Day 6 & 7 - Machynlleth to Llanbrynmair and Llanbrynmair to Dolanog

Stats before starting the Glyndŵr's Way

• 134.67km / 83.68 miles in 5 days.

• 177,907 steps

• 2,901m Elevation Gain - The equivalent of climbing and descending yr Wyddfa / Snowdon (1,085m) twice, plus over three-quarters of Pen y Fan.

• £890 raised for Volunteer Zambia Foundation.

• 28 hours walking.

• 4 howies Merino Wool kit worn.

• Countless kind people from campsite owners, family, friends and strangers.

• 14 protein bars & Nutella brunch bars were eaten.

• 2 injuries (nothing too serious thanks to MB Podiatry for the support).

• 38 litres of water drunk.

Thank you all for the donations, and the words of support and encouragement so far. It’s meant the world and pushed me to “just keep walking”.

Day 6: Machynlleth to Llanbrynmair (23.5km / 859m elevation gain / 4hrs 49mins walking)

Following the completion of walking the Ceredigion Coast Path in 5 days, optimism was high, especially after watching Cardiff City win a game of football and spending a night in bed at Llwyn Lodgings in Machynlleth. Machynlleth has a long history of settlement dating back to the Bronze Age. However, the market town is known for being the seat of Owain Glyndŵr following his coronation as the Prince of Wales in 1404, and subsequently home to the Parliament in Wales.

The weather once again was on my side, yet the initial leg from Machynlleth to Penegoes, while low-level and relatively flat, brought a brisk chill to the start of the day.

The day became challenging as the path climbed up steep grassy tracks surrounded by sheep, continually going in and out of farm gates. My first views of the day came around Bryn Wg, where I could see slopes of bracken and gorse bushes, and then in the distance fine views across the Dyfi Valley to the Eryri National Park.

The day continued with beautiful views as the trail carried on rising, occasionally falling into small villages such as Abercegir and Cemmaes Road and climbing again through small wooded paths.

I was extremely excited to reach Llanbrynmair, where I was staying with Jo and Andy, the owners of Siop y Pentref - Wynnstay Stores and Wynnstay House Bed and Breakfast. As their B&B was fully booked, they were both kind enough to welcome me into their home for the evening and treat me as if I were part of the family.

I ate cake and drank some coffee after almost 5 hours of walking, and met the women of the Llanbrynmair 'Gin Thursday's' club who showed such kindness to a smelly outsider with a bag blocking the doorway.

I had a wonderful evening and morning with Jo, Andy and the family, and was entirely grateful for their support and kindness. They once again highlighted that the world is full of kindhearted spirits, and I can't wait to return to stay in the B&B with my partner in the future.

Day 7: Llanbrynmair to Dolanog 37.5km / 820m elevation gain / 6hrs 20mins walking

Most guides for the Glyndwr's Way can be ended early at Llanddwyn, however in my bid to try and break records, I continued a further 8km to Dolanog in what was my longest day walking so far.

On an exceptionally windy day, tackling the elevation gains became hard work, compounded by the rainfall from the previous night which turned the path into muddy terrain. I followed a grassy crest high above Llanbrynmair which dipped into a forested area high on Panylau Gwynion.

It was here, battling wind on upwards climbs that I missed a signpost directing me down a worn-down track and into a boggy forest. So I trodded along for 2 miles past Llyn Gwyddior not realising I was heading completely the wrong way.

Shortly after, I found myself trudging through deep bog, contemplating whether to cut short the walk at Llanddwyn. Following a phone call to my partner, Meg (during which I may have shed a few tears, a rare occurrence for me), I picked myself up and pushed on for the final 10km to Dolanog. Meandering across various terrain, roads and country paths, I eventually arrived at 5pm, ready for food and to put my feet up.

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