/WubyjNSSJXE/s1600/Llanon+to+Aberystwyth+048a-web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-s0BbI3A2fE4/UzmOEkAxJ8I/AAAAAAAABFw/WubyjNSSJXE/s1600/Llanon+to+Aberystwyth+048a-web.jpg" height="281" width="320" /></a></div>
And as I said there were many contorted trees along the way...<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0JJV3dj1Gkc/UzmOQ1M-hfI/AAAAAAAABF4/6PWRCSXBrh8/s1600/Llanon+to+Aberystwyth+051-web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0JJV3dj1Gkc/UzmOQ1M-hfI/AAAAAAAABF4/6PWRCSXBrh8/s1600/Llanon+to+Aberystwyth+051-web.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
We
passed a farmhouse being renovated in a lovely setting <br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-daD4qmNwHdM/UzmOX11M38I/AAAAAAAABGA/10Nwb_GidGg/s1600/Llanon+to+Aberystwyth+053-web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-daD4qmNwHdM/UzmOX11M38I/AAAAAAAABGA/10Nwb_GidGg/s1600/Llanon+to+Aberystwyth+053-web.jpg" height="172" width="320" /></a></div>
and walked though fields
full of proud ewes with their new lambs <br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dlv2fOpBWG8/UzmOdSAkh-I/AAAAAAAABGI/RE_mpdcPSJY/s1600/Llanon+to+Aberystwyth+055-web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dlv2fOpBWG8/UzmOdSAkh-I/AAAAAAAABGI/RE_mpdcPSJY/s1600/Llanon+to+Aberystwyth+055-web.jpg" height="229" width="320" /></a></div>
and then reached another farmstead at
Ffon-las, but this one is a complete ruin..and we had to walk up a high hill to
go around it too! <br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wQUexbqZ8-8/UzmOlYb7-MI/AAAAAAAABGQ/Z-J_u8f2QDY/s1600/Llanon+to+Aberystwyth+061-web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wQUexbqZ8-8/UzmOlYb7-MI/AAAAAAAABGQ/Z-J_u8f2QDY/s1600/Llanon+to+Aberystwyth+061-web.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
We were high above the sea again with lots of erosion and landslip of the soft rock here and there..<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gt5IiJXgbLg/UzmOv4aFWNI/AAAAAAAABGY/Fwq30H-Sh8Q/s1600/Llanon+to+Aberystwyth+060a-web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gt5IiJXgbLg/UzmOv4aFWNI/AAAAAAAABGY/Fwq30H-Sh8Q/s1600/Llanon+to+Aberystwyth+060a-web.jpg" height="320" width="282" /></a></div>
Passing another farmstead and
then arriving at Morfa Bychan and its caravans meant we dropped down
steeply only to go up steeply again back to the cliff tops. Really lovely views
and then it was quite surprising how remote and wild it felt here although we
were now so close to Aber! It’s said that the finest views in Ceredigion are to
be had up here – both inland and coastal – which we could believe, but not so
today with the haziness. Perhaps as well thought Chris ....so we couldn’t see how
far we still have to go to the Lleyn! The cliffs here had strange formations
along them – sometimes looking like they had been mined, <br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-N0b1PY00erc/UzmPOek_VvI/AAAAAAAABGg/iPrODFiYi0Q/s1600/Llanon+to+Aberystwyth+080-web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-N0b1PY00erc/UzmPOek_VvI/AAAAAAAABGg/iPrODFiYi0Q/s1600/Llanon+to+Aberystwyth+080-web.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
sometimes with deeply
striated stripes, <br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ay1kKCFBu5A/UzmPXPJdz2I/AAAAAAAABGo/gNKX1Eq_7D4/s1600/Llanon+to+Aberystwyth+073a-web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ay1kKCFBu5A/UzmPXPJdz2I/AAAAAAAABGo/gNKX1Eq_7D4/s1600/Llanon+to+Aberystwyth+073a-web.jpg" height="171" width="320" /></a></div>
sometimes a landslip <br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uFS4LGfZ4ZE/UzmPdf3WNbI/AAAAAAAABGw/_tzEk-SNE4o/s1600/Llanon+to+Aberystwyth+070-web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uFS4LGfZ4ZE/UzmPdf3WNbI/AAAAAAAABGw/_tzEk-SNE4o/s1600/Llanon+to+Aberystwyth+070-web.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
– and all with amazing pavements at
their feet with a gentle sea today. We had had some breeze on the tops now and
again but not a lot and it was much warmer today. Great views as Aber came into sight over the final cliff top of this escarpment <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-O7NbZnfyq7E/UzmPpzpj-uI/AAAAAAAABG4/TOZ-xKhENjo/s1600/Llanon+to+Aberystwyth+082-web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-O7NbZnfyq7E/UzmPpzpj-uI/AAAAAAAABG4/TOZ-xKhENjo/s1600/Llanon+to+Aberystwyth+082-web.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
– its harbour, castle
and Pendinas hill (a hill fort – now with a monument on top, in celebration of <st1:city w:st="on">Wellington</st1:city>’s <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Waterloo</st1:place></st1:city>
victory). We dropped really steeply down to Tanybwlch beach with its huge
shingle bank – again signs of the strength of the storms although the bank had been
mostly put back to where it should be now! A nice walk into the harbour....<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-V0dA4OW-IeI/UzmQC5L05QI/AAAAAAAABHA/P5ErxHYMhcw/s1600/Llanon+to+Aberystwyth+091-web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-V0dA4OW-IeI/UzmQC5L05QI/AAAAAAAABHA/P5ErxHYMhcw/s1600/Llanon+to+Aberystwyth+091-web.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
having crossed the river Ystwyth and then crossing the bridge over the Rheidiol, back to the car park. A lovely day – one of the best so far. 12 more miles along the way!<o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">We saw lots
of kites again, the ubiquitous skylarks and some gulls and cormorants.
Celandines and violets – dandelions and primroses....Fishermen at Aberystwyth...<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">More to do tomorrow along this lovely Cardigan Bay......</span></div>
Pamela Mallpresshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08938256713646288802noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5056411862587291662.post-4228987217635255312014-03-28T11:01:00.004-07:002014-03-28T11:01:55.112-07:00Walk 17 New Quay to Llanon 27th March, 2014<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">Hello again! Have to get up Cardigan Bay now before 3rd May when we have the next house booked so as the </span>forecast
looked good for yesterday, 26th and today I was hoping that my met skills were not going to
let me down….we left home 7.30am and over the Cambrians it was only 2 degrees with frost on the trees</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-a9r3aAaNCoI/UzWwTWPokmI/AAAAAAAABAs/sROjUEnJPfc/s1600/New+Quay+to+Llanon+004-web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-a9r3aAaNCoI/UzWwTWPokmI/AAAAAAAABAs/sROjUEnJPfc/s1600/New+Quay+to+Llanon+004-web.jpg" height="222" width="320" /></a></div>
and snow on the tops!<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-msTPLGZnpQU/UzWw9CZYW4I/AAAAAAAABA0/OVlEWquH8Dg/s1600/New+Quay+to+Llanon+006-web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-msTPLGZnpQU/UzWw9CZYW4I/AAAAAAAABA0/OVlEWquH8Dg/s1600/New+Quay+to+Llanon+006-web.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
We arrived Llanon early and waited for the taxi
at 9.30 to take us back to New Quay – it seemed far! The Polish driver told us the
council may close the Llanarth road into New Quay where a landslip has been
waiting for fixing for 2 years – crazy councils! It was a lovely morning if a bit chilly
as we set off down to the beach, as our walk began about 10, the tide was well out and we knew it was
low tide until midday so we had a lovely walk right along the beach.<br />
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<br />
It was amazing how
folded the cliffs were along here...<br />
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<br />
a waterfall was tumbling down and here and
there the rock changed to a soft one which showed erosion signs. The sea was
gently rolling in as we headed across the beach,<br />
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with views back to New Quay...<br />
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We walked across to Llanina point and although we could have
continued along the smaller Cei Bach – small quay, we didn’t know how far we
would have been able to walk and how we would have got back to the path so we
followed the waymarkers which took us inland. Here we saw a very pretty little
hamlet – its church now a home but ruins were here and there in the woods. We got slightly
lost around a farm where the waymarkers weren’t visible but a man kindly directed
us through the farmyard and back out on to the clifftops. It was a lovely walk
above Cei Bach listening to waves below us, looking back to New Quay and Llanina Point.<br />
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Soon we came upon a
lovely little cove where the river Drywi formed amazing terraces of rock falling
down its valley<br />
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<br />
and it fell in a waterfall to the beach below – it was really
very high…and very pretty.<br />
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<br />
Fairly shortly we had to turn inland to avoid the
private holiday village of <st1:placename w:st="on">Gilfach</st1:placename>– the view towards Llanon and beyond was tantalising – we couldn’t quite decide which settlements beyond we could see through the haze but decided it couldn’t be Aberystwyth.<br />
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<br />
It was really only possible to see as far as the end of the land around Harlech today – the Lleyn and the mountains were not really possible to pick out. The view back was good too - I loved the windblown trees!<br />
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We soon came across another lovely little cove at Cwm Clifforch – a bit like a more gentle Pwll y Wrach or Aber Castell. Strange land formation formed from erosion but a lovely setting nonetheless..<br />
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We had a lovely walk then as we approached Aberaeron, passing a group of people going towards New Quay who live in Aberdovey who kindly gave us donations – we’ll be there before long!<br />
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<br />
And so down to Aberaeron – the huge council building being about the first building we passed ..<br />
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and then lovely colourful housing around the harbour.<br />
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Aberaeron was very busy with boatbuilding in its past – and lime weighing. It has its own Lime Weigh house! Onwards then after a lunch stop...<br />
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across a shingly path which then turned to a grass one – all along here it was clear to see that the sea had wrought a lot of damage in the storms...here a breakwater no longer breaks the waves but instead is covered in the shingle - some boulders as big as your head! - dumped by those powersul, storm driven waves, incredible!<br />
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And the soft cliffs along this stretch were badly, and recently, eroded...<br />
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...as we approached Aberarth, very pretty with its river Arth - and the only dolphin we saw of the day – was here on a gate! <br />
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Out once more along the cliffs – further examples of the erosion of the cliffs - here the undercut was stunning to see, with its inherent danger...<br />
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And here and there the fence posts had been gradually - or in some cases, urgently, been moved back landwards...<br />
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Looking back, New Quay now seemed quite far away - and those wind blown hedges made great shapes!<br />
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As we were approaching Llanon, there was one amazingly high cliff, seemed out of place amongst so much soft rock. <br />
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Soon we were headed on lower ground into Llanon and now we could make out the nearer hills more clearly. It was an easy final walk into Llanon alongside the sea and sometimes on the shingle bank which again had encroached such a long way into the fields.<br />
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And why so many plastic bottles washed out of the sea? <br />
