The Cambrian Way walkers have completed two of the three weeks of their trek along the Cambrian Way, in memory of loved ones who were cared for by Salisbury Hospice. Every step along their journey is helping raise funds so that the hospice can continue its compassionate palliative and end of life care.
With week three postponed until 2027 due to unforeseen circumstances, the walk’s organiser Richard Catton shares his reflections on the second week of the walk in the blog below. Keep an eye on our blog to find out about the conclusion of the walk taking place next year, and please click here to find out more and support the Cambrian Way fundraiser.
Ruminating on week 2 – words by Richard Catton
Week 2 had a different “feel” to it compared to week one – more about being moved by stunning views, isolation, dealing with unforeseen challenges and a sense of exhausted achievement.
Though there were a couple of changes in terms of walkers and drivers the bond and mutual support was still there. We did miss the antics and upbeat personality of our vicar from the week 1 group, but it was great to see a young new member and novice walker – Alex (18 years) “blown away” by these wild, high and isolated places. For him, the environment and the walking were completely novel, but he loved both. Our two drivers were again brilliant – eternal patience through frequent changes to pick up rendezvous and times, unflappably cheerful and excellent cooks.
Of all the stunning views, I’ve included a picture below that typifies what we were regularly confronted by. At the top of another obscure mountain (Garn Gron) in the centre of Wales we could see all the 80 plus miles back to the Brecon Beacons and Black Mountains of week 1, west to the Irish Sea and north to the fringes of Snowdonia and the Lleyn Peninsula forming the North Wales coast. It’s a strange calming effect to turn 360 degrees and take that in – gives a sense of perspective and awe.
Isolation – well there was rarely anyone else up there (picture below of Ty’n-y-Cornel, the most isolated bunkhouse in Wales, where we stayed for the 3rd night). But, again the Welsh people we met in the villages were engagingly wonderful. Bizarre encounters were frequent, including two ladies, church wardens, who proudly gave us a tour of their church (in Mertlyfilt) full of life size characters they had built from the Wizard of Oz and Wicked. They explained in detail how the story and characters could be linked into their church services. Weren’t pilgrimages largely about hearing good stories from strangers? We seem to have learnt the knack of encouraging this.
The unforeseen challenges:
- Frequently the route turned out not to consist of any path or track at all – increasingly the guidebook was referring to “faint paths” and “hardly discernible paths” – euphemisms for “no path at all”.
- 6-8’ high bracken and brambles, sometimes for 4 or 5 miles added to the speculation “where is the path” and “why didn’t we bring scythes”.
- Stiles and gates were replaced by high, barbed wire fences.
The consequence – often walking for 10 hours a day but reflecting 2 weeks later that the benefit of a significant challenge is to have accomplished something we wouldn’t have dreamt of doing. Quite a helpful feeling – though not at the time.
Hence the exhausted sense of achievement when finally, at 8pm on a Sunday evening we arrived at the excellent Red Lion in Dinas Maddwy – great beer and food, and 100 miles further up Wales. Belief we really might get to Conway Castle. Perhaps it’s true – the more you push yourself the more you feel capable of.
Subsequent to week 2, I did 2 days walking a bit of the Cambrian Way alone, partly because I wanted to also check-out the most challenging part of week 3 (the Rhinogs) before taking the rest of the group. So, I completed the high sections going due west from Dinas Maddwy to Barmouth including climbing Cader Idris from the east side (predictably the Cambrian Way always goes the hardest way).
Sadly, whist up there I got a phone call from one of my sons who had just received a serious and unexpected diagnosis. I came straight home and took the decision to postpone the final week until next year. The walkers, drivers and bunkhouse for that week have been great and completely understanding of my situation. So, apologies to all our sponsors for a delay in achieving what we committed to achieving, but we will.
If you are interested in reading a daily journal of week 2 please click here.
