england – Mackey Musings

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.

And we settled in to watch some British TV

16.12 km

Saturday August 17 2024

Usually most walkers have a rest day at the next stop in Llangollen. However, as we had our connections here in Chirk (and we felt we had “done” Llangollen) we elected to have our day here.

Chirk was where Paul worked as a General Practice trainee before we moved to Fort St John. Rob and Judy Greaves were tow of his preceptors so it was lovely to be able to stay with them and spend time at their lovely house. And to admire their solar and battery array!

To use some different muscles we had intended to head into Chirk proper for a swim but messed up the time. So we instead enjoyed a coffee and walked back to Rob and Judy’s house along a different public path.

Again, curiously, I think this was the first time we walked the full length of the aqueduct.

In the afternoon Robert, sensing my bitter disappointment at not seeing the standing stone ( and possibly indulging his own curiosity to see it) took us back to visit it.

I was impressed. I think Lori was impressed with her decision to not double back.

The relaxing day was rounded off with an enjoyable group dinner with several of Lori’s former work colleagues at the local Indian Restaurant. Kerry, Paul and Jude had come down from Manchester, Anne Hendrie up from Oswestry and even Steve Winter (who Lori had not seen for 30 years) joined us. He fortuitously lived so close by such that we would be walking past his house on the trail.

Our departure point the following day was to be just up the Ceriog Valley at Castle Mill. It is the one place that the Welsh defeated the English in Battle when Owain Glendwr defeated Henry II’s forces in 1165

The Welsh have long memories.

Mackey Musings

Tag: england

To The Hills

Memories (Rest Day)