Llangernyw and More 20th November 2021

The gatehouse to Hafodunos Hall still undergoing restoration, but Christmas lights showing through the windows.

A waterfall on the stream in the grounds of Hafodunos Hall.

Autumnal colours - fallen leaves on the path through the grounds of Hafodunos Hall.

Autumnal sounds as we walked throgh the leaves on the path in the grounds of Hafodunos Hall.

Not the safest bridge to cross.

Impressive cloud formation in the skies as we approached Pen-y-bryn and the Afon Elwy.

A much safer bridge to cross.

Pont Faen needing support and undergoing repairs.

"Can I come with you?"

At last - the final approach to Llangernwy.

Distance: 10.1 miles. Climb: 1493'.

Time: 6 hours 3 minutes. On the move walking average: 2.2 m.p.h. Overall walk average: 1.7 m.p.h.

Temperature: Max 17.2 Celsius. Min14.6 Celsius.

Beaufort Wind Force: 0 - 2. Mainly calm, occasionally increasing bto light air.

A good walk, especially in the morning when it was bright, warm and sunny. We had to re-rout part of the walk when Pont Faen was closed completely as it was undergoing major repairs.

Lunch was taken near Glan-Elwy Cottages, where we were able on sit on an embankment as we basked in sunshine over lunch.

Birds seen or heard today included: Common blackbird, House sparrow, Herrin gull, Raven, Common buzzard, Wood nuthatch, Common starling, Woodpigeon, Common chaffinch, Blue tit, Great tit, Carrion crow and Jackdaw.

The walk in the after lunch when we tried to follow a path near the Afon Gell, is one I will never repeat, angerous in places and overgrown (I have the scratches on my legs and my arms to testify to it) and we ended up escaping from the valley and taking a much safer path.

We arrived back at the car just as it started to rain, so we definitely had the best of the weather for our walk. After walk drinks were enjoyed at the Britannia Inn at Halkyn after we discovered that the Blue Bell was closed for some reason.

 

Llansannan and Its Eastern Environs 13th Octobwer 2021

"Where are the loos in Llansannan?"

"The're behind you!"

The track on the outskirts of Llansannan that leads to our first encounter with the Afon Aled.

One of the easier stiles

In the words of the photographer "a dodgy bit of the walk."

The inviting ridge of Mynydd Tryfan, but not part of our walk today.

Fran's chosen lunch spot.

Crossing the footbridge over the Afon Aled.

That's one way of getting past a fallen tree!

This is how others did it.

The monument in Llansannan, erected in 1899 to commemorate five writers born in the area.

Distance: 8.6 miles. Climb: 1046.

Time: 4 hours 52 minutes. On the move walking average: 2.2 m.p.h. Overall walk average: 1.8 m.p.h.

Group: Martyn, Roger, Sue and Michel, Wendy, David S., Fran, Nigel and Mike.

The weather forecast suggested that it would be overcast, but only a 10% chance of rain. Thankfully this turned out to be true, although Fran did at one point put her umbrella up to keeper hair dry - no one else bothered to rush for waterproof.

This was a good and varied walk, providing us with some path finding challenges, a few climbes to set out hearts racing, particularly just after lunch and a good number of stiles that weren't in the best of condition!  The worst bit, described by Nigel and others as "a dodgy bit of the walk", came when we had to walk in a stream to cross it and then climb steeply up the bank on the other side, One only erson slipped over, but others needed to use both hand and sticks to steady themselves. I decide that use of my third limb wa\s safer and sat down on the bank to drop down to the stream.  Muttering from then on will probably mean that this footpath will never be used again by Harris Hikers!

Lunch was taken sitting on the barriers near Tan-y-fron, probably the best we could find today.

After lunch started with a steep climb up a grassy slope to Crinlle before we anticipated a downhill stroll back to Llansannan, at least that' what it looked like on the map. However we still had had one more tricky descent down to a footbridge made difficult because it quite steep and slippery becuse the made was wet.

Eventually we arrived back at Llansannan all feeling that they had been on a good strenous walk and looking foward to a good pint of Lees bitter at the Brtannia Inn at Halkyn.

The landlady gave a welcoming smile as she saw our car passing the front window on the way to the car park. The bitter did not disappoint.

