Wednesday, 29 June 2016
Severn Way
Newtown → Abermule
Distance: 4.90 miles
Ascent: 15 metres
Duration: 1 hour 9 minutes
Llwybr Hafren
« Not walked | Not walked »
Keen to walk a little further after aborting this morning, I settled on an easy route: a taste of the Severn Way, following the towpath of the old Montgomery Canal.
It was a delight. When driving regularly to and from Aberystwyth a decade ago I'd often noticed the canal, so I was really pleased to see this obsolescent highway close up. Beech boughs bent to kiss the surface of the water, swans shepherded sheep away from their cygnets, and the braggadocious Brynderwen Bridge proudly declared itself to be the "Second iron bridge constructed in the county of Montgomery".
I think I'll be back for the rest of the Severn another year.
Glyndŵr's Way
Machynlleth → Cemmaes Road
Distance: 9.01 miles
Ascent: 560 metres
Duration: 2 hours 48 minutes
Uncomfortably numb
« Not walked | Not walked »
I took just two photographs on this walk. That should give you a clue about the conditions. The first — taken right at the start outside the Co-op on Maengwyn Street — is of Edible Mach: a perfectly placed herb garden from which shoppers are encouraged to help themselves.
Just after leaving Penegoes I dared take the phone out of its protective case for the second photo. The rain had been relentless since I set out and even in full waterproofs I could feel my temperature dropping as the wind drove it through to my skin, evaporating the little warmth I had.
Relieved that safety was in sight, I left Cefn Coch with the trail to my first rendezvous at Cemmaes Road. I'd hoped to walk further but it would have been foolish to continue. Gutted, I reconciled myself with the inevitable and sat quietly in the car.
On this evening's national news we heard of 29 DofE participants on the Brecon Beacons who'd not had such an easy escape. I made the right decision.