Around the Horseshoe Passes, Eglwyseg Rocks and Glen 15th May 2014

On the Clwydian Way, heading for the Eglwyseg Valley.

A fine tre in blossom (a cherry tree I think, but you may know better!).

A lamb born a few minutes old, still being cleaned by its mother.

Panorama as we approached the Eglwyseg Valley.

On the Offa's Dyke Path below Eglwyseg Rocks.

Pentre-Dwfr, decision time, but some of us need a rest!

Bluebells in a place that we didn't expect to see them, the Oernant Valley.

Walk stats: Distance: 9.1 miles (Roger did 9.3 miles), Climb: 1592' (Roger did a little less!).

Time: 6 hours 3 minutes. On the more walking average: 2.0 m.p.h. Overall walk average: 1.5 m.p.h.

Group: Martyn, Roger, Phil, Celia and David S.

The weather forecast today was superb, in reality its lived up to its name, but we didn't factor in the few spots of rain that we had as we were eating our lunch on the Offa's Dyke Path below the Eglwyseg Escarpments.

 This is superb walk with fantastic views all day, we even encountered a friendly labrador, but its owner was more of a problem!

 The bird of the day was without doubt the Cuckoo, we heard up to five different birds, alas not seeing any of them. Their call is always a joy to hear as is the singing of a Skylark that we heard as we contoured around Moel y Faen. The latter part of the walk was suggested by Phil as a better way than slogging up the Old Horseshoe Pass road from Pentre-Dwfr.

 Our surprise of the day was to see so many Bluebells on valley slopes, both in the Eglwyseg Valley and the Oernant Valley.

 Birds seen or heard today included: Red billed chough, Blue tit, Great tit, Pied wagtail, Willow warbler, Chiffchaff, Common pheasant, Black billed magpie, Wheatear, Stonechat, Common blackbird, Raven, Carrion crow, Jackdaw and Skylark.

 After walk drinks were enjoyed at the Red Lion at Penyffordd, where we were able to sit outside enjoying our drinks in almost perfect temperatures of about 20 Celsius and su hats still needed!

World's End from the Ponderosa 16th August 2012

A view looking back towards the Llantysilio Mountains.

Headu-ing through the bracken, at least 3 feet taller than 2 weeks ago!

Craig y forwyn from World's End.

Climbing through the gorge at World's End.

Back on Offa's Dyke footpath.

At Sir Watkin's Tower on Cyrn-y-Brain.

Looking towards Moel Fammau from Cyrn-y-Brain.

Walk stats: Distance: 9.7 miles. Climb: 1456'. 

Time: 5 hours 25 minutes. On the move walking average: 2.2 m.p.h. Overall walk average: 1.8 m.p.h.

Group: Martyn, Roger, Phil, Paul and Celia.

The weather turned out to be almost perfect for walking, not too hot, not to cold, no rain, and occasionally a lovely cooling wind.

This was a superbly varied walk, one that I'm sure will be repeated many times.  Much of the moorland around Cyrn-y-Brain, we have explored before, but the area around World's End was new, and the valley below Craig y forwyn was delightful, but better as we were ascending, rather than descending!

The surprise of the day was meeting a cyclist that had set off from Ellesmere as part of a cycling week based there, but she seemed to be enjoying the ride, despite the long trip involved!

Lunch was taken on the moor, just above World's End, where most of the group were able to enjoy some of Martyn's well matured birthday fruit cake!

Birds seen or heard today included: Raven, Meadow pipit, Chaffinch, House martin, Common kestrel, Stonechat and Carrion crow.

After walk drinks taken at the Red Lion at Penyfordd, where Timothy Taylor Landlord was the best brew on offer. Not sure that we really enjoyed them, as our thoughts were still very much with the Jenkins' family.

Eglwyseg Rocks and the Old Horseshoe Pass 14 th June 2012

The way ahead at the start.

(when it would have been better to go for a hot drink in the warm dry Ponderosa Cafe!)

At the best way marker of the day.

The Eglwyseg Rocks, just about clearly seen.

On Offa's Dyke Footpath below the Eglwyseg Rocks.

Walk stats: Distance: 8.4 miles. Climb: 1687'.

Time: 4 hours 49 minutes. On the move walking average: 2.3 m.p.h. Overall walk average: 1.7 m.p.h.

Group: Martyn, Annie H., David S., Phil, Sue and Dave P.

Just as we had finished putting our boots on it started to rain quite heavily and the temperature was just in double figures.  We set off, perhaps with some of the group regretting the decision not to go into the Ponderosa Cafe for a hot drink and wait until the rain went off!

Thankfully after a short while the rain did stop, but it still on the cool side, and remained so until we were in the Eglwyseg Valley. Views for the first hour were very limited, but cleared up as we joined the Offa's Dyke Footpath below the Eglwyseg Rocks. It was on this section that we had lunch, sitting in the warm sunshine.

On this occasion we took the path that leads to Rivendell, cutting the walk short by a couple of miles, and did the same when we reached Pentredwr whe we continued along the road taking the direct root up the old Horseshoe Pass road back to the car.

Birds seen or heard today included: Meadow pipit, Skylark, Carrion crow, Jackdaw, Goldfinch, Raven, Willow warbler, Chiffchaff, Chaffinch, Winter wren, Blackcap, Red grouse, Red-legged partridge, Common whitethroat and House sparrow.

After walk drinks were enjoyed at the Bridge Inn at Pontybodkin, where Cottage Brewery, Full Steam Ahead went down well.