Birds seen or heard today included: European robin, Grey Heron, Wood nuthatch, Common blackbird, Rook, Common pheasant, Common buzzard, Carrion crow, Jackdaw and Red kite (bird of the day).

A Llanfair Talhaiarn and Betws-yn-Rhos Round Wednesday 25th November 2020

A Llanfair Talhaiarn and Betws-yn-Rhos Round.

The new bridge over the Afon Elwy  actually on our route today.

Trees in autumnal colours.

"Farmer Ed" at Ty Mawr.

Emerging from the first gorse challenge.

Distant views of Snowdonia.

Looking toward Llanddulas as we headed towards Nant-y-fedw.

The surprise waterfall near  Nant-y-fedw.

St., Michael's Church at Betws-yn-Rhos.

Distant views of Moel Famau.

The Elwy Bridge at Llanfair Talhaiarn .

Distance: 8.6 miles. Climb:1354'.
Time: 5 hours 15 minutes. On the move walking av
erage: 2.2 m.p..h.Overall walk average: 1.5 m.p.h.
Group: Martyn and Ed.

A good dry day on the forecast and feeling pretty cool as we started, so full Winter gear was put on - this was a mistake, when the Sun came out we were starting to overheat as we climbed steadily out of the Elwy valley towards Moefre Uchaf.

the route started by heading out of Llanfair Talhaiarn on the minor road eastward, so that we could use the new footbridge over the Afon Elwy and northward to Betws-yn-Rhos.  Just after crossig the bridge we encountered our first problem, a felled tree across the path and later a gate tied to a post, but the post wasn't attached to anything else!

as we climbed on this track, we started to get better and better views of the surrounding countryside, but after passing Ty Mawr farm, I attempted to follow the green track through the gorse - another mistake. Ed avoided it by going in the field above the track.

Our chosen route was all on tracks and paths, clearly shown on OS maps, but on the ground it wasn't so easy. 

WE had good distant views of Snowdonia as well as Moel Famau and the Clwydians Hill as we headed towards Mynydd Dir after luunch.

Before lunch we had two good nature spots, a Brown hare raced across the field infront of us  as we headed to the road east of Moefre Uchaf and a Common buzzard flew towards wooded valley west Nant-y-fedw. Normaly spotting a Common buzzard, is hardly worth mentioning, but today we were actually viewing it from above.

Lunch was taken at Betws-n-Rhos, where we used a picnic table at the playground, andhappy to hear the joyful sound of youngsters at play during lunch time at the nearby primary school.

The route back to Llanfair Talhaiarn from Betws-yn-Rhos, started with a steady climb up a minor road, before the challenge of route finding from Bryn-ffynnon and around the east side of Mynydd Dir.  Thankfully today, we had GPS devices with OS Mapping to help us.

The final part of our route today, tok us along the riverside path towards the Elwy Bridge, and today much more water was gushing over the weir.

Birds seen or heard today included: House sparrow, Common chaffinch, Blue tit, Great tit, Goldfinch, Common buzzard, Common pheasant, Common blackbird, Wood nuthatch, Jackdaw, Rook, Carrion crow, Raven, European robin, Black billed magpie, Meadow pipit and Fieldfare.

We arrived back at the cars, having had a good, at times challenging walk. All that was needed now was to cap it all with a good pint of real ale. Thankfully we decided to Head for the Black Swan at Llanfair Talhaiarn, where we were served with a superb pint of Purple Moose's Cwrw Eryri (Sonowdonia Ale). This is a friendly hostelry, serving some good local brews that needs to be supported by all real ale drinkers. My only regret is that this was my first visit - it won't be my last!

A sign spotted by Ed - reminds me of my days when I was working!

Llanfair Talhaiarn and Its Environs Wednesday 11th November 2020

Llanfair Talhaiarn and Its Environs.

There must be an easier way than this.

One of the may fungi seen today.

A different of the may fungi seen today.

Llwyn-eryn - not at its best!

A parasol muchroom.

Crossing the new wooden footbridge over the Afon Elwy.

Llanfair Talhaiarn from our lunch spot by the river.

A posing Common kestrel.

Autumnal colours in a Beech hedge.

The remains of the old mine buildings.

Distance: 8.0 miles. Climb: 1323'.
Time: 4 hours 18 minutes. On the move walking average:2.3 n.p.h. Overall walk average: 1.8 m.p.h.
Group: Martyn and Ed.