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The sea also showed us its gentle side, here with patterns almost like lace as it rolled in to the shore....<br />
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.....and then again its stormy side, here taking over a field – of turnip here – ready salted now! <br />
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What storms we had! What strength! The coast route sort of ran out here – think it goes onto the beach but the tide was coming in now so we headed up to the road into the village back to the car. A lovely walk on what did turn out to be a lovely bright day. <br />
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It snowed on us going home over the Cambrians so hope the weather reporting goes well for the next few walks…..Saw the first fisherman on Cei Bach since we saw some at Amroth – whose road was pretty much destroyed after the storms by the way.<br />
Another 12 miles further!<br />
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<br />Pamela Mallpresshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08938256713646288802noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5056411862587291662.post-1345720614538271232014-03-24T07:51:00.002-07:002014-03-24T07:51:16.537-07:00Walk 16 Aberporth to New Quay 23 March, 2014<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;">Here we are again...now able to do a few walks as day trips as we head up Cardigan Bay as its not too far to drive there and back in the day. Don't forget to check my <a href="http://www.justgiving.com/Pamela-Mallpress">www.justgiving.com/Pamela-Mallpress</a> page if you are interested in the totals...thank you!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;">Sunday morning – and we were
up before 7 and off before 7.30 – to New Quay or Cei Newydd. Taxi picked us up
at 9.30 to Aberporth…we discovered the dolphin statue should have gone to New Quay
where they do see more dolphins but the council got it wrong! So off we set and it was a beautiful morning </span></div>
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– the clouds
and cliffs making lovely shadows over the sea all day long – and it was a long
day…We passed quite a few old railway carriages made into holiday homes,
different! Some were more <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Pullman</st1:place></st1:city>
like than others! <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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We soon came round on a well made path to Tresaith with its waterfall and caravan park above…the sea was frothing nicely in the quite steep breeze, very pretty. </div>
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Then a long pull out of
the cove to gain height once more. A lovely walk then along the cliffs to
Penbryn, a place we had before set out on a coastal walk from. Some of the going was on the muddy side again...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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..and the cliff views were wonderful once more...I do run out of superlatives!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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And then we could see the beach at Penbryn ahead..</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NT0iDL8oKso/UzBBeMF8R_I/AAAAAAAAA90/wkGCsDFEQ2E/s1600/Aberporth+to+New+Quay+026-Penbryn-web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NT0iDL8oKso/UzBBeMF8R_I/AAAAAAAAA90/wkGCsDFEQ2E/s1600/Aberporth+to+New+Quay+026-Penbryn-web.jpg" height="181" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;">We went down
through a pretty wood and over a stream with waterfall...</span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TaL4_mjXayQ/UzBBlVKMANI/AAAAAAAAA98/HCM95jwKU-c/s1600/Aberporth+to+New+Quay+027-web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TaL4_mjXayQ/UzBBlVKMANI/AAAAAAAAA98/HCM95jwKU-c/s1600/Aberporth+to+New+Quay+027-web.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
...out across the National trust car park and up the cliff again. Lovely views as we looked out to sea - the shadows were very pretty..<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ta2XYIkBIt8/UzBB73RZgZI/AAAAAAAAA-E/4YEym0kx6rI/s1600/Aberporth+to+New+Quay+032-web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ta2XYIkBIt8/UzBB73RZgZI/AAAAAAAAA-E/4YEym0kx6rI/s1600/Aberporth+to+New+Quay+032-web.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
We soon dropped down to Traeth Morfa, a pretty
secluded beach with its own island <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2YgxiXn6lVk/UzBCJY6jlwI/AAAAAAAAA-M/Uyx-5VZbJ3Q/s1600/Aberporth+to+New+Quay+034a-web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2YgxiXn6lVk/UzBCJY6jlwI/AAAAAAAAA-M/Uyx-5VZbJ3Q/s1600/Aberporth+to+New+Quay+034a-web.jpg" height="178" width="320" /></a></div>
and there is a settlement of some sort just
beyond here – did we see earthworks? Maybe..<br />
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;">W</span><span style="font-size: 15px;">e could see back as far as Mwnt and Cardigan Island </span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_u_8Jx1C_mU/UzBCZNykG4I/AAAAAAAAA-U/XaE38eXVBRw/s1600/Aberporth+to+New+Quay+041a-web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_u_8Jx1C_mU/UzBCZNykG4I/AAAAAAAAA-U/XaE38eXVBRw/s1600/Aberporth+to+New+Quay+041a-web.jpg" height="306" width="320" /></a></div>
and ahead to Ynys Lochtyn – the first or maybe 2<sup>nd</sup><span style="font-size: 15px;"> fort of the day.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UbIQynvcGmw/UzBCik8antI/AAAAAAAAA-c/ZjdkfEPdE5Q/s1600/Aberporth+to+New+Quay+044-web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UbIQynvcGmw/UzBCik8antI/AAAAAAAAA-c/ZjdkfEPdE5Q/s1600/Aberporth+to+New+Quay+044-web.jpg" height="196" width="320" /></a></div>
By the way – Mwnt had a fort on top too so we did “see” one last week. </span><span style="font-size: 11.5pt;">Then we began to drop down to Llangrannog.
</span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: 11.5pt; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EmZeAdMFHpE/UzBCrtKawHI/AAAAAAAAA-k/yKaHY7IYsus/s1600/Aberporth+to+New+Quay+046-web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EmZeAdMFHpE/UzBCrtKawHI/AAAAAAAAA-k/yKaHY7IYsus/s1600/Aberporth+to+New+Quay+046-web.jpg" height="256" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;">We didn’t remember the statue of Saint Caranog from our last visit. His
grandfather was Ceredig apparently, hence Ceredigion..He was apparently born
here and so the place is named after him. </span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: 11.5pt; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZDPro9zACyA/UzBCyHM_MLI/AAAAAAAAA-s/e3ekRYN0LEY/s1600/Aberporth+to+New+Quay+047-web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZDPro9zACyA/UzBCyHM_MLI/AAAAAAAAA-s/e3ekRYN0LEY/s1600/Aberporth+to+New+Quay+047-web.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;">It was very windy in the village and
noisy with some roadworks or some such going on and then it spotted with rain so
Chris was thwarted at not being able to find a spot for lunch. We climbed out
of the cove, quite steeply and found a hedge of blackthorn, just beginning to flower, to shelter behind to eat our sandwiches..</span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: 11.5pt; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-b7psD-O7YGE/UzBDJ3RnGXI/AAAAAAAAA-8/DsDcsGZHylA/s1600/Aberporth+to+New+Quay+055-web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-b7psD-O7YGE/UzBDJ3RnGXI/AAAAAAAAA-8/DsDcsGZHylA/s1600/Aberporth+to+New+Quay+055-web.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"> – and then
the sky brightened again anyway! </span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: 11.5pt; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SBp0nheMu0M/UzBC7_jmz5I/AAAAAAAAA-0/bXdGCPl1K8A/s1600/Aberporth+to+New+Quay+053a-web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SBp0nheMu0M/UzBC7_jmz5I/AAAAAAAAA-0/bXdGCPl1K8A/s1600/Aberporth+to+New+Quay+053a-web.jpg" height="263" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;">Passed Cilborth cove and onwards to the
amazing headland of Ynys Lochtyn and its fort above – apparently the settlement was there from stone age
through to iron age – Pendinas Lochtyn </span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: 11.5pt; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Ro8VjEqDkG8/UzBDeS_QOFI/AAAAAAAAA_E/e8y_vrSi9P4/s1600/Aberporth+to+New+Quay+063-web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Ro8VjEqDkG8/UzBDeS_QOFI/AAAAAAAAA_E/e8y_vrSi9P4/s1600/Aberporth+to+New+Quay+063-web.jpg" height="183" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;">It really is an enchanting place and also named the upside
down pan as that is what it looks like from a distance as you'll see later! My oh my…it was then a very steep climb
beyond…felt like I should be spiderwoman….It really was so much steeper than it looks here!</span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: 11.5pt; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VCnoFbv1NjI/UzBDrAI2NCI/AAAAAAAAA_M/gySM6eM-lAU/s1600/Aberporth+to+New+Quay+066-web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VCnoFbv1NjI/UzBDrAI2NCI/AAAAAAAAA_M/gySM6eM-lAU/s1600/Aberporth+to+New+Quay+066-web.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;">But at least we had good views of the earthworks atop the hill...</span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: 11.5pt; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mN_YwSbtvgg/UzBD6XJ_ZgI/AAAAAAAAA_U/j5SDRdQHn_4/s1600/Aberporth+to+New+Quay+068-web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mN_YwSbtvgg/UzBD6XJ_ZgI/AAAAAAAAA_U/j5SDRdQHn_4/s1600/Aberporth+to+New+Quay+068-web.jpg" height="175" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;">Soon after we arrived close to the
Urdd centre where we knew the path ahead was closed due to a landslip (if you look closely you can make out the closed path on the cliff on the picture below)</span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: 11.5pt; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-N1QildGU-9o/UzBEDgYh4aI/AAAAAAAAA_c/e6pwekEH-bs/s1600/Aberporth+to+New+Quay+070a-web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-N1QildGU-9o/UzBEDgYh4aI/AAAAAAAAA_c/e6pwekEH-bs/s1600/Aberporth+to+New+Quay+070a-web.jpg" height="203" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;">so we
took a diversion a bit early and headed up the road, following minor roads to
Cwmtydu. </span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: 11.5pt; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vZHcdNKAyaU/UzBEZy4DEVI/AAAAAAAAA_k/1qj8mtuCmuE/s1600/Aberporth+to+New+Quay+075-web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vZHcdNKAyaU/UzBEZy4DEVI/AAAAAAAAA_k/1qj8mtuCmuE/s1600/Aberporth+to+New+Quay+075-web.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;">Cwmtydu is a lovely little cove, the waves
were bashing on the rocks. </span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: 11.5pt; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nHWJSXeeaJw/UzBEjGYtU4I/AAAAAAAAA_s/wpTmAZRHhJM/s1600/Aberporth+to+New+Quay+078a-web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nHWJSXeeaJw/UzBEjGYtU4I/AAAAAAAAA_s/wpTmAZRHhJM/s1600/Aberporth+to+New+Quay+078a-web.jpg" height="190" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;">Once more it was a tough climb out of the
cove and by now I was falling by the wayside a bit…..very tired old bones! I
was reinvigorated on seeing Aber Castell and its neighbouring Castell Bach fort
as we reached the top – hadn’t realized we would see these so soon. And what a
magnificent sight! </span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: 11.5pt; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LAdtYua4v1I/UzBE6U54-YI/AAAAAAAAA_0/-SSYmIX-ZBQ/s1600/Aberporth+to+New+Quay+084-web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LAdtYua4v1I/UzBE6U54-YI/AAAAAAAAA_0/-SSYmIX-ZBQ/s1600/Aberporth+to+New+Quay+084-web.jpg" height="319" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;">A family were just climbing their way out – wonder if they’d
seen any dolphins today? We had so far looked in vain! The hill fort had clear
