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When? Started: 1993 Who? Started with staff and friends from U H S, Chester. Organiser: Martyn Harris We walk every Wednesday and Saturdays, New Years day and May Day. How many walk? Walks take place as long as there are at least 2 wanting to walk on that day. More walk on a Wednesday than on a Saturday. Most ever: 29. Current group size walking: 2-10 in mid-week and 2-4 on Saturday. Where do we walk? Saturday: Anywhere in North and Mid-Wales, Peak District, Shropshire and the Long Mynd and as far North as the Trough of Bowland. Thursday: Anywhere within about 40 miles of Chester. Type of walk: Distance: 6 – 14 miles (but usually under 10 miles). Climb: up to 4000’ (but usually very much less!). People involved on walks in 2020:- Martyn Harris, Fran Murphy, Sue and Michel Pelissier, Mike Dodd, David Savage, Wendy Peers, Celia de Mengle, Wendy and Ian Peers, Roger Smith, Paul Collinson, Ed Meads, Nigel and Elaine Taylor, Celia de Mengle, Sue Pearson.

Saturday 7 March 2015

Llugwy and Lledr Valley 7th March 2015

The Afon Llugwy as we set off from Betws-y-Coed.
Walking in the Llugwy Valley.
"Are they wild Welsh daffodils?"
The Afon Lledr from the footbridge/
Llyn Elsi from the Monument.
"I now I'm only a Common frog, bu I'm not just a thing!"
Walk stats: Distance: 8.5 miles. Climb: 2479' (GPS wind assisted, probably nearer 2000').
Time: 5 hours 27 mibutes. On the move walking average: 2.3 m.p.h. Overall walk average: 1.6 m.p.h.
Group: Martyn, Roger, Celia and Mike.
We set off from Betws-y-coed along the Llugwy Valley, optimistic that the weather would get better, it didn't until lunchtime! These  were almiost the worst weather conditions for me in my Paramo gear, too warm and cooking from within, glasses steaming up and the feel of rain almost like being in low cloud! Unfortunately we were sheltered from the wind and the expected cooling never arose!
 Consequently the continuous climb along Sarn Helen was a little on the tedious side, but once we were over the highest point it seemed much better.
 Walking along the Lledre Valley we managed to spot a Treecreeper doing what its name says it does. I addition we spotted lots of small dafffodils that led to much discussion as to whether they were truly wild Welsh daffodils.
 Lunch was taken alongside the Afon Lledr at the end of a small woodland, that provided shelter from the wind.
 It was only as we arrived at Llyn Elsi that the skies began to clear and there was a hint of the Sun trying to put in an appearance.
 We arrived back at Betws-y-coed knowing that the steep descent had made our knees happy to be on the flat!
 Birds seen or heard today were few, but included: Common blackbird, European robin, Canada goose, Mute swan, Lesser black-backed gull, Blue tit, Great tit, Dunnock, Jackdaw, Common buzzard, Carrion crow and Treecreeper.
 After walk drinks were enjoyed at the Blue Bell at Halkyn, where several brews were sampled including a bitter from a Brecon brewery, a Ginger beer, a local cider or two, a German sounding lager and even orange squash, as well as cheese and onion crisps!
 Overall a good day out, despite the early disappointing weather.

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