Conwy to Llanfairfechan walk, 5th August 2012

Despite the lovely weather the driver on the X5 bus from Llanfairfechan to Conwy had the heater running, so it was a relief to walk down to the waterside by Conwy Castle for the start of the walk. With a sprinkling of familiar faces from other groups among the sixteen walkers the half mile walk along the river side walkway was a nice gentle start to the day. The steep little climb up Conwy Mountain was rewarded with elevenses taken under a blue sky, looking out over a perfect sea and coastal panorama. It was hard to imagine that the river just below us was the location for the construction of the huge Mulberry Docks used in France after the D Day landings in 1944.

There was some disappointment that the usual ice cream van was not present as we crossed the road at Pen Sychnant before heading west on the North Wales path. The easy gradients, grassy paths and sweeping views were well appreciated, though after lunch the low cloud we could see across Anglesey eventually came sweeping over the hills, enveloping us in mist. We gained more walkers then, as two girls on holiday from Dublin, who had failed to find the 'Druids' stone circle, walked with us, leaving with some atmospheric photos of the stones, the swirling mist and us. That their voluntary job in Dublin involved looking after the elderly and bewildered seemed most appropriate ...

Another few minutes walking saw the mist vanish, to be replaced by views over the Menai Straits and the valley sweeping down to Llanfairfechan. Route finding easy now, with a little bit of jigging around on the edge of the village dropping us nicely into the village centre. Here a pub garden and sunshine delayed the finish of the walk for most of us, a pleasant end to a 'verified by Guto' ten mile walk over some delightful country.

Dave