Flint Castle

SATURDAY

Today started early with an 8:00 am drive to Ruthin for the Parkrun at the Memorial Fields. The morning sun and the crisp, cool air made for ideal running conditions. 

I thought I had put in a decent pace and was pleasantly surprised to finish in 17th place with a time of 26:26,  shaving 23 seconds off my previous best time on this course. 

Later in the morning, I spent some time in the garden, planting bulbs for next spring and this afternoon, we made a spontaneous trip to Flint Castle, just a short 30-minute drive away. It’s surprising we’d never visited before, given how close it is. 

Flint Castle, built in 1277 by King Edward I, was the first of the Edwardian castles, strategically positioned on the River Dee. It played a vital role during England's conquest of Wales and later during the English Civil War.

On a walk along the coastal path, we came across several wooden sculptures on "Story Benches," which aim to reflect Flint's rich past and present. The benches featured figures such as a RNLI Helmsman (see extra), a fisherwoman, and a World War I soldier. 

The tide was out, revealing expanses of saltmarsh and mudflats teeming with birds.  

 16,000 Steps