Melin-y-Wig and Derwen 18th February 2016

Heading along the delightful Beech avenue North west of the 

Boncyn Foel-bach Forestry Car park and viewpoint.

Looking South from the Beech avenue.

Looking West from the path North of Fawnog Rydd.

Looking North east along Llyn Derwen.

The River Clwyd, East of the Melin-y-Wig footbridge.

"I'm sure I put my sandwiches in my rucksac or are they with my gloves?"

The view from my lunch spot by the River Clwyd .

At this point I wished I'd got a base ball cap!

Part of the delightful riverside path.

The snow covered Berwens from the road West of Derwen.

The Celtic preaching cross in Derwen churchyard.

Inside Derwen church.

Some of the Snowdrops seen today.

Fynnon Sarah

Our final view of the Llantysilio Mountains and the Berwyns.

Walk stats: Distance: 8.1 miles. Climb: 867'.

Time: 4 hours 47 minutes. 

On the move walking average: 2.2 m.p.h. Overall walk average: 1.7 m.p.h.

Group: Martyn, David S, Fran and Phil.

What a glorious day for walking, my only mistake was to wear my Paramo jacket all day! Warm and sunny, hardly any wind and even more surprising very little mud (it only took me ten minutes to clean the mud off my boots when I got home).

 There was no problems route finding, even in the forest, where a few sideways moves had to be made to get round fallen trees, the path was still fairly clear and in the main well waymarked.

  As we approached Melin-y-Wig about 11-50 there was a bench by the chapel where it was suggested should we might have lunch there, but even Fran said "It is a bit early!" 

  However five minutes later we entered a meadow with a stone wall on its North side and no objections were made when this sheltered Sun spot was a good place for lunch!

 After lunch we followed the delightful path on the North side of the River Clwyd, eventually reaching a road that led us to Derwen. The views South and East to the Llantysylio Mountains and the snow covered  Berwens were superb.

 Snowdrops on the roadside here were the first we had seen today.

 We visited Derwen Church with its rare rood screen and Celtic preaching cross before heading North back to the car park, first passing Fynnon Sarah, no li9nger a good place to take the water, and Braich farm guarded by three geese and a variety of chickens, I think there was an odd duck or two there as well!

 Birds seen or heard today included: Winter wren, European robin, Blue tit, Jackdaw, Carrion crow, Common buzzard, Common pheasant and Black-billed magpie.

 We arrived back at the car with everyone declaring this was by far the best walk that they had been on in 2016!

 The Glasfryn was suggested as a suitable place to enjoy our after walk drinks, alas when we arrived there, it was closed foe refurbishment. Thankfully the Red Lion ant Penyfordd came to our rescue and we were able to enjoy a good pint of Timothy Taylor's Landlord.