The Glyders 28th June 2008

Dave J. approaching Castell y Gwynt.
Looking back towards Tryfan.

The descent.

Walk stats: Distance: 7.4 miles.

Climb:4000'.

Group: Richard and Dave J.

We ascended via the north face running into an impasse and retracing our ascent further to the right found a reasonable route to the top. There were quite a few walkers there so we touched "Adam and Eve" in turn and moved on to Glyder Fach climbing a track which was very loose underfoot. Negotiating the summit we moved on to Glyder Fawr encountering strong winds and a noticable drop in temperature. We enjoyed lunch in the lee of Castell y Gwynt. The descent back down to the car was quite long and hard underfoot and by this time thighs were complaining loudly! Eventually the comfort of the car was reached and drinks enjoyed - Brakespears at the Fox at Ysceifiog.

Birds seen included, stonechat, pipit, wheatear, buzzard, ring ouzel, raven, sand piper.

Still not mastered the GPS, so don't have speed stats.

Woke up next day with thighs still sore!

Report and picture provided by Richard Green.

Two Quarries and Around the Foothills of Moel Morfydd 26th June 2008

Dave J and Celia on the correct path to the first quary.
Lunch at the second quarry.

A view of the Dee Valley from the foothills of Moel Morfydd.

Walk stats: Distance:10.1 miles; Climb:3097'.

Time:5 hours 35 minutes; Walking average:2.4 m.p.h.;Overall walk average:1.8 m.p.h.

Group:Martyn, Dave J., Celia, Tim, Sue and Michel.

This was the first walk that Richard has missed, his eagle eyes for spotting birds was missed and not so many were recorded. The day started well with a Tawny owl and two Red-legged partridge seen on route. The weather was pleasantly cool with intermittent showers that made the walk time longer than expected as we frequently put on and took off our waterproofs. This is always a pleasant walk, but paths had often disappeared beneath high bracken. Nevertheless walks were completed without mishap and only for the last half a mile did the rain become more persistent.

We didn't really blame Tim's return to the fold for the slightly less than perfect weather conditions.

We retired to the Grouse Inn at Carrog for well earned refreshments - J.W. Lees bitter.

Birds seen or heard today included:Tawny owl , Red-legged partridge, Raven, Carrion crow, Grouse, Pleasant, Robin, Willow warbler, Chiffchaff, Magpie, Grey wagtail, Wheatear, Stonechat, Redstart, Blackbird, Woodpidgeon and Wren.

Around Cwm Hirnant, Cwm Cymerig, Bwlch-y-Fenni and Rhiwaedog 14th June 2008

Route finding when it was easy!

The Arrenigs Where do we go now?
On the way to our first route finding failure!

Richard enjoying a second childhood!

Richard alongside the plaque commemorate the first ever recorded sheep dog trial.

Walk stats: Distance:13.3 miles; Climb:2749'.

Time:6 hours 48 minutes; Walking average:2.5 m.p.h.;Overall walk average:1.9 m.p.h.

Group:Martyn, Richard, Roger, Celia and Dave J.

Considering that at no point did we reach the summit of any hill, this really was an up and down walk. The weather was superb yet again, not always wall to wall blue skies and sunshine, but it was for considerable periods.

Following the route description wasn't always easy and we went off route a couple of times, one when the path seemed to disappear in a forest. Some of the paths were overgrown and one was almost hidden by head high bracken.

The views today were excellent, particularly towards the Arennigs.

Birds spotting today was also good with the Redstat being the star bird of the day.

Birds seen or heard today included: Redstart, Blackbird, Magpie, Pied wagtail, Jay, Raven, Carrion crow, Willow warbler, Chiffchaff, Wren, Greenfinch, Garden warbler, Blackcap, Stonechat, Meadow pipit, Song thrush, Skylark, Swallow, Swift, Grey heron, Chaffinch, Sisikin, Great tit and Buzzard.

After walk drinks were enjoyed at the Cholomendy Arms at Cadol. Boggart Light Mild was the beer of the day. This is the first time that I have ever enjoyed a a brew from Boggart, earlier experiences with Boggart brews hadn't been good!

On the Fringes of the Morwynians 12th June 2008

Not the best sort of path to climb to the summit of any hill!
The rest of the Llantysilio Ridge from Moel Morfydd.





The group on the summit of Moel Morfydd.
One of the new (to us) contouring paths used today.

Walk stats:Distance:9.5 miles; Climb:2290'.