earthworks – and it looked like half had----yes, fallen into the sea. </span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: 11.5pt; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vOWoAxxw230/UzBFIrSofjI/AAAAAAAAA_8/C95wpGI40Xk/s1600/Aberporth+to+New+Quay+088-web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vOWoAxxw230/UzBFIrSofjI/AAAAAAAAA_8/C95wpGI40Xk/s1600/Aberporth+to+New+Quay+088-web.jpg" height="163" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;">Fine
views forwards and back in the sparkling sunlight. Quite tough going now up and
down – the cliffs still a fine sight – some mini Cemaes Heads to be seen with
their folded rock. </span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: 11.5pt; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vKhxlgtkWjA/UzBFQ3SbsEI/AAAAAAAABAE/rp3KsaKaXSU/s1600/Aberporth+to+New+Quay+092a-mini+Cemaes+Head-web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vKhxlgtkWjA/UzBFQ3SbsEI/AAAAAAAABAE/rp3KsaKaXSU/s1600/Aberporth+to+New+Quay+092a-mini+Cemaes+Head-web.jpg" height="197" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;">Fine views looking back now in the sinking but still bright sunlight...</span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: 11.5pt; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JZy03eMKqeo/UzBFibE0-hI/AAAAAAAABAM/l6ADt5OJVr4/s1600/Aberporth+to+New+Quay+097-back+to+Ynys+Lochtyn+and+Cardigan+Island+beyond-web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JZy03eMKqeo/UzBFibE0-hI/AAAAAAAABAM/l6ADt5OJVr4/s1600/Aberporth+to+New+Quay+097-back+to+Ynys+Lochtyn+and+Cardigan+Island+beyond-web.jpg" height="215" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;">(note the upside down pan...can't </span><span style="font-size: 15px;">remember</span><span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"> the Welsh name for that)</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;">We came upon a coastguard station at Birds Rocks and
mistakenly took inland but retrace our steps after only disturbing a few Texel
sheep…not falling out too badly. We rounded the cliffs and could now see the
mountains just in the distance…Plynlimon up to Cadair Idris and to Snowdonia,
faintly on the horizon. And more closely, the </span><span style="font-size: 15px;">final</span><span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"> headland before New Quay...</span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VuluHOmn6fE/UzBGBTVEO8I/AAAAAAAABAU/00kVFdIga4o/s1600/Aberporth+to+New+Quay+098-web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VuluHOmn6fE/UzBGBTVEO8I/AAAAAAAABAU/00kVFdIga4o/s1600/Aberporth+to+New+Quay+098-web.jpg" height="272" width="320" /></a></div>
Then
we could see New Quay laying out beneath us – hooray! Steep climb down but in
lovely sinking sunlight. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-O9UJZpMdYwM/UzBGKr_ghXI/AAAAAAAABAc/Up9_PGN6jE0/s1600/Aberporth+to+New+Quay+110-web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-O9UJZpMdYwM/UzBGKr_ghXI/AAAAAAAABAc/Up9_PGN6jE0/s1600/Aberporth+to+New+Quay+110-web.jpg" height="160" width="320" /></a></div>
As we walked along on of the streets heading for the
car park, our taxi lady popped out and asked how our day had been – think she
had been worrying about us making it! She advised us we would find a coffee
(& lemonade) at the Penwig Hotel – and so we did….marvellous! It was 6.30!!<br />
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;">Energy saving few days ahead before the next trip......see you then!</span></div>
Pamela Mallpresshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08938256713646288802noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5056411862587291662.post-79593477374587699342014-03-18T11:25:00.001-07:002014-03-19T03:46:00.128-07:00Walk 15 Strumble Head to Aberporth 10th-13th March, 2014All ready for the next stretch? Not sure I was...really hope you're not bored of the Wales coast by now but in any case, this walk for the first 3 days looked more like the Med! Off we set Monday morning and arrived at Fishguard by 9.30 where we left Joanna's car. Joanna, Chris's sister, is our taxi and encouragement for the week! We then drove on to Strumble Head, our start point. Joanna was joining us on the walk for the first 6 miles back to her car in Fishguard - well Goodwick strictly speaking I guess. It was quite breezy and a bit chilly as we left Strumble about 10.15 but the sky and sea were so blue! Ahead we could see our target for the day - Dinas Head..there it is about in the middle. We could see as far as Cardigan Island and even to the Lleyn peninsula at this point but it doesn't come out on the picture I'm afraid.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JwREvWVUtfM/UyhszTMdchI/AAAAAAAAA1Q/07_TqSb2yNg/s1600/Strumble+Head+to+Aberporth+008-web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JwREvWVUtfM/UyhszTMdchI/AAAAAAAAA1Q/07_TqSb2yNg/s1600/Strumble+Head+to+Aberporth+008-web.jpg" height="167" width="320" /></a></div>
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And behind us we could see Garn Fawr, the hill fort of last week's visit..</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yjSe5I9kWMQ/UyhtIYB-kdI/AAAAAAAAA1Y/_2s_SG9O-f0/s1600/Strumble+Head+to+Aberporth+015-web-back+to+garn+Fawr.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yjSe5I9kWMQ/UyhtIYB-kdI/AAAAAAAAA1Y/_2s_SG9O-f0/s1600/Strumble+Head+to+Aberporth+015-web-back+to+garn+Fawr.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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After an easy start we came to the usual ups and down and soon arrived at the site of the last invasion of our country. By the French in 1797 and here is a memorial stone to commemorate it at Caregwastad Point</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YpgyHPYc9ds/Uyht4IVBYHI/AAAAAAAAA1g/IHOvg_rasfM/s1600/Strumble+Head+to+Aberporth+024-web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YpgyHPYc9ds/Uyht4IVBYHI/AAAAAAAAA1g/IHOvg_rasfM/s1600/Strumble+Head+to+Aberporth+024-web.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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There is a tapestry in Fishguard - a bit like the one in Bayeux about that other French invasion, showing what happened. It is a very funny story really. The local people got the French drunk and poisoned and scared them off. There is a festival held every year in Fishguard to remember it where everyone dresses up as the characters who took part and saved the day. We dropped down through some very pretty woods, by now feeling warm in the lovely sunshine.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vjOCgj8kj1Q/UyhuoBlQnuI/AAAAAAAAA1o/LXdzgLy5Zmo/s1600/Strumble+Head+to+Aberporth+026-web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vjOCgj8kj1Q/UyhuoBlQnuI/AAAAAAAAA1o/LXdzgLy5Zmo/s1600/Strumble+Head+to+Aberporth+026-web.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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After more coves and ups and downs we came in sight of the inlet to Fishguard harbour where we watched the Irish ferry pulling round.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tRChs2CgxpE/UyhvHMFzMMI/AAAAAAAAA10/Dr7TXR2hYas/s1600/Strumble+Head+to+Aberporth+037a-web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tRChs2CgxpE/UyhvHMFzMMI/AAAAAAAAA10/Dr7TXR2hYas/s1600/Strumble+Head+to+Aberporth+037a-web.jpg" height="275" width="320" /></a></div>
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We were on the lookout for arches and dragons as usual...was this the first dragon of the day?</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NhOHB1LoEXY/UyhvVBKVI7I/AAAAAAAAA18/aqs3yQHGFBQ/s1600/Strumble+Head+to+Aberporth+040a-web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NhOHB1LoEXY/UyhvVBKVI7I/AAAAAAAAA18/aqs3yQHGFBQ/s1600/Strumble+Head+to+Aberporth+040a-web.jpg" height="130" width="320" /></a></div>
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We soon rounded the headland dropping into Goodwick (Wdig) with views over the huge breakwater there.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PRIFSlo58Is/UyhvrYyK5-I/AAAAAAAAA2E/Lw_8trBI360/s1600/Strumble+Head+to+Aberporth+042a-web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PRIFSlo58Is/UyhvrYyK5-I/AAAAAAAAA2E/Lw_8trBI360/s1600/Strumble+Head+to+Aberporth+042a-web.jpg" height="168" width="320" /></a></div>
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Over fields and into Goodwick, we left Joanna and walked through the town, along the Parrog (Promenade) and down over the little beach - the only beach walk today.</div>
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Up the other side we followed the Marine Walk round into the original Fishguard (Abergwaun) Lower Town harbour which is really pretty.</div>
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As we dropped into the harbour, we passed a beautifully knitted fence post. We had seen the lady who had got all the town involved in knitting and dressed all the town up on TV a couple of years ago. It was good to see she had succeeded. This picture is for my friend who got me into knitting last year - very therapeutic and I still enjoy it.</div>
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This is the view from the harbour out to sea...</div>
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And in the harbour is a lovely statue to remember when there was a big herring fleet here - had to take it for our Herrings..</div>
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As we walked up out of the harbour we could see the fort on a little headland where we were headed. It was the 8 cannons here which had been fired at the French in 1797 and made them turn away from Fishguard to land at Carregwastad instead.</div>
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Today I could only practise with a ferry...!!</div>
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We still had a way to go and had some beautiful views both back to St David's Head and on to headlands ahead. Had a nice chat with John and Alan at some point. They are from Cardiff and Newport and have walked a lot of the coastal path - gave me a good tip, to write to Compeed for sponsorship...it's in hand! We did spot an arch in the end...at Aber Richard. </div>
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The sun was dropping, almost blindingly bright on the sea and the going was quite heavy and muddy in sheltered places as we dropped in and out of Aber Bach - a lovely little cove with children playing on the rocks after school. Lucky them!.After more steep ups and downs, we finally came in sight of Pwll Gwaelod, our end of the day, at the foot of Dinas Head. We dropped steeply down in sticky mud and were very pleased to see Joanna waiting for us in this pretty little bay</div>
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....after picking up the other car at Strumble, back to the lovely little house in Moylgrove, our base for the week. We found it just before dark as the sun was setting. 13.25 miles today!<br />
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Day 2 - Pwll Gwaelod to Moylgrove<br />
Wow..another beautiful morning so Joanna dropped us back at Pwll Gwaelod and off we set....our aim to walk back to the house today. Here we are setting off by 9.15..<br />
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As we climbed up the views of the beach with tide out were lovely...reflections on the wet beach..</div>
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The pull up to Dinas Head wasn't too bad - certainly not the hardest stretch of the day! We had the option of choosing a shorter route across Dinas Head but didn't want to shirk. There were still pockets of frost in the grass here and there. The views were tremendous although it was a bit more hazy today. We soon reached the trig point on the Head, the summit is named Pen-y-Fan..</div>
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....and dropped down the other side to Cwm yr Eglwys, an idyllic little hamlet with its now ruined church and the remains of its churchyard. The church, St Brynach's, was originally damaged in the great storm of 1859...and until this year its most recent reparations were in 1979.</div>
