Llanddwywe to Harlech: 10.4 miles (16.8km) +120m -118m (14 October 2016)

From Barmouth we caught the bus to Llanddwywe where we started 2 days previously. This time we headed north through fields until we got to the beach at Morfa Dyffryn which is a national nature reserve.

Just over 2 miles later we came to Mochras which is also known as Shell Island. This is a large camping and caravan site but of course at this time of year was almost deserted. We then headed inland around the disused Llanbedr Airfield to the village of Llanbedr. We then had a short walk along the Avon Artro where we had lunch.

Crossing the river took us to Pensarn and once again down to the coast at Llandanwg. From here we walked above Harlech cliff which gave us good views to Harlech.

We now had a steep descent to the beach and for the fifth time today crossed the railway line.

To finish the walk we had just over a mile to walk along the beach before turning inland the Harlech.

Now, my plan was to catch the 16:29 bus from Harlech back to Barmouth. We needed to get this bus as the next one wasn’t until about 6pm. Unfortunately this walk had taken longer than I had anticipated and as we walked along the beach I had doubts whether we would get to Harlech on time. As we turned inland I looked at my watch and we had less than 10 minutes before the bus was due. At this point some ran, some walked faster and others just kept to their own pace. I had visions of some of us getting the bus and others having to wait 1½ hours.

As we got closer to the bus stop I wondered if we could make it but luckily for us the bus was running a few minutes late which allowed most of us to get to the bus in time. We the took a long time to get our tickets to enable the slower ones to get the bus.

Disaster averted!