Time:5 hours 15 minutes; Walking average:2.3 m.p.h. Overall walk average:1.7 m.p.h.

This proved to be an excellent walk, a variation on Dave Berry's original. Our extension involved using two contouring paths that we hadn't used before, making the approach to Moel Morfydd and return to the valley a very pleasant extension.

Weather was good for walking, not too hot and not too cold with only a few spots of rain lasting about twenty minutes after lunch.Our much slower than usual overall walking speed was a attributed to the many stops we made to look at flowers and and birds.

Two special birds were seen today, the Redstart and the Pied flycatcher. Only two saw the Redstart, but everyone had excellent views of two Pied flycatcher pairs as they hunted and returned to their nests at Pont Carrog.

Birds seen or heard today included: Redstart, Pied flycatcher, Sand martin (nesting in Pont Carrog again), Curlew, Grey wagtail, Buzzard, Whitethroat, Carrion crow, Raven, Stonechat, Meadow pipit, Swallow, House sparrow, Chaffinch, Willow warbler and Magpie.

We all received a warm welcome at the Grouse Inn where the usual J.W. Lees bitter was quaffed with relish.

Italy 2008

Updated 11th June 2008 - nearly time to go.

Italy 2008

17th June - 24th June.

Checking in time: The checking in desk opens 2 hours before scheduled the time of the flight.

Baggage:

The checked bagage allowance is 15 kg per person.

No pooling or sharing of baggage allowance is permitted, even for passengers booked together on the same reservation.

Cabin baggage allowance:

Each passenger can carry one piece of cabin baggage onto the aircraft.

The following restrictions apply:

Maximum weight 10 kg.

Maximun dimensions: 55 cm x 40cm x 20cm

Flight times are as follows:

Flight no. 9602

Depart Liverpool 17th June 2008 at 12-40

Arrive Venice Treviso at 15-55.

Return Flight No. 9603

Depart Venice Treviso 24th June 2008 at 16-20

Arrive Liverpool 17-40

I have received an e-mail from Ryanair asking me to confirm that we accept the above changes to the flight times. This I have done.

The change in flight times means that Dave J. and Michel have had to change the high car bookings. Unfortunately at present it means that the price has been increased to an extra £4 per head.

Tito has now confirmed our bookings both at the refugio and at the Hotel in Cologna Veneta for the 20-23 June. he has paid a deposit of 50 Euros for the refugio, even though it wasn't needed.

Michel has also booked the taxi to take us to the airport and collect us on the way back. We envisage two pick up points, Martyn, Richard, Annie H., Michel and Sue at Michel's and Dave J, Sylvia, Catherine, Celia and Laurence at Celia's. The cost quoted to Michel was £150, but that may go up, if the cost of fuel increases by then! Michel has payed a deposit of £30, but the rest of us will need to bring sufficient UK currency to pay for the rest of the taxi cost (£15 at present).

The flights for Italy 2008 have now been booked.

Those booked on the flight include: Martyn Harris, Richard Green, Celia de Mengle, Annie Hammond, Sue and Michel Pelissier, Dave and Sylvia Jenkins and Catherine Murphy. Laurence Work will also be on the flight, but has booked the flight indepenently.

The overall cost of the flights with Ryanair was £74.

Depart Liverpool (Flight FR9602) 12-40 a.m. Arrive Venice Treviso 15-55 a.m. [all local times]

Return journey.
Depart Venice Treviso (Flight FR9603) 16-20a.m. Arrive Liverpool 17-40 a.m. [all local times]

Flight times will need to be confirmed again the day before we fly.

It is hoped that we will be able to book a taxi for all of us. Hopefully a firm that has a vehicle that can take 10 of us plus baggage. We will need to look in to that nearer the time.

Michel and Dave J. have agreed to be the main drivers on the trip, and have now booked two vehicles (Mondeo size) for use for the whole of the trip in Italy. It was decided that all ten of us would share the cost of the two vehicles between us as well of the cost of all of the fuel used on the holiday by the three cars used by the group, including Tito's. The advantage we have in Italy is that Fran and Tito will have their own car there, so at least two people can be transported by them. It was suggested that Fran and Tito could take some of our gear with them, but could we be that organised?
It was agreed that the cost of hiring the two cars came to £50 per person and that we would all pay Dave J, and then Dave J. would pay the approrpriate amount to Michel.
Tito now has our room arrangements and will book the accomodation required when he goes to Cologna Veneta at the this weekend.

