After gazing longingly across the bay yesterday this morning we decided to take the leap and visit Harlech Castle. This isn't as straightforward as it sounds as there aren't that many roads across the bay and the most direct route takes in an ancient, narrow toll-bridge that still employs a man with a stop/go sign:
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| That's quicksand right there! |
However I suppose that's a bit typical of Wales, a bit stuck in the past. Funnily enough the castle itself proved not so stuck what with sword-fighting demonstrations, county maidens stirring great cook-pots and a castle cat or two patrolling the grounds. So there was enough going on to keep everyone occupied and that's without considering the numerous towers and battlements to climb - with and without barriers! And when you're at the top after a strenuous climb? Well the 360-degree views are something special.
After this family entertainment Dan fancied running back to base along the cycle-route; a mere 10 or 12 miles probably! I seriously considered it but in the end caution won out and I hit on an alternative plan to run, instead, along the coast from our flat to Criccieth. Okay this meant going over some of my route from yesterday but after that it would all be new and anyway it's not like I'm here every day of the year am I? Also this meant that I could run along Black Rock Sands which might be interesting as it's hard enough for people to drive on - and so they do!
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| Black Rock Sands without the cars |
What people don't tell you is that it's quite a long beach and there's not much shelter from the wind when it's coming from the wrong direction! On the other hand at least I didn't have to cross the beach twice, like Dan, particularly when you consider that he'd run into trouble trying to cross the sands of the bay and wound up losing his map (but not his shoes)! Instead I enjoyed 10 minutes of barefoot running in the surf after I ran out of beach coming round Graig Ddu (ending up at the stony end of Criccieth) and had to push on to locate the family unit.
After this all I had to do was settle down to some light crabbing, swimming in the surf with Joshua (this is a really shallow beach and so it's surprising just how far you can walk out) and drinking hot chocolate to ward off hypothermia. A typical day at the British seaside really!
Distance: 5.4 miles
Time: 47m 21s