Chirk, Chirk Bank, Temple Wood and Chirk Castle 19th March 2025

St. Mary's Church, Chirk.

A delightful on the way to Temple Wood.

Mike climbing over one of the fallen trees that crosse6d our path today.

The delightful path goes under a road bridge.

The way to Temple Wood.

Emerging from the tunnel in Temple Wood.

The Temple ahead.

The Temple at Weston Rhyn.

The Temple at Quinta Hall, Weston Rhyn.

The replica stonehenge was built around 1830 / 1840 by Major West of nearby Quinta Hall.

At The Temple.

Fungi feeding dead wood.

Lesser celandine on roadside bank near Pont-faen. 

Distant views of Chirk Castle.

Our lunch spot by the canal at Chirk Bank.

The riverside path, heading for the aqueduct the viaduct.

Two young lambs approach.

Lambs in the Ceiriog Valley.

The viaduct and aqueduct from the west.

Starting o clear up the fallen trees  on the path leading to the grounds of Chirk Castle.

Daffodils and Chirk Castle.

A "dead" tree still standing after the Winter storms.

A roadside bank of Primroses.

Still a lot of work o b e done on the narrow gauge railway at Chirk Station.

A nice avenue of Daffodils in the park at Chirk.

Distance: 8.75 miles. Climb: 923’
Time: 5 hours 5 minutes.
On the move walking average: 2.4 m.p.h.
Overall walk average: 1. m.p.h.
Temperature: 8 Celsius at the start. 12.2 Celsius at lunch by the canal. Max 15 Celsius in the late morning sunshine near The Temple. Celsius at the end of the walk.
Beaufort Wind Force: 0 – 2. In the main, hardly much wind at all, although at times it just about made a Gentle breeze.
Group: Martyn, Fran and Mike.
The weather forecast today was looking good, dry with hardly any wind and temperatures in double figures.
It was very noticeable that many trees had been blown down since Ed and I did the walk in August 2024. Both Temple Wood and Chirk Castle grounds were littered with several fallen trees.
Lunch was taken by the canal at Chirk Bank, where a convenient bench in the Sun, provided two of us with a good resting place before starting on the Chirk Castle part of the walk.
This was very varied walk, with the highlight being the young lambs seen in the field below the viaduct.
A few Spring flowers were out. These included Lesser celandine, Primrose, Greater periwinkle, Wood anemone and Daffodils.
Birds seen or heard today: House sparrow, Dunnock, Goldfinch, Jackdaw, Common blackbird, Carrion crow, Rook, Chiffchaff, Blue tit, Coal tit, European robin, Black billed magpie, Common buzzard, Great tit, Woodpigeon, Moorhen, Mallard and Wood nuthatch
Overall, a very enjoyable walk.
After walk drinks were enjoyed at the Pant-yr-Ochain at Gresford. Purple Moose’s Cwrw Eryri went down well as did Titanic Brewery’s Plum Porter. Fran enjoyed her pot of tea.

Walks and Dates March 2025

Saturday Walks.

I have decided that it has become pointless for me to plan Saturday walks in advance as most weeks I am the only one around.

However Saturday walks can be arranged on request.

One short walk a month could be included on request.

Saturday 1st March 2025.

No planned walk - see below for a list of possible walks.

Wednesday 5th March 2025.

Tegg's Nose and Macclesfield Forest.

Distance: 9 miles. Climb: 1900'.
Start: Tegg's Nose Country Park Car park. Pay and Display. Grid ref: SJ950732.Leave Chester at 08-30 a.m.
Those planning to walk: Martyn, .
Those not walking: 

This walk is taken from the "Pathfinders Guide to Cheshire". It is described as a varied
walk with good views from Tegg's Nose.
We will visit Tegg's Nose first, rather than at the end of the walk. The walk is also described
as an undulating walk exploring the countryside on the edge of the Peak District.
This is a walk that we have come to like and regularly appears on the list at this time
of the year.

Saturday 8th March 2025.

Rhaeadr Fawr (Aber Falls), Rhaeadr Fach and More.

Distance: 9-10 miles. Climb: 1400'.

Start: Abergwyngregyn Car Park. Grid ref: SH65657284.

