29th July - Borth to Aberystwyth

We're so lucky that our eldest granddaughter, Abigail, agreed to walk with us today! It's so lovely that they live quite close to us now. She sorted out the train tickets for us last week so off we set by 7.30 to catch the 9.30 train from Aberystwyth to Borth. It was a busy train again as the Barmouth one had been, this one was headed for Birmingham. We decided that as part of the 500 challenge, we would choose some coastal path walks to redo but this time walking north to south. On our first Wales Coast path challenge in 2013-2014, we had walked south to north...(Wales Coast Path walk)

                                           

The driver and guard were very friendly and helpful with everyone, quite impressed by them. Before long we arrived in Borth (announced as Dovey Junction which was a little disconcerting had we not recognised where we were).

Off we set to walk along the high street with its lovely, old cottages, many with amazing colour schemes and seaside murals. Then we walked along the seafront, bathed in sunshine.....

  

Abigail loves the sea and was really tempted by the waves to go in and have a swim. There was quite a breeze coming off the sea so the rollers were quite impressive as we walked along looking at the first climb ahead to begin to leave Borth behind.

It certainly was a beautiful day for a walk and hard to imaging just now that this beach reveals its ancient forest and dinosaur footprints in stormy times. Cardigan Bay is so lovely and so full of interesting stories.

We had soon gone over the first cliff with its war memorial on top. The views toward the Llyn were a bit hazy today but we could see Aberdovey and Tywyn.

The first few miles were really very steep, up AND down, so quite challenging. I remembered this was so but also knew that the second part of the walk became less so which was a bonus! Nevertheless the views were just great and it's always fascinating to look back at how far you've walked with a certain amount of disbelief - and a little pride!

Abigail was great company and kept us entertained with her stories and she was enjoying herself too. I think she said it was much better that she'd expected! I told her we'd soon see Aberystwyth appear after the next climb.....

We soon came to see Sarn Gynfelyn at the tiny settlement of Wallog stretching out into the bay and shared the story of Cantref Gwaelod with Abigail. There are reputedly 3 sarns along Cardigan Bay which were the causeways going out to the lost city, the Atlantis of Wales

Certainly the sarns are real but are they in fact paths out to the kingdom, or are they more likely morraine from the ice age? 

We had our lunch at the stony beach here though it was a bit breezy. We thought the house at the side of the beach would make a lovely hotel and wondered had it been one or was it where the lime supplier had lived, the like kiln on the beach is a big one for sure. And did I see Sali Johnson? will always wonder.....

Off we went again rising on a less steep cliff out of the settlement and soon arrived at the huge caravan holiday village at Clarach Bay which was very busy in this year of staycations! Prices for holiday homes and hotels have all been really expensive this year and hard to find. Everyone is so in need of a break, it's been a long, hard 16 months.

Making the last climb of the day out of the holiday village, we soon arrived at the top of Constitution Hill looking down on Aberystwyth. It was so busy up here! We visited the Camera Obscura but sadly the camera was out of use this day so we just went up and looked at the extensive views - glorious! The castle really standing out on the headland.

And of course the cliff railway was working so we decided it wasn't really cheating to make us of it to drop down to the town! Abigail loved it! Well we all did! We were in the front carriage - I was a bit concerned, but also thrilled, to think I might have to drive!

Once we were down, we realised how hot the day had in fact been. The breeze had fooled us so we did all end up glowing! We walked along the prom to the castle passing the pier where there was a huge queue waiting to be allowed on. People everywhere, enjoying ice creams, fish and chips, swimming in the sea. By now Abigail would have loved a swim! It's hard to believe on a day like this the amount of damage the winter storms have wreaked along this front over harsh winters. The old hotels along here are now mostly student accommodation, how lucky they are! Welsh seaside towns are so practical, not at all commercial - so refreshing.

And finally we walked around the castle which has fairly extensive remains. It was built in the 1200s and suffered many a siege before being used as a mint by Charles I and then finally meeting its decline at the hands of Mr Cromwell. Worth a visit!

So what a lovely day we had had and another 8 miles on the journey. Abigail has arranged our next walk together, coming in September ..............