The weather forecast suggested that the temperature would be into the teens, with a strong wind and chance of rain in the afternoon after about 14-00. Thankfully we didn't get any rain.

One of the main objectives, at least for me was to cross the new wooden replacement footbridge over the Afon Elwy, south west of Llanfair Talhaiarn. This was achieved towards the end of the walk before lunch.

The start of the out of Llanfair Talhaiarn is a fairly steep climb up the road passed the church.

On our descent through fields we came acroos a good number of fungi, but alas as yet we haven't been able to identify them. We also came across one or two awkward stiles that I was eventually able to get over.

It was on the west side of Moel Unben that we had our best sightings of the Red kites.

There were lots of Common pheasants about, and unusually there was one white pheasant seen on the hillside.

After a qick there and back over the new wooden bridge over the Afon Elwy, we headed back to Llanfair Talhaiarn where we were able to use one of the picnic tables by the Afon Elwy.

After lunch we went on a short circuit, following the river on the north side as far as the metal footbridge.

It was on this section the the Kingfisher and Dipper were seen.  After crossing the footbridge, and climbing the steps to the road, we turned south along along the minor road. The Comon kestrel was seen on this road, sitting on top of a power line pole, briefly flying off and retrning back to the pole.

The purpose of the afternoon stroll was to visit the site of and old lead and gold mine. This proved to be the muddiest section, meaning my boots will need a good clean before being used vagain.

Birds seen and heard today included: House sparrow, Jackdaw, Carrion crow, Raven, Blue tit, Great tit, Long tailed tit, Kingfisher, Dipper, Woodpigeon, European robin, Common pheasant, Common blackbird, Wood nuthatch, Meadow pipit, Black headed gull, Herring gull, Common buzzard, Common kestrel, Eurasian jay, Black billed magpie and Red kite.

We arrived back at the cars, having had a good walk, the first wednesday walk after being released from the Welsh "Stay at Home" Lockdown.

An excellent pint of Lees Bitter was enjoyed at the Britannia Inn at Halkyn before heading home.

Melin-y-Wig and Derwen 24th July 2019

The Llantysilio Mountains from the Clocaenog Forest near the start of the walk.

Moss in abundance in the forest South of Glan-y-gors.

At least some of the locals were interested in us.

Power on the horizon.

A friendly bug that is bugging me!
Possibly a stage in the life cycle of a Bronze Shieldbug.

The preaching cross at Derwen.

Inside St.Mary's Church at Derwen.

God's House, St Mary's Church Derwen.

Not far now, you can see our cars!

Ffynnin Sarah near the access track to Braich and the last leg of our walk.

Obeying the request to dip footwear in the bath of disinfectant on the track to Braich.

Final views of Llandegla Moors and the Llantysilio Mountains from the track above Braich.

Walk stats: Distance: 9.0 miles. Climb: 910'.

Time: 4 hours 38 minutes. On the move walking average: 2.2 m.p.h. Overall walk average: 1.7 m.p,h.

Group: Martyn,Nigel and Wendy.

I was expecting five of us on this walk, but only three turned up. Did Boris's election to P.M. have anything to do with this, I know I wasn't feeling good about it!

We set off knowing that at time it would be on the warm side, but thankfully it did cloud over at times and a very pleasant breeze cooled us.

 The worst part of the walk was the sections through woodland, where the humidly was at it highest.

 We made quite good progress, so lunch was taken a little further on than usual, at a point west of Glyn bach.

 At Derwen, we visited the c3hurch, now looked after brilliantly by "Friends of Derwen Church".

 After visiting Ffynnon Sarah, we set off down the access track towards Braich, but were soon requested to dip our boots in disinfectant, which we all did. This was all to do with bio-security linked with a chicken farm higher up the track.

 We arrive back at the car, having had a good walk without experiencing the excess heat many areas were forecast to get.

 After walk drinks were enjoyed at the Glasfryn at Mold, where Purple Moose;s Snowdonia Ale, and the Brunning and Price Bitter brewed by the Pheonix Brewery went down well, as did a G and T.

 Birds seen or heard today were few, but included: House sparrow, Winter wren, Common chaffinch, Raven, Rook, Carrion crow, House martin Barn swallow, Common pheasant and Common buzzard.