Day 34: 26 Apr 2014; Capel Curig to Llandrillo yn Rhos

Walk descriptor	LEJOG2014		Day	34
Date	Sat 26 Apr 2014		Start to end time	08h 57m
Start point	Capel Curig		End point	Llandrillo yn Rhos
Miles today	20.94		Cu miles	638.95
Ft today	3,071		Cu ft	108,510
Route miles left	828.05		Route ft left	88,472
Today’s weather	Bright and sunny with fleecy white clouds. No rain. Brisk South Easterly wind. About 15C

Today’s location (the red cross in a circle shows where I am at the moment)		GPX based track of today’s walk (click here to access to access downloadable file)

Commentary

“The campsite in Capel Curig was basic in the extreme – 4 mins in the showers for 50p, and no loo roll in the toilets. Plus the fact that a group of climbers arrived at around midnight and pitched their tent right next to mine. So I hadn’t slept well, and was quite glad to get up and get going this morning.

Today’s hike was the “walk of the shortcut”. I cut a huge loop out of my planned route, missing out an ascent of the Glyder mountains and a circumnavigation of the Great Orme. As a result, the number of miles let to walk declined by 31 today, despite only actually walking 20. My new route took me up the hillside from Capel Curig to the Llyn Cowlyd reservoir, high up in the hills to the North of Snowdonia. From there, I followed a rough track, and then country lanes, down into the Conwy valley, and then to Conwy itself.

I hadn’t particularly expected this walk to be interesting – after the heights of yesterday I thought it might be a bit dull. But as it turned out, I really enjoyed it. The overnight rain stopped around 6:30 and from then on it was dry and sunny all day. That always helps a lot! And the views to the north and south from up near the reservoir were impressive. Mountains to the South, and the sea in the distance to the North. Curiously there seemed to be more snow to be seen on the lower Foel Fras mountains than there was on Snowdon itself.

As I descended to the valley, it got noticeably warmer, and by the time I reached Conwy, the trees were in full leaf and it felt almost-summery. I realised that I’d been high in the mountains for quite some time and at lower altitudes, the seasons were advancing faster.

I’d been through Conwy several times by train or car, but never stopped so, as I arrived in the early afternoon with time to spare, I briefly dropped into the town to have a quick look round. It was really interesting – a fantastic 14th century castle, and lots of interesting cafes and shops. I stopped for a cup of tea in one, and the people on the next table were kind enough to give me a donation to my charity – even though I’d never met them before! Really kind.

Tonight’s campsite is much more pleasant than the last night’s. The grass has been cut and there is toilet paper! Need to turn my attention this evening to planning my route along the coast tomorrow (it should at least be flat!) and then trying to find campsites in Merseyside for next week. The latter is proving a bit challenging.”

Today’s photos (click to enlarge)


On the hillside above Capel Curig, about to head North towards the Llyn Cowlyd reservoir	I couldn’t help wondering what would happen if I pulled the yellow lever..

Dead hazel tree made stake silhouette against the blue sky	Food was left in the small “paupers’ window” at the left of this building for leprosy sufferers on pilgrimage to Bardsey Island in the hope of a cure

Conwy castle. One of Wales’ finest, built by Edward I in 1283	Looks like I have made a new friend at tonight’s campsitre!

Panorama looking North to the coast. Llandudno and the Great Orme headland are just visible in the cenre distance