Sue and Dave Pearson have now booked their flights and will be meeting up with the group on the Friday in Cologna Veneta. They will spend the weekend with us before retuning home on the Sunday evening.

The trip to Venice at present planned for Saturday and the walk planned for the Sunday may be interchanged, if Sue and Dave P would rather walk on the Saturday.

In addition the itinerary may be adapted, if some of us decide that they want to go to the opera. (See Tito's e-mail for details and reply to it if you want him to book you a ticket.)

The only thing that still needs to be done is to book taxis to take us to the airport and back. It is now envisaged that we will have two pick ups for the taxis to the airport. Michel, Sue, Martyn, Richard and Anni will start from Michel's and Dave J, Sylvia, Catherine, Celia and Laurence will be collected at Celia's. These arrangements will be confirmed nearer the time.

Provisional Programme

Day 1. Tuesday June 17th 2008

Arrive Treviso airport. Transfer to the refugio “Boschetti”.

Explore the area around the refugio.

Day 2. Wednesday 18th 2008

Walk Passo delle Tre Croci, Revolto, Scalorbi, Fraccaroli, Cima Carega, Pertica, Revolto, Boschetti.

Day 3. Thursday 19th June 2008

Walk to be decided

Day 4. Friday 20th June 2008

Transfer to Cologna Veneta, visit to “Cantina Sociale Soave”.
Pranzo at “Scala” Restaurant Caselle.
Afternoon visit Verona.

Day 5. Saturday 21st June 2008

Walk on the "Colli Berici"

or

visit Venice (This seems to be the favourite option for most of us).

Evening meal at Pozzolo.

Day 6. Sunday 22nd June 2008

Walk on “Monte Baldo”.

Evening meal at Pozzolo.

Day 7. Monday 23rd June 2008

Swim in Lake Garda.

Day 8. Tuesday 24th June 2008

Transfer to Treviso Airport. Return to England.

Overall there will be at least 12 in the group throughout the trip plus an additional 2 over the weekend.

Just a reminder that Tito has sent an e-mail to us all concerning the recent arrangements he has made. He has confirmed that we are staying at the hotel La Torre in Cologna, and the accomodation at "rifugio Boschetti". He doesn't mention whether he has had to pay any money up front. The suggested accommodation arrangements are as follows:

Bedroom 1: Sue and Michel;

Bedroom 2:Celia and Laurence;

Bedroom 3: Sylvia and Dave J;

Bedroom 4: Tito and Richard;(single beds!)

Bedroom 5: Martyn (I seem to have the best deal at the moment or does this say something about my snoring!)

Dormitory: Fran, Catherine and Annie H.

Suggestions for alternative ways of sharing to be discussed at any time during a walk when sufficient people are present, or if necessary at an arranged meeting.

The cost for the refugio is 30 euros per person per night, but does include breakfast and and evening meal.

Arenig Fach 7th June 2008

One of our first views of Arenig Fach. Richard and Dave J. at the summit of the new Nuttall peak, Waun Garnedd-y-filiast.

At the trig point on Carnedd y Filiast.

At the summit of Carnedd Lechwedd-llyfn?

This will be the first and the last photo of Martyn to be taken on Arenig Fach!

Walk stats: Distance:13.4 miles;Climb:2746'.

Time:7 hours 19 minutes;Walking average:2.3 m.p.h.;Overal walk average:1.9 m.p.h.

Group: Martyn, Richard and Dave J.

The weather today was good for walking, not too hot, intermittent sun and occasional breeze to cool us down. The route to the first three peaks was a very pleasant in the main with a little ups and downs across peat hags on the approach to Waun Garnedd-y-filiast, a peak not mentioned on the original Nuttall route. Surprisingly we saw four other walkers on the next peak Carnedd y Filiast. The main challenge of the day was to follow, the ascent of Arenig Fach. It wasn't an enjoyable experience at all, and brought back many of the unpleasant memories of my last visit many years ago, and I remember saying then I would strike this route of the "to do again walk list". That now is definite. Overall it was good day's walk despite our heather/bilberry torn legs, a consequence of difficult heather hopping for several miles and a steep fence assisted final ascent of Arenig Fach. The descent wasn't much better and even the only path on the map disappeared unexpectedly at a house.

The views observed today were superb, both distant mountain tops and across towards the wild Migneint moorland.

Birds seen or heard today were few, but included:Buzzard, Meadow pipit, Stonechat, Skylark, Carrion crow, Willow warbler, Chaffinch and Curlew.

Very welcome drinks were downed at the Cholomendey Arms at Cadole.

