The Little Orme and on to Rhos-on-Sea 18th February 2026

Setting off to the Little Orme.

Only sheep in the field today, the donkeys must be on holiday!

At the trig point on Little Orme Head.

Llandudno Bay and the Great Orme from the Little Orme.

Distant views of the northern Carneddau.

Penrhyn Bay from the Little Orme.

Looking at the Grey seals in Porth Dyniewaid ( Angel Bay).

Grey seals in Porth Dyniewaid on our first visit.

One Grey seal in the sea at Porth Dyniewaid.

Walking on the beach at Penrhyn Bay.

The waves crashing on the shore in Penrhyn Bay.

A Common welk egg sack washed upon the pebbles in Penrhyn Bay.

A Turnstone roosting on the rocks in Penrhyn Bay.

Discarded Christmas trees get everywhere!

Heading back to the Little Orme after lunch.

Grey seals on the Port Dyniewaid beach in the afternoon.

Grey seals playing at the water edge.

Grey seals again.

Heading to Craig-y-don on the path past the Craigside Inn.

One of several roosting Eurasian curlews in the field opposite Craig-y-don paddling pool.

Distance: 7.3 miles.
Climb: 1214’. Wind assisted GPS reading) . Would be nearer 700' on a calm day!
Time: 4 hour 28 minutes. On the move walking average: 2.5 m.p.h. Overall walk average: 1.6 m.p.h.
Temperature: 4.2 – 6.8 Celsius.
Beaufort Wind Force: 2-5. Maximum 21.9 m.p.h. Fresh breeze, but mainly a Gentle to Moderate breeze.
Group: Martyn, Mike, Nigel and Ed.
The weather forecast for today wasn’t very good, but Ed was on holiday in Llandudno so we were committed to walk whatever the weather. Thankfully it was better than expected, although it was very windy, felt cold and it didn’t rain.
Distant views from Little Orme Head were not very clear, walking in the Carneddau today wouldn’t have been a good choice.

It was good to se that the PC at Craig-y-don had been refurbished, but futer visits would cost 50p!
Despite the high tide being around 11-15, around 17 Grey seals were on the beach in Porth Dyniewaid (Angel Bay) on our first visit in the morning, with a few more on our return visit in the afternoon.
Lunch was taken at Rhos-on-Sea, where we took advantage of the shelters next to the paddling pool and play area.
As I was quite some time since Ed last joined on a walk, fortified fruit cake was provided to mark the6 occasion.
Not as many birds around today, but the birds seen or heard today included: European robin, Common blackbird, Oystercatcher, Eurasian curlew, Turnstone, Herring gull, Black headed gull, Jackdaw, Carrion crow, Great cormorant, House sparrow, Woodpigeon, Black billed magpie and Great crested grebe.
Overall, an enjoyable walk as we caught up with the latest news from Ed.
As Nigel needed to pick up his car from the garage, we didn’t stop for a drink at the Albion in Conwy but headed homeward. We did however, call in at the Blue Bell Inn, Halkyn, for a quick pint of Lees bitter that was much appreciated!

Conwy Mountain, Around Maed Esgob and Craigfadwen 14th February 2026

Not the best place to park today!

About to go under the walls into Conwy.

Conwy Harbour.

A Herring gull on the Harbour.

Common redshank on the estuary as the tide goes out.

Looking towards the Great Orme.

Daffodils in flower and it isn't even March.

On the delightful path across Conwy Mountain.

A couple of Conwy Mountain's residents.

A Raven on Conwy Mountain.

Looking towards the Hills from the path across Conwy Mountain.

Heading towards the Sychnant Pass.

Looking towards Puffin Island from the North Wales Path.

Snow on the hills, taken from my lunch spot.

I've had better views from my lunch spot!

The small lake on the north west side of Maen Esgob.

The Afon Conwy  from south of Craigfedwen.

A good patch of Snowdrops.

Alpacas in their usual field.

Friendly donkeys.

I wonder who lived in this house when it was first built.

I hope they find something worth eating.