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It was a steep climb out of the cove and we were once more passing many little coves and bays. The first little bay we walked through didn't appear to have a name but it was there where we saw the first sunbathers of the year!</div>
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And at its head, these views were marvellous with Dinas Head in the distance. And soon we came to lovely Aber Rhigian with its stony breakwater, reeds and little stream..</div>
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More of the cliff walking soon brought us in view of Newport sands with Carn Ingli behind - wonderful!</div>
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We saw some evidence again of storm damage as we walked around the pretty harbour. It was a long walk around the Nevern estuary and there are some serious sand dunes here - the first since a few at Newgale and before then at Freshwater West. Earlier in the walk, we were always surrounded by dunes. As we approached the bridge to cross the river, we passed the site of the castle..our bit of historic buildings today in the absence of my favourite hill forts. </div>
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There is a cromlech very close to Newport, Carreg Coetan, but it wasn't quite close enough for a visit today. Henllys, a reconstructed iron age village is not far away either - it sits beside the A487 between Newport and Aberporth - well worth a visit. We loved it when we visited a few years ago.<br />
We then rounded Newport via its golf links - think that was the first golf course we've crossed so far..and the climbing got serious!! Can you see the steps up this next cliff? It was much harder than it may look!<br />
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But we did have great views back to Newport with the shimmering sea and Carn Ingli looming over...</div>
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It was amazing looking out to sea - see what I meant about being on the Med? Well, apart from the gorse...</div>
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The ups and downs were causing serious aching of old knees but then we saw a great arch at Bwn Bach so it made it worth it....</div>
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..that and the fact that we were approaching the Witch's Cauldron, Pwll y Wrach, which I had so looked forward to ...and here it was...</div>
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It's just a shame that the picture once more doesn't do it justice. It is such an awe inspiring place - a collapsed cave still with its bridge over which the path follows....maybe have a look at it on the internet...and certainly make it a place to visit. </div>
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We did miss a hill fort close to here but by now we were very tired and although I thought I saw traces...I couldn't be sure..</div>
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It was also close to here apparently that there were very recent smugglers in the 1980's who made their own cave to hide a huge amount of drugs.</div>
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We were rounding a headland now into Ceibwr Bay. The folded rocks from here to Cemaes Head are amongst the oldest in the UK and so spectacular....here is the view to Pen yr Afr which we will pass tomorrow...</div>
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We soon got to a road and made our weary way back to the house. The road had a huge heave which we passed - and was closed as a result. It looked more like damage from last year's frost than this year's wet! I was quite grumpy when we finally arrived at the house - uphill! But then we enjoyed a lovely meal at the Trewern Arms in Nevern, a pretty village with its castle and church. Thank you, Joanna. Just over 14 hard miles today!</div>
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Today we had once more listened to the chattering of skylarks, the calling of the gulls and I even saw a yellow wagtail in Ceibwr Bay. There had been bees and butterflies, dandelions, celandines, a few violets. The sea squill is beginning to burst and stinging nettles are just appearing - a good thing to walk at this time of year! Badger sets galore both this afternoon and yesterday afternoon.</div>
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Day 3 Moylgrove to Cardigan</div>
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Having suspected that we would be pretty tired after the walk to Moylgrove, I had determined on a shorter walk today, thank goodness! </div>
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We did look a bit grumpy as we set off - or was it just exhausted? Downhill today to start anyway, back to Ceibwr Bay. And what a pretty sight - here's Chris crossing the old clapper bridge..it was a lovely morning again but even more misty, making it hard to tell where the sea ended and the sky began. </div>
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It took a while to get out of the cove and beyond as we were too busy listening to the great sounds of the sea being blown out of the cliffs and watching the waves surge over the rocks..</div>
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It was a lovely walk as we headed over the cliffs around Pen yr Afr with its folded cliffs and its own booming sea noises..And it wasn't long before we heard another noise too...seals. </div>
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And there they were lying like torpedoes on the beach at Cemaes Head....should have had telephoto lens today...</div>
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I did get quite near the edge above them and so was a bit unpopular....we soon had views of Cardigan Island - only just through the haze...and it is a shame that we can't see it from the other side as the landowner there won't allow walkers so the coastal path makes a detour inland.</div>
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We dropped down from the cliffs and had views of Poppit Sands - happy memories of our earlier visits...</div>
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It was a bit of a trek along the road from Poppit into St Dogmael's but we had a prize once we got there....this was the end of the Pembroke path...as we headed up the Teifi estuary to Cardigan.</div>
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And at the Ferry Inn just past the path sign, we got our certificates for completing the Pembroke path...</div>
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We stopped for lunch by the side of the estuary where we saw this dolmen - minus its topping stone, which purports to be a Blessing Stone, reputedly where the abbot blessed the fishing fleet on its way out...</div>
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We walked down through St Dogmael's and visited the Abbey as we passed - quite a big one it was too..</div>
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And we couldn't leave St Dogmael's without a visit to its mill which we had heard of on a visit to Talgarth's mill. </div>
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This one is very impressive and was renovated by its present owner in 1981 and has worked ever since. It is in fact just like the mill next to our home would have operated so Chris especially found it fascinating. Behind was its mill pond.<br />
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And so we wended our way, following the path sign, now out above Cardigan and over fields before dropping into Cardigan over the bridge by the castle to meet Joanna...an easier 10 and a half miles today!</div>
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Day 4 - Cardigan to Aberporth</div>
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The day dawned...but only just..it was a very misty one! Quite like autumn but warmer! We had enjoyed a bubbly celebration last night to toast our completion of the Pembroke path and also the halfway mark!!! We left the car in Cardigan and off we set once more,,,</div>
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A new sign to follow now we've left the Pembroke Razorbill behind.. a bit sad! We followed the Teifi out again, along its misty banks..</div>
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We soon got to Gwbert, we love the Cliff Hotel there. This was where we had to leave the coast as I explained yesterday and headed on the road through Y Ferwig towards Mwnt - and it was quite a climb to start with. </div>
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It did mean though that we got on quite quickly with the first 7 miles being on tarmac. The Mwnt looked quite ethereal as we approached..not quite as clear as it was on out last visit and we didn't go down to the beach as it is a long climb back up - and not on the official path!<br />
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It looked equally as pretty as we left it behind with its little church on its flank....</div>
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To begin with we had some fine views of the coast..with its inlets and clefts.....</div>
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..and fishing boat - throwing out its lobster pots...</div>
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Then we passed over some much higher cliffs and other than when we did drop down to coves we couldn't really see that much so we just walked on...We did see a fair amount of water still shooting down the little rivulets and waterfalls out into the sea...</div>
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As we turned inland away from the coast to head to Aberporth, we had a glimpse of the last little cove, Cwm Gwyrddon where there are apparently steps carved out of the steep cliff - a little hamlet used to exist here with a fishing community. </div>
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The headland beyond here belongs now to Qinetiq for arms testing and the ravine we passed heading inland was indeed very deep making the headland almost an island. We crossed through a wood and out over fields to then head along the streets into Aberporth - and it was very downhill and therefore a test of the old knees again!!! At last we made it to the seafront with its wooden dolphin and then enjoyed coffees at the cafe before rejoining the cars for the journey home!</div>
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Thank goodness I had a weekend at the Lake Spa hotel in Llangammarch to look forward to with my 3 fantastic daughters - a lovely present from them. I was ready for a good relax and massage!!</div>
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See you again soon I hope! </div>
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<a href="http://www.justgiving.com/Pamela-Mallpress">www.justgiving.com/Pamela-Mallpress</a></div>
Pamela Mallpresshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08938256713646288802noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5056411862587291662.post-30407877380490059592014-03-09T07:45:00.002-07:002014-03-09T08:56:45.709-07:00Walk 14 Abereiddi to Strumble Head 4th-5th March, 2014<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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So.. as you read in the last walk, we were 2 days behind schedule now and as we have the next 4 days booked in the form of a self catering house in Moylegrove, we had to fit the missing 2 days in. The weather looked ok for Tuesday-Wednesday last week, so off we went Tuesday morning - our grandson Ben's 11th birthday...how did that happen so quickly? We met the taxi at the finishing place, Abercastle and he returned us to where we left off in Abereiddi - by some locals now referred to as "the war zone" because of the crashed up sea wall and what was the car park. <br />
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It seems that there is some talk that it will be left "to nature" - mostly due to lack of funds but what about tourism is the question? The walk began walking around the ruined cottages, Front Street, where the quarry workers had lived .....<br />
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and marvelling at the sea - and the weather!</div>
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We climbed out of the bay with views of the smashed up sea wall and little Abereiddi behind.....</div>