Moel y Gaer, Sodom, Y Graig and Moel Maenefa 5th June 2008

Crossing the unusually dry field at Tremeirchion.
St., Bueno's college church on the hill, our lunch spot for the day.

The group at the"trig point" on Moel Maenefa.

Walk stats: Distance:8.5 miles; Climb:1676'.

Time:3 hours 55 minutes; Walking average:2.3 m.p.h.;Overall walk average:2.0 m.p.h.

Group:Martyn, Richard, Annie H.,Sylvia, Celia, Dave J., Sue and Michel.

This is always a good walk with outstanding views to Snowdonia and the Clwydian Hills. Today was no exception, although the distant views were a little hazy and some of the peaks in Snowdonia were in cloud. The conditions underfoot were better than expected, with the usual muddy section by the field gate in Tremeirchion being dry. The weather was kind to us, in the main dry and sunny. Only towards the end of th walk on Moel Maenefa did we experience a cooling wind for a short period.

Lunch was taken at the vantage point of the small hill on which the little church associated with St., Bueno's College is situated.

Plenty of flowers were observed on route, but the birds seemed to be keeping their heads down.

Birds seen or heard today included:Carrion crow, Jay, Magpie, Blackbird, Song thrush, Dunnock, Linnet,Willow warbler, Chiffchaff and Buzzard.

Excellent J.W. Lees bitter was enjoyed by most of us at very welcoming Britannia Inn at Pentre Halkyn.

Dates and Walks June 2008

Updated on the 1st June 2008

Thursday 5th June 2008

Tremerchion, Y Craig, Moel-y-Gaer and Sodom.

Distance:10 miles.
Climb:2000'.
Start: off road parking just north and east of Tremerchion. Grid ref: SJ095740
Leave Chester at 9-00 a.m.
This is one of my favourite walks and with the extension to St., Bueno's College and Moel Maenefa gives two superb viewpoints. Can be muddy in places, but this is worth putting up with for the benefits of the rest of the walk.

Saturday 7th June 2008

Arenig Fach.

Distance: 11 miles.
Climb;2500'.
Start: Most westerly lay-by along the north side of Llyn Celyn. Grid ref: SH857411
Leave Chester 8-30 a.m.

It is a long time since I completed this walk, and if my memories are correct it involved having to wade across a stream and climbing a rather unpleasant grassy slope to the summit. Hopefully we won't encounter these problems this time! The walk is taken from Nutall's book "The Mountains of England and Wales Volume 1 Wales"

Thursday 12th June 2008

The Fringes of the Morwynion, Moel y Gaer and Moel Morfydd.

Distance10-11 miles.
Climb:2500+'.
Start: Pont Carrog. Grid ref: SJ115437
This is a walk taken from Dave Berry's book " Walks Around Llangollen and the Dee Valley. The walk is extended to include two peaks of the Llantisilio range.
Hopefully we will be able to see Sand martins that use Pont Carrog as a nest site, and of course we will be able to visit the Grouse Inn after the walk.

Saturday 14th June 2008

Bwch-y-Fenni and Rhiwaedog and

Around Cwm Hirnant and Cwm Cymerig.

Distance: 11-12 miles.
Climb:2000+ at a guess.
Start: riverside car park, Cwm Hirnant. Grid ref: SH955337
Leave Chester 8-30 a.m.
This walk combines two walks from Dave Berry's book " walks Around Y Bala and Penllyn". One walk explores the attractive valleys and upland pastures south of Rhos-y-Gwaliau It crosses the slopes of Cwm Hirnant, retiyrns to the valley and then climbs the slopes of Moelfryn before descending to Cwm Cymerig. The other walk climbs to the ancient pass of Bwlch -y-Fenni and gives good views of Plas Rhiwedog and visits the site of the first dog trials.

Tuesday 17th June 2008-24th June 2008

Harris Hiker go to Italy.

Thursday 26th June 2008

Two Quarries Walk.

Distance:11 miles.
Climb: 3090'.
Start: Parking opposite Capel Hebron at Rhewl. Grid ref:SJ182449
Leave Chester at 9-00 a.m.
This combines another two walks from Dave Berry's book " Walks Around Llangollen and the Dee Valley". This combination of walks is relatively demanding as it explores the hills and valleys south of the Llantisilio Range, but it has much to offer for the efforts put in.

Saturday 28th June 2008

No walk planned. I have to attend a family get together/40th birthday bash.
Hopefully Dave J. will organise a walk maybe Tryfan even.