Conwy Mountain, Around Maen Esgob and Craigfadwen 31st August 2024

Going into Conwy Harbour at high tide.

Leaving Conwy Harbour at high tide.

Looking across the estuary towards the Great Orme.

The only shaded part of the North Wales Path (NWP 1) experienced today.

NWP 2

NWP 3

On the rising path to Castell Seion.

NWP 4

Hazy  views of Tal-y-Fan from he North Wales Path.

Heather on the rocky slopes above the North Wales Path.

A closer look at Ling.

NWP5

Looking back towards Conwy.

The NWP information board about Castell Seion.

I  think those rocky stones are part of Castell Seion.

A Common buzzards looks to be enjoying the thermals.

I  think those rocky stones are also part of Castell Seion.

Mike having a drink break on Castell Seion

Ed made it to Castell Seion too.

A Stonechat on the North Wales Path.

Another Stonechat on the North Wales Path.

NWP 5

NWP 6

NWP 7

Mike and Ed just ahead of me.

NWP 8

Another view towards the Great Orme from the North Wales Path.

Goldfinch feeding on thistle seeds.

A monument?

Heather around Maen Esgob.

Heading for paddle in Llyn y Wrach.

The view from our lunch spot.

The view towards the Afon Conwy from the path below Craigfadwen.

Only three alpacas this time.

The donkeys are still here as well.

Distant views of Castell Seion.

Ponies grazing in a field as e headed towards Mount Pleasant.

About enter Conwy on the way to the start.

Walk stats: 8.0 miles. Climb: 1444’ (1900’ for Ed and Mike).
Time: 5 hours 0 minutes. On the move walking average: 2.4 m.p.h. Overall Walk average: 1.8 m.p.h.
Temperature: 17.6 Celsius to 21.2 Celsius.
Beaufort Wind Force: Mainly 0 - 2. Calm to light air to a 5.1 m.p.h. Light breeze. However, it did increase to a 11.2 m.p.h. Gentle breeze as we climbed over Maen Esgob and headed towards Craigfadwen.
Group: Martyn, Mike and Ed.
A good day for walking, although feeling a little warm at times. Thankfully a very pleasant cool south easterly breeze accompanied us all day.
Distant views were somewhat hazy, but nevertheless pretty good.
I decided to follow the North Wales Path, while Mike and Ed took, he higher route via Castell Seion. We grouped together just before crossing the Sychnant Pass.
Lunch as taken next to Llyn y Wrach, although on this occasion it lacked water!
After lunch, most of the walk was downhill, and did include a fair bit of easy road walking that resulted in us “picking up speed” and arriving back at the cars before 15-00.
Birds seen or heard today were but included: Woodpigeon, House sparrow, Common buzzard, Black billed magpie Carrion crow, Goldfinch, Barn swallow, House martin, Winter wren, Herring gull, Stonechat, Meadow pipit, Raven and Little egret.
After walk drinks were enjoyed at the Albion in Conwy, Conwy Brewery’s Golden Gate was enjoyed by Mike and Ed enjoyed MBH’s vanilla stout.
Another good walk, and for me a bonus that my boots didn’t need cleaning.
After dropping Mike off, I had another bigger bonus, being able to get through Chester at about 16-30 before the racegoers had decided to leave the Roodee and head up Watergate Street.

Mynydd Marian 24th August 2024

On the Coastal Path heading to Old Colwyn.

The Great Orme from the Wales Coastal Path.

It's raining!

Great cormorants on the quarry pier.

The quarry pier with the Great Orme on the skyline.

The view from the new Old Colwyn fishing pier.

Leaving the Old Colwyn fishing pier.

Exotic plants next to the path through the park in Old Colwyn.

More exotic plants in the park.

Old Colwyn Folly.

Moel Famau from our lunch spot.

The view from our lunch spot on Mynydd Marian.

The platform off Pensarn.

The memorial bench used at lunch time.

The Limestone plateau on the way to Craig y Forwyn.

Craig y Forwyn.

Our route to Llanddulas.

One of the delightful paths through the woods.

"Where's Mike?

Waiting for us!

Llanddulas War Memorial.

High tide at Llanddulas.

Distance: 8.6 miles. Climb: 1083’
Time: 4 hours 53 minutes.
On the move walking average: 2.2 m.p.h.
Overall walk average: 1.6 m.p.h.
Temperature: 16.6 Celsius to 17.6 Celsius.
Beaufort Wind Force: 0 – 3. Mainly Light breeze, but occasionally gusting to an 10.2 Gentle breeze as we crossed Mynydd Marian just before lunch
Group: Martyn, Mike, Fran and Ed
The forecast for today seemed to be improving, with a chance of showers.
Just after setting off, we did get a little rain, enough to require using my umbrella, but by the time we reached Old Colwyn it had stopped. In fact, we had more sunshine that the forecast had suggested.
As always, this was an enjoyable walk, with plenty of good distant views, particularly towards the Great Orme and Yr Eryri.
Lunch was taken on Mynydd Marian, where we took advantage of the memorial bench by a wall that shielded us from the cool wind.
Only Mike opted to head over Craig y Forwyn, while the rest of us stayed on the North Wales Path.
Approaching Llanddulas, we found a locked gate had been placed across the path , denying us access to the path that goes alongside the Valentine Inn. Thankfully there was track leading between the houses that went into a housing estate. We were able to follow the estate roads down to the Abergele Road, through the church grounds and back to the start at the Llanddulas Coast Car Park. We arrived just about at high tide to see the sea spray crashing over the sea defences.
Birds seen or heard today: Common buzzard, Carrion crow, Great cormorant, Carrion crow, Woodpigeon, Mallard, Herring gull, Winter ren, House sparrow, Blue tit and Grey wagtail.
We arrived back at the cars having had an enjoyable walk.

After walk drinks were enjoyed at Rake Hall. Little Stanney, I think Brimstage Brewery's Trappers Hat was the beer of choice.  The tea was Yorkshire Tea!