Cwtch me if you can: Round Wales Challenge Part 1: Chester to Bagillt

A whole five weeks later than planned, I finally managed to start my challenge.

My bestest friend Jules offered to meet me for lunch at the end of my run, and then drive me back to my car at the start. Much simpler!

I set off pretty early for a Saturday (not as early as last Saturday, thank goodness!) and arrived in Chester at a decent hour. However, it took me a while to find a way to get to the start of the path. I parked about a mile along the path and jogged back to the starting point.

The first part of the path was, as expected, along the shared foot/cycle path to Queensferry. Lots of friendly cyclists and a few walkers...no runners though. I did wish I had brought my headphones for this bit. I don't usually listen to music when I run, I like to listen to the sounds of life going on around me. Today, I would have appreciated the extra boost that some beats can give. The first part wasn't the most interesting run I've ever done to be fair...

however, there were quite a few different birds around, so I kept my brain occupied whilst running by trying (not very successfully) to work out what they all were.

After passing Saltney Ferry, I crossed the bridge at Quennsferry and the terrain immediately changed from tarmac to boggy riverside field, complete with ducks and cows!! One fine specimen decided it wasn't going to move from the path and looked at me as if to say 'What the ... do you think you are doing running across my field?' Needless to say, I took a little detour - but not without getting a photo!

There were quite a few interesting buildings on the way too. I'm going to do a bit of research and try to find out a bit about their history.

Soon, the field turned into paths again, through a fair few gates and along to Connah's Quay. Somewhere between Queensferry and Connah's Quay was my halfway point (or so I thought...)

The next section varied quite a bit, down little back lanes, along pavements at the side of A roads (definitely not my favourite, I don't like the bits where I'm not next to the sea - it's the Wales Coast Path!!!) but always back to the water in the end.

Connah's Quay Dock was lovely. I had to stop a lot to take photos. I'm going to have to remember to include photo time when I plan expected times for these runs!!! I knew when I started there would be lots to see, and I haven't been disappointed at all.

Loved this sign (on the way into Connah's Quay Power Station, if I remember rightly).

Running through Flint was not a favourite either - big roads, lots of traffic and the WCP was not very well signposted around here (well, not that I saw). In some areas, the only indicator that I

was on the right track were little markers buried in the pavement. I think I missed some...as I was away from the water quite a bit here and I didn't like it. I'm going to have to go back and redo that bit next time!!!

Once I found a way back to the path, past the third football ground of the day (That's a whole other challenge...), it was gorgeous! For the first time I was definitely running by sea, not river, now with the beautiful Flint Castle in front of me.

Right by the castle is the first Lifeboat Station of my journey. I'll be passing a few of those. It reminded me that I need to set up my fundraising page, as I'll be fundraising for RNLI for the Wales Coast Path part of the challenge.

By this point, I'd had a text from Jules, waiting for me at Bagillt - wondering if I was OK! I was, just stopping far too much to take pictures of all the great stuff I was seeing and, if I'm honest, struggling a bit on the last mile...I'd not expected to still be running at this point.

Flint Point was beautiful, and spotted what I later learned was a Millenium Beacon, but the last bit was tough.

A long straight of uneven path, past loads of grumpy fishermen. It just went on and on. But...I turned a corner and there was Jules!!! So happy to see her (and get some lunch 😃). Thanks for your support, lovely lady.