I was woken up by two cars around 2:50 am. They asked if I was okay and the conversation went:
“Have you guys been in the mine?”
I went “no, I’m on the Slate Trail and it was late so I camped… Are you the landowner?” (Thinking I needed to move on)
– si you’re just camping? No, we’re Mountain Rescue! Are you okay?
– yes, just asleep! 😆
The guy tapped my hand as I saw his mountain rescue jacket.  They went on in their cars.
I feel stupid because I was half asleep and it felt like a ridiculous situation. I hope whoever they were there for is safe.
It was super windy out there.

They passed by again at 4:30 am, and wished me good morning!
I got up at 5:20 am, made hot chocolate and porridge, and enjoyed the dawn chorus.

Feeling tired but upbeat enough, I ate breakfast and freshened up (with wipes!). I hoped to break camp before 7 am. Checking my Camelback water levels, I found I had more than I thought for the day. I left a little after 7 am and started the walk with a big slope, feeling cold until I reached a sunny spot. The sounds of nature (no cars etc) were amazing.

Taking a break at 470m altitude, I had a protein bar for a snack.
I climbed about 215m in the first hour or so. I only did a mile in an hour. Little did I know at that point that it would be my pace the whole day.
It was so beautiful up there.
It was hard to see the path amidst the ruined houses, and then I spotted two cars with tent boxes, and wondered how they got there considering the terrain but also perhaps if that was related to the mountain rescue in the night. The climb up Croesor quarry was challenging but rewarding.

I reached the highest point in the trail. It was amazing.
I had climbed 280m in 1h30 since I started this morning. That was only 1.3 miles but hard with the climb!
According to my watch, I got to 541m altitude. The weather was perfect. I took photos and could see the tiredness in my eyes.
I took my jacket and fleece off and applied sunscreen.

I walked the wrong way for a bit at the Croesor quarry but eventually went past the waterfall and slowly (it was so hard to go down in the slate slope) got down to the bottom, then to the Lakeside café in Tanygrisiau.
I had a veggie full English and coffee and got a litre of water for my pack. I forgot to get my Llwybr Lechi Eryri passport stamped, for one I was in one of the places who can do it.
After a meal and replenishing my water supply, I continued towards Blaenau Ffestiniog.

Encountering blocked paths and abandoned cars, the journey became less pleasant. However, the view improved as I approached Blaenau Ffestiniog. Just before Blaenau Ffestiniog, encountering six boys walking with cans of drinks and with a shovel echoed a vibe from the movie “Stand by Me.”

Arriving in Blaenau Ffestiniog, I stocked up on water and purchased a USB charging plug. It was such a long slog between Blanau Ffestiniog and Llan Ffestiniog. The path is definitely the scenic route. It was hot and I kept stopping. I was doing an average of a mile per hour only. But it was pretty.
I didn’t see a soul walking between Blanau and Llan Ffestiniog at all. A lot of sheep. A ewe and two lambs even walked with me for a bit.
This is where I really started to have tired legs. I was checking my phone for options, ready to call it a day when I get to Llan Ffestiniog.

I’ve passed Pengwern Old Hall farm. The area is beautiful but I was then suffering so much (legs were sore and I looked like I was limping even though I wasn’t ) that I didn’t feel I was enjoying this to the fullest.
I’m a grown-up strong independent woman but at that specific point, and until I was in the pub in Llan Ffestiniog, I wanted to throw a tantrum, and just sit on the floor and stay where I was. But I knew I needed to carry on to Llan Ffestiniog at least if I hoped to find accommodation.

As I approached Llan Ffestiniog through the woods, rehearsing in my head how to ask for help for campsite/ B&B and charging for my phone in Cymraeg, I slowed down (even more if that was possible) and did get to appreciate how special and beautiful this place is. The gorgeous woods with moss and low-level shrubs, tall trees, and the noise of the waterfall below. I wondered how come I got this place to myself on a bank holiday – I’d expect locals to come and enjoy it here. It’s so lovely.

An irrefutable sign that I was approaching the town is the whistle of the steam train.
My legs were starting to feel the relief as I could picture stopping for the day.

Those last hills were tough in the woods and then in the field on the way up to Llan Ffestiniog were so tough!
Also, one more part of my left shoulder strap broke on my backpack.

Then this…

Okay, I did slide it over but it wasn’t stretching so I had to hold the gate up to do it.
I don’t mind some challenges but I’m exhausted. This shouldn’t feel like I’m in an episode of Survivor!

I went across the field, uphill, aiming for the walking path post I could see by a gate… Unfortunately, it wasn’t a gate, it was a wooden gate in front of wire. I couldn’t summon the energy to walk back down the field and back up. So I climbed over. It must have been a sight! I wasn’t confident at all! But I did it and also got my foot stuck in the wire and had to entangle myself.
I was all full of dirt by then.

And yet there was a bit more to climb to go to the pub.
I asked for a drink in Cymraeg and also asked if they had rooms for the night and got told no.
I looked on my phone and decided to attempt to call the Treks bunkhouse which was about 30 min walk away.
The owner explained he was fully booked with groups but to try the Pengwern which is where I just got told no. I checked and it was the same place.
I told him they had no room so he asked me to walk back there. He explained he helped run the place and they should take walk-ins. He came over, got them to get me a room and I paid £45 for the night. Such a relief. I couldn’t walk any further today.

I am at that point in the walk I was at on Hadrian’s Wall when I nearly gave up. Similar distance and number of days. I know I can do it but it’s about resting tonight and starting afresh tomorrow.

I’m sat on the window ledge with a cup of peppermint tea, writing this up, after I’ve had a shower. Such luxury. I found hot water to make a meal (pasta) with the last of my chorizo.  I’m charging my power packs, too. I look forward to being warned and feeling better tomorrow!

So it’s goodnight from me.