Golden Grove, Coed Bell and Voelnant 23rd September 2010

The first climb of the day, just what we wanted!

Guardians of the gate!

On route to Gwaenysgor.

Looking towards the Great Orme from Offa's Dyke footpath above Prestatyn.

Lunch time on the outskirts of Prestatyn. I didn't dare to askTito what he was was doing!

A delightful footpath!

Walk stats: Distance: 8.1 miles; Climb:1267'.

Time:4 hours 29 minutes; On the move walking average:2.2 m.p.h.; Overall walk average:1.8 m.p.h.

Group: Martyn, Richard, Roger, Gordon, Annie H., Phil, Sue and Michel, Sylvia and Dave J., Fran and Tito.

What a lovely walking walking, a little on the warm side, but patchy blue skies and plenty of sunshine and no need for waterproofs. This was true until 13-45 when it started to rain,gently at first, but quite heavy at times and it lasted for about half an hour. At least it was warm rain! Only one member of the group braved the elements without putting on his waterproof, but thankfully, like others, he changed into a dry set of clothes back at the car.

It is always good to start in the picturesque village of Llansana before climbing towards Golden Grove and onto Gwaensygnor.

The best views of the day were from the Offa's Dyke footpath on the approach to Prestatyn where the Great Orme too was clearly in sunshine.

Lunch was taken at our usual spot where we enjoyed the new seats that gave us superb views over Prestatyn and across the Dee estuary towards Liverpool and the Wirral. Lunch was taken just before 12-00, despite Fran declaring that it was too early!

As we approached Gronant it started to rain, but thankfully we were only just over a mile away from the car and the rain had stopped by the time that we were back in Llanasa.

Birds seen or heard today included: Grey Heron, Snipe, Skylark, House sparrow, Jackdaw, Carrion crow, Raven, Mallard, Pheasant, Moorhen, Chiffchaff, Goldfinch, Blackbird, Black-billed magpie, Woodpigeon and Buzzard.

After walk drinks were enjoyed at the Britannia Inn at Pentre Halkyn. It was good to find that the new landlady intends to keep the same opening times as the previous licensees.

Golden Grove, Sea Views, Coed Bell and Voelnant 8th November 2007

Our shelter and early lunch spot!

Lost at the police mast! Where do we go next!


The best view of the day!

Walk stats: Distance: 7.6 miles; Climb: 2035'.
Time: 4 hours 03 minutes, Walking average: 2.4 m.p.h.; Overall walk average: 1.9 m.p.h.
Group: Martyn, Richard, Tito, Celia, Annie H, Michel and Sue P, Dave and Sylvia J.

The walk started from the beautiful picturesque village of Llanasa. The weather, as predicted soon turned to rain and an increasingly strengthening wind. We passed a group of electricity supply workers putting up new poles to support the power cables, their position balancing at the top of the pole seemed to be a very precarious position to be in, especially in these conditions. Nevertheless they were still working when we returned about an hour or so later. The open moor section as we approached Offa's Dyke gave good views of the Irish Sea and the obvious approach of a storm. Fortunately we managed to arrive at very spacious shelter on the road above Prestratyn, and were forced to take an early lunch. It was only 11-40 a.m. and we had only walked about 4 miles! This broke our normal lunch time rule of not having lunch before 12-30 p.m., but much to our surprise didn't break the rule of being at least half way round. Anyway we were rewarded for our decision to shelter and take an early lunch, by Sue P providing us some excellent Parkin made to her own recipe. The weather improved by the time we arrived at the police transmitter station and the views towards to coast were quite impressive, even if we couldn't see Blackpool tower on this occasion. The walk was shorter than usual, so alas we had to head for Britannia Inn early. It was like the good old days when we aimed to be enjoying a pint of Lees before 3-15 p.m. (for those that can't remember the time when that signalled the end of the school day!). I am getting a little worried, at one point I almost thought Celia was beginning to like the place, when she declared that it was clean! We won't have to stick to our guns and declare "we're only here for the beer"!

Birds seen or heard today included: Kestrel(seen by Richard, confirmed by Celia!), Herring gull, Black-headed gull, Blue tit, Great tit, House sparrow, Blackbird, Carrion crow and Jackdaw.