I skipped Flint to Prestatyn for now, as it is around 18-20miles, and I am not quite ready for that distance yet! So I parked in Prestatyn, and got the train to Colwyn Bay instead, to complete this next section of the Wales Coast Path. I met a lovely lady at the train station and it turned out we have work in common, small world! When I arrived in Colwyn Bay, I took the obligatory toilet selfie after a quick wee, redid my shoe laces and wandered off. I double checked with a staff member at the train station which way to go, as this wasn't on all trails, as you go out of the train station you head to the left and it heads to a bridge you wander under- a55 on top? Some cool graffiti in this section, made me excited to see what else there might be to come!
As you pass under the bridge, you can see Colwyn Bay pier, this is the start/end point of this next section, so not to far to wander to get started! This was once known as the Colwyn Bay Victoria Pier, but sadly over time it felt apart, initally it was opened in 1900 and was a much loved part of the seafront. It went 750feet out into the sea, and hosted a wonderful pavillion which entertained tourists and locals alike. Fire ripped through the pier twice, in 1922 and again in 1933, luckily it was repaired and went on to be fabulous for another 70 years. The link above takes you to the ITV blog about the pier, it was on a show called Vanished Wales. It noted, that in later years the pier had lost its popularity and was costly to maintain, with the final blow in 2017, when a storm caused part of the pier to collapse and the building was no longer safe at all. Due to the poor structural stability, it was taken down and what could be saved was, in 2021 the pier was rebuilt- a lot smaller and with no buildings- utilising what they could from the original pier. It is still classed as grade II listed building due to this. The pier
is cared for by a charity- you can get to the page on the link above, they hope to raise funds to expand and eventually install buildings again. They have a charity shop in Colwyn Bay town too!
I pottered on the pier, can't help myself, do love anything over water! Though the tide was out, so it was sand underneath, still good. The sun was shining low, making the beach front look quite magical. Though there was constant wind straight at me, which was a little annoying, adding in resistance- better than blowing hair into my face maybe? I also could not work out how to make the water bladder thing open, I was getting quite agitated about this! Luckily, I bumped into a random lady who has used them, and did it straight away, twist and pull up, not just twist! So grateful.
I was pleasantly surprised at Colwyn Bay beach front, the pier, a load of fun looking wooden seats, a drinks van (super cute), a portable sauna, people exercising on the beach front- looked brutal- cute little sculptures dotted around, a place where a tractor pulls jet skis to the sea, another mini pier! A visual feast to behold. Honestly, this is the shiz I live for on these walks!
Got a call from support Dad along this bit, he offered to drive and bring me drinks if I couldn't work out the water bladder- this is the kind of support Dad we all need! Mood was good here, I was enjoying the visuals, the sun was shining and although it was windy it was only a minor irritation at this point, it was cold and I had wished I had brought a bobble hat! Haha. Once home I googled 'mini pier Colwyn Bay', so it turns out this was created as part of the sea defences which were ongoing in this section for a number of years. Yes, I walked onto it, I just can't help myself! Apparently it may be for fishing in general, but anyone can go on it.
I have driven this section of the A55 many times over the years, just past rainbow bridge- so called because of its arched shape- and I have seen the uphill section and always wondered what it looked like up close. So now was my time, I wandered up to the top of the little hill, and the views were beautiful, even back towards land was stunning, the houses on top must have the best views! Found a cute little shelter and it was a little cliff face which was lovely to stand on top of. This is where you see 'dolus' sea defence structures, which have been in place since the 1980's, there is a huge group of them this side of the path. They look so odd! I can see how they would help to break up large waves though, does make sense!
At this point, you can see where the quarry moves the limestone down to the jetty via conveyor belts. Mining in this area dates back many years, it was named Raynes Quarry in the 1870's after it was bought by James Raynes of Rock Ferry, Birkenhead. It has been upgraded many times over the years, and extended 100metres further out to sea when the A55 was developed to ensure it would be deep enough for the boats. It wasn't on when I was there, which was a shame, would be interesting to watch it moving!
The paths are all solid and pretty smooth, this is also a cycle path so I can appreciate it may be one of the better parts of the coastal path to cycle along as you don't have to go on roads at all, which is nice when walking as well.
I'm not sure what part of the coast the above was part of, but I loved the river running into the sea, so pretty. Wind was still going strong, grateful that it was blowing at me, so at least my hair wasn't constantly in my face...or at least, that was what I kept telling myself!
I walked along the same coastal pathway from the Abergele circular, and stopped here for a wee and a nice hot chocolate. It was still cold and windy, some of the path went across rougher ground, which made my feet more uncomfortable, which was very annoying. I feel my feet suck, they just don't work with me at all!
Called my dad for a chat once I hit Pensarn and saw this cool crab made out of recycled materials, it was too windy to chat, he couldn't hear me at all. Wandering along I got to Towyn, there was the boulder field all this way, you could see the sea but not as close to the beach as other sections. Began to get into my own head at this part, it all felt a little samey and not a lot going on, can't please me, no road, but all coastal path! haha,
Called hubby for a chat/moan as I got to Kinmel Bay, nice little dunes area, before this parts of the sea defences were so high, I couldn't actually see over them. Seems a bit odd! Sea defence work remains ongoing in Rhyl, skies still remained pretty and blue despite the coldness.
I did enjoy the fact that this boat on the right is called 'Luna Sea', unfortunately my zoom wasn't good enough, so you will have to trust me bro.
Went through the childrens village, gosh this is a sad area these days, one shop, some rides and that's all, used to be more vibrant but I believe it is expensive to rent buildings there, hence a lot of empty places. No idea why the graffiti for Rhyl has a Native American on it?!
I stopped at the hub cafe, popped for another wee and got another hot chocolate. I sat outside and took my walking trainers off, wrapped some plasters around my toes- always the middle toes?!- and chatted to my dad. I was so frustrated with my feet, I really didn't think that my feet would be my biggest issue with all this walking, I assumed it would be my muscles letting me down.
Rhyl beach was quite busy, which is lovely to see as the whole area really struggles with poverty and is no longer as desirable as it used to be, I think people are more likely to go to Prestatyn these days.
The stretch along from the hub at the Blue Bridge, to The Nova in Prestatyn, felt like the longest time ever. I just am not sure if long distances are a good idea for me on my own, perhaps I need the company, or perhaps I need more variation? I walked 15.74 miles, in 5hours and 26minutes, with an average pace of 20.44 per mile. Second section of the North Wales Coast Path completed.
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