The other entrance to the big house (this part is called "Middle House")

Distance: 7.3 miles.
Climb: 1398’.
Time: 5 hour 4 minutes. On the move walking average: 2.1 m.p.h. Overall walk average: 1.5 m.p.h.
Temperature: 4 – 10 Celsius. Mostly around 7 Celsius.
Beaufort Wind Force: 0-2. Occasionally just making a Light breeze.
Group: Martyn and Mike.
The weather forecast for today was looking good, with little rain expected. However, as ee set off there was dampness in the air and it briefly started to rain. However, from about 10-30, there was no rain, mainly sunny. However, it was not quite warm enough for me to be tempted to take my jacket off.
Distant views became clearer as the day went on and the high hills were covered in snow. Lots of people were out, taking advantage of the weather, many of them with dogs.
We had lunch, just before going around Maen Esgob. The wind was still quite cool, so sheltered behind the stone wall.
After lunch, we took the path heading south from the gate near our lunch spot, unfortunately this meant that we missed out going past llyn y Wrach. We realised our mistake when we reach a small lake that we knew was not Llyn y Wrach.
Conditions underfoot were good, until we crossed the field towards Mount Pleasant. This field was the muddiest I have ever experience on this walk., cleaning boot would be necessary when we got home.
Birds seen or heard today included: European robin, Common blackbird, Dunnock Woodpigeon, Wood nuthatch, Black billed magpie, Carrion crow, Jackdaw, Rook, Great tit, Blue tit, Common redshank, Great spotted woodpecker, Great cormorant, Herring gull, Red billed chough, Mallard, Raven, Mistle thrush, Wigeon and Song thrush.
Overall, an enjoyable walk, finishing in warm sunshine. Once again, I was home in time to clean my boots before it started to rain.
After walk drinks, were enjoyed at the Blue Bell Inn at Halkyn, where Lees bitter went down well.

Bersham Iron Works, Nant Mill and the Minera Lead Mine Centre 11th February 2026

The first weir seen on the Afon Clywedog today.

(Next to our parking spot on Plas Buckley Road, Bersham)

Part of Bersham Iron Works.

Kings Mill on the Bersham Iron Works.

Kings Mill on the Bersham Iron Works site.

The bank of Snowdrops next to the Kings Mill.

St Mary's Church, Bersham.

Another weir (2) on the Afon Clywedog.  

Seen from the road.

More Snowdrops on Plas Buckley Road.

The ford across the Afon Clywedog in Big Wood.

The stepping-stones across the Afon Clywedog in Big Wood.

Snowdrops next to the road to The Nant.

The ford at The Nant.

Not a notice that I remember seeing before today.

The only owl seen today.

The first of the Gnomes.

"Can it be, a Toffee supporting Gnome in Wales?"

Jacob sheep, a popular breed in this area.

The view from my lunch spot, a deep yellow Crocus in flower.

Trapped debris near Nant Mill.

The Afon Clywedog from the footbridge at Nant Mill.

An information board for both Welsh and English speakers.

The delightful path through Big Wood.

The weir (2) seen from the Big Wood side.

On the leete near Kings Mill.

Distance: 5.9 miles.

Climb: 801’

.Time: 4 hour 2 minutes. On the move walking average: 2.3 m.p.h. Overall walk average: 1.5 m.p.h.
Temperature: 9.6 – 13.7 Celsius.
Beaufort Wind Force: 0-1. Occasionally just enough to make Light air.
Group: Martyn and Mike.
The weather forecast for today was awful, but we decided to risk getting wet. Thankfully the forecast was wrong, although there was a little dampness in the air for the first half an hour.
The most noticeable thing today was the volume of crystal-clear water flowing down the Afon Clywedog, making thunderous noise when going over any weirs.
Even the stepping stones in Plas Power Wood were covered by the fast-flowing Afon Clywedog.
Quite a lot of weeding had been done in the Gnome sanctuary, although I think most of them must still be on holiday!
Route finding after leaving the Gnomes proved too difficult for us, and we made the same mistake as we made last time out, and we ended up at the Minera Lead Mine Centre early, but not too early for lunch.
Next time we do this walk, we complete the Minera section in a clockwise direction, making the walk a figure of eight walk around The Nant.
It was good to see some Snowdrops showing well, particularly on the bank next to the Kings Mill in the grounds of Bersham Iron Works.
At the Mineral Lead Mine Centre, one deep yellow Crocus was showing near the picnic bench area where we had lunch.
Birds seen or heard today included: European robin, Common blackbird, Common pheasant, Woodpigeon, Wood nuthatch, Black billed magpie, Common buzzard, Eurasian jay, Blue tit and Song thrush.
Overall, an enjoyable walk, finishing in warm sunshine. Once again, I was home in time to clean my boots before it started to rain.
After walk drinks, were enjoyed at the Pant yr Ochain, Gresford where the Plum Porter went down well.