Day twenty five to twenty seven (30 August – 1st Sept) Walk Days 10 and 11
Day 25 Walk day 10 Llanfairfechan to the edge of Bangor
Phone stats: 27059 steps, 11.4 miles, walking time 4hr 19 minutes
Parked the car again near a bus stop in Bangor, (about 3 miles from base camp) and got the bus back to where I finished at Llanfairfechan. Touched the touching point bus stop, and did about a mile in the village – going under the A55 (which was the closest I got to it all day). There was a café on the beach and I succumbed. Just as well as there were no more opportunities for refreshment on the route for the rest of the day. Fortunately this was the day I was also allowed to use my rucksack again (and I made sure it was as light as possible but it did have some lunch packed inside). There was a very misleading sign on the sea front that said it was 6 miles to Bangor, as the dragon flies perhaps but certainly not as the coast path goes!
The first part of the day was a lovely route clinging to the edge of the coast as the protection of Anglesey made an impact. It was surprisingly isolated (except near to where people could park). I met a lovely chap and had a 10 minute conversation on this remote bit. He advised taking it slowly and savouring the walk opportunity. I do have some issues as to what to do after Monday as I will need to make some tactical decisions on which bits of the coast path to do. I will also be slipping out of the arriva bus area which is going to make linear walking much more challenging. Through out this period it was all walking paths only (and apart from a bit hopping from paving slab to paving slab on the beach at one point) it was straightforward, and nice not to be dodging fast moving cyclists.
After a picnic lunch, the inland route to avoid the grounds of Penrhyn Castle kicked in. Some roads, fields, a lot of to-ing and fro-ing over the railway (thankfully no role for the A55 in this!). I had a breather and a snack in the churchyard at Tal-y-bont (benches in churchyards always seem to feature on my recent trips to Suffolk). The last 2 miles back was a wooded valley cycle trail. I had joined the North wales pilgrim route at this point. I was rather tired, so bailed out with help from the arriva bus app about a mile from the car (and let the bus take the strain!). I used a North Wales pilgrim route sign as the touching point…
Day 26
Shifting of base camp from Glasinfryn to Llithfaen near the start of the Lleyn Penisula. Did some shopping in Bangor and had a coffee before setting off properly (had run out of coffee in the holiday let so the need was very great!!) Stopped in Caernafon for groceries, and then whiled away a few hours enjoying the beach at Dinas Dinelle, sorted out where I am going to Church on Sunday (in Nefyn – a couple of miles away) and finally connected with some post cards.
The new residence is a terrace from the 1870s, half way up a steep hill. It also benefits from wifi, a washing machine and a bath – which are all very welcome. The view from the front is particularly awesome. It is well equipped but a bit 1970s! I am settled in and unpacked ready to get back on the trail tomorrow.
Day 27 Walk day 11 The edge of Bangor to Y Felinheli
Phone stats: 22068 steps, 9.32 miles, walking time 3hr 33 minutes
Parked at Y Felinheli and got two buses back to the edge of Bangor. This whole process and a bit of a more leisurely start to the day, meant I didn’t start walking until 10:45. I found the touching point north wales pilgrims way sign again and did the final mile on the cycle path and round Hirael bay. It was good by the pier (where I had had lunch 8 days earlier) to look back to see the Great Orme and Little Orme receding into the distance. What followed was delightful walking along the treelined path on the relatively sheltered coastline looking across to Anglesey. There was a section on the shore line and through a nature reserve that was rather hard going underfoot. The nature reserve was lots of short ups and downs and the path eventually came out by Bangor Football club (the weekend match had been played on Friday evening!). A mile or so on the road followed and then the joy of the Menai bridge. A section through an arboretum stretched on to the new bridge (for the A55) and again I went underneath it. It was rarely visible through the trees which was a good thing as it is not very pretty!
Thankfully a long section I was expecting on the road – was replaced by a further inspiring wooded section, including through Vaynol park. There was a lovely picnic bench where I had lunch and I was on red squirrel watch (after a sign alerted me to their presence), but I didn’t see any. Y Felinheli came into sight, but as is the way with things it seemed to take longer to get there! Used the post box by the car as the touching point for Monday’s start.
I have to make some decisions on what to do next after Monday’s walk (when I will walk from Y Felinheli past Caernafon to Dinas Dinelle (which is the very limit of the arriva bus provision!). But here are some stats and my route map (red in the past 6 walking days – blue for the previous 5 walking days!).
Week 1 BLUE (5 walking days) 43.42 miles
Week 2 RED (6 walking days) 55.51 miles
TOTAL (11 walking days) 98.93
It was inspiring to get back to base camp to hear them singing ‘How great thou art’ at John McCain’s memorial service. The second verse always reminds me of my dad (we had this hymn at his funeral) and I am sure some of his passion for walking is a part of me along with his map reading! My soul has gloried in the wonder of this walk today!
When through the woods and forest glades I wander
And hear the birds sing sweetly in the trees;
When I look down from lofty mountain grandeur,
And hear the brook, and feel the gentle breeze:
Then sings my soul, my Saviour God, to Thee,
How great Thou art! How great Thou art!
Then sings my soul, my Saviour God, to Thee,
How great Thou art! How great Thou art!
The Adventures of Alison 