WalkThroughWalesOnCambrianWay

Saturday: Shortly after crossing Afon Rheidol came upon disturbing information boards describing how acidic mine works were polluting the river. Pollutants include Lead, Zinc and acid. Encouraging to read various projects are underway to address the pollution.

Route onwards was up through a forest that was poorly signed with no paths evident on the ground. I struggled to climb over many fallen trees until I crossed a forest track which gave me my bearings and confirmed my suspected location. At the edge of the forest and top of the valley I hacked my way through ferns along a fence line to where I my map reading told me a style was located, which proved accurate. The 1/2 a mile up through the forest had been extremely hard going and cost more than an hour.

Now on top of the valley, I crossed the fence by the style where the walk immediately changed to easy terrain with straight forward navigation for next mile. With perfect timing, my brother Martin 'phoned me just as I started this section. We chatted about lots of things as brothers do until the last of my device's charge brought a premature end to our conversation.

Shortly after the large Bryn Bras pond I turned right / East off the Cambrian Way to re-cross the Afon Rheidol River at Parsons foot bridge. After a 400 yard climb and crossing a field with an intimidating Bull I arrived on the A4120. Thumbing a left from here back to the campsite I was picked up by a young lass called Hannah who kindly drove me the mile back to my campsite.

Weather sunny all day. Some breeze on top of the mountains.

Completed about 9 miles. This is an estimate because I forgot to switch off GPS once in Hannah's car! Czytaj więcej

Wednesday: Had a good look around Gwalia farm and used my camping stove to cook breakfast for the first time this trip. Before I left went to fill water bottles from spring fed tap to discover Powys environmental heath officer was testing water. After she was satisfied it was safe I left site my latest time yet of 10:45. Got to the end of my 1:50,000 map a mile and a half after Gwalia Farm, then started to use ordnance survey app on my smart phone. I referred to it frequently for first couple of miles as route was not obvious. Part of the route was on a public footpath through a forest. I could not find the footpath so walked around the forest instead. As a result of all this first couple of miles took a couple of hours.

Next I was on top of Mynydd y Cemmaes, location of Britain's first wind farm. I made swift progress along the ridge using the wind farm service track.

I was unable to find the next part of the route through Waun Llinau forest plantation so followed a compass bearing, and wore sun glasses for protection against low branches.

After exiting the forest walked down a valley, up the other side and over Waun Fign then ate late lunch in glorious sunshine, in the lee of the wind, on a slope above abandoned Craig-For farm.

Penultimate section was a long 2.5 miles on a track that was first grassy, then stoney (hard walking), then a tarmaced road. A cow and her calf on this section were intimidated by my approach and kept running ahead, which was welcome as I know cows can be troublesome if approached when they are with their calves. Also came across a couple of dozen Pheasants, first I have seen on this walk, and in fact for a long time. They are common where I come from in Worcestershire.

At Mallwyd arrived at a filling station and shop where I was finally able to buy 1:25,000 OS map OL23 - Cader Idris, as well as AAA batteries for GPS, milk for tomorrow's porridge and some food. After this 1.5 miles of quiet road walking got me to The Red Lion, Dinas Mawddwy - Check point 21. From here was a short walk to Celyn Brithion campsite.

After pitching walked the 12 minutes back to The Red Lion, arriving 20:59 (kitchens generally close 21:00). I was warmly welcomed, squeezed in for food, shown to a table near a socket to charge my device, drank a couple of pints of Orchard Gold cider and studied the map purchased a couple of hours earlier planning the next day.

10 miles from Gwalia Farm, Commins Coch to Dinas Mawddy completed at end of 27th day of walking. This marks my completion of the central section of The Cambrian Way. Weather initally rain for 30 minutes then sunshine all day. Czytaj więcej