Thursday Aug 15 2024

After we had arrived at the Bradford Arms I (Paul) went out for a bit more of a wander. Across the canal was an historical site, one of the raisons d’etre for the Canal. The Hoffman Kiln. It was built to process the limestone brought down from the hill above for processing into lime for fertilizer which would then be transported along the canal. That it was so well preserved was amazing. Also amazing that we lived so close to it for two years and never knew about it. Equally amazing was that I could walk inside the huge structure.

Today David and Fiona Loveday as well as Anne Hendrie were going to join us to talk the section to Trefnon and then we were continuing on to our accommodation at The Old Mill. We started by climbing up Pen-y-feol lane were Darwin first cut his scientific teeth (apparently he got his calculations wrong) before climbing up the old lime mine tramway to the path skirting around the Asterly rocks. We were provided broad views of the Severn valley and where we had walked yesterday.

As we climbed up to the summit of Moelydd we understood why the distant hills were dotted with power generating windmills.

We sheltered in the lee of some rocks to have lunch (again the lack of seating along the path was noticeable)

Arrival in Trefonen afforded the opportunity to buy some ice cream from the local store before our walking companions departed and the rain arrived.

This section is often combined with the following section up to Chirk as one long day. As the rain descended we were very glad to be not doing so. Our damp descent down into Candy was our first time walking on the actual dyke. To be honest our attention was more focused on arriving at our accommodation where they kindly let us in early to dry off and enjoy tea by the fire.