Leave Chester:8-30 a.m.

Those planning to walk: Martyn, Mike.

Those not walking: 

This walk follows the North Wales Path  up the valley to Aber Falls. The Afon Rhaedr-fawr is then crossed and the North Wales path followed.  The path passes Rhaeadr Fach, before crossing a stream and some rather boggy terrain. It then rises before contouring around the hillside. The path is now part of the North Wales Pilgrim's Way, giving extensive views towards Penrhyn Castle, Puffin Island and Anglesey. Eventually the North Wales Pilgrim's Way descends to the minor road at Bronydd Isaf. The minor road is then followed back to Abergwyngregyn, passing through Crymlyn with its few houses.

Both waterfalls can be impressive, especially after spells of rain in he Carneddau.

Wednesday 12th March 2025.

Mynydd Marian.

Distance: 7-8 miles. Climb: 1000'.
Start: Llandulas Beach Car Park. Grid ref: SH907786.
Leave Chester at 09-00.

Those planning to walk: Martyn, .

Those not walking: .

Those planning to walk: Martyn, Mike, Fran, Ed. Those not walking: Sue and Michel
This walk is taken from Dave Berry's book, "Walks on the North Wales Coast". It combines an interesting section of the coast line with the attractive limestone countryside between, Old Colwyn, Llysfaen and Llandulas. This is one of my favourite walks, but the walk today will allow us to see what work is being done on the sea defences from Old Colwyn to Colwyn Bay.
I think it should be completed by now. High tide at about 09-45. It's quite a big tide at 8.8 m / 28.7'.

Saturday 15th March 2025.

Around Bosley Cloud.

Distance: 8- 9 miles. Climb:1200'.

Start: Lay-by on the A523, South of its junction with the A54. Grid ref: SJ917657.

Leave Chester at 08-30.

Those planning to walk: Martyn, Mike. 

Those not walking: .

This walk is taken from Jen Darling's book "Best Pub Walks in Cheshire", although we won't take her advice on the local hostelries! The walk takes us to the top of Bosley Cloud with its panoramic views over the Cheshire plain.. After visiting the trig point on Bosley Cloud, the walk heads West to meet up with the Macclesfield Canal, which we follow for an easy four mile stretch.

Wednesday 19th March 2024

Chirk, Church Bank, Temple Wood and Chirk Castle.

Start: Chirk Centre Car Park. Grid ref: SJ291377.
Leave Chester at 09-00 a.m.
Those planning to walk: Martyn, .

Those not walking: .

Distance: 8.4 miles. Climb: 965’

This was a walk devised by Ed that allowed us to visit the temple we had seen on earlier walks, but only from the nearby road. This walk includes using a path that goes much closer.

This is quite a varied walk, including sections of the Llangollen Canal and the grounds of Chirk Castle.

Last time we were able to visit inside the church. 

Saturday 22nd March 2025.

No planned walk - see below for a list of possible walks.

Wednesday 26th March 2024.

Conwy Mountain and Around Maen Esgob and Craigfedwen.

Distance: 8 miles. Climb:1447'.
Start: Long stay car park on the B5106 at Conwy. Pay and Display. Grid ref:SH781773. Post code: LL32 8LS

Leave Chester at 08-30.

Those planning to walk: Martyn, .

Those not walking: .

The walk starts by heading through the castle walls and on the North Wales Coastal Path along the harbour as far as the secondary school. The North Wales Path is the followed over Conwy Mountain through Castell Caer Seion and onto the Sychnant Pass.

 The views from the Conwy Mountain Ridge can be superb, with the Great Orme in one direction and Tal y fan in the other, as well as good views towards Conwy castle and the Conwy Valley.

 After crossing the Sychnant Pass Road, the North Wales Path is once more folowed. At the point where there is a definite fork, it is possible to make a short there and back extension to visit the site of a monument. Returning to the North Wales Path, it is then followed along the East side of Maen Esgob as far as the head of the Fairy Glen. A path heading eastward then takes us past Llyn y wrach.

