Welsh1000 Coast Path Run
That’s the Welsh1000 walk for the Alzheimer’s Society done again. I was quite looking forward to it this year as I only had to do Llanrhystud to Aberystwyth and there were apparently people signed up to all of the legs so I would be leading a group at a nice leisurely walk. Last year I was also supposed to be leading this walk, but as no one else was doing it and there was no one to do the next stretch from Aberystwyth to Furnace I ended up running the whole 26 mile section myself.
Things seemed a little more organised this year though and I had even received a big banner and a box of ‘T’-shirts for the participants to wear. I had hoped that the Scouts would do it as well. They were all invited but none of them wanted to do it so they weren’t going to be there. Anna wasn’t up to walking that distance and Morgan didn’t want to do it either so in the end I headed off to Llanrhystud on my own to meet the others that had signed up for walk 30 of the Welsh1000.
Where is everyone?
The plan was to meet at 8:30am so as to start the walk at 9am. I of course was quite early so sat there in the car park listening to a podcast. 8:30 came and went and there was no one there. 8:45 came and went too, as did 9:00am. It looked as though I was going to be on my own again. Well, if that’s the case I may as well run it so as to finish early enough to do some other things later in the day. On went my running shoes. I took the map and the first aid kit out of my bag as they were only there in case I needed them as a leader of a walk. I was now solo so could travel light and cover the ground a little quicker.
There were no groups of people to take photos of the banner with, no people to hand ‘t’-shirts out to, just little old me. I did wear one of the ‘T’-Shirts and took a quick selfie as I set off.
Welsh1000 Selfie
Welsh1000 Llanrhystud to Aberystwyth
I wasn’t planning on running hard and fast, just a gentle bimble along the coast path. I had after all done quite a hard run yesterday morning and had been for a sea swim and surf-ski paddle in the evening. Today was supposed to be a rest day, so I was going to take it easy and stop of to find a few geocaches along the way.
I did put in a bit of an effort up the first hill just because I could, and managed to get a 2nd overall trophy on Strava.
This little effort up the hill meant I had to retrace my steps and go back down it a little to find the first geocache. This was called Sadies View and has been there for years. I’ve often planned to find it but have never quite got around to it. I found it today though and continued on my way.
More geocaches
The sun had been shining and it was a lovely still day when I left home, but it was a little cloudier here with a stiff NW breeze to keep me cool. The coast path was looking good though, it was very dry under foot and the gorse smelled delicious.
Coast Path
I made my way along the familiar coast paths and was soon at Penderi cliffs where another 3 geocaches in quick succession awaited. These were quickly found and the log books signed. I continued on my way with another two geocaches to find and soon had Aberystwyth in my sights.
View to Aberystwyth
I’d messaged Anna to meet me there at 11:30am so that she could give me a lift back to the camper in Llanrhystud. I made my way down the steep slope to Tanybwlch beach and along the top into Aberystwyth where I met Anna at exactly 11:30. Perfect timing. It was then just a quick drive back to the camper and a drive home. Once at home I spent the afternoon gardening, eating cake and cooking up a huge curry.
Not quite the social, fund-raising walk I had expected but I’d done my part for the Welsh1000 walk once again and in doing so helped raise some money for the Alzheimer’s Society. Hopefully the other walks around the country were better attended.
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Its such a shame when people don’t do what they say they will, never mind though you did your bit….again xx