Robin’s Walk and AXA PPP Step Up Challenge
Clwyd Gate, Moel Gyw, Moel Llanfair, Moel y Plas, Llandegla, Llandegla Forest, Minera, Worlds End, Eglwyseg Crags, Llangolen.
A stunning days walking with Karen keeping us in touch with the latest on the election. In one day we saw an amazing range of scenery and all of it breathtaking. Starting off in the Clwydian range from where we finished yesterday a steep ascent taking us up to Moel’s Gyw, Llanfair and y Plas. This time we can see the views around us as the clouds have risen higher.
As we round Plas at 11.15 and after 28 miles walking the sun comes out for the first time. It always makes the world seem a better place and the warmth of its rays are welcome. We then go from Moel covered with heather, billberry and bracken down in to Llandegla and grazing farmland. Up in to the Forest which was dark, cold and silent and come out on to moorland as far as the eye could see. After that we come to World’s End which is like Switzerland with alpine flowers and pines and hills all around. Finally we skirt the mountainous Eglwyseg Crags from scary heights and stunning views all around.
The walking is hilly but not as extreme as yesterday. On Moel Llanfair we bump in to John Archer from Warwick and Phil Hardwick from Southport. They are completing Offa’s Dyke in 11 days and started in Chepstow so have two days to the finish. We are impressed. Phil did the walk back in the 70’s and we suggest it must have been easier then as a young man. With a tent on his back then and a new wife by his side he is not so sure. We hope to meet up with Phil in the future to take up his offer of golf at Hesketh near Birkdale. After 2 days walking we are already impressed at the idea of doing the walk in 11 days.
Just before entering Llandegla Forest we meet groups of children from Ysgol Bryn Elian from Colwyn Bay doing part of the Offa’s Dyke for their Duke of Edinburgh award. They are descending from the forest in different coloured groups before being scheduled out on their final leg. Debbie is one of five teachers looking after 50 schoolkids who are full of smiles and have clearly enjoyed their experience. 
The forest has densely packed pines in straight man made files and is dark, cold and damp. We gradually climb through about 2 miles of forest to the peak with shafts of light left and right spotlighting areas of the wood amidst the rest in black. 
Out the other side on to moorland covered with peat and heather as far as the eye could see in every direction.
Walk across railway sleepers that have been in place for about three years making this much more easier passage than before they were there. I disappear ahead wanting to clock up the miles and taking in the views. I come upon the most perfect spot for lunch and decide to rest my back on a bench by a small tributary of the River Sychnant.Rob rolls up as I have drifted off in the heat of the sun. It was the most blissful place for lunch.
On towards World’s End where the views are absolutely breathtaking. This must be Switzerland with high peaks around us but all green with pines and alpine scenes. We stop almost every 10 yards to say ‘wow’ again. We then start the walk along the side of Eglwyseg Crags which starts off gently enough. The views remain breathtaking until I see the path ahead and the sheer drops beside the path ahead. I note we have no mobile reception and it is an 11 mile walk back and that I cannot walk the path ahead of me with my fear of heights. 
I take a deep breath look down at the path two feet in front of me and set off with my heart beating like the clappers. It is not helpful coming upon a rock with Dave RIP who clearly died falling off this path. It is also not helpful seeing Rob (the mouflon sheep from Cyprus) who has no fears of heights clearly very worried about the path ahead and walking gingerly round corners. I can’t believe I have gone this path and had I known ahead of time there is no way I would have taken it on.
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