Good morning, all!
This is the lovely couple, Jo & Henrique Fino, who own the Castlebank Hotel. One of my favorite
B & B’s ever.
The view out of Conwy. At breakfast, I overheard some men talking about the mountain. The one had attempted to reach the summit, but the winds were 55 miles per hour at the top, and he had to turn back. He said the winds were even stronger today. He also said that it almost knocked him off his feet. He had about 75+ pounds on me. I was planning the mountain route, but I changed my mind and took the coastal route. Not totally successfully.
That is a lot of babies for these girls to manage.
The trail looks easy, but it is not. Soft sand that slowed me down and killed my thighs.
See that pile of rocks at the end. It looks small, but it was not. It was about 20 feet tall, and the trail markers and my online map definitely led me there. I climbed about six feet up and decided that it was too dangerous. It was very windy, and the tide was coming in. I had no guarantee that if I made it to the top, I would be able to continue on. And if I didn’t, the descent would be ever trickier. After Switzerland, I did not want to be rescued again. I turned around and started back. I thought I was going to have to walk all the way back to Conwy. I had already walked about two miles in the soft sand, and the thought of another equal distance back on that sand did not thrill me. Plus, I HATE backtracking! After I had trudged (grumbling and swearing) back about half a mile, I saw a woman walking her dog. She told me how to get to a paved path that wasn’t on my map.
As it turns out, I made an excellent decision. This is looking down on the other side of the rocks, nothing but seawater slapping the rock face, and it looks pretty deep. The other factor is the dangerous currents in this area.
Then, I came across this sign. It would have been helpful to have it earlier. In case you can not read it says,
Danger
There are areas of soft sand
on this beach.
Beware of being cut off
by tides
A later view of the coastline.
Aren’t the babies cute?
I stopped here and had a sandwich. I was at about 10 miles.
A skate park. Since it was a school day, there were no skaters.
Graffiti seems to follow skaters, and the graffiti is usually dark or rebellious. There were about 10 similar panels.
I did have to walk a little way up the side of the mountain. These giant bolts are keeping the rocks from sliding down. I have never seen these before.
I can’t pronounce the English name, much less the Welsh name.
Clever painting on this horse trailer. I think Janet needs one.
A beautiful estate in LLANFAIRFECHAN, comon pronunciation.
Look in his backpack! It is a little dog.
From the sign:
"Spinnies Aberogwen's series of lagoons and surrounding habitat provide shelter and food for wildfowl, waders, and smaller birds, especially during the autumn and spring migrations - the neighboring estuary of the River Owen and the tidal mudflats of Traeth Lafan attract some amazing species. Tall, graceful stands of common reed provide sheltered nest sites for moorhen as well as an excellent place to watch grey heron and little egret hunting! For much of the year, the brightly coloured kingfisher is a familiar and well-loved sight. Regular work parties help maintain the bird hides and footpaths, whilst the provision of bird food at the hides is supported by many individuals and local organizations."
The River Owen
This tree was at least 15 feet tall. As I was coming into town, I saw this phenomenal tree. I couldn’t figure out how to get to my lodging for the night. I just kept pushing forward. I was afraid that if I sat down, I would never get up. I was borderline boinking, which means I was totally out of fuel. I desperately needed to sit down and eat something, but I didn’t want to pause. Prayer works. Right after I sent up an arrow prayer, I saw a man, and I asked him if he knew where the Management Center was. He said he lived very close to it and to just follow him. He was tall and long-legged, and I had trouble keeping up, plus it was up a steep hill/mountain. Fresh, I could have kept up, but not exhausted and carrying a backpack.
Finally, after 22.5 long miles, I see the Management Center. Pretty impressive. According to AI, "The Management Centre at Bangor University is a premier business, conference, and accommodation hub launched in 2008 following a £15m ($18 million dollar) project supported by EU funding. Housed in the historic Edwardian-era former Normal College buildings (circa 1908–1910), it offers 4-star accommodation, dining, and executive training, serving thousands annually, including members of the Royal family.” Once I checked in, I had to haul my luggage up three flights of stairs, but at long last, I made it-- 22.5 miles!
I decided to eat in the 1811 dining room at the hotel. I was too tired to walk into Bangor and look for a place. It looked like a student cafeteria but had table service. I ordered the Roasted Chicken Supreme, and Supreme it was. I wasn’t expecting anything so delicious. It was served over new potatoes, with broccolini and snow peas, topped with a white wine and Dijon sauce. I thought I was almost too tired to eat, but I practically licked my plate. New Zealand Sauvignon wines are very popular. I had a nice glass of “Squealing Pig.” My waiter gave me a free dessert card for tonight. I am going back and ordering the chicken again - that is how good it was. I think I will order the black cherry crumble tart that comes with Welsh Vanilla Ice cream and then waddle back to my room.
Nothing exciting today. I wandered around the campus which is very old and historic. I did laundry and got reorganized and then workied on this Blog.
So I bid you good afternoon and
God Bless.
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