Day 8 – Llanbrymair to Llangadfan

 I woke feeling tired and in need of more sleep but the legs and feet felt good.  I thought they’d finally got used to what I was asking of them.  I descended at 7.30, which felt incredibly early but is over an hour later than I’d normally get up, and had breakfast in the dining room.  It was, like the rest of the house filled with an assortment of expensive furniture (and a hostess trolley).  I had porridge and then some scrambled eggs.  I was slightly surprised that before we left Richard charged me for the lifts to and from Llanbrynmair.  This seemed a little odd since it was Sue’s suggestion.  I paid but in my head I pulled out a Christmas card list and removed their name.  While I put my boots and gaiters on Richard told me that he made walking sticks as a bobby and often sold them.  He brought some out to show me.  I wasn’t sure if that was my cue to buy one.  I didn’t.  Richard drove me to Llanbrynmair so I could rejoin the walk where I’d left it.  It started with a steep ascent but there’d been a mild frost so the ground was firm underfoot.  The path then took me into a lovely area of woodland. 

 There had been a strong frost in there and even some snow.  I took the time out for some photography.  I haven’t done much over the week.  I haven’t had the time and it’s been a struggle to keep the lens clean and free from falling water.  I’ve noticed that sheep are very camera shy.  I don’t know quite what motivates this but when I first enter a field several will look at me and then urinate.  Is this an aggressive act or meant to intimidate me?  I’ve learned that there are several different types of sheep; small heads, wide heads, white heads, black heads, long legs, chunky legs.  Reading this is like watching QI isn’t it? 

When the path emerged from the woods it was straight into a boggy field.  And then the day started going downhill.  I spent a lot of time trying to find routes through the bog/water since it was consistently at a depth that would go over the top of my boots.  I noticed on three occasions that previous walkers had pulled up the signposts and used them to bridge these mud streams.  It’s dangerous to leave people unable to follow the path but I did use them for some tightrope walking.  I also climbed wooden and barbed wire fences to avoid sludge (I put my woollen hat over the barbs to protect my genitals, thank you for your concern).  As the ground dried out very slightly (or I’d given up on any hope of keeping dry) there were horses and ponies on the moor.  The horses circled me like a ‘West Side Story’ gang but quickly lost interest.  I also saw a fox up there.  It was a real struggle to keep my legs moving with wet boots and wet socks. 

Soaking wet and thoroughly miserable I felt like an escapee from a Barrymore pool party when I arrived at the Cann Office Hotel in Llangadfan at 15.50.  I’d done six miles less than yesterday but only finished seventy minutes sooner and was exhausted.  The member of staff who greeted me was then leaving and had only waited for me.  He put my boots in the laundry room and assured me they would easily dry in there.  The hotel is more of a pub and when that member of staff left I had the entire building to myself.  It’s basic to say the last.  My room is like a Gauntanamo cell with a Floral Border.  My feet are in a worsening state.  I have several black toenails and the back of my right heel is like an open wound.  The room is more than a little tired.  For the first time in a week I switched off in front of the television all evening.  The pub seemed very busy below me but I stayed in my room and let the X-Factor wash over me.