 Once the West side of Maen Esgob is reached, the main track is followed parallel to the stone wall towards Craigfedwen, where the footpath goes South of Waeny-fedwen and onto the minor road near Llechwedd. The route goes Northward on the road ad then takes the first path on the right which leads around Bryn-mawr to a minor access road. It is along this road that several large and/or interesting properties can be seen. at the T-junction, the route goes right and in a very short distance a broken kissing gate leads the way to a field path leading  to the Sychnant Pass Road at Mount Pleasant on the outskirts of Conwy. The Sychnant Pass Road  is then followed back to Conwy.

Saturday 29th March 2025.

No planned walk - see below for a list of possible walks.

Bollington to Bowstones.

Distance: 9-10 miles.

Climb:1800' at a guess.

Start: Pool Bank Car Park, (B5090) Palmerston Street, Bollington (Opposite the Spinners Arms). Post Code SK10 5PW.

Grid ref: SJ93687789

Leave Chester at 08-30 a.m.

Those planning to walk: Martyn, .

Those not walking: .

This walk is taken from Graham Beech's book "East Cheshire Walks", and is the second walk from this book that we will undertake. He describes this walk as an exhilarating walk to the Bowstones, and is a popular walk. It includes a fair portion of Lyme Park and sections of the Gritstone Trail. He describes the walk as strenuous, but I think we can still cope, even though it is over fifteen years since we last did it.

Long Mynd, Wild Moor and Pole Bank.

Distance:10-11 miles. Climb:2100’.

Start: Centre of Church Stretton car park (Pay and display). Grid ref: SO454930.

Leave Chester 8-30 a.m.

Those planning to walk: Martyn, .

Those not walking: .

This walk is taken from Ian R. Jones’s booklet “20 Church Stretton Walks”.  All of the walks around Church Stretton are popular, although this walk does include a few sections that are a little less visited by the throngs.  Another possible Dotterel day, but if we do see any, it will be our first on the Long Mynd.  Even without Dotterels this is a superb area of the country to walk in, especially as you explore the moors around Pole Bank.

Alderley Edge, Hare Hill and Over Alderley.

Distance: 8-9 miles; Climb: 1100'
Start: National Trust car park near The Wizard Grid ref:SJ860773
Leave Chester 09-00 a.m. and meet at the car park.
To get to the car park from Chester take the A51 then A54 towards Winsford, Middlewich and Holmes Chapel. From Holmes Chapel take the A535 to Chelford (Aldeley Edge). at Chelford turn right on to the A537 to Monks Heath. At Monks Heath take the A34 to Aldeley Edge. On the outskirts of Alderley Edge take the B5087 (Macclesfield Road). The National trust car park is just after The Wizard (pub). This is a pay and display car park but free to National Trust Members. The Car Park closes at dusk! 

Those planning to walk: Martyn, .

Those not walking: .

This walk combines two walks taken from Graham Beech's book "East Cheshire Walks". The first walk heads north-east to Waterfall Wood, Daniel Hill, Alder wood and Hare Hill. Just after Finlow Hill Wood it links in with the second walk that then heads south to St., Catherine's Church with its unusual octagonal tower.

Wales.

Traeth Lafan and Its Foothills.

Distance:7-8 miles. Climb:1000'.

Start: Abergwyngeryn Free Car Park Grid ref: SH0652728. Post code: LL33 0LF

PC (opens about 09-30) nearby and a cafe at the outdoor centre that allows walkers to use the toilets (opens earlier than PC.)

Leave Chester at 08-30 a.m.

This walk taken from Dave Berry's book "Walks On the North Wales Coast". The Traeth Lafan and it Foothills. This walk is an annual favourite and has in the past given us some wonderful experiences, especially in Winter trampling through soft fluffy knee deep snow, that didn't stick or wet our legs.  You never know we may get some  snow, this time too. It should be worthwhile bringing binoculars with you as we may visit The Spinnies Nature Reserve on the way back to our car.

This walk is described as walk of contrasting coastal and upland scenery with good views from the higher points on the North Wales path.

 This time we will use the road to The Spinnies, and avoid the unpleasant smelly muddy experience of taking the path through the farm yard,

We may see a Kingfisher at The Spinnies, but that often depends on whether the tide is coming.

Moel y Garneddd.

Distance: 7-8 miles.

