Llandegla, The alun Valley and Limestone Pastures 29th September 2021

 

Crossing the afon Alun near Llandegla.

Crossing the field north west of Cheleirog.

Inspecting an unusual union of trees.

Blue skies on the horizon taken from the path west of Nurse Cae-glas.

Getting ready to leave after lunch, and I still haven't had chanch to have a drink of my fruit tea!

A Red admiral butterfly on the path south west of Alyn Bank, Llanarmon-yn-Ial.

One of the limestone pasture crossed.

A steap escape from the limestone pasture.

Llandegla ahead - not far to go now.

Walk stats:

Distamce: 10.0 miles (11.5 milles for those needing to expend a little more energy).

Climb: 1211'.

Time: 5 hours 23 minute (a little more for the younger members of the group).

Temperature: At the start - 11.2 Celsius. At Lunch - 12.2 Celsius, At the end - 13.4 Celsius.

Beaufort Wind Force: 0 - 3. Calm to gentle breeze.

Group; Martyn,  Sue and Michel, Mike, David S, Nigel and Wendy.

We were getting our boots on t llandgla, when one o the locals came across to inform us that today was the first day that the church ad been open to walkers to use the facilities and make tea or coffee - what a wonderful welcome.

The weather was a little unpredictable, although initially feeling on the cool side, we never had more than a few spots of rain. I made the mistake of believing the feel like 7 Celsius on one of the forecasts and put on my Paramo gear - shorts would have been better!

We all found path finding challenging in certain places, esp[ecially those opting for thr full extension to the planned route.

Lunch was taken a little earlier than usual so that we could take advantage of rocks and fallen trees o whic to sit. It was only four miles into the walk and meant meant that after lunch we had at least six more to do,

After lunch it was much sunnier that earlier and at about 14-00, I decided to stop for afternoon tea, but no-one else joined in. After a changing into my third shirt and putting my Paramo jacket in my rucksack and a quick drink,  I ws a few hundred yatrds behind the rest of the group, but thankfully the waited for me at the point where the extension became a possibility.

The majority set off down the road on the way to the limestone pasture ( the main focus of the walk for at least one member of the group), 

Birds seen or heard today included, Winter wren, Common pheasant, Woodpigeon, European robin, Carrion crow, Common buzzard and Black billed magpie.

A good walk celebrated with Wheetwood bitter at the Bridge Inn at Pontblyddyn. An enjoyable beer, even it wwas a little coder than the ideal 14 Celsius!