Conwy Mountain and More 21st April 2012

Conwy estuary from Conwy Harbour.

The North Wales Path across Conwy Mountain.

"I've got my eyes on you, any closer and I'll get my Dad".

Looking towards the main entrance to Castell Caer Seion, a new approach for us.

Biblical inscriptions on the wall in Llancelynin. (I think it is the creed in Welsh).

Bluebells in a wooded in the area Southern of Iolyn Park.

Conwy Castle, our final approach.

Walk stats: Distance: 11.7 miles. Climb: 2550'.

Time: 6 hours 28 minutes. On the move walking average: 2.1 m.p.h. Overall walk average: 1.8 m.p.h.

Group: Martyn, Roger and Dave J.

The weather forecasts today weren't very helpful, one had temperatures in the teens and others much lower, at least they all said that we would get showers and they were right!  Whilst we didn't get lots of rain, it proved that leaving waterproofs on was the best option, it just meant that I felt that I was cooking for most of the day!

Although we use a described walk, we often choose to make our own deviations/detours/ extensions, today was no exception!
This time we took the North Wales Path, rather than following the whole of the ridge to Castell Caer Seion. This proved to be a delightful path that allowed us to approach Castell caer seion from a different direction.
The second changed to the described route was an extension to Llancelynin to see again the Welsh inscriptions of the Lord's Prayer and the The Creed.
Lunch was taken at Llancelynin, as we arrived it was glorious sunshine, but it didn't last and we ate lunch in light rain. The rain didn't stop us enjoying our lunch!
After lunch we set off on a superb green road, but that didn't last as we headed off on a track that soon showed evidence that it had been little used. Nevertherless Dave's map reading skills got us back to the link up with the described walk, without any need to look at our GPS/Memory Map devices!
The third change to the described walk, meant that we followed a footpath that went through a caravan park and linked up with the original route just before the wood on the final approach to Conwy.  This was probably better than the original route as it avoided crossing field fences where stiles were missing!
We arrived back at the car, knowing we had been on a good walk, nearly 12 miles and more that 2500' of climb! Boy was I looking forward to that pint at the Britannia Inn, Halkyn. As ever it didn't disappoint!
Birds sen or heard today included: Redstart, Blue tit, Great tit, Herring gull, Jackdaw, Carrion crow, Raven , Red-billed chough, Grey heron, Pied wagtail, Mallard, Shelduck, Oystercatcher, Common redshank, Mute swan, Nuthatch, Eurasian jay, Black-billed magpie, Meadow pipit, Common buzzard, Mistle thrush, Greenfinch, Kestrel and Barn swallow.

Conwy, Bodlendeb Wood, Conwy Mountain and More 5th February 2011

On the walls around Conwy.

Part of the walls around Conwy.

"We're the kings of the castle."

At Conwy Quay.

Walk stats: Distance:2.5 miles, Climb:336'.
Time:1 hour 5 minutes. On the move walking average:2.6 m.p.h. Overall walk average:2.2 m.p.h.
Group:Martyn, Roger, Dave J and Mike D.
The weather forecast was for rain and yet more rain, and it wasn't wrong.  At least it wasn't too windy or cold.  Nevertheless we set off towards the centre of Conwy to pick up the route that went along part of the walls. We found the right start point, but once on the walls we turned left, but the walk description went right! Next time we we will do the right section of the walls. Thankfully this was a good section of the wall,and the need to re-route meant we had to go along the quayside to rejoin the walk at the Western end of the quay.  The quayside at Conwy has been renovated and now makes a very pleasant walk.  The next part of the walk took on the North Wales footpath around Bodlendeb Wood, but still close to the estuary. The estuary provided most of the birds on our list today.
This walk around Conwy and Bodlendeb Wood was well worth doing and could easily be added to the start of other walks that we start at Conwy.
Having completed the first part of the walk and before setting off for Conwy Mountain, the photographer decided to retire to his car -  wet enough for one day! Consequently there won't be any photographs of the second part of the walk.
Birds seen or heard on the first part of the walk included: Carrion crow, House sparrow, Jackdaw, Herring gull, Dunnock, Redshank, Mallard, Blue tit and Dunlin.  We thought we had spotted an unusual wader-like bird swimming, but when it came out of the water it turned out to be just a Redshank. This was the first time that any of us had seen a Redshank swimming, but searching on the Internet revealed that they do in fact swim.
Report on the second part of the walk by Roger.
Length - 11.4 miles. Climb - 2375 feet
Time - exactly 5 hours. On the move walking average: 2.6 m.p.h. Overall walking average :2.3 m.p.h.
Group:Roger, Dave J and Mike D.
The walk was good if a little wet.  However for much of the walk the rain was no more than a light drizzle. Low mist meant that there were no views and I lost my sense of direction completely. Lunch was taken huddled against a wall (all 10 minutes of it), and afterwards Mike set a cracking pace such that on the long descent into Conwy I found myself virtually jogging to keep up with him. Dave spotted a Chaffinch, Great tit and a Chough! ( and some more which I can't remember).
I assume that they they enjoyed after walk drinks at the Britannia Inn.