Offa's Dyke Path

Pentre nr Chirk → Llandegla

Distance: 16.02 miles
Ascent: 743 metres
Duration: 5 hours 28 minutes

The rainy day
« Not walked | Not walked »

I knew it couldn't last. Ever since setting off nine days ago I've managed to stay broadly dry, but this morning I woke up to the sound of heavy rain hammering down on the roof of the B&B. I enjoyed an hour of sunshine in the middle of the day and another as I finished off the walk so it's not been entirely bad, and certainly not a patch on the downpours I endured on Glyndŵr's Way last summer. My new waterproofs have proved themselves very well.

The highlight of the day was undoubtedly Pontcysyllte Aqueduct. Even without its quantitative achievements (longest and oldest in the UK, highest in the world) this would be a remarkable piece of engineering. It famously only has a protective fence on the towpath side of the canal, resulting in an exhilarating sense of exposure to the drop to the river 38m below.

The weather forecast for tomorrow is much colder and dry but with very strong winds. It'll be a long walk over the mountains.

Notes for future walkers:

• Accommodation is scarce in Llandegla, but the camping pod at Bryn Dŵr turned out to be perfect: basic but sufficient. (They even provided bedding, which is normally excluded in the pod.)
• Food options are likewise limited. Be sure to arrive early and stock up from the wonderful Llandegla Community Shop.
• It's well worth popping into St Tecla's church to find out about the nearby well and look at the stunning painted window.