Time for a longer walk - and a trip down Memory Lane

While I was researching Oswald's Trail (Day 2 of my upcoming trek) I fell down one of those rabbit holes on the internet (as you do) and came across the rail rambler’s organisation. I noticed they were doing a 9 mile walk today around my old stomping ground in Wales, and decided to give it a try. I bought my train ticket to Ruabon and turned up on Shrewsbury Station with little idea of what to expect. Would there even be anybody else there? I need not have worried, there were 17 assembled on the platform, easily recognisable by their walking boots and backpacks.

Over the years many people have said to me “Oh I couldn’t sign up to walk/go on holiday/share a room/tent with a bunch of strangers like you do!”. Well, yes it can be a bit daunting but it has never gone wrong for me yet and walking with a group of strangers is more fun than walking alone with less chance of getting lost! 

As always, the group members were very friendly and welcoming with interesting stories to tell. The train journey flew by and before I knew it, we were spilling onto the platform in Ruabon, site of many an arrival and departure when we lived in Rhosllanerchrugog.

 

The walk was delightful, lots of really pretty and varied terrain, some very interesting stiles to negotiate, and a welcome finish in the lovely pub by the station. I was amazed that all this had been on my doorstep for 20 years and I never realised or made use of it.

And with a much longer day of walking walking ticked off with no ill effects, I am feeling more confident about my upcoming trek.