The path heading across the hillside towards World's End.
"This bracken is shorter than I expected".
The view towards the Horshoe Pass Road.
The Llantysilio Mountains.
Dad's keeping his eye on us!
Follow the leader"
Lunchtime below the Eglwyseg Escarpments.
A pair of Peregrine Falcons above our lunch spot.
Not a panorama that I was expecting to be able to take!
Walk stats: Distance: 9.7 miles. Climb: 1671'.
Time: 5 hours 31 minutes. On the move walking average: 2.2 m.p.h. Overall walk average: 1.7 m.p.h.
Group: Martyn, Sue and Michel, Annie, Sheila, Phil, Sue Pearson, Celia, Tim and David S.
We arrived at the Ponderosa to be greeted by a cool breeze that made one two of the group regret having only their Summer gear with them. Thankfully we soon dropped down a little and out of the wind, it was quite warm and for most of the day we were happy when we were to be walking in the shade of trees or when clouds blocked the Sun's direct heat.
The views today were a little hazy in the distance, but walking along Offa's Dyke footpath below the Eglwyseg Escarpment is always delightful. A bonus today was to get several views of Peregrine falcons, particularly as we had lunch.
Arriving at Pentre-dwr we had a choice, do we walk up the Old Horseshoe Pass Road or do we take the path down the Oernant valley. We made the wrong decision and chose the latter! After the first section we crossed a stile to find the path went through head high bracken that had encroached across the path, thankfully it wasn't wet. Having escaped from the bracken we walked up the road hoping to take a path that would lead us back to the car. However when we came to the path it too had head high bracken encroaching across, and the almost unanimous decision that we would continue up the road!
We arrived back at the car thankful that we had had a good walk, perhaps more challenging than we had expected, but at least it hadn't rained and we had relatively clean boots.
Birds seen or heard today included: Carrion crow, Common buzzard, Stonechat, Common pheasant, Peregrine falcon, Pied wagtail, Grey wagtail, Winter wren, Common blackbird, European robin, Meadow pipit and Goldfinch.
After walk drinks were enjoyed at the Bridge Inn at Pontblyddyn, where several Conwy brews were on offer. The first one sampled was past its best and without any question it was changed to Minera Heather beer which was much more palatable and to our liking.
We had a good turnout today, but with the holiday season starting, we be down to three or four next week.
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