Coed Pen y Gelli and the Gorsedd Round B 7th May 2009

Normally our best Bluebell wood - Coed Allt-y-tywood. Bluebells in Coed Cornel-cae.
An Early Purple Orchid - is this the flower of the day?

Coed Pen-y Gelli - more Bluebells than we have seen before!

The Watch Tower, often seen, but never actually reached!

Walk stats: Distance: 11.7 miles; Climb:1704'.

Time:5 hours 35 minutes; On the move walking average: 2.6 m.p.g.;Overall walk average:2.0 m.p.h.

Group:Martyn, Richard, Roger, Gorden, Celia, Tito, Sue and Michel.

What a glorious day this was, almost perfect weather for walking! Blue sky, sun and a pleasant breeze for most of the day (a little stronger towards the end of the day!).

The Bluebells were in fine form, although our normally best wood was being "managed" and as a consequence some of the fine avenues of Bluebells had been destroyed. However in compensation some of the other woods visited produced better than ever swathes of Bluebells.

As usual lunch was taken at the Pen-y-Gelli Nature Reserve, where we bsked in the sun, protected from the wind by the sides of the old quarry.
At this time of the year this is always a good walk, and as today, in good weather is always a joy to be on. Best views of the day were across the Dee Estuary towards the Wirral.

Today was a day to admire the many Spring flowers in the hedgerows, the Early Purple Orchid probably being the star!

Birds seen or heard today included:Blackbird, Blackcap, Robin, Green woodpecker, magpie, Woodpigeon, Greenfinch, Pied wagtail, Robin, Housesparrow, Dunnock, Chaffinch, Goldfinch, Lapwing, Carrion crow, Rook, Jackdaw, Greylag goose, Canada goose, Swallow and Buzzard.

After walk drinks were enjoyed at the Britannia Inn at Pentre Halkyn. The J.W. Lees bitter was good , especially the new barrel that was put on while we were there. The welcome at the Britannia is always good, and Sarah (not knowing the history) gave Celia two extra bags of crisps!