A pretty miserable day all round. The weather was grim when I set off at 8:15 am with a thick mist and drizzle. I walked the first 3 miles on the road, obviously I had my high viz on, before arriving at a farm. Surprisingly my anxiety was high and I was on high alert for farm dogs. This anxiety must have been created as a result of my previous encounters with farm dogs.
I crossed the muddy farm yard without incident before being met with a route through very muddy fields. I thought that this might be the theme for today.
Eventually I arrived at the sandy path to Porth Neigwl – Hells Mouth, the view from the windows in Awelon and memories of Alex, Angela and the boys on the big surfboard in a sea swell! Another anxiety ridden day!
The path then took me across the cliff top before dropping back down on the beach o cross the river. I did see some lovely scallop shells on the beach. Then it was steep uphill to the cliffs and the headland, unfortunately in the mist so no views to speak of.
Crossing the headland took quite a while and I was aware that the terrain was changing but the mist was still down so no views. Finally the mist cleared a little and revealed the nature of the cliffs I had been walking on.
I had been walking for about 4 hours by this point and had been feeling fed up and so I was glad of the views as this cheered me up.
Then more cheer arrived in the form of Wendy who was local to the area. She pointed out the Iron Age fort and told me to look out for the history QR codes on the sign posts. We had a hug after I gave her a heart. A lovely meeting and a bit of cheer to keep me going.
The view behind us and the view of Port Ceiriad in front of us. This beautiful sandy beach looks like another must visit again beach. I was then met by a sign saying Caution Breeding Bulls! Fortunately I didn’t meet any.
It was to be another hour and a half before I got to Abersoch, my lunch stop for today. Unfortunately, when I got there the only place open was cash only today and I didn’t have any on me. So I had to be content with a sandwich and a juice from Londis which I ate outside the public toilets!! Very classy!
From here it was on to Warren Beach, more memories of Tess our dog running up the cliffs and dunes and brisk family walks in winter and long strolls on summer days. At the end of this long beach is the quarry and then it was a steep uphill to the top of the headland. The homes of the Warren looking very small in the distance.
This headland holds so many memories of the trig point and the Wickerman. It was always a favourite walk. We have so many photos here. I was missing Angela again.
Then it was the steep downhill on the treacherous slippery steps to Llanbedrog beach. So close and yet still so far away.
Then disaster the path was blocked by huge uprooted trees from the recent storms. I was so tired there was no way I was going back uphill. There was only one option, to limbo, squeeze and slide under and then climb over and round and through limbs and branches until I was clear and back on the steps.
Finally I was down and on the beach. I had arranged to meet Alex in the pub here.
However, he had decided to take Poppy for a walk along the beach. I was at one end and they were on their way to the other. I started walking along the long beach to meet them. We met close to the end and so I decided I might as well finish it as that was tomorrow’s route anyway. Alex gave me Poppy and he went back for the car.
By the time I got to the headland the tide was in and so it was to be a steep climb up over the rocks to the other side. I climbed up but Poppy couldn’t manage the steep slippery rocks. Tess would have been up there like a shot! I had to admit defeat again and climb back down, retrace my steps right along the beach and then take the path across the cliff tops! So I ended up walking the length of Llanbedrog beach three times when I hadn’t planned on walking it at all today!
I was a tired and grumpy bunny when we got to the car as this had been over 8 hours on my feet today. Of course a cereal bar and two cups of tea followed by a shower a gin and tonic and food sorted me out.
Best bits: the memories of all the places we have been as a family
Worst bits: mist hiding the views, unexpected walks on Llanbedrog beach.
Distance: 20.9 miles
Leave a Reply