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and out to the Blue Lagoon - this is an old quarry that was then flooded by fishermen after the quarrying stopped in the 1930's and is now a place where diving competitions are held in the summer (hope they still will be..) but the height is amazing! And at this time of the year, the water isn't the turquoise blue that I've seen in pictures - but equally as impressive and a tribute to the men who worked that place.<br />
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The tower on the headland was the old beacon used for the harbour entrance. And this is the quarry workings looking down on it from above..</div>
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We soon rounded the headland and had great views of Traeth Llyfn. A spectacular beach seen in many coast books and on many cards. The tide was high so we couldn't go down to the beach. I imagine that like the other beaches seen since the storms, the soft, white sand will be missing for some time. Wonder if anyone can work out how long it will take for it to return? I had looked forward to this beach for some time, and was not disappointed? here it is looking back to Abereiddi tower and beyong back to Carn Llidi at St David's Head.</div>
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We soon came across the first evidence of the Porthgain brickworks that Chris had been looking forward to - he had heard a lot about Porthgain from his friend Terry. The ruined works stand atop the cliffs between Abereiddi and Porthgain and all along here is the evidence of that earlier industrial heritage, including the old tramway.</div>
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It was fascinating to explore up here - there is even a marketing tool advertising the Sloop Inn written in stones on the ground! We soon dropped down into the amazing harbour itself..</div>
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And the strange mortar rooves which we had seen since Abereiddi were in evidence....using the lime which was produced in all the lime kilns perhaps? We still saw them up to Strumble so must look out to see if they are still being used after there too.</div>
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Porthgain is a very interesting place - dominated by its vast brickworks but what amazing people to have determined to build this place! Quite a small village but apparently most of the houses are still occupied by local people thank goodness...these ex worker cottages are mostly now galleries</div>
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..and across from them is the marvellous pub, The Sloop Inn where we enjoyed a coffee break and returned later for dinner!</div>
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Porthgain apparently began its modern life at any rate, in the late 1800's with just the lime kiln and its user..</div>
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So we said farewell to Porthgain and made our way beyond - with fine views looking back at such a strange and interesting village..</div>
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The entrance to its harbour was marked at each side by great lumps of tower, the nearest one now in white..</div>
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On around impressive cliffs - so many coves and islands to marvel at, like Ynys Fach here..</div>
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and for quite some time, there was further evidence of much more quarrying on the cliffs..<br />
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And in the distance we could see Garn Fawr looming up with its hill fort on top, just ahead of Strumble Head, our destination for tomorrow.</div>
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First though we made our way passing quite close to Trevine - a lovely little hill top village we had passed through in the taxi that morning, with its monolith and nearby stone circle...</div>
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..not sure of the vintage and authenticity of the stone circle but it looked impressive anyway! We made our way down to the next cove her, Aberdraw which is a delightful cove with its ruined mill. Very striking and again amazing that the mill had been in use for 500 years before its closure in 1918 due to the cheaper grain being imported and the more industrial processes...</div>
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Aberdraw also had its row of quarry worker cottages and as we climbed the next cliff more ruins were revealed next to the huge quarry we had seen from a distance earlier.</div>
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Once atop the cliffs again, we had great views back to the recent parts, like Ynys Fach, now with its natural arch revealed, we saw so many of these arches in these 2 days..</div>
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..and it was good to see the shoots of spring, like this celandine! No choughs today but plenty of gulls both days making themselves seen and heard on the islands and rocks.</div>
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As well as having become a good spotter of natural arches, Chris has also become a spotter of dragons in the rocks (like in the previous walk at Castell Coch..one of many of that name by the way..). And here was one now hiding behind a rock...</div>
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..and the views back to St David's Head with its 3 great "Tors" were lovely too..</div>
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There was no wind today so it had been lovely to listen to just the waves crashing beneath us and soon we came round to out first hill fort of the day at ..you guessed it...Castell Coch. We didn't understand why the name, the first version had indeed had red rock (red as in the Welsh Coch) but this one didn't appear to be red at all..</div>
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..and then we had more rock windows to view..</div>
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...just before we approached Abercastle where the car was parked.</div>
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Before we could go down to the harbour there we first walked up a little adjoining valley, passing lovely daffodils.</div>
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We wanted to visit a great example of a cromlech, an ancient burial tomb probably form about 3000 BC. This one is I understand the largest example in the UK.</div>
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And this was in a field of sheep and some of the first lambs of the season...at least this year born into sun and warmth, much better than into the Easter snows of last year!</div>
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Abercastle is a very pretty village, with its own island at the harbour entrance, Ynys y Castell. And a ruined warehouse looking down on it. This again was a hive of industry in the last century and apparently was a good smugglers den in earlier times, being accused of piracy in Elizabethen times!</div>
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Although today had been only 7 miles, it had been amongst one of my very favourite walks so far. So beautiful and such a past to learn about. </div>
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Along the slippery cliffs today we had had a chat with a couple going the other way. They were here on holiday and the lady had one wrist in a cast and sling. She had slipped and broken her wrist whilst walking the path on Sunday - a salutary reminder for us to take care. They also gave us a kind donation - thank you!</div>
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Off we went then to find our guest house for the night, Cwmwdig Water Guest House near Berea. Andrew was a first rate host and made us very welcome and supported us with a kind donation - thank you , Andrew! We enjoyed a relax and then wound our way - in the car! - back to the Sloop in Porthgain, still light at 6.15....a lovely evening...</div>
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Wednesday 5th March dawned with promise once more.. a little misty over Garn Fawr as we drove up to Strumble but bright. One of the roads leading to Strumble was closed, maybe breaking up after so much rain? But we arrived before the taxi did. He was a very chatty Colin from Goodwick, Fishguard Taxis. Very interesting chat about the councils giving up on the beaches again - and he gave us a donation, Made a change from the usual tip the other way - felt a bit strange, but kind! So back to Abercastle and it did seem quite a long way...</div>
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More interesting facts to discover on the harbour wall...the first single manned cross Atlantic sailing in a fishing Dory in 1876 landed here..</div>
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The tide was in this morning as we climbed out of the pretty Abercastle, following the banks along the long harbour back to the headland.</div>
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Once on the cliffs again, we had fine views to Strumble with the mist still just showing on the clifftops..</div>
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It was very still again and the coast was so interesting with its rocky outcrops..</div>
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Another few hours later and this view would be so different with the tide further out. And the view ahead was clearing of mist..Garn Fawr now much clearer...</div>
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We had lots of ups and downs today and the ground was slippery and unforgiving on ankles if approached with too little care! One of our favourite coves today was Pwll Strodur. A really pretty and tranquil place...</div>
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As we approached AberMawr and its neighbour Aber Bach, we passed the next Castell Coch. Again not a red one apparently and much of it has gone into the sea as usual but it impressed me nevertheless.</div>
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Views from here to Abermawr were lovely and very unexpected as there were no cliffs at all behind the beach - quite strange to behold! And of course we could see views of the rest of the Pen Caer peninsula now, the rest of today's walk to Strumble.</div>
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Brunel had plans to make Abermawr a transatlantic crossing harbour but not sure why he changed his mind. And this was the place where the first telegraph came across the Atlantic. </div>
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Signs of the recent storms were again in evidence - here you can see the highest tide marked with the big boulders....and the washed away soft earth was remarkable.</div>
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We rounded the headland, Pen Deudraeth which splits the "twin" bays and went into Aber Bach...and it was here so legend tells us, that the last mermaid was caught!</div>
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As we left the twin beaches behind, the views were good - similar to Newgale with the huge boulder stretch and the pond behind. <br />
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We wonder what will happen to Newgale where the road was closed once more last week it seems..<br />
Many more inlets were passed and then we came around a headland to see the incredible sight of Pwllcrochan looming. Just impossible to capture on a photo sadly and also so difficult to explain the sheer size of the mighty cliffs here - phenomenal!<br />
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It became even heavier going really and more remote and wild - and we even had to climb an unexpected escarpment towards Pwll Deri!</div>
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Pwll Deri is an amazing cove beneath the cliff of Garn Fawr, </div>
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which we had now decided we had to go up to see the next hill fort!<br />
From the climb up there, Chris spotted his next dragon on the headland we had just scrambled along....<br />
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It was worth the effort to get up there, both for the views and to see the fort - quite small really but we could imagine the signals sent down to the fort at St David's Head - and indeed to those between!</div>
