A New Angle on the Wales Coast Path

One of the features of the Wales Coast Path (WCP) is the incredible variety of things that one can experience as you progress along it. History, wildlife, geology, people, culture and language all spring to mind. Another aspect relates to the sea, such as rib-rides, boat trips in the Menai Strait, or journeys to Bardsey Island. But, if you really want to experience the sea and its interface with the land, then there is no better way of doing this than through the new sport of coasteering. This was originally pioneered in Pembrokeshire, but it is now plentiful in North Wales and it is offered from the Porth y Swnt Centre in Aberdaron, and from several places on Anglesey. Not only that, but it has now been announced that a Welsh company; Outdoor Active, has been awarded the contract for delivering the Anglesey Council coasteering sessions for 2014. So, it's time to book your FREE coasteering session worth £40 per person!

Below is the link to the web page with the details of how to book a session over this summer. Please follow the instructions and contact them with your preferred dates. They will reply to all messages, but please be patient as demand for these sessions is high and admin time is limited!

http://www.outdooractivesports.co.uk/summer-coasteering-sessions/

Archaeological Walk - Clynnog Fawr

Last Saturday, Peter was lucky enough to attend an archaeology walk at Clynnog Fawr. The walk was led by Mr Rob Evans of the Gwynedd Archaeological Trust and was well attended as the weather was fantastic.

As you can see from the above map, Clynnog is positively stuffed with points of historical interest! The red line traces a circular route that can be walked (at low tide) starting at Clynnog and then heading to the coast, and then back along the main road.

St Beuno's church is unusually large for the area, due to its status as an assembly point for pilgrims on the way to Bardsey. The site was already important as the location of St Beuno's ministry, and donations from the pilgrims allowed for the construction of an impressive and spacious church.

The entrance to the chapel of St Beuno. This is a smaller chapel to the side of the main church, that is not usually open to the public.

A pilgrim's stone within the chapel. Traditionally pilgrims would trace out the shape of the cross with a finger to bless themselves.

Just outside the church is a private house that used to be a coaching inn.

The eastern end of the church was typically reserved for important members of the community, such as the priest or local aristocracy.

A sundial in the churchyard. Unfortunately the "gnomon" or spike that casts the shadow on the dial is missing.

St Beuno's well on the west of the village. Many of the holy wells in this part of Wales are in fact pre-Christian in origin. The earlier celtic religion considered pools of water to be sacred portals between this world and the world of the spirits. When Christianity took hold in the area, the wells were incorporated into the new religion as sites of healing that were blessed by a local saint. It could be argued that this was a means of easing the conversion of non-Christians, by incorporating traditions with which they were already comfortable and familiar.

North of the village is a cromlech. These structures are reasonably common in north Wales and Anglesey. Although they may superficially resemble a miniature stonehenge, they are actually supports for a burial chamber, and would have been completely concealed by a mound of earth after erection. Tombs such as these would have been prepared for important personages, such as a local chieftain. 

If you look closely, you may be able to make out some small circular depressions here on the capstone of the cromlech. It is thought that these were carved out deliberately and have some sort of religious significance.

Puzzles in Llangwnnadl

Peter took a party of walkers along the Wales Coast Path yesterday and they diverted inland from Porth Colmon to visit the ancient church of St. Gwynhoedl.

You can make this a circular walk if you park at Porth Colmon or at the picnic area at Traeth Penllech beach. If starting at the picnic area, turn left at the exit of the car park and left again through the copse of trees to the gate into the field. Cross the fields to Traeth Penllech, taking care on the slippery approach down to the beach. If the tide is out you can head west along the beach, then up onto the cliff top path the other side of the ravine. When you get to the little cove at Porth Colmon, head south along the tarmac road. There is a campsite along this stretch on your left, with a little cafe that is open during the summer. Pass the chapel and go straight over the cross roads, before heading down hill to St Gwynhoedl's church on your left. After visiting the church, retrace your steps for a short distance on the road until you come to a footpath on your right that will take you north across the fields to rejoin the road that returns you to the picnic area.

St Gwynhoedl's is a church of ancient foundation but which was largely rebuilt in the early 16th century to accommodate large numbers of pilgrims. The visitors were intrigued by two puzzles -

The first is a stone in the wall of the south aisle. this is not the gravestone of Gwynhoedl because that is now in Plas Glyn y Weddw, Llanbedrog. It appears that this stone was unearthed in the churchyard before being installed in the wall in more recent years. It is a pilgrim's stone, on which pilgrims would have followed the sign of the cross with one hand whilst crossing themselves with the other.

Similar pilgrim stones have been found at other churches with a tradition of pilgrimage. Here is one from the church at Clynnog Fawr.

The second puzzle is the gravestone by the church door which tells of a gentleman who passed away in October 1746 aged 93. "He lived under 9 sovereigns". The challenge is to name them. Go on, have a go without using Google!

Opening at Porth y Swnt

On Thursday June the 26th, the great Aberdaron project, named Porth y Swnt, was opened by the Minister for Industry and Tourism, Edwina Hart. This project was financed by the Welsh Assembly Government, European Structural Funds and the National Trust. The total cost (including land and buildings acquisition and construction and fitting out) is believed to be in the region of 3.8 million pounds. On the back of this investment many local businesses have made significant improvements to their facilities - a huge new bakery, a baguette shop, a fish and chip shop and refurbishment at the Ship Hotel.

Opening day at the centre.

Edwina Hart talks to the press.