Climb: 1200'.

Start: Fronfeuno Snowdonia National Park Lakeside Car park Grid ref: SH917351.

Leave Chester 08-30 a.m.

This walk is taken from Dave Berry's booklet "Walks Around Y Bala and Penllyn". The walk explores the undulating countryside West of Bala. The route follows a a bridleway up to moorland, eventually crossing Moel y Garneddd at a height of 1170'. We can expect to see superb views as we cross the open moorland. The return route goes through attractive woodland. This is a walk for experienced walkers only and should not be attempted in poor visibility. Careful navigation is required.

Caer, Gai, Cwm Dyfrydwy with an extension over Garth Fawr.

Distance: 9.1 miles. Climb: 1100'.

Start: Roadside parking in Llanuwchllyn on B4403. Park opposite the PC and chapel. Grid ref: SH875302.

Leave Chester 08-30 a.m.

This walk combines two walks from Dave Berry's booklet "Walks Around Y Bala and Penllyn". One walk is described as a fascinating walk featuring a Roman fort and historic houses and the other explores both sides of the Dyfrdwy Valley. The optional extension explores the countryside South of Llanuwchllyn, climbing to open moorland around Garth Fawr at a height of 1079'. It returns along the Western side of the Afon Twrch (Cwm Cynllwyd).

Walks and Dates April 2025

 Saturday Walks.

I have decided that it has become pointless for me to plan Saturday walks in advance as most weeks I am the only one around.

However Saturday walks can be arranged on request.

One short walk a month could be included on request.

Wednesday 2nd April 2025.

Alderley Edge, Hare Hill and Over Alderley.

Distance: 8-9 miles; Climb: 1100'

Start: National Trust car park near The Wizard Grid ref:SJ860773

Leave Chester 09-00 a.m. and meet at the car park.

To get to the car park from Chester take the A51 then A54 towards Winsford, Middlewich and Holmes Chapel. From Holmes Chapel take the A535 to Chelford (Aldeley Edge). at Chelford turn right on to the A537 to Monks Heath. At Monks Heath take the A34 to Aldeley Edge. On the outskirts of Alderley Edge take the B5087 (Macclesfield Road). The National trust car park is just after The Wizard (pub). This is a pay and display car park but free to National Trust Members. The Car Park closes at dusk! 

Those planning to walk: Martyn, .

Those not walking: .

This walk combines two walks taken from Graham Beech's book "East Cheshire Walks". The first walk heads north-east to Waterfall Wood, Daniel Hill, Alder wood and Hare Hill. Just after Finlow Hill Wood it links in with the second walk that then heads south to St., Catherine's Church with its unusual octagonal tower.

Saturday 5th April 2025.

No planned walk - see below for a list of possible walks.

Wednesday 9th April 2025.

Above Helsby and Frodsham.

Distance: 7-8 miles. Climb; 1000'.

Start: Helsby Quarry Woodland Car Park. Grid ref: SJ490750 Post code: WA6 9PT

Leave Chester at 09-00 a.m.

Those planning to walk: Martyn, Phil Marsland.

Those not walking: .

This walk is taken from the book "Pathfinder Guide to Cheshire". Much of it we have done before when following walks on the Sandstone Trail. However part of the walk around Helsby Hill is new to me and it is the first time that we have started from this car park. On a clear day, the views across the estuary is superb. The walk is described as being energetic. As the walk is a little shorter than usual, we may wish to explore the Woodhouse Hill fort a little more.

Saturday 12th April 2025.

No planned walk - see below for a list of possible walks.

Wednesday 16th April 2025.

Fron Hen, Loggerheads and More.

Distance: 7-8 miles. Climb: 1250'.

Start: Layby on the A494 Mold to Ruthin Road, about 1/2 mile South of Llanferres. Grid ref: SJ187597.

Leave Chester 09-00 a.m.

Those planning to walk: Martyn, Phil Marsland.

Those not walking: .

This walk explores the lower slopes of the Clwydians on the way to Loggerheads and eturns to Llanferres along the Western edge of Big Covert.

This a walk that Mike and I dide in February this year, but hopefully the weather this time will be a little kinder.

Saturday 19th April 2025.

