24th September This is where things get complicated. On reaching Machynlleth we sat in a fish and chip shop eating chips,watching the rain fall and planning our next move. Looking at the weather and forecast it was obvious that it was going to rain all day tomorrow so I suggested taking the train to Borth , stay at the youth hostel catch the train back tomorrow and walk the 15 miles back to Borth without packs. Having been soaked for the last two days the option of two dry nights was extremely tempting. Finishing our chips we walked to the station and bought the tickets to sunny Borth. Due to the weather the train was delayed by 45 minutes, it was raining everywhere! The journey by train took only 15 minutes and would take us to walk the next day about 5 hours. But as footpaths were limited we would have to walk on the road. The train passed flooded fields and sorry looking cows, I knew how they felt. J looked tired but pleased to have stopped walking for the day. Borth was a typical seaside town with a long seafront which was dreary and wind driven rain lashing us as we walked passed weather worn houses and concrete sea defence and the ' Golden sands ' caravan park to reach an equally worn yha youth hostel. It was not open until five so we huddled out of the wind and rain and took off our burden in the yard behind the hostel. As we did so, resigned for the hour wait the hostel manager came out for a cigarette and let us into the dry hostel. Although not booked in we were able to get our wet gear off and into the drying room. We were to stay there for two nights. It was a fairly tatty hostel, in need of a makeover ,as a fair bit of wear and tear had taken place; shower doors not fitting and shower room window unclosable., torn seat covers and grubby paintwork. However it is used by schools and is the end of a season. We were pleased to be there out of the weather. The male dorm was eight beds of which six were taken. An old gent called Stan ,who was 87, was a friendly soul if a little difficult to communicate with due to his lack of hearing aids, so our walk of 5000 miles was reduced to 5. To allow me to repair a few things J cooked rather decadent ciabbattas which were a treat. I sat in the tv room watching the various flood warnings, 73mm had fallen in central Wales and about five miles from home in North Yorkshire 112mm at Ravensworth.

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