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I have to admit from above it looked no distance at all round to the Strumble Head lighthouse car park and so was a bit surprised at how long it took over the rough, and sometimes boggy, ground. We soon came to Carn Melyn where we turned easterly to head to the finish point of the day..</div>
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We passed a group of wild horses and a strangely out of place but pretty reed bed in a beautiful, little cove making our way through a boggy wilderness...</div>
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We did have the occasional view of the lighthouse ahead and I had taken so many pictures trying to capture the light.....and I did!....can you see it?</div>
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So we made our way into the really peaceful bay, Carreg Onnen with its little islands, one of which holding the lighthouse. The path is really near the edge here so we were pleased it was a still day. there had been a little more wind than yesterday but not much! And guess what - I even got another shot of the flashing lighthouse...really it was!</div>
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It had been a long day to say it was only just over 10 miles today but well worth it! Looking forward to next week now.......this walk was for Cath.</div>
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Don't forget to take a look at <a href="http://www.justgiving.com/Pamela-Mallpress">www.justgiving.com/Pamela-Mallpress</a> - thank you!</div>
Pamela Mallpresshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08938256713646288802noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5056411862587291662.post-13052534305921615302014-02-17T08:11:00.002-08:002014-02-18T04:42:11.832-08:00Walk 13 Marloes to Abereiddi 10th-14th February, 2014So pleased that our collection tin, carried by Chris for all of our walks last year, had over £200 when we counted it over the break. Take a look at <a href="http://www.justgiving.com/Pamela-Mallpress">www.justgiving.com/Pamela-Mallpress</a> for the current total...could do with sponsorship this year to reach my target...<br />
<br />
Monday 10th February, 2014<br />
After the wettest January since climate change began- not to mention a very soggy December too, and storms galore, we questioned our sanity as we set off yesterday...in snow flurries and passing flooded fields along the way. When we arrived at our lovely little house in Llanrhian however, the sun was shining. This morning we met the taxi man at Nolton Haven - just! We got a bit lost on our way there. He duly returned us to our last walk's end in Marloes ready for a short walk back down to the path at Musselwick sands. It was lovely to be back...if a bit muddy!<br />
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St Bride's Haven was the first of many Havens on our walk today and very pretty it was too. Here's Chris at the edge of the St Bride's Castle estate land. Now a holiday rental home...an upmarket one I believe.</div>
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The Bay has a pretty church and statutory lime kilns...a lot of them along the Pembrokeshire coast. And this Haven was a Mesolithic flint factory...hard to believe now.</div>
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The scenery was once more breathtaking and by now...the sky was blue and the sea was shimmering! </div>
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We passed the first of many waterfalls we were to see these few days as they disappeared over the cliffs near here, the spray flying back on us. As we approached the next Haven..Mill Haven, we found this sculpture on the cliff. <br />
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Apparently called Walking Eye and one of 5 by the same sculptor around here. The cliffs got higher and the geology so interesting as we wended our way past Stack Rocks and towards the next Havens..Little and Broad. As we rounded Ticklas Point, there they were.<br />
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We had superb views all around St Bride's Bay - seeing as far as Grassholm out in the Atlantic and nearer to us Skokholm and Skomer of our last walk's familiarity and then right round to the walk yet to come out to St David's Head and Ramsey Island. Today there were 7 ships sitting in the Bay waiting for their call into that bigger Haven at Milford! We dropped down into Little Haven through a wood - the only wood this week, we have passed through so many little - and big - woods now. The sun was glorious.</div>
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Little Haven is a lovely little village with its own Cobb. </div>
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Strange to think amongst all this prettiness that coal was mined here at the beginning of the last century! It was a steep climb out of Little Haven after lunch rest. In more normal tide days, we could have walked around the Settlands, the hill dividing Little and Broad Haven but today even though it was supposed to be low tide..it wasn't. Broad Haven is, as its name suggests, a much bigger settlement than Little Haven. Its beach, like all we were to see this time, was not the smooth white sands it usually is. All shook up by the storms. We didn't walk on the beach here as the clouds looked a bit glowering so we kept on walking up out of the little town. We soon went around another strange rock formation, Haroldston Chins, where the sandstone and limestone is layered with shale and softer rock so there is quite a lot of landslip. The skies lifted once more as the cliffs did! And the light was beautiful on the water as we looked back at the coast we had passed.<br />
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Soon we were going around Druidstone Haven which really is a pretty cove with a hotel and maybe 2 other residences. There did appear to be some kind of standing stone in a nearby field..was that the Druid Stone? As we climbed out of the Haven here, the views across the Bay were lovely.</div>
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The sky was lightening again and the sun shone between Martins Haven and Skokholm ...</div>
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as we approached our destination....Nolton Haven!</div>
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On the drive back, we passed through Roch. A little village with its own castle, unlike other Welsh castles we thought in its appearance. </div>
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Apparently it has had a few million spent on its refurbishment recently and is a holiday retreat for the rich and famous we understand. Anthony Hopkins was a recent visitor it seems. We quite liked our retreat in Llanrhian!<br />
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Tuesday 11th February<br />
After a storm in the night, we awoke to grey skies but dry so off we set to meet the taxi at Porthclais, our destination for today's walk, and off he took us to Nolton Haven. The taxi driver had lost his dinghy to a January storm as it was swept away from the Porthclais harbour.<br />
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It was a gentle climb out of the Haven to be met with a lovely sky and super views out over the Bay.</div>
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The gentle start hadn't lasted, it was to be quite a roller coaster of cliffs today, in and out of coves. The gulls were much in evidence today, whereas yesterday we had seen starlings doing their swooping.</div>
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On the approach to Newgale sands, we passed a chimney stack, another witness to earlier coal mining days. </div>
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Seemed quite out of place when we gazed down at the lovely vista of the sands..<br />
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Newgale sands was an amazing sight. The local people are really upset that the sands are so strewn around after the storms. But we were really pleased to be able to see the ancient forest revealed. We were entranced looking at the ancient wood! </div>
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And not only the forest had been revealed, the storm had thrown up millions and millions of clams, razor clams, scallops - a sad sight really although we now understood what the gulls had been calling about!<br />
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It was so hard to believe that only last week a bus on the road at the other side of the great shingle bank had been tossed aside by a huge wave...</div>
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We had lost some time doing our beachcombing so off we set again up over the cliffs to look back on Newgale. It was a steep climb over Cwm Mawr, again we could have gone around it if the tide was as it should have been...but then it is February and we can't complain!</div>
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It was a terrific walk over the clifftops as we headed now for Solva with views ahead to St David's Head and Ramsey Island at the extreme left.</div>
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Climbing up out of one of the many coves, we saw Dinas Fawr headland...a truly magnificent sight..<br />
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Solva and the little bay immediately before it are linked by a hill called the Gribbin. The 2 bays were formed by glacial meltwater and their flat bottomed valleys are indeed testament to that. The Gribbin has an iron age settlement on top, not as clear to see as some have been. This is the first bay ahead of Solva with its pebble bank.</div>
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Solva is a pretty little harbour village. It again has lime kilns which was its main industry. Rain threatened as we went around the harbour front and climbed once more above the village...not easy whilst trying to eat one's sandwich! But the view back shows the twin valleys and the Gribbin clearly below.</div>
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Still quite a way to go as we headed now towards Caer Bwdy and Caerfai, close to St David's itself a little further inland, the smallest city in the UK. It seemed the map maker may have got her mileage wrong for today.....we passed another Iron Age fort and then a really clearly marked one just before we got to Caer Bwdy..hope you can make out the earthworks..</div>
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The Pembrokeshire path says it has 47 forts but we think it must be more surely. Wish we'd counted them now!</div>
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Caer Bwdy was another pretty little bay. The red sandstone had been quarried here to build the Cathedral at St David's.</div>
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Soon we came round to Caerfai Bay - here the Cambrian rock is the oldest in the UK at around 500 million </div>
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years.</div>
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Thankfully most of the ups and downs were behind us now as we headed for St Non's Bay in the early evening! St Non was apparently St David's mother and St David was reputedly born on a stormy night on the cliffs here. The ruins of the original chapel are in a neighbouring field to the Chapel built in 1934 (on the left of the picture) in the grounds of a retreat overlooking the Bay.<br />
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Soon came round now to Porthclais - the original harbour for St David's with the sun now </div>
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golden falling in the sky. </div>
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Wednesday turned out to be as the forecasters had promised.......REALLY stormy. The wind just battered everything. Power cuts and all, not to mention thrashing rain in the morning especially. So taxi was cancelled and we just managed to stay upright for a brief walk around St David's..</div>
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Thursday 13th February</div>
