TraceysTrek

I had a couple of incidents this morning. First of all I stepped back out of Priscilla onto the driveway carrying the big power cable and then immediately fell backwards into a bush. I was stranded there for a few minutes as it winded me and then I struggled to get back up. 

Unfortunately, it was really windy this morning and when I opened the front door, the internal door slammed and the frame holding the glass in place shot out! I couldn’t repair it without making considerable noise so had to leave it for Jackie and Alex to sort out! 

Five minutes into my walk and I was back out into the 50 mile an hour winds getting sandblasted again walking round the marina and then round the headland. However I was treated to a very brief rainbow.

I followed the number five cycle path for a while and then had to walk around the edge of the headland while the cars went through a tunnel.

Then it started raining, the wind whipping the rain into my face. It was more than a power shower!

At one point I had to pass under the A55 under the entrance to the tunnels and the sound of the cars and lorries going across the road echoed loudly underneath.

The wind nearly blew me off my feet as I walked along the outside of the coast while the traffic whizzed through the tunnel.

My leg was a little bit sore towards lunchtime, but I was wearing compression sleeved on it to give it some support 

For the second tunnel it was like anticipating the way in a maze. First it was up, then across, then along a walk way and finally the path took me up and over the top of the tunnels and then down the other side into Llanfairfechan. I had great views of Anglesey and Puffin Island.

Jacquie and Alex collected me at Llanfairfechan and took me down to seafront café where I had eggs Benedict for lunch which was great. They then went off to Bangor to do some shopping and I carried on my walk.

I walked down the seafront in extremely blustery weather and heavy rain. It’s always difficult to see where you’re going when you’ve got your head down. The route took me on the edge of the coast passing lots of very wet marshland and lots of bird sanctuaries.

I saw wind surfers gliding across the water, rather surprisingly some highland coos!!! And some rather beautiful chickens. I also saw slate fences.

Unfortunately, Jacqui had taken my afternoon snacks and safety lights out of the car. So I needed to get a move on and finish before it went dark.

Oh my the river had burst its banks and water was spewing all across the wetland. The path had disappeared beneath deep water. I tried to pick my way across but it’s soon became evident that there was no real way and so I had to backtrack.

Then Jackie and Alex and Poppy appeared on the other side. Poppy had a ball jumping in and out of all the puddles in the stream. I made my way down towards the beach jumping across from rock to rock that was covered in grass, not knowing whether it was actually rock or whether I was going to land on just grass and sink into the water. After about 20 minutes or so I managed to get safely across. However, I only had my walking shoes on not boots, and occasionally, well more than occasionally, my feet were submerged above my ankles. One leg became submerged up to about halfway up my calf which subsequently was over the top of my waterproof sock. I emerged relatively unscathed but with one wet sock and one dry sock.

I had a welcome cup of tea sitting in the boot of Alex’s car sharing it with Poppy. Then it was onwards again.

The weather turned once more to rain and I walked along the shore for quite some time. The path was interspersed with huge pebbles which made progress quite difficult.

Later, I could hear the sound of metal on wood and in the distance I could see someone erecting a new fence. I stopped and had a chat to the young lad who was very pleasant and told me it was only five years since they’ve moved the fence due to coastal erosion and now they were having to move it once more. It’s a race against nature.

When I entered the grounds of Penrhyn Castle they had recently been clearing the path to aid walkers. I came to a huge river. Fortunately, there was a really well established footbridge just there.

From there it was a tree line woodland path sheltered from the wind which was a pleasant reprieve from the rest of the day. This was the edge of Penrhyn Castle estate.

I walked a while with a lovely guy who was local and took out a little saw and secateurs with him and he kept the path clear for all the walkers. 

Jackie and Alex are like little jack in a boxes today. They keep popping up all over the place. They appeared at the end of this path offering me a cuppa.

I finally arrived in Bangor. The weather had calmed down considerably. The coastal path took me to the pier which at the moment is highly decorated in seasonal lights. Strangely Jackie and Alex were also there sitting in the car, like a courting couple looking at the pier!

My final stop was at the university when I once visited for a meeting. It was then back to our accommodation in Conway and a lovely shower, meal, wine, chat and bed.

Best bits: woodland path at Penrhyn Castle estate

Worst bits: crossing the flooded path

Distance: 18 miles