Conwy Mountain, Around Alltwen and Cwm Gyrach 3rd September 2011

The New Mussel monument at Conwy Harbour.

Conwy harbour.

A Curlew in Conwy Harbour at low tide.

Ponies on Conwy Mountain.

The hill fort on Conwy Mountain.

A Red-billed chough, our bird of the day.

Still playing cricket in Conwy, b ut not in Durham!

Walk stats: Distance: 11.3 miles. Climb: 2055'.

Time: 6 hours 22 minutes. On the move walking average: 2.3 m.p.h. Overall walk average: 18 m.p.h.

Group: Martyn and Dave J.

The weather forecast wasn't good and we were expecting to get wet. Thankfully we had no rain at all until after lunch and even then it was very light and lasted for just over an hour. In the morning we had a lovely cooling breeze, but in the afternoon it became rather humid, so being able to remove waterproofs after an hour was blissful!

We were disappointed that the tide was so far out as we went along the harbour at Conwy, but it was the first time that we had seen the Mussel monument, an unusual addition to the harbour side in recognition of the Conwy Mussel trade.

One on Conwy Mountain, the views towards the castle and across the estuary to the Deganwy and the Great Orme were still good.  The wild ponies obviously liked this side of their territory today and we must have seen more than twenty by the time we reached the Sychnant Pass.

The path round Alltwen usually passes a small lake/pond, but on this occasion it had totally dried up. The path down the Western slope wasn't easy to find with the high bracken and Gorse.

Lunch was taken about a mile after passing Y Dwygyfylchi (pubic house at Capelulo) at a spot overlooking the Fairy Glen.

As we approached Ty'n y ffrith two Red-billed chough called out to tell us they were around.

The return route was along the North Wales path to the Sychnant Pass and on to Conwy. As we approached the castle walls we notice that there was an archway and path to the South(to the right) of road the archway into the town. This is a much safer way for walkers to use and avoid crossing two roads that are quite busy at this junction.

Birds seen or heard today included: Herring gull, Lesser black-back gull, Black-headed gull, Great black-backed gull, Redshank, Curlew, Oystercatcher, Great cormorant, Mallard, Chaffinch, Great tit, Blue tit, Nuthatch, House sparrow, Jackdaw, Wheatear, Carrion crow, Raven, Red-billed chough, Kestrel, Common buzzard, Meadow pipit, Great spotted woodpecker, Common blackbird, European robin, House martin, Barn swallow and Stonechat.

After walk drinks were enjoyed at the Britannia Inn at Halkyn where the Lees bitter was back on form.

Conwy Mountain, the Druids Circle and More 3rd October 2009

Richard's view of the day.

Group photo with the Conwy Estuary and Great Orme behind.

Is it really that windy?

The first sighting of the "wild" ponies.

There's no problem really, we always look like this!
Forget what people say about sheep. just follow me I know the way!

Walk stats:Distance:13 miles; Climb:2480' (Estimated from Memory map elevation profile of the walk).

Time: 6 hours 11 minutes; On the move walking average:2.4 m.p.h.; Overall walk average:2.1 m.p.h.

Group:Martyn, Richard, Roger, Dave J., and Mike D.

We set off from Conwy, not knowing what the weather had in store for us. We expected some sunshine, a little rain and the accompaniment of a stiffish breeze. We got that and much more. The morning weather was good, but the wind was so strong at times that we had difficulty just standing still let alone making any forward progress. Despite the wind we made the Druids Circle in fairly good time, but it was just afterwards that the trek across open moorland to the Tal-y-Fan path was considerably more challenging than we had initially anticipated. However after taking lunch and Dave's reckying we contoured round the hillside to reach the main path. It was just after reaching the main path that torrential driving rain forced us to take shelter in what we assume some shepherd must have built for such occasions. A little cramped, but at least five of us could get in and although not perfect the roof did keep most of the rain and wind at bay. after sheltering for about 10 minutes we braved the weather and set off again, following a good track all the way back to the Sychnant Pass. The final section of track on the South side of Conwy Mountain was equally as good, and as a bonus we were in warm sunshine all the way back to the car.

Birds seen or heard today included: Wren, Meadow pipit, Wheatear, Carrion crow, Raven, Stonechat and Kestrel.

After walk drinks were enjoyed at the Britannia Inn, Pentre Halkyn.