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We arrived in Abereiddi this morning waiting for the taxi in some trepidation..not least because hail was falling! And a power cut meant we hadn't even had a cup of tea! The sacrifices made for doing this walk! We were duly returned to Porthclais (with its many lime kilns..) with the thought that we would get at least a few miles today...prepared to bail out if necessary...</div>
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So we were quite pleased when we got up on the cliffs to see that the sky was...could it be? ...breaking up? We were amazed as we gazed out to the sea and its increasing number of islands at the blue sky!</div>
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We soon came to our first Bay of the day at Porthlysgi. A very isolated bay and today much covered in flotsam and jetsam. There were several large buckets here that locals were obviously trying to use to get rid of the rubbish the sea has washed up....so many plastic bottles!</div>
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It was a marvellous walk up to St David's Head looking out to all the islands. There are so many little islands around Ramsey Island that they are just known collectively as the Bishops and Clerics. And I had great excitement when I spotted a chough! (I do have to admit that my photo wasn't this good as I didn't have my tripod with me...so I "borrowed" this picture...)</div>
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As we approached the end of the land, it was with a bit of a strange feeling. That we were indeed now leaving the south coast of Wales behind! We weren't exactly sure to be honest which headland really WAS the most Western point of Wales...</div>
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We enjoyed looking across to Ramsey Island with it s 2 hills Carn Ysgubor and Cader Rhwydog. Ramsey Sound does look quite foreboding with its heavy current and turbulation. I understand that in summer it is enjoyed by kayaks and jet skiers!</div>
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Very pretty walk around to St Justinian's which essentially is a lifeboat station...in a spectacular setting! There are also the ruins of St Justinian's Chapel. </div>
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St Justinian was a friend of St David's but was murdered on Ramsey Island reputedly. There were also some strange plants around here looking much like giant geraniums...It was then quite a gusty walk around the coast to Porthselau and its neighbouring and better known Whitesands Bay - or Porth Mawr. <br />
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A lovely sweep of sands with views out to the islands..and to St David's Head with the igneous intrusions of Carn Llidi and down to Carnberi and other "tors". It was a lovely walk out to St David's Head. So remote and wild here now and we were getting ever higher. At the end of the Head is another Iron Age fort - its entrance clearly defined..<br />
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..and just inside a dolmen, Coetan Arthur..</div>
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..soon followed by another one close by...</div>
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The landscape now was very rugged and remote and we were now quite high above the sea. </div>
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The gusts had gone though so it was a really enjoyable walk, heading now to go over the shoulder of Penberi!</div>
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Once around Penberi, we had clear views of Strumble Head beyond but knew we wouldn't reach it this walk, as we had intended...nevertheless we had lots to enjoy. Another fort loomed but was inland so we couldn't get a clear sight of it but we did see Castell Coch, fallen into the sea ....Chris though thought it looked more like a sleeping dragon......</div>
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We had passed so many coves these last 3 days, it's just impossible to remember them all. As we approached Abereiddi, some of the coves had obviously once been quarried. Not sure what the tower on the headland was for - a landmark perhaps for vessels? </div>
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Abereiddi itself had been a large mining village until the 1920's when a storm hit the village and flooded the cottages - sound familiar? There ensued though a typhoid epidemic which effectively was the end of the working village. Now there only remain a few cottages. <br />
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The recent storms here have certainly decimated the popular place to park. The car park on the beach has simply been washed away - a phenomenal sight. And so our walk ended....Friday was another stormy day so we headed for our hills....the walk to Strumble has to wait til next time....<br />
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Pamela Mallpresshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08938256713646288802noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5056411862587291662.post-69255566573152075742013-12-30T09:22:00.003-08:002013-12-30T09:22:54.917-08:00Happy Christmas and here's to a good 2014!Hello everyone! Hope you all had a lovely Christmas and that most of you avoided the floods and power failures...and to those who didn't escape, hope you have a good 2014! We are missing our walks by the sea but planning is going ahead. I had a lovely book for Christmas about the coastal walk with lovely pictures...although I do think some of mine aren't bad!<br />
In Wales we had a white Christmas - an icing sugar covering on Christmas Day. Luckily it didn't stay very long! And we have been trying to keep fit with some good walks in the Radnor Forest. Here was the Whimble view yesterday...<br />
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Not sure when the next walk will be exactly yet but we plan to have 18 more - 3 of which will be 5 day events. You can guess our holidays next year! Can't wait.<br />
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Great news to report is that with the help of Nigel, our friendly landlord in the Radnor Arms, probably the greatest pub in the world, we counted the money from the collection tin which Chris has manfully carried for 328 miles now. And....the total amount in there was £208.30!!!!<br />
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I have already "declared" £98.70 of this on the justgiving page as offline donations from those who have given me their donation so that means there was another £109.60 from people who contributed over the walks. So pleased and thank you all so much for your support. I know Velindre are very grateful too and I am just happy to try to help them.<br />
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Take care everyone and have a good New Year celebration and here's to a happy, healthy, peaceful 2014 for you all!Pamela Mallpresshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08938256713646288802noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5056411862587291662.post-7891034434876496632013-11-18T11:06:00.001-08:002013-11-20T07:56:46.583-08:00Walk 12 Pembroke to Marloes 13th-15th November, 2013Well this was now definitely the last walk of the year...sad to say, but the snow may be coming in now! As in a quote Chris found today....."there is a fine line between hobby and mental illness"! I will begin though with giving the fundraising site as a reminder of why we are doing this....<a href="http://www.justgiving.com/Pamela-Mallpress">www.justgiving.com/Pamela-Mallpress</a><br />
I know it has been a busy giving time with Children in Need and now the awful disaster in the Phillipines, there is so much we all would like to help with.<br />
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So we set off in the dark and minus temperature last Wednesday morning, arriving in Milford Haven at our chosen hotel, the Belhaven House, by 8.30 where we were picked up by the Call a Cab taxi and returned to Pembroke Castle, scene of our last completed walk!<br />
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It was by now a lovely morning and off we set with lovely views all around the mighty Pembroke castle. We followed the north of the Pembroke river through fields and then on a road into Pembroke Quay - quicker to write than to achieve! This part of the Pembrokeshire coastal path - from Angle to Sandy Haven past South Hook which we won't pass til tomorrow - is one that apparently lots of people miss out when walking the Pembrokeshire Coastal Path because of its industrialisation. But really they are missing out so much! There is so much to see. Pembroke Dock is full of information. The Dock really sprang up in the early 1800's to house the Navy and defend us from the French! We passed one of its Martello Towers close to Front Street - the first street to be built in the town to house the dockworkers.</div>
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On the wall next to the tower are plaques commemoratuing the history of the town, from its beginnings through to the Second World War when many bombs were aimed here and a Wellington crashed into the sea further downstream on its way home. Having had a good look around and enjoyed a coffee at K's Cafe, we set off to the Cleddau Bridge to cross the Abergleddau estuary. There is a further walk going further around the Haven, another 12 miles, which will wait for another time. It isn't part of the official coastal path. </div>
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The bridge was opened in 1976 (or thereabouts...) and is now the second bridge we've crossed so far, the first being on the A48 to Swansea - we're more used to going under them! But the view was terrific..At the other side of the bridge was the berth where HMS Warrior used to be moored.</div>
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We soon dropped down to the estuary side again and on losing the direction of the path at one point, we came across Brunel Quay just as we were entering Neyland. It was amazing to find that Brunel really created Neyland intending it to be the main dock for transatlantic ships. There had been a hotel here where many notable people had stayed, a railway leading to it, customs house and so on. The buildings have all gone as the dream never quite came true... although it is of course a leading ferry port for Ireland just across the water at Pembroke Dock. Interestingly, the Brunel ship, the Great Eastern, was docked in the estuary to undergo repair work - and that ship was almost as huge as the modern gas ships!<br />
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And today there is an Irish ferry in dock..</div>
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From Neyland we walked through the small and pretty settlements of Llanstadwell and Hazelbeach and then following the water as ever (at least here we were really never far from the water either which was excellent!), we climbed into fields above the estuary, still with good views and the light on the water was sometimes so stunning, as here looking across to where the river Pembroke joins the Abergleddau..</div>
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And here where a strange light hung over the newly opened (and much discussed) gas power station across the water!</div>
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We soon had to negotiate our way around the oil collection point and the new refinery which necessitated crossing some particularly scarey bridges! Trust me I was VERY brave to go across 2 like this!</div>
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It was all so interesting to watch the river traffic - as here where a tug was going out to sea, and maybe the harbour master in the lead alongside the terminal jetty - the Valero refinery in the background, it's been on our horizon for so many walks now! Shame there was no ship in dock today!</div>
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And yet on the right of the picture in the fields was the home of Hywel Dda...a long forgotten Welsh king...people have held the Haven for some time! We were soon heading away from the river a little to find our way into Milford Haven. Crossing one field of cows was fine ...until we exited the gate at the other side...</div>
