Around Gwysaney and More 9th July 2015

Looking back towards Rhosesmor and Moel y Gaer, not long after setting off.

Obviously not as warm as you would expect for the middle of Summer even in this country!

Walking through Big Wood, warmer for some!

Gwysaney Hall from the path just after leaving Big Wood.

A more impressive view of Gwystaney Hall.

Moel Famau from Gwystaney Hall.

Looking Eastward towards Cheshire from a point just after leaving Ram Wood.

Walk stats: Distance: 9.9 miles. Climb: 797'.

Time: 4 hours 35 minutes. On the Move walking average: 2.3 m.p.h. Overall walk average: 1.8 m.p.h.

Group: Martyn, Sue and Michel, Annie and David S.

A good forecast today, cool at first, but warming up later with good spells of sunshine. this was quite a varied walk including good sections of open farmland, woodland paths that thankfully weren't to muddy today and high points with good distant views, particularly towards the Cheshire plain and later across the Dee estuary towards Liverpool where both cathedrals could be easily seen.

 As our start point was Rhosesmor, both cars arrived quite early and we were able to start walking by 09-30 and that's early for a Thursday group!

 Our only surprise today was to come across  a man sitting cross-legged, hands together in front, meditating - we all felt a little guilty disturbing him as we went past, even though he did smile and spoke to us as we approached.

 Setting off early meant that we were nearly back at the start point when we decided to have lunch sitting on the grass in a recently cut field. 

 After lunch we decided to extend the first walk by heading towards Halkyn along paths we have used many times before, including one on the access path East of Midlist Farm and climbing to the road near the quarry entrance at Halkyn. 

 One or two of the group had tired legs at this point, so we decided to take the shortest route back to the car by skirting Moel y Gaer on the lower path its East side.

 We arrived back at the car at a few minutes after 3 p.m., happy knowing that the Bluebell Inn at Halkyn would be open by the time we arrived!

 As ever drinks including Blue Bell Bitter and Two trees Perry were able to refresh us after our walk.

 Birds seen or heard today included: Common blackbird, Goldfinch, Greenfinch, Moorhen, Common buzzard, Barn swallow, Lapwing, Common pheasant, Red-legged partridge, Woodpigeon, Goldfinch, House sparrow, Jackdaw, Rook, Mistle thrush, Song thrush and Winter wren. A Fox was also seen in an area where we normally see Brown hares.