Heading towards Coed y Parc, but thankfully today we avoided its challenges!
The extreme North west part of Coed y Park with its magnificent display of flowering Ramsons.
Our first magnificent view of the Clwydians from just North of Plas Uchaf.
Our second magnificent view of the Clwydians from little further North of Plas Uchaf.
The Clwydians from heading North past Eyarth Hall.
Early purple orchids on the East side of Craig Adwy-wynt.
The Clwydian from a point near our lunch spot on Craig Adwy-wynt.
Crossing the ornamental bridge over the Nant Clwyd.
Our final approach to Llanelidan via the delightful cricket ground.
Walk stats: Distance: 7.2 miles. Climb: 700'.
Group: Martyn, Sue and Michel, Phil, Nigel, Celia, Annie and David S.
This was quite a varied walk, especially when you take into account the wild flowers along the hedgerows as we walked along some of the country lanes.
Our normal route would take us through a long section of Coed y Parc, which is often overgrown and unpleasant underfoot , making stumbling a frequent and unpleasant experience. This time instead of entering the would at the Southern end, we decided to take a path leading Westward, but expecting to rejoin the original path after it had emerged from Coed y Parc. Unfortunately the final section of the new path went through an area of tall nettles, which meant it was a no go area for the four that dared to show their legs in celebration of the forecast warm sunny day - the first real Summer day!
The area around Craig Adwy-wynt Nature Reserve had a good display of Early purple orchids, but the star of the day must have been the Pearl bordered fritillary, but we only identified it as there a few people specifically there just trying to find them.
We had lunch, perched on the rocks on the Southern side of Craig Adwy-wynt, with good views to the Vale of Clwyd in front of us and even better views of the Clwydian Hills behind us.
The views of the Clwydian Hills and the Llandegla Moors were superb during much of the walk in the morning, and especially so from near our lunch spot on Craig Adwy-wynt.
After lunch we dropped down in to the flat valley (with its grass runway) North of Nant Clwyd Hall.
We crossed the Nant Clwyd as usual over the ornamental wooden footbridge, which we found out later had been condemned as being unsafe! Next time we will have to hope the river is low and cross via the ford!
Just as we arrived at the road to Llanelidan, a vehicle stopped to ask the three ladies in the group where they were going. The driver was in fact the head gardener at Nant Clwyd Hall, and was surprised when Sue reminded him that we had spoken to him last year as he was preparing the wicket at the Llanelidan cricket ground.
We arrived back at the car, with at least one member of the group reluctant to extend the walk any further, for him it had been a little too warm for too long! It wasn't long before everyone had decided that it wasn't a bad idea to head for some liquid refreshment.
Birds seen or heard today included: Jackdaw, Carrion crow, House martin, Barn swallow, Common swift, Common chaffinch, House sparrow, Woodpigeon, Common pheasant and Common buzzard.
After wak drinks were enjoyed at the Ruthin Castle Hotel (A Wetherspoons) where we tried a couple of brews fromthe Erddig brewery. They were OK, but really my taste. David probably did better with his pint of Abbot's Ale.
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