Around the Ystrad Valley and Foxhalls 28th May 2015

Setting off in the right direction.

Walking through a Ramson wood (King's Mill Wood) near Segrwyd.

An unidentified purple flower in the meadow at Lawnt.

The remains of Dr Johnson's Cottage in the Ystrad Valley.

Heading for lunch near the Dr. Johnson's Monument.

Dr. Johnson's Monument by the Afon Ystrad.

Bluebells and Ramsons in Coed Coppy.

Nearly the final approach on the path South of Peronne.

Walk stats: Distance: 9.6 miles. Climb: 940' (Mainly in stiles!!).

Time: 5 hours 13 minutes. On the move walking average: 2.2 m.p.h. Overall walk average: 1.8 m.p.h.

Group: Martyn, Roger, Sheila, Sue and Michel, Celia, Annie, Paul, Fran and David S.

The weather forecast was good with temperatures expected to be just above 10 Celsius, with a North westerly wind making it feel a little cooler and no rain. We arrived at the parking area with a shower, thankfully it didn't last more than a few minutes.

 On part of the walk South of Galch Hill, we were entertained by the attempts of a couple of "cowboys" trying to round up some cattle, one on foot and one on a quad bike. We had to wait about ten minutes before we could walk across the field, had we gone earlier, they may have been even longer trying to get the cows to go the way they wanted.

 This time we took the lower path through King Mill Wood, before climbing to the track that goes past the old Sports Ground.

 King's Mill Wood, North east of Segrwyd was magnificently carpeted with flowering Ramsons.

 We decided to take a short cut to Dr. Johnson's Cottage, by using the footpath along the access track to Lawnt, where we saw the unusual purple flower (see above). Hopefully someone from the group will be able to identify it eventually.

 Most of the group had walked past Dr. Johnson's Cottage without noticing it, but it isn't surprising as not much of it is left.

 Lunch was taken sitting on the banks of the Afon Ystrad near the Monument to Dr. Johnson. To our surprise another group were enjoying themselves at our usual spot slightly North of the Monument.

 The walk to Foxhalls took us through the edge of Coed Coppy, where we had our first sighting of Bluebells, still blooming well, despite having to compete with Ramsons.

 We arrived back at the car, with tired legs, having been challenged by lot of stiles, some of which weren't exactly friendly to at least one member of the group with knees that don't bend as much as they should.

 Birds seen or heard today included: House sparrow, Woodpigeon, Barn swallow, House martin, Common swift, Common buzzard, Pied wagtail, Common blackbird, Mistle thrush, Common starling and Common whitethroat.

 After walk drinks were enjoyed at the Britannia Inn at Halkyn, where the Lees Bitter went down well. The Bluebell Inn was closed, so it was nice to reacquaint ourselves with the Brit.