Melin-y-Wig and Derwen 16th June 2021

The start of the walk along this delightful avenue on the edge of the Boncyn Foel-bach forest.

David's Frog number 1.

The Clwydian Hills to the east of the path after escaping from the forest.

The view looking south westward.

Our lunch spot by the Afon Clwyd - east of Melin-y-Wig.

Don't ask what Mike is doing?

If you can't tell, he's starting to eat an Orange.

Nigel at the Derwen Preaching Cross.

Mike inspecting Sarah's Well.

Panarama looking south over the Vale of Clwyd towards the Clwydian Hills and Denbigh Moors.

Not the easiest exit from a path, a securely tied gate including barbed wire.

Distance: 8.3 smiles. Climb: 1001'.
Time: 4 hours 28 minutes. On the move walking average: 2.3 m.p.h. Overall walk average: 1.7 m.p.h.
Temperature: 22.1 Celsius (lunch time) and 21.2 Celsius (at the end of the walk).
Beaufort Wind Force: 0 - 2 (Mainly calm- ligh air - and occasionally a delightful light breeze).
Group: Martyn, Mike, Nigel and David S.

This is an unusual walk in that it starts almost the highest point and then drops down to the Afon Clwyd at Melin-y -Wig, and resulted in a steepish climb out of the valley upto the B5105 and the start at the Boncyn Foel-bach, Natural Resources Wales Car Park.

The path through the forest, south of Glan-y-gorse, but thanks to GPSs with OS mapping, we eventually made it through to the right stile and enjoy the light breeze, a relief from the humiditiy in the forest.

Lunch was taken next to the Afon Clwyd, where several fallen trees covered in dry moss provided comfortable seating.

Today proved to be a day for pleasant conversations with the locals and some didn't mind most of the group admitting that they were English!

David S was in good form spotting a Jay, two Frogs, a friendly Slug and a Grey squirrel.

Birds seen or heard today included: Common blackbird, Common Chaffinch, Common buzzard, Willow warbler, Barn swallow, Wood nuthatch and Red kite (seen by some, but not by me).

The distant views today were pretty good, especially towards the Clwydians.

Overall a very enjoyable walk, requested to be done again, but perhaps in the reverse direction.

After walk drinks were enjoyed at the Druids Inn, Llanferres, where Purple Moose's Cwrw Eryri was excellent, demanding a second pint by those not driving! This was definately much better than a second bag of crisps, even if they were Pipers!