October 2024 – Mackey Musings

Tuesday August 20 2024

Due to the lack of facilities along the path we were very prudent about what we chose for breakfast. Usually we had yoghurt mixed with granola and fruit. So when the server this morning asked “And what would you like for your real breakfast?” we politely declined, understanding full well what the outcome of indulging in a good fry up would be later in the morning.

Suitably abluted we were returned to Llandegla to rejoin the path.

We started out walking through the customary (damp) farmer’s fields alongside and over brooks and streams (rather ostentatiously called the River Alyn). As we climbed back up towards the hills we could stop to look back and remark “Goodness did we really come that far”.

We gradually climbed up the western ridge of Moel Y Plas, Moel Llanfair and Noel Gyw which afforded us views down into the Vale of Clwyd and eventually, as we climbed higher, further afield to distant Snowdonia. As we climbed higher we returned to the fields adorned with heather and gorse, and erm, “caressed” by the wind.

Rather than take the path around we chose to climb up and over the hill fort of Foel Fellni. This summit afforded us views of our path tomorrow over Moel Famau as well as views north east to The Wirral and Liverpool and even the Dee Estuary and our final destination.

Fellni was one of the many hill forts adorning the peaks of these hills. Though why one would need to fortify it was unclear as the wind was enough to keep anyone at bay.

We descended the sleep slope down into Bwlch Penbarras (and marvelled at those hiking up the other way). Here, instead of calling for our ride, we chose to walk the extra back to the Druid Inn. After a pleasant forest walk it became a bit more adventurous and uncertain as we were really walking through a farmers yard and then we picked the wrong side of the fence to continue down to the next style and so had to scramble back over a barb wire fence.

As a bookend that evening, Carrie and Josh from Rx Communications based nearby in Mold, came and picked us up for a tour of the office and then Carrie and family joined us for dinner back at the Druid.

Well it was obvious which side we should have gone once at the bottom

17.4km

Monday Aug 19 2024

Today’s journey started by climbing back up the canal then up to the ruins of Castel Dinas Bran.

Dinas Bran was to be the first of many Iron Age hill forts we would encounter in the Clwydian Hills which would be our path for the next several days. This one was converted to a castle in the 1260s but was then burned by its defenders lest it fall into the hands of Edward I (of Chirk Castle fame).

Now it is steadfastly defended by sheep.

We would also be leaving the crowds of Pontcysllte and Llangollen behind. We remarked how few people we met on the trail. Today would be no different.

As we climbed up towards the ruin we could look back and over the vale of Llangollen, including the eisteddfod tent where we famously didn’t see Pavarotti.

The path left Dinas Bran and took us the lee of Creigiau Eglwyseg. This was certainly the wildest part of the path so far. No more evident than in the name of “Rock Farm”!

We passed beneath Craig Arthur and Craig yr Adar and into the valley leading to World’s End.

Yes really.

But instead of taking that path we forded the stream and climbed up onto the moorland of Cyrn-y-Brain. The heather and gorse were in brilliant bloom. Our marvel at the spectacle as we crossed the wild and windy moor was not dampened by the drizzle that accompanied us. Well not much.

The path then descended down through a plantation of Sitka spruce in which we had to keep an eye out for mountain bikers. This then lead us into the village of Llandegla where we enjoyed our reward of a coffee and sausage roll while awaiting our pick-up to the Druid Inn at Llanferres. A fitting end to our medieval day.