No planned walk as I am going birdwatching to Pennington Flash

Wednesday 22nd April 2025.

Moel Fferna and Nant-y-Pandy.

Distance: Including Moel Fferna. 9 miles. Climb: 2000’.

Distance: Without Moel Fferna 6.5 -7.5 miles depending on return route taken.

Climb: 1375' - 1600'. depending on return route taken.

Start: Lay-by adjacent to the Butterfly Man Craft Centre on the A5 Llangollen to Corwen road

near Glyndyfrdwy. Grid ref:SJ1586942449.
Leave Chester 09-00 a.m.

Those planning to walk: Martyn, .

Those not walking:  .

The described part of the walk is taken from Dave Berry’s book “Walks Around Llangollen and

the Dee Valley”. He describes it as a fascinating walk through the wooded.

Nant-y-Pandy with its old slate works. The extension takes us to the summit of Moel Fferna,

in the past most of the group have left out the visit to the summit of Moel Fferna, but the option

is still there for those that do.

Saturday 26th April 2025.

No planned walk - see below for a list of possible walks.

Wednesday 30th April 2025.

Ffrith Mountain and the Alyn Gorge.

Distance: 9 miles. Climb: 1010'.
Start: Lay-by on the Cadole to the Pantymwyn road. Grid ref: SJ205627. Approaching Loggerheads on the A494, Mold to Ruthin Road and after passing the former Rainbow Inn (now a smalll new housing estate), take the next road on the right just before the newsagent. The lay-by is almost immediately on the right by the telephone kiosk.

Leave Chester: 09-00 a.m.

Those planning to walk: Martyn, .

(Those not walking: .

This walk is taken from Dave Berry's Book " More Walks in the Clwydian Hills" He describes it as an excellent walk exploring beautiful valleys and foothills. We usually start at Loggerheads, but as it is £5 to park for more than 4 hours we will start up the road in Cadole.

Suggestions for Saturday Walks.

Bollington to Bowstones.

Distance: 9-10 miles.

Climb:1800' at a guess.

Start: Pool Bank Car Park, (B5090) Palmerston Street, Bollington (Opposite the Spinners Arms). Post Code SK10 5PW.

Grid ref: SJ93687789

Leave Chester at 08-30 a.m.

Those planning to walk: Martyn, .

Those not walking: .

This walk is taken from Graham Beech's book "East Cheshire Walks", and is the second walk from this book that we will undertake. He describes this walk as an exhilarating walk to the Bowstones, and is a popular walk. It includes a fair portion of Lyme Park and sections of the Gritstone Trail. He describes the walk as strenuous, but I think we can still cope, even though it is over fifteen years since we last did it.

Long Mynd, Wild Moor and Pole Bank.

Distance:10-11 miles. Climb:2100’.

Start: Centre of Church Stretton car park (Pay and display). Grid ref: SO454930.

Leave Chester 8-30 a.m.

Those planning to walk: Martyn, .

Those not walking: .

This walk is taken from Ian R. Jones’s booklet “20 Church Stretton Walks”.  All of the walks around Church Stretton are popular, although this walk does include a few sections that are a little less visited by the throngs.  Another possible Dotterel day, but if we do see any, it will be our first on the Long Mynd.  Even without Dotterels this is a superb area of the country to walk in, especially as you explore the moors around Pole Bank.

Wales.

Traeth Lafan and Its Foothills.

Distance:7-8 miles. Climb:1000'.

Start: Abergwyngeryn Free Car Park Grid ref: SH0652728. Post code: LL33 0LF

PC (opens about 09-30) nearby and a cafe at the outdoor centre that allows walkers to use the toilets (opens earlier than PC.)

Leave Chester at 08-30 a.m.

This walk taken from Dave Berry's book "Walks On the North Wales Coast". The Traeth Lafan and it Foothills. This walk is an annual favourite and has in the past given us some wonderful experiences, especially in Winter trampling through soft fluffy knee deep snow, that didn't stick or wet our legs.  You never know we may get some  snow, this time too. It should be worthwhile bringing binoculars with you as we may visit The Spinnies Nature Reserve on the way back to our car.