Tristam of the National Trust explains their hopes.

This project has not been without its critics. The capacity constraint in Aberdaron during the season has always been the size of the car park and some have said that building on the car park was therefore an act of lunacy. Many visitors have been nonplussed by the exhibits which might appear to resemble a contemporary arts display, or a very personal interpretation of the Llyn by someone who perhaps has rarely been there.

A visitor explores "The Deep" an evocation of the sea.

This chair symbolises the pilgrims who historically took ship for Bardsey Island from near Aberdaron.

There are a number of poetry exhibits, imaginatively displayed. 

These poems, along with a short film relating to Bardsey Island, form "The Way" exhibition,

The lenses that were formally installed in the Bardsey Lighthouse form the centrepiece of the exhibition "The Light".

This interactive display represents the tidal currents in "The Sound".

There is an open air section called "The Fold" where the visitor is expected to take stock, reflect at the end of the journey and plan where to go next.

This is an English translation of the Welsh poem by Cynon that greets you at the door as you arrive.

Supporters of the centre say that it is clearly imaginative and that modern interpretation centres don't actually set out to teach anything. They are about concepts, feelings, journeys and reflection. Come and see for yourself and let us know what you think.

Halkyn Walking Festival 14th July

These walking festivals are getting better and better! Halkyn Walking Group, part of the Troedio Clwyd Walks, are to celebrate their 10th Anniversary this year is style with a week-long walking festival, taking in the best of this special area’s rich heritage, history, wildlife and stunning views. Surely there is no other walking festival that includes lead mines, hillforts, secrete chemical warfare plants, limestone kilns, castles and not forgetting buffalos all in one!

The festival starts on Monday the 14th of July with a gentle evening stroll leaving from the Upper Ship Inn in Bagillt at 7pm (3 miles, 90 minutes) featuring the Coast Path and Milwr Tunnel.
Tuesday the 15th brings the delights of the Wepre Park and Castle (meet at Wepre 11am), followed by an evening walk at 7pm through woodland and the Ruby Brick Works, starting at the Red Lion Rhosesmor (3 miles, 90minutes).

Visit Flint Castle and the Wales Coast Path on Wednesday (16th) (starting from the Jade Jones Leisure Centre 3 miles, 90 minutes) and discover Old Caerwys in the afternoon (meeting 2pm at Caerwys Golf Club, 3 miles, 90 minutes).

Wednesday Evening (16th) brings a choice of either stepping back in time to the Iron Age with a walk to a Hillfort (2-3 miles 60 minutes) or a longer walk to discover Moel Fagnallt (4-5 miles 90 minutes), both walks starting from the Blue Bell Inn at 7pm.

Two walks with quite different destinations again leave from the Blue Bell Inn on Thursday (17th) in the afternoon (2pm), walkers have the option of visiting an Industrial Landscape (4-5 miles, 90 minutes) or to meet the owners of the local buffalo farm (2-3 miles). A more strenuous evening walk will follow at 7pm to discover Nant y Fflint (4 miles 120 minutes).

Friday starts with a choice of a 2 or 3 mile walk through Rhydymwyn Valley Works (60 and 90 minutes) starting at 10am. In the afternoon, there is an opportunity to practise your Welsh while you walk, starting again from the Blue Bell in Halkyn (2/3 miles, 60 minutes). Limestone pavements and kilns will feature in the evening walk starting from the Crooked Horn Brynford (3-4 miles 90 minutes)

And still there is more, with a Saturday woodland walk (6 miles, 2-3 hours),a Quarries and Lead Mines walk (4-5 miles, 90 minutes) or a Halkyn Church Walk all starting at 10:30 am from the Blue Bell Inn on the Saturday. If you have ever thought you’d like to give Nordic walking a go, now is your chance with some tuition at 1pm with a 2 mile walk to the Trig Point leaving at 2pm.

To finish off, a hillfort and 3 peak walk, leaving  the Blue Bell Inn at 10:30 on Sunday (20th), 5 miles, 90 minutes, followed by a treasure hunt for children at 2pm again starting from the award winning Blue Bell Inn . What is even better it is all for free, no need to book just turn up and have a good time. For more information, or a copy of the programme, visit www.walkaboutflintshire.com, email loggerheads.countrypark@denbighshire.gov.uk, or ring 01352810614.

Brush up on your navigation

The irrepressible Corwen Walking Festival team have got together with Cotswold Outdoor to offer a free navigation training day on the 27th of July as a prelude to the main festival at the end of August. Just turn up at the Rhug Estate Conference Centre on the A5 at 9:30 am. Come prepared for a walk in the hills, with suitable clothing, a packed lunch and drinks, and a 1:25,000 scale map of the OS Explorer map number 255 for Llangollen and Berwyn. Also bring a magnetic compass if you have one.

Skills Covered will include recognising map symbols, understanding map scales, ground shapes and contours, measuring distances, taking bearings and estimating time and distance. There will also be practical sessions out on the Berwyn mountains including micro navigation.

For more information on clothing and equipment please visit the Corwen Walking Festival website. Please email Kandslayt@virginmedia.com to confirm your attendance.

Discover Wales

We were recently sent a flyer from Discovering Britain, about a new walk around the Dee Estuary. If you go to the website you will find not only the map, but also an audio guide which you can download to your phone or MP3 player, and even a GPX file that you can enter into your GPS or GPS enabled phone. It's fantastically detailed for a free site, and well worth checking out.