World's End and Cyrn-y-Brain from the Ponderosa 30th June 2016

Setting off from the top of the Horseshoe Pass.

The first climb of the day along the Cirn-y Brain track.

Heading towards World's End

or

"How does this camera work?"

Our first views of the Eglwyseg Rocks.

"Are you expecting me to cross those?"

or

"Why are we waiting?"

Offa's Dyke Footpath here we come.

"Is it really raining?"

or

"This is not a silly walk!"

The last stretch along the Cyrn-y-Brain track back to the Ponderosa.

Walk stats: Distance: .4 miles. Climb: 1460'.

Time: 4 hours 43 minutes. On the move walking average: 2.3 m.p.h. Overall walk average: 1.8 m.p.h.

Group: Martyn, Annie, David S., Wendy, Phil and Paul.

Surprisingly everyone had arrived quite early and we set before before 10-00 on the gentle climb up the Cyrn-y-Brain track that led us to the moorland track heading for the Eglwyseg Valley.

 The temperature was pleasant for walking at around 12 Celsius and at least it was still dry. 

After passing Cae'r-hafod, we decided to take the first track that led East to the Ty Canol main track, a decision that everyone agreed was much better than the path that we usually took.

 We arrived at the ford at World's End, and before saying anything everyone had crossed the stepping stones, rather than take the path that climbed through World's End between Craig y Forwyn and Craig y Cythraul. I was just testing the ford road with my Leki and as I declared that it was lethal, a cyclist skidded and came off his bike, thankfully not hurt too much, but rather wet.

 We arrived at the Offa's Dyke path marker stones an decided that this was the best place to have lunch, even though it was on the roadside near a place where someone had dumped what looked like corrugated  asbestos sheets.

 At lunch, Tim received a text from Carol telling us that Boris was no longer a threat, the campaign should be changed from ABB to ABG. Sue P sent me a text that confirmed the current situation re-our prospective new Prime Minister.

 Just before we left a German couple stopped at the same point. They were walking the Offa's Dyke Footpath, camping on route, but were heading for Llangollen today.

 This section of Offa's Dyke Footpath isn't the best as it winds its way up to Llandegla Forest using duck boards, but at least it meant we kept our feet dry.

 It was just after leaving the Llandegla Forest track that it started to rain, not a lot, but enough for some to decide that waterproof tops were needed, but in reality it soon stopped and the cool breeze meant that we were all dry by the time we back at the car.

 Birds seen and heard today included: Skylark, Meadow pipit, Carrion crow, Stonechat, Barn swallow, Common blackbird, Willow warbler, Red grouse and what we thought was a Buzzard was probably a female Hen harrier.

 We were going to have a drinks at the Abbey Grange Hotel, but alas they said that they had run out of beer, quite surprising as there is brewery on site.

 Instead we enjoyed at the Pant-yr-Ochain at Gresford where Purple Moose's Snowdonia Ale went down well.

 Overall a very enjoyable walk, all the better having had Tim join us for the walk.