Heading for the top of Moel Arthur from the North.
The advance prty waiting at the top of Moel Arthur.
At the top of Moel Arthur.
Beeston Hill and the Cheshire Plain.
A tree with at least one admirer!
Heading towards Penycloddiau and lunch.
Which one is Shaun the Sheep?
Looking towards the Vale of Clywd from our lunch spot.
Not as good as a picnic table, but everyone found somewhere to sit for lunch.
Looking North towards Prestayn from the Northern slopes of Penycloddiau.
The advance party didn't wait for a team photo at the cairn on Penycloddiau.
Moel Arthur and Moel Fammau fro the Southern end of Penycloddiau.
Blooming Bell heather.
A blooming Foxglove.
Walk stats: Distance: 7.3 miles. Climb: 2084' wind assisted GPS reading, Memory Map Route Planner 1800' is more realistic.
Time: 4 hours 22 minutes. On the move walking average: 2.1 m.p.h. Overall walk average: 1.7 m.p.h.
Group: Martyn, David S., Wendy, Mike, Nigel and Fran.
The forecast was generally overcast with a low chance of rain and a cool breeze gusting to about 17 m.p.h.
This was pretty accurate, although the wind made it feel a little cooler than most of us would really like, and fleeces were worn during the whole of the walk. After lunch we did experience a dampness in the air, but nothing that make us stop to put on waterproofs.
We set off from the Llangwyfan Forest Car Park on the steady climb (disliked by most of us) up the North path to the top of Moel Arthur. Unfortunately today distant views towards Snowdonia weren't very clear, but near views were still good.
After the climb up Moel arthur, we had a respite as we traversed the track on the West side of Plas-yw and then descended to road beyond Bryn-ffynnon.
We then had another steady climb, initially directed by yellow topped posts and the marker signs beyond and past Pen-y-bryn.
It was just after entering the now Right to Roam Area that I heard a Cuckoo calling, but I'm not sure how many of the others group behind me heard it as well.
Lunch was taken a little later than usual, but between 12-00 and 13-00, we hadn't come across a suitable spot. We ended up having lunch near the Northern end of Penycloddiau on the Offa's dyke Path as it starts to descend towards Aifft, where an old stone wall bank provided us with perches with a reasonable view towards the Vale of Clwyd.
After a brief discussion, it was decided to head straight back to the car over Penycloddiau and leave the suggested extension around Moel y Parc to another day.
As we climbed the towards the top of Penycloddiau from the North, we were surprised by the number of Skylarks that were singing and encouyraging on our way.
Flowers seen today included: Tormentil, Foxglove, Buttercup, Daisy, Bell heather, Ling and even Bluebells.
Birds seen or heard today included: Chiffchaff, Willow warbler, Common chaffinch, Barn swallow, Meadow pipit, Skylark, Common pheasant, Raven, Carrion crow, European robin, Common blackbird, House sparrow, Eurasian curlew and even a Peacock ( a distant call heard as we had lunch).
After walk drinks were enjoyed at the Britannia Inn at Halkyn, where the Lees Bitter went down well, and even though Celia was not with us, crisps were soon devoured.
1 comment:
A great day. Lovely photographs MArtyn. Thanks. It was lovely to be out.
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