Day 11 Bodfari to Prestatyn

After yesterday’s tougher than expected stage I had checked the route and profile of the final stage more than once. Every time I did, it was clear that there were two reasonably challenging climbs early on and a lesser one before hitting the streets of Prestatyn for the long, straight run in to the beach and the finish point.

Pete from the (excellent) Farmer’s Arms dropped us off in Bodfari at 9.40 and the first of the three climbs was upon us straight away. With the increased heart rate came the great views. Even though we were no longer in the Clwydian range AONB the scenery was still breathtaking.

We were making good time and envisaged a finish in Prestatyn of about 14.20. That left us plenty of time for the brass band to run through their repertoire and for the Lord Mayor to say a few words….

The progress was steady and in one field we found a football and had an impromptu game of headers and volleys. Kev ‘the carthorse’ Carbery and myself weren’t on top of our game but the Mountain Goat was in great form as goalkeeper of the 5 bar gate.

At one stage Kevin and I decided that GOAT stood for Gone On Ahead Today as MG put a spurt on and left us for dead. The years quickly caught up with the old fella though and we were all soon happily reunited.

A few miles later and Prestatyn hove into view. On the final short, sharp and in my view totally unnecessary, climb up on to Prestatyn Hillside we met up with two walkers who Ian and me had first bumped into on Friday afternoon in Llandegla and nicknamed “Dad and lad”. Dad had walked the path in the 80s and was back for more with son in tow. We met them again at The Dinorben Arms in Bodfari and as we went past them today we said we’d see them on the beach.

It was a long, straight, walk along the shopping street of Prestatyn to the finish line at the beach but it was a welcome sight. 177 miles later and £897 raised for Cuan Wildlife Rescue.

Thanks to lots of people for their support…

To everyone who donated to Cuan Wildlife and will make a massive difference to countless wild animals…

To Kev and Ian who got me over the finish line….

To Col and Ang and Jan who picked my spirits up in Montgomery….

To everyone who read and commented on this blog and made it worth doing and, again, encouraged me along the way….

To Pam who picked me up and dropped me off at the railway station numerous times….

…and to all the pubs, B&Bs, fellow walkers, corner shops, quiz setters and TV presenters. If you’ve ever thought of walking one of Britain’s National Trails do this one. It will get you hooked.