St, Peter's Church, Telawnyd.
Checking the engineering at Marian Mill.
Just friendly cows blocking the way?
Not what you expect in a field in Flintshire.
Time for elevenses.
A well defined path through a crop of barley.
A good lunch spot on the Offa's Dyke Path above the Prestayn Hillside Nature Reserve.
Coastal views from the Offa's Dyke Path above the Prestayn Hillside Nature Reserve.
The view from the tumulus near St. Elmo's Summer House.
Is he lost? No, just looking for St. Elmo's Summer House.
Golden Grove.
"Conquered The Gop at last!"
Descending from Gop Hill to Trelawnyd.
Walk stats: Distance: 7.7 miles. Climb: 1217'.
Time: hours 36 minutes. On the move walking average: 2.1 m.p.h. Overall walk average: 1.7 m.p.h.
Group: Martyn, Nigel, David S., Celia and Ed.
This turned out to be almost a perfect day for walking weather wise, although at one point around 11-30, we did think momentarily about putting waterproofs on. Thankfully the spots of rain didn't last long and had stopped completely.
The route from Trelawnyd to Marian Mill was new to me, quite pleasant paths although they did have potential for being muddy.
On one section of the Offa's Dyke Path we did surprise the local postman as he came round the corner rather quickly to be suddenly confronted by a few walkers. He stopped in time and we passed each other amicably.
No problem route finding but one field presented a dilemma, the path went through a field that had lots of cows, calves and the mandatory BULL. Three of us chose to cross the field, but went round the edge of the field so that at no time did we get between the calfs and their mothers. The rest of the group decided to retrace their steps and take the road around this particular field.
Having crossed the field uneventfully, the group sticking to the described route sat down and enjoyed "elevenses" as the waited for the whole group to be reunited.
At this point we were able, thanks to the landowner, take a new concessionary path taking us off the road, but leading to the Offa's Dyke Path. I addition it led to a barley field, but the path through the crop was also clearly defined. It would be great if all farmers had the same attitude.
Arriving at Bryniau, we had a choice of extending the walk to visit the summit of Graig Fawr,or follow the described route. We did the latter.
Crossing the Offa's Dyke Path above the Prestatyn Hillside Nature Reserve, we did get view towards the coast, but not particularly good, although the Great Orme could just be made out.
Lunch was taken at Gwaenysgor, using the long bench at the Memorial Garden. Next time I have lunch here, I must make a point of visiting the adjacent St. Mary' Magdalene Church which a notice nearby said was open.
Fruit cake was proved, as it had been one member of the groups seventieth birthday lasdt Friday, but not all dared to sample it at lunch time and took it home!
Much of the route after lunch was familiar to us all, and Ed set off in front, but he was on "auto pilot" and missed the road we should have taken and carried on to the path that we usually take, a slight extension, but nothing to moan about!
The last part of the Clwydian Way to Gop Hill, took us on a road between the New Plantation and Talfryn Wood, another new section to me.
As Ed hadn't visited the Gop Hill cairn before, it was a must that on this occasion we didn't bypass it.
This done, we headed down the clearly marked path from Gop Hill back to Telwanyd and the start.
Not many birds seen or heard today, but those we did included: carrion crow, Jackdaw, Rook, Lesser black back gull, Barn swallow, Herring gull, Woodpigeon, Wood nuthatch and Goldfinch.
A good walk enjoyed by all and long enough for most of us.
After walk drinks were enjoyed at the Britannia Inn at Pentre Halkyn, where the Lees Bitter went down well and the landlord smiled.
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