Michael my host with a ponytail
Michael and his wife hiked the C2C a couple years ago and he actually published a book of his crossing norther English.
Sitting in bed (warmer than outside it) sipping a cup of instant coffee, before starting the process of putting the stuff back into the backpack. Actually the packing is fast as all items are kept in plastic bags. Just squeeze air out of bags and shove into pack. Already everything knows where it lives.
Saw a news story on BBC 1 this morning about the Cunard ship lines. Today the three Queens: Mary, Elizabeth (my dad returned home from WWII where he had been stationed in England as a Medic, on the Queen Elizabeth and met his own "Queen" Elizabeth my mom), and Victoria were meeting in Liverpool to celebrate 175 anniversary of the shipping line that started as a mail carrier to other ships, then began hauling immigrants to the New World (America).
Butter curls that I though were noodles (For breakfast? Thought that weird)
Learned that the daughter of last night's hosts, Carol, is an Art Historian in her late 20's, and has just moved to NYC to begin a years work at The Metropolitan Museum of Art to research a bronze statue that is thought to be made by the artist Umberto Boccioni of Italy. The daughter is also fluent in Italian.
Only 38 miles to Welshpool, but I am obviously taking the round about way, and up and down way, because it will be Friday before this walker gets to that location.
Last night's house was the downsize home for the original owner. It still was quite large. He had the architect design it about the snookery (pool, as in pool table) room. When the current owners bought it they hadn't realized how large that room was because the giant pool table took up so much room. That is the space they use for the breakfasts with large glass windows overlooking their garden, the village, and valley below.
The other couple at breakfast was staying at that B&B for 5 nights and were driving daily to hike, go to the beach, or ride steam trains (the husband was nuts about steam trains). Tomorrow they were driving up to Snowdon and would ride the tram up and walk back down. Years ago as a student Mary Nelson and I hiked up and down Snowdon in dense fog/clouds. The couple were in their early thirties. The guy was extremely good looking in could have been actor or model, but he was clumsy and spoke oddly. Not good for either profession unless he wanted to be a comedian.
Chicken knife
Learned that the French Press method for making coffee is called "cafetiere of coffee".
Poached egg for breakfast was from chickens in backyard. One of theses women gave me breakfast, which meant she didn't get a child to raise. :(
Short walking distance from Machynlleth the village of Penegoes was reached. It "has ancient connections with the Princes of Powys...the rectory was the birthplace of Richard Wilson (1714-1782), a landscape artist".
Cafe in a trailer? Wonder if they serve trashy trailer house food? Didn't go inside.
Chewed on a real carrot (not ground down baby carrots) for delicious mile.
Today's continuous Up and Downs gave great views of the distant rolling hills of the Dyfi Valley. How come my route is not on the rolling hills, but steep up and downs? But once the top is attained the views are quite spectacular.
I climbed up from way down below in the valley.
Taking a load off the back, having a rest, having a stretch the back muscles session. Making that backpack be useful as a pillow.
Caravan camping down down below.
Most of the caravans (campers) had that plastic/tarp side room space. Probably needed with the weather here.
Way down in the valley floor to the north was the Afon Dyfi (River Dyfi) which apparently is a salmon and sea trout River. Still keep being surprised how close to the coast line I really am. The Harvey Strip maps being used are just that - strips of sections of the country extending only a few miles beyond where the actual path is marked.
Collection of snacks from the B&B's being carried on the bag. Must start eating the stash of cookies.
Lunch eaten high on a hill is a sheep pasture.
I think this is something used to feed sheep, but I thought it looked like a tiny apartment building on wheels.
Need to study a full view of Wales to get it all figured out. Today I was sure I recognized way off in the distance south of me the high ridge walked two days ago.
Someone on Oregon won the Downton Abbey sweepstakes. BIG DISAPPOINTMENT!!!! And I entered absolutely everyday.
The Wild West (midlands) of Wales.
500 + people from this village also left about 125 years ago for Ohio. Great exodus from mid Wales to the mid west. Andrew, tonight host didn't know anything about the people from across the mountain that also left about the same time. I got to tell him the story of the women who had their spouses killed in the ship so the Wicked captain and crew could have their merry way with them.
This I just read about in the guide book for Glyndwr's Way, well actually the sheets of paper I copied from the book and only now are reading, and daily discarding once each section of the trail has been completed: Llanbrynmair (tonight's village) "has long been known for the numbers of eminent people - artists, writers, politicians- who have grown up in the surrounding hills. Many emigrated to America, prompting the Rev. Samuel Roberts to comment in 1857 in a letter from Cincinnati: 'Of the people born in Llanbrynmair in the last 50 years there are more now living in America than in Llanbrynmair'. This emigration was more often than not forward upon those who left by unscrupulous landlords in Wales."
Sat on the grass outside my B&B for tonight. I arrived a bit early so had a bit of waiting before going to ring their bell (expected time to arrive is between 4-6). I didn't mind waiting because I was HERE! Feet and legs stretched out in front of me with my back up against a sign post.
Wynnstay House B&B in Llanbrynmair
On arrival was served tea and SHORTBREAD!!!
The broccoli I have been craving was flat half dead on the road.
Glyndwr's house? Really?? Not really.
And just for Olivia (from a brochure).
The lady at the place across the street was willing to fix me a Salad with raw veggies rather than one of the cooked meals off the menu. Interesting! No salad dressing, only a dish of mayo (NO) and a platter full of packets of sauces, and a bottle of vinegar, and salt and pepper. Oh well. I ate everything but those pickled beets. Beets and I are not "friends". Left one of the hard boiled eggs also. How many eggs can a person eat before it becomes Bad for the body?
FIRST raw tomato since arriving here!
Main intersection in the village is out my window
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