This walk is described as walk of contrasting coastal and upland scenery with good views from the higher points on the North Wales path.

 This time we will use the road to The Spinnies, and avoid the unpleasant smelly muddy experience of taking the path through the farm yard,

We may see a Kingfisher at The Spinnies, but that often depends on whether the tide is coming.

Moel y Garneddd.

Distance: 7-8 miles.

Climb: 1200'.

Start: Fronfeuno Snowdonia National Park Lakeside Car park Grid ref: SH917351.

Leave Chester 08-30 a.m.

This walk is taken from Dave Berry's booklet "Walks Around Y Bala and Penllyn". The walk explores the undulating countryside West of Bala. The route follows a a bridleway up to moorland, eventually crossing Moel y Garneddd at a height of 1170'. We can expect to see superb views as we cross the open moorland. The return route goes through attractive woodland. This is a walk for experienced walkers only and should not be attempted in poor visibility. Careful navigation is required.

Caer, Gai, Cwm Dyfrydwy with an extension over Garth Fawr.

Distance: 9.1 miles. Climb: 1100'.

Start: Roadside parking in Llanuwchllyn on B4403. Park opposite the PC and chapel. Grid ref: SH875302.

Leave Chester 08-30 a.m.

This walk combines two walks from Dave Berry's booklet "Walks Around Y Bala and Penllyn". One walk is described as a fascinating walk featuring a Roman fort and historic houses and the other explores both sides of the Dyfrdwy Valley. The optional extension explores the countryside South of Llanuwchllyn, climbing to open moorland around Garth Fawr at a height of 1079'. It returns along the Western side of the Afon Twrch (Cwm Cynllwyd).

Around Bosley Cloud 15th March 2025

Sutton Common from lay-by where we had parked the car.

Our first view of Bosley Cloud.

One Wallaby seen through the fence.

Wallaby number two.

A display Peacock, but not to us!

A more chilled out Peacock.

Sutton Common and Bosley Reservoir from the Gritstone Trail Path to the summit of Bosley Cloud.

At the trig point on Bosley Cloud.

At the trig point on Bosley Cloud.

Beeston Hill from Bosley Cloud.

Jodrell Bank telescope from Bosley Cloud.

Our way down from Bosley Cloud.

The way ahead - a  more than three mile stretch along the Macclesfield Canal towpath.

Our lunch spot.

Bosley Cloud from the Macclesfield Canal towpath.

Buglawton Hall School from the Macclesfield Canal towpath.

A closer look at Buglawton Hall School.

Our first lambs of the day.

Lambs on the move.

Looking at Sutton Common again just before we departed from the towpath.

One of the stain glass windows in St. Mary the Virgin church, Bosley.

Inside St. Mary the Virgin church, Bosley.

Distance: 8.7 miles. Climb: 1050’
Time: 4 hours 54 minutes.
On the move walking average: 2.4 m.p.h.
Overall walk average: 1.8 m.p.h.
Temperature: 8 Celsius at the start. 7.2 Celsius on Bosley Cloud, but felt much colder! 7.7 Celsius at the end of the walk.
Beaufort Wind Force: 0 – 2. In the main, hardly much wind at all, although at times it just about made a Gentle breeze. Gentle breeze.
Group: Martyn and Mike.
The weather forecast today was looking good, sunny spells in the morning clouding over in the afternoon and feel-like temperatures of about 5 Celsius.
As we went past St. Mary the Virgin Church, Bosley there was a group of “Pay back” workers tidying up the grounds of the church.
Conditions underfoot were much better than expected, and the only really muddy path was encountered as we descended from the canal down towards the River Dane.
The surprise of the day, was seen in a field next to the path as we climbed to the top of Bosley Cloud. Three Wallabies and three Peacocks (two displaying their feathers).
Distant views from the top of Bosley Cloud were good, and we debated what hills were in view – a toposcope helped!
Lunch was taken by the Macclesfield Canal, where we took advantage of wooden planks used to block off sections of the canal whenever sections of the canal needed to be drained.
As we walked along the towpath, we noticed for the first time, a castellated building. Checking on the OS Map., it turned out t be Buglawton Hall School. This is residential special school.
Arriving back at Bosley, we went into St. Mary the Virgin church, more impressive on the inside than it appears from the outside.
Birds seen or heard today: House sparrow, Dunnock, Goldfinch, Jackdaw, Common blackbird, Carrion crow, Rook, Raven, Chiffchaff, Blue tit, Coal tit, European robin, Black billed magpie, Common buzzard, Great tit, Woodpigeon, Moorhen, Mallard, Pied wagtail and Canada goose.
Overall, a very enjoyable walk.
After walk drinks were enjoyed at the Morris Dancer in Kelsall. Mike had a pint of IPA, and I had an excellent pot of tea, made all the better as I asked for a jug of hot water.
Home in the daylight, and still, plenty of time to clean my boots outside.

