I spent hours looking at the maps last week - then set off for the
same old place I always go ie the Ponderosa cafe on the Horseshoe Pass
north of Llangollen.
I parked up at 9:30ish and there was already a large group of
motorcyclists assembled in the carpark. I assumed that they were just
passing through, but there were even more of them when I got back so I
think they must have been holding a rally.
It was 9:45 before I got underway due to a mishap with my Platypus. I
don't usually use it - because I don't do much Summer walking - and I
had not screwed the tube on properly. By the time I got to the
carpark the back of the car was under water! Bother. Oh well, I
refilled it and enjoyed the cooling sensation of cold water dribbling
down the back of my legs for the first 30 minutes walking!
I had roughly decided on a 20km circular walk heading up towards and
through Llandegla Forest and then onto Offa's Dyke path. I walk round
here quite often but the start of this walk was new to me - until I
realised that I *had* been there before but I'd walked it
anti-clockwise last time.
I'd not paid much attention to the Rights of Way on a section of track
I intended to use and, when I got there, I found it had a closed gate
and a No Entry sign. This meant I had to walk on the road for 1km but
there was no traffic and it was not so far as to be boring.
In the forest I saw a few mountain bikers. I've only tried mountain
biking once and found it incredibly hard work. I only saw one walker
until I got onto the Offa's Dyke Path (and I saw the same walker again
later on the path!).
When I came out of the forest I saw a rock, next to an information
sign, and I remembered that the last time I had been there I had sat
on that rock and taken photographs of the snow. It did not snow
today! The weather was fine all day - hot and sunny but with a gentle
breeze. Lovely walking weather.
I passed a group of three walkers on the ODP. They weren't doing the
entire path this time but had done it before and recommended that I do
it some time. I've had an ODP guide book for years and really must
get round to doing it. I noticed waymarkers for the Clwydian Way too,
but I prefer the thought of an LDP which takes me somewhere rather
than just going round in a circle.
I passed two groups of Duke of Edinburgh scheme participants - one
Bronze and one Silver. Neither group seemed particularly keen to be
out! Do kids have to be *made* to do everything these days?
I had my lunch at World's End. For once there was nobody sat on the
bench. At this stage I think I had done exactly 10km (if memory
serves me right) and I realised that my original planned route was
going to be a lot more than 20km, so I decided to cut it short while I
was still enjoying myself.
From the ODP, I took the path that drops down to Plas Yn Eglwyseg. I
always miss this path so I was paying particular attention as I
approached. There is no real path there because of the scree but you
can make out the waymarker on the distant gate if you know to look for
it.
I then joined the Clywdian Way and skirted round the side of a wood.
After the wood, the path crossed a field of long grass and I couldn't
be certain which of the distant gates was the one I wanted - so I went
to the wrong one! The path had gone from being well waymarked to
being not marked at all but, as I stood in the middle of a field
trying to find a clue, the Bronze DoE team appeared and we exchanged
tips on what lay ahead. Thanks lads.
At any time of year, but especially Summer Sundays, I use a
technically sophisticated method of finding the Ponderosa - I listen
for children screaming. Good grief, it was Bedlam. Thankfully I had
parked on the other side of the road, rather than the cafe's carpark,
so had a nice patch of grass to sit on while I ate the rest of my
scran and drank my tea. IMO, flask tea and malt loaf is the best food
in the world after a walk.
As I was driving back up the pass I was flashed by at least five cars
coming the other way. I decided there must be something terrible
hanging onto the front of my car, so I slowed right down and looked
for somewhere to pull in. Then I saw the policeman with the
speed-gun! I wasn't speeding anyway (I mean, it's up hill and have
you seen what I drive?) and I reckon he was out to catch the bikers
assembled down at the Cafe.
In summary, a nice medium-length walk. 17.2km - so, 10.75 miles in
old money - in 5 hours including lunch.
Postscript (Only read this bit if you like laughing at stupid people)
==========
The day started badly when I put my boots on and found them really
tight around the toes. I've been wearing my sandals a lot, and
haven't worn these boots since Exped 16, I think, so I laced them up
lightly and hoped that they would feel better when I got to the walk.
They were a bit better but my feet didn't feel right all day. I've
never really taken to these Brasher Hillmaster GTX boots but they
haven't felt this uncomfortable for ages.
When I got home, I cleaned my boots and took my Superfeet footbeds out
.......... and saw the Brasher footbeds underneath. Hm! That could
explain why the boots were tight. I really do think *one* footbed is
enough, Judith, you daft bint!
Judith