Rhyl to Llandudno – Bracingly Wonderful

Today, dear Reader, I walked from Rhyl to Llandudno, as the subject title suggests. I’m not one to use foul language but, and I’ve never used this word before, it was BLEEDING cold. Thanks Vera.

It was raining when I woke up, leading me to the mistaken conclusion that today would be a bit warmer. Stupid boy Smith. A full Welsh breakfast in the travelodge and then I was straight on to the sand at low tide. Looking back the hotel looked Soviet.

The beach had a fair share of flotsam and sea shells. How pleasant it is.

It was windy and cold but I was focused on the next 17 miles. The weather varied between cold/sunny and cold/rain and hail.

But it was great. I’m not complaining.

The coastal villages and residential developments are below high tide level. Even a fool can see that. Hello!

So it looks like millions are being spent on sea wall protection and improvement.

I love walking along the beach. However cold or warm it is. Then a boulder wall blocked my path, and climbing it I saw a big river on the other side! Higher than the beach.

Up and round.

And on the way was this amazing display of Razor Clam shells, all lined up by some force of water at some time.

This end of Rhyl, the Marina end, is much more attractive.

Although the wind was strong and the weather was very variable, cop this beautiful shot of the offshore wind farm with rain clouds scooting across from the north west and a seabird not quite knowing what to do.

I was making good time but the beach was exposed and the periodic, manic sleet and hailstorms really hurt.

The flash storms and the cloud gaps, letting the sun through, were a great combination for seaward rainbows and earthbound seabirds.

After five miles of beach walking I reached the end of Rhyl beach and looked back through a sun blessed foreground to an evil storm. I think this is the best photograph I have ever taken.

I followed the coast northwards, although the sand gave way to rocks, which eventually became covered in something I thought resembled coral.

At the same time there was another rock wall across the beach, so I decided to climb the cliff, up to a proper path. And looking down I saw that the rock wall had hidden a substantial river, pushing out into the sea. Complete with rainbow.

I made further good time along the cliff path heading towards Colwyn Bay. My rucksack feels around 12kgs, although I haven’t weighed it, but that’s not a bad weight.

This was a mad bloke, semi-naked, heading down to the sea. He actually went swimming!

After an hour of cliff path slog Colwyn Bay appeared, drenched in sunshine!

The coast was becoming much more natural and interesting. I like it now.

Colwyn Bay afforded me the opportunity for a fish bap, dear Reader, and I needed it after nearly five hours of non-stop walking.

Then I headed along the coast to Rhos on Sea, on the coastal path, and then up and over a cliff buttress, which blocked the way to Llandudno and needed to be climbed.

Climbing over to Llandudno the sun came out again and lit the south face of the cliffs.

Before the first view of Llandudno was revealed.

An elegant resort and a decent 17 mile slog today.

Night night.