Able-bodied in Aberystwyth (more or less)

 

Nearly 12 miles today from Llanrhystud to Aberystwyth, the first mile of which was getting from our accommodation back to the coast path.

It was a coolish overcast day, but luckily not a cloud blanket, so we enjoyed the lovely variety of blues and greys out to the horizon.

The walk was very attractive, undulating over cliffs, some quite precipitous, and mostly home to bracken, gorse, and a few sheep fields.

Quite a long stretch is being actively managed to support bird life, and amongst others you can apparently see peregrins and kestrels. We definitely saw birds of prey patrolling the cliffs, but checking afterwards we think they looked more like red kite. Quite hard to tell from a blurry photo!

Aberystwyth appeared and disappeared from view as we navigated various headlands.

Although it was pretty hazy, today was the first time that we could get a reasonable look at the long fingers of the Llŷn peninsula pointing into the Irish sea. The mountains in the distance mark the southern edge of Snowdonia, looking suitably moody.

Eventually, and after a very blowy clifftop cuppa, we descended steeply towards Aberystwyth.

The route takes you along the first beach,  right around the harbour, past the castle ruins and along the promenade, where we gratefully stumbled into the Premier Inn for our penultimate night.

Dinner was at Arabic Flavour. We read a Jay Rayner review of this place earlier in the year and made a mental note, should we be in the area. 

I say 'we'; Joff made a mental note, and has been looking forward to it ever since we decided to do this walk.

The young cook is a Syrian refugee, and she offers delicious dishes inspired by that country, and Greece, primarily.

So good, definitely worth a visit. 

Em x