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Phew! It's a risky business this coastal path walking!</div>
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We soon came round to Castle Pill at Black Bridge which is a lovely setting - we avoided road walking here and were helped with directions by a man walking his dogs who has walked the Pembrokeshire path 10 times!</div>
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And so Milford Haven was reached along the promenade, The Rath with its great views and its elegant houses and statues...here one is dedicated to the fishermen of the Haven and the other modern one asking the spectator to remember to look for reflections, quite inspiring!</div>
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And so to Hamilton Terrace and the Belhaven House, originally built as the home of a surgeon of the Milford whaling ships! And now it's the home of Bruce and his wife. Very friendly, and Bruce is a keen Arthurian devotee with lots to tell us about the legend! The place where Gawain died by the way was apparently Walwyn's Castle, near Sandy Haven close to where we will walk tomorrow, NOT St Govan's Head which we thought last time!</div>
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Day 2 - Thursday 14th November set off quite windy. Not as bad as the last walk though! Call a Cab led us to Dale to leave the car and drove us back to Milford Haven so we set off by 9.30. Not a lot of town left to walk through, having passed the harbour...complete with lock gate...and the famous torch theatre....</div>
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....we did see a few fishing boats alongside the marina and soon found our way to Gelliswick Bay, looking across once more to our old friend the Valero refinery at Rhoscrowther.</div>
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The Napoleonic forts keep appearing, there was one on the headland overlooking the Bay here on the left and then a huge one further along our walk near the South Hook terminal. And of course the forts on the rocks in the estuary - Thorn Island which we passed last time near west Angle Bay and Stack Rock fort just near South Hook on this bank...quite striking, the ancient and modern!</div>
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We soon began to leave the industrial parts behind as we came to Sandy Haven inlet where we knew we could get over the stepping tones as low tide had been at 10 this morning, otherwise we would have had about a 3 mile detour!</div>
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And much as I had discovered in Ogmore that stepping stones aren't necessarily my favourite things, I preferred them to a longer walk! To bravely go!!!!</div>
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We were indeed now back to the beautiful cliffs with their many shapes and hues and soon we saw the next ferry arriving. </div>
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It was now a lovely day and we saw so many little coves and beaches. It's so hard to remember all their names!</div>
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Very soon we came to Monkshaven - the Bay where St Ishmael is said to have come ashore from Ireland as so many did bringing Christianity with them.</div>
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It is a stunning little bay and we had a chat with a local man who gave us the potted history. He told us that it wasn't so long ago that the waves crashed over the top of the wall that had been built across the bay..</div>
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We soon came around then into the Dale bay - at Musselwick and walked alongside the water on the rocky beach where we saw - and heard - a flock of oyster catchers.We knew that there was a plank bridge crossing here at the stone bank where the water meets the beach and seawater meets freshwater and that we were unlikely to have made it in time.....</div>
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...so near and yet too far - for me anyway! So a 2 and a half mile detour was made!! Sob Sob! In fact we had read that it is only a 2 and a half hour window each side of low tide to make it whereas in fact it was now 4 and a half hours since low tide..had we known we would have walked faster I'm sure! Never mind, we soon arrived in Dale - and very lovely it is too! </div>
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The only downside that night was that the pub was shut - for the whole of November so we had to drive to the Lobster Pot in Marloes, not too far and a very tasty meal was had!</div>
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Day 3 - Friday 15th November. Allenbrook, our B and b for the night had been probably the best so far. Very lovely, huge, old house of the 17th and 19th centuries, homely and comfortable, providing a much needed good rest!</div>
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It was a lovely and still morning as we set off to get around the Dale peninsula - just hadn't realised how many peninsulas there are down here! As we got to Dale Point we were looking across to the Angle peninsula, scene of our last, windy walk and the light was once again spectacular! Sheep Island is there on the right with Freshwater West Bay and Castlemartin beyond.</div>
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We followed the coast around to Watwick Bay and Point and again could see West Blockhouse which had originally been Henry VIII's fort to protect the Haven (informed by his father no doubt....) but which had later been regenerated first as a Napoleonic fort and then as second World War fortifications. Next we came to Mill Bay - where Henry VII came ashore in August 1485 (his main army disembarked in Dale it seems).</div>
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It was fascinating to go down to the beach, not only to think about its importance to us all in Britain, a new king, but also to see a wrecked submarine! A German one that had broken up when it was being towed into harbour for dismantling!</div>
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We climbed out of the Bay with fine views and rounded St Anne's Head. There had once been quite a large estate up here it seemed, could still see the wallled garden. There are also 2 old lighthouses - one now a ruin and the newer one now a private house - old-fashioned technology now radar is used. It was then just a lovely walk around the peninsula with the lovely views, great light on the sea and watching yet another ferry appear beyond Skokholm island ahead of us.</div>
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We soon came round to West Dale beach and it was amazing how narrow the peninsula is here - just a half mile walk to Dale! </div>
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And here was another of the iron age hill forts which had mainly fallen into the sea again...<br />
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Just one lonely surfer was playing in the waves as we passed by - and were they puffin holes we saw in the cliffs? Certainly Skomer Island is renowned for its puffin population in the spring. We passed the old airfields which we could see the edges of and there were many walls made of broken up brick and concrete obviously from buildings long gone on the airstrips. These were the home of the aeroplanes protecting the shipping lanes in the war. But alongside them is the magnificent Marloes Sands.</div>
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Such high cliffs that you can only safely get down towards the end of the bay, near Gateholm Island, where a stream has carved a way down. We did have lunch here. It is such a wonderful place with islands all around - Skokholm is just lurking there at the left and Skomer is just beyond Gateholm on the right. And all the edge of the sea is full of rocks - here all like pyramids. We followed the bay around and then looked down on Albion Bay (so named after a ship that wrecked here carrying pigs apparently! All were saved but the prop shaft can still be seen at low tide it seems) and Gateholm. It is the time of year to see seal pups - but none were in evidence for us today.<br />
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So we were approaching Martins Haven now - a National Trust centre. We could see the next hill fort - supposedly the most well defended in Pembrokeshire I understand but I don't understand how they know that when so many, as we have seen, have fallen into the sea. And we also now had view of St Bride's Bay sweeping round to St David's ahead of us! In the bay were 6 huge tankers - holding out for an increase in price? Perhaps! We were also soon overtaken by a skein of geese heading noisily for the island.</div>
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And here are some more of those weirdly shaped rocks, not concrete honest!</div>
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We first passed Jack Sound - the narrow strip of sea between the mainland and Skomer which is very turbulent and dangerous. </div>
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And then at Martins Haven is a 5th century cross which was found here in 1984.</div>
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There had been a seal pup on the beach here a notice said but he wasn't apparent to us as we climbed out of the bay for a bit of a trudge around to Musselwick Sands - where our path would then lead us to Marloes a little way inland - the good thing was the amazing colour of the sea.</div>
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So Marloes was reached - we passed the Lobster Pot, scene of last night's meal..</div>
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....and luckily found the shop open with a coffee to go - truly a lifesaver (Chris's life that is!!). WE headed for Dale road and were soon retracing our steps of the previous day around the Pickleridge or Gann where land meets sea near the stepping stones. As we arrived into Dale at 5pm, it was dropping dark giving us our last view of our friend, Valero across the waters of the Abergleddau!<br />
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.Our hostess of the night before had been about to send out search parties as we got to the car!! It had been a long but thoroughly enjoyable day.<br />
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The walks of the last 6 days around the Angle and Dale peninsulas, reaching out into the ocean like fingers, protecting the Abergleddau with its many coves and inlets and its settlements including Milford Haven and Pembroke, deep inside it, has been so fascinating. The Dale peninsula in particular is so different on each of its sides. the eastern side, in shelter, with its banks rolling quite gently to the waters' edge whilst the western side is wild and fierce with its high cliffs, some like concrete, and its jagged rocks and islands facing ferociously all that the Atlantic cares to throw at it. We have marvelled over the last 6 days' walking, perhaps even more than in the earlier walks, at what a power and force nature provided to form the spectacular rock formations, some twisted, contorted and folded beyond belief. And then we have seen, particularly down this mighty estuary, how Man has imposed himself on this landscape he has inherited. Right from the early iron age forts to the ancient kingdom headquarters and the coming of Christianity to these shores. And then to the mighty castles - like Pembroke - that were viewed as necessary, to the fortifications of Henry VIIIth through to the defences of the Napoleonic era and so too those of World War II. Now modern man is using this landscape with its deep, natural harbour, to provide the power - gas and oil - needed to sustain the 21st century way of life. Such stories!!<br />
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We now look forward to the remaining miles and the stories we can discover. 40 miles completed these 3 days so the total now behind us is 328! Only 542 miles to go!!<br />
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Thank you again for your support and encouragement and will speak again soon!<br />
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Pamela Mallpresshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08938256713646288802noreply@blogger.com0