North Wales Pilgrims Way – Day 2

Tremeirchion to Llansanan

We woke to all the wonderful hospitality that gods house provides. The candle was still burning and the air was oddly warm.

We made tea and packed up, Lou was grateful to have a small curtain and mirror to perform her morning ablutions by, she ran the hoover around and we departed, locking up with a massive meaty key and stowing it according to instructions.

The morning was bright and chilly, feet were immediately dampened in wet grass. We strutted across beautiful broad fields with big wide views.

Within 5 miles we’d reached St Asaph. Church was about to be in service and a lovely lady who is on the NWPW committee was keen to chat. I’m known for my pleasantries as it often gets us lucky nights in churches and camps spots in pub gardens. Snake Legs generally doesn’t like to talk to people and Lou, in this particular instance was so set on finding a toilet, that after a very brief/zero introduction to this lady, the Mayer of St Asaph and part of the congregation, she asked if she could use their toilet.

Bells ringing , organ sounding Lou was happily on the loo.

We found a sunny spot in the park and breakfasted while lovely locals passed by and gave us very long and detailed descriptions on where we were going next and where we’d come from.

The day started with no intentions of being anything other than sunny and joyful and bright. Upon leaving St Asaph and (im)patiently waiting for Lou to faff to the highest degree (she had to ‘nip’ into coop and I watched her read the label on the back of a water bottle) we marched at great speed along the next section of beautiful minor road. Autumn felt in full swing , hedges had been neatly clipped and leaves were littering the paths. We passed farms and mounted hills and evaded interested cows and their many shits while the weather turned to the temperament of a rightful October day in Wales becoming grey and cold and foreboding.

Just in time for lunch, a bus shelter appeared in a place far from anywhere I can ever imagine a bus ever being. Apart from a loaded pack of pork medallions which had been there since July, the shelter was surprisingly piss-less in odour and the seats perfectly sit-able. We did so through our mixed lunches of cheese, bread, cracker and general ‘brown’ items before vulnerably heading off into the cold wind which was now all about us.

5.5 miles to the pub. Eric was entirely sick of being made to mount poorly constructed and maintained stiles and would evade capture at most of them until being reluctantly lured back in with treats and hauled over the top. She was always so pleased with herself once over the other side that she thought herself deserved of yet more treats on arrival.

The way is almost absent of any kind of path , Lou has exclaimed on may occasion now that she doesn’t think this is a well-used trail. I’m inclined to agree. Even after she announced this for the 9th time. It follows a large amount of underused footpaths with no desire lines left though fields. I like this about the trail , the way isn’t obvious and my outdated paper maps from 1974 are testing me. Though, it does make for slower going.

Just as the day began to darken and rain began to threaten, we made it to Llansannan red lion. Within 4 minutes of arrival we’d been offered a static caravan or a pitch in the pub garden and, once again, the church to sleep in tonight . I think the tired poodle does a lot to win people over. We opted for the church on account of it being opposite the pub and not requiring us to set up a tent and of course the 2nd opportunity to fulfil my dream of sleeping in a church .

A local lady made some calls and assured us that ‘Gareth ‘ just wouldn’t lock up tonight. Marvellous.

Gareth arrived and put the heating on, drew our attention to the tea and coffee making facilities and suggested we lock ourselves in overnight . Thanks Gareth !