Day 51 A day of two halves (footpaths that is)

Today I once again had a delicious breakfast made for me by Stephanie (and a delicious dinner last night and the night before). It was pouring with rain at breakfast time so I was slow in leaving.

I felt confident in my route choice today. The first footpath was on the Bangor on Dee’s list of local walks, so it must be alright. I set off over the old bridge and turned along the river bank to the Creamery. I walked along through the wet grass, but at least the rain had stopped. And then, I lost the footpath. Couldn’t find it. Wandered about and eventually took a track to the A-Road. At least there was a pavement. I felt a bit frustrated and determined that I would take the road all the way and eschew any further footpath temptations.

The roads were, however, quiet. There were plenty of mown verges (road-walking is hard on the feet) and I pootled along briskly turning onto some very minor roads once I had crossed the river on the Pont Wan (Weak Bridge for those unfamiliar with Welsh road signs).

And then, there he was, the man of my dreams. Who could be a better person to meet than the County footpaths maintenance man? We chatted about maintenance, reports of footpath problems, being short-staffed and then, map in hand, but maintaining social distance -Wales is strictly a 2m country -I asked him about my proposed route. Shouldn’t be a problem. And why not? Because it’s on their mowing list. Mowing list! Who knew?

Immensely cheered by this meeting I carried on with a spring in my step. I walked along beside a stream, passed under the Holt/Farndon bypass into an area with picnic benches, mown paths, and a castle.

Holt is now my favourite village. It has a farm shop/garden centre, 3 cafes, public loos (20p, no change given) as well as the mown paths, benches and castle. Of course I had to climb up to the top of the castle. Didn’t take long.

I was now on the home stretch. I crossed over the River Dee, thus leaving Wales behind me and strode purposefully towards the Pennines. I’m getting ahead of myself again. I’ve got a week of walking across Cheshire first, not to mention a couple of rest days at my mother’s.

I walked through Farndon (Matt Hancock went to primary school here) noting the changes since I was last there- a refurbished pub has opened as well as a natural burial ground currently looking lovely as a wild flower meadow. And then the rain started. I was still wearing my waterproof trousers from this morning, and my backpack cover was on so it was the work of a moment (or three) to wrestle my jacket out of my bag. I arrived at my mother’s ten minutes later dripping wet but pleased to have arrived after a short ten mile day.

Those of you who follow the blog closely will realise that the blog is several days behind my journey. Day 51 was the day of the England Denmark semi-final which I watched that evening.