Lead: Graham
One lucky fellow turned up early at Wick Village Hall ready to welcome his companions for the day’s short walk who turned out to be four lovely and charming ladies. Safely masked we set off promptly in two cars for Sigingstone and parked alongside the wide road which runs parallel to a section of runway at the disused Llandow airfield, the significance of which would be revealed later in the day.
It was sunny and warm but with a cooling breeze as we made our way along the lane and into Sigingstone where we turned left to pass the Victoria Inn. After about a kilometre we veered sharply right to follow the narrow lane down towards Llanmihangel along which the drifts of great hairy willowherb and meadowsweet threatened to overwhelm the road edges. It was remarked later that this summer’s growth appears to have been exceptionally luxuriant.
Crossing the little bridge, which is reputed to be haunted, we rounded the bend to arrive at Plas Llanmihangel, a magnificent 16th century Tudor mansion built upon the site of an earlier 13th century house. Grade I listed the property has been on the market for some time at £1.3 million! Entering the churchyard opposite we peered into St Anne’s well but were denied access to the church by the firmly locked door. However, a convenient bench on the north side of the church proved an ideal spot for refreshing our thirsts. Sadly, a new headstone nearby commemorated the deaths of Mr and Mrs Beer, the last occupants of the Plas.
Retracing our route for a short distance we then took the lane past Park Farm to re-enter Sigingstone near the village pond where we viewed the memorial to the victims of the air disaster of March 1950 when 80 passengers and crew died when a plane carrying rugby supporters from Dublin crashed nearby.
It is possible that we had parked our cars on the runway where the pilot had attempted to land. Returning to said cars we drove the short distance to ‘Topstak’ for well-earned tea or coffee to round off a pleasant and entertaining morning in excellent company.
Many thanks to my companions, Graham.
Wick Wanderers 