Mynydd Marian 12th March 2025

Waves crashing on the rocks at Llanddulas.

Approaching quarry jetty.

ThevLittle Orme above the unusual sea defences.

Exploring ne terrain!

Approaching Old Colwyn.

A Turnstone below the Old Colwyn Path.

Primroses in Fairy Glen, Old Colwyn.

The neo-gothic folly tower was built in 1894 in the grounds of the Tan y Coed mansion as a retreat for its owner, Charles Woodall.

Daffodils in the Fairy Glen.

The view over the golf course towards the Great Orme and Little Orme.

The Conwy Brewery - producers of several fine real ales.

The view from our lunch spot - at least it is when we turned round.

The delightful limestone plateau traversed on our walk.

Valley views from the limestone plateau.

On the limestone plateau.

Crag y Forwyn.

Llanddulas ahead.

The delightful path through the trees below Craig y Forwyn.

St. Cynbrid's Church, Llanddulas.

Back at the coast at Llanddulas and the tide is now well out.

Distance: 8.2 miles. Climb: 1073’
Time: 5 hours 29 minutes.
On the move walking average: 2.4 m.p.h.
Overall walk average: 1.7 m.p.h.
Temperature: 8 Celsius at the start. Around 10 Celsius for the whole walk.
Beaufort Wind Force: 0 – 4. In the main, just an occasional Gentle breeze, although a couple of times it did gust to a 13.1 m.p.h. Moderate breeze.
Group: Martyn, Mike, Nigel and Fran.
The weather was rather forecast today was looking good, although it did suggest a feel-like temperature around 4-5 Celsius.
This was pretty well what we got, but we did get more sunshine than expected. In sheltered spots and In the warm sunshine, it felt pleasantly warm. However, at other times, we were grateful to be wearing winter walking gear.
Arriving at the coast at Llanddulas, the tide was just about at its highest, and we were able to watch the incoming waves crashing onto the rocks.
The stretch along the North Wales Coastal Path from Llanddulas to Old Colwyn an at times be somewhat tedious, but we did find out a little more about the jetty and conveyor belt used to transfer rocks from the quarry to waiting ships. Nigel noticed a worker and was able to ask a few questions that we answered some of the questions that we had debated a little earlier.
As we went skirted around Old Colwyn Golf Course, it was very noticeable that lots of work was going on, possibly linked to improving drainage on the course. New fences were also in the process of being constructed.
Distant views were good all day, particularly towards the Little Orme.
Lunch was taken on the edge of Mynydd Marian, where we took advantage of large rocks next to the track on which to sit. Alas the sheltered bench on the top of Mynydd Marian was already occupied when we arrived!
One of the best parts of the walk is along the North Wales Path as it traverses the limestone plateau south of the caravan / holiday park. Not quite a ridge, but you do feel as though you are walking along the tops, with views down to the valley below.
It was good to see that the path alongside the Valantine Inn was again open.
Birds seen or heard today: House sparrow, Dunnock, Goldfinch, Jackdaw, Common blackbird, Carrion crow, Chiffchaff, Common chaffinch, Blue tit, European robin, Black billed magpie, Common buzzard, Herring gull, Turnstone and Great tit.
Overall, a very enjoyable walk on a bright and sunny day and arriving back at the car with boots still pretty clean, always a bonus.
After walk drinks were enjoyed at the Britannia Inn at Halkyn.
As we were leaving the Brit, it started to rain, so we can honestly say we had the best of the day for our walk.