Glyndŵr's Way

Llanddwyn → Meifod

Distance: 16.11 miles
Ascent: 656 metres
Duration: 5 hours 8 minutes

Slow down
« Not walked | Not walked »

Slow down. Hold still.

My chauffeur service departed this morning so I'm on my own for the final two days of the walk. Dependent on making my own arrangements, I've changed pace dramatically. I still started off early, but booked a taxi to pick me up after a sensible distance and left plenty of time. Even though my walking pace has been much slower today, I still arrived with ninety minutes spare.

The character of today's walk is unlike any previous section on Glyndŵr's Way: it's all downhill, following the Afon Efyrnwy from the woods beneath the dam (where I startled a newly fledged starling who was hopping about the path). The route wends its way through hamlets and villages with beautiful poetic names: Abertridwr, Pont Llogel, Dolanog, Pont Robert and Meifod.

The central part of this route is shared with the Ann Griffiths Walk: a way marked trail celebrating the life of the 18th century hymn writer. In each village a charming open book sculpture shows a map of the route along with bronze leaves, chapels and wildlife.

The wildlife hasn't always been pleasing today though. On occasions this week I've picked up the scent of fungi in the woods, reminiscent of my childhood. But in the woods beside the river today on two occasions a similar fragrance was decay of another kind: lambs who'd strayed too far from the rest of the flock. (There are probably metaphors a-plenty here.)

That aside, it's been an enjoyable day. So here I am, in the churchyard of St Tsilio, sitting on a bench, enjoying the warmth of the sun, the breeze drying out my boots, and gathering my thoughts about a week of walking.