Clip-y-Orsedd and Foel Lus 25th April 2009

A hillside decked in Primrose - what a glorious sight! Is this a hen party heading to the top of Clip-y-Orsedd? At the Druid's Stone Circle.

The final descent to Nant y Coed and Llanfairfechan.

Walk stats: Distance:10.8miles (11.8miles for Richard, Roger and Dave J.);Climb:2379' (3080' for Richard, Roger and Dave J.).

Group:Martyn, Sylvia, Fran and Tito, Celia and Laurence, Richard, Roger and Dave J.

A day for contrasting weather. We started in very light rain, which turned into heavy rain with a cold Easterly wind as we approached the summit of Clip-y-Orsedd at about 11-30 a.m. At times the temperature felt close to freezing! However at that point the rain stopped and the wind eased slightly. We could now enjoy the rest of the walk in comfort, warm enough for some to remove coats and bare legs! The views initially were not so good, bot during the afternoon in one direction we could see Anglesey again and the opposite direction the ridge of Tan y fan and further over the Northern peaks of the Carneddau.

Lunch was taken on the Jubilee path around Foel Lus with good views across Penmaenmawr and the Irish sea towards Puffin Island and Penmon Point on Anglesey.

Before lunch we met a group of dog owner involved in a training exercise to see if their dogs were suitable for being trained as search and rescue dogs.

Birds seen or heard today included:Robin, Jackdaw, Carrion crow, Mistle thrush, Blackbird, Greenfinch, Swallow, Chaffinch, Great tit, Blue tit and a bird of prey, probably a Kestrel.

After walk drinks were enjoyed at the Britannia Inn at Pentre Halkyn where the Les bitter was back in form.

Dates and Walks April 2009

Updated 24th April 2009.

Thursday 2nd April 2009.
Eglwyseg Rocks, Trevor Rocks and More.

Distance:10 miles; Climb:2000'.
Start:Verge parking close to the Monument on the Panorama Walk. Grif ref: SJ247428.
Leave Chester at 9-00 a.m.
This is one of the best walks in the LLangollen area, and is one that we have done at least once every year since Michel introduced us to it many years ago. Although there are very few paths on the O.S. maps , there are good paths on the ground. It will give us another chance to explore some of the newly created waymarked paths across the upper plateau of the Eglwyseg escarpment.

Saturday 4th April 2009.
St. Celynnin's Church and Tal y Fan.

Distance:7-8 miles;Climb:2000+'.
Start:Roadside parking in Rowen, on the right by houses just after passing the Post Office. Grid ref:SH761719.
Leave Chester 8-00 a.m.
This walk is taken from Dave Berry's book "Walks Around Betws-y-coed and the Conwy Valley". This walk is described as exploring the scenic upland pastures, full of antiquity, featuring a remote ancient church, Maen Penddu (standing stone), a burial chamber and Cae Bach (hill fort). Visiting Cae Bach may involve a there and back extension! Although this walk is shorter than our usual walks, Dave Berry does suggest that we should allow at least 5 hours and is for experienced walkers only!

Thursday 9th April 2009.
A Walk in the Ceiriog Valley.

Distance:10 miles; Climb:2000'.
Start: Car park in Pontfadog. Grid ref:SJ235382.
Leave Chester 9-00 a.m.
This is a repeat of the walk that we did in August 2007, and is the "Chapels in the Valley" walk that was taken from a Walking Wales magazine. We enjoyed it so much last time that I thought it was time to repeat it. As last time it intended to visit the summit of Y Foel and Biddulph Tower. Perhaps this time we might investigate an alternative descent of Biddulph Tower, rather that just retracing the route of ascent.

Saturday 11th April 2009.
Porth-Llwyd Falls, Cwm Port-Llwyd and Moel Eilio.

Distance:8-9 miles; Climb:1500+'.
Start: Roadside parking in Dolgarrog in road opposite Dolgarrog Social Club. Grid ref:SH769677.
Leave Chester 8-00 a.m.
This walk combines another two walks from Dave Berry's book "Walks Around Betws-y-coed and the Conwy Valley". One walk he describes as a demanding 3 mile walk ascending the steep wooded slopes above Dolgarrog and includes a waymarked trail commemorating the 1925 dam disaster. The second walk explores remote upland valleys using an old 2' narrow railway track and returns across Moel Eilio ridge. The final part of this walk passes Porth-Llwyd Falls, a popular attraction with Victorian visitors.

Thursday 16th April 2009.
Cwm Coed Drwg and Bwlch y Groes and Moel y Gaer.

Distance:11-12 miles; Climb:3000'.
Start:Lay-by close to the Butterfly Man Craft Centre at Glyndyfrdwy. Grid ref:SJ158436.
Leave Chester 9-00 a.m.
This is a walk taken from Dave Berry's book "walks Around Llangollen and the Dee Valley". This is another walk that we have done several times before. Dave Berry describes it as an exhilarating walk exploring the Western hills of the Llantysilio Mountains, giving extensive views throughout. The climb through heather clad moorland to the summit of Moel yr Gaer is an extension that we will do, weather permitting.

Saturday 18th April 2009.
Grinlwm and Llyn Gerionydd.

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

Start:Llanrwst Plas yn Dre car park. Grid ref:SH782630.
Leave Chester 8-00 a.m.
This is another walk that combines another two walks from Dave Berry's book "Walks Around Betws-y-coed and the Conwy Valley". Whilst many of the group have already done this walk, it is one that I missed out on last time. Hence the repeat. The walk included to waterfalls and the remote ancient Llanrhychwyn church.
Grinllwm and the Llanrwst to Trefriw Valley Walk.

Thursday 23rd April 2009.
Foxhalls and the Ystrad Valley.

Distance:12 miles; Climb:2000'.
Start:Lay-by just outside Denbigh on the A534 Pentrefoelas road. Grid ref:SJ043660.
Leave Chester 9-00 a.m.
This walk combines two walks from Dave Berry's book "Walks in the Vale of Clwyd". We have done both walks before, but last time we didn't complete the Foxhalls walk as intended as we missed a turning just after the Lawnt. These are two good walks. One exploring the wooded Ystrad Valley and the other exploring the gently un dulating countryside between Denbigh and Henlan.

Saturday 25th April 2009.
Clip-y-Orsedd, Garreg Fawr, Nant y Coed and Bwlch y Ddeufaen.

Distance:12 miles; Climb:2500'.
Start: Llanfairfechan. Turn left at the traffic lights up Village Road, then turn right at HSBC and the car park is at the rear of the bank. Grid ref:SH682747.
Leave Chester 8-00 a.m.

This involves another two walks from Dave Berry's book "Walks on the North Wales Coast". We have done both walks before, but I don't think that qwe have done them together. This is lovely upland area to explore, and usually when near Clip yr Orsedd we extend the walk to visit the Druids Circles. the walk over Carreg Fawr is good too!

Thursday 30th April 2009.
Snowdon.

Distance: 8-9 miles; Climb:1500'.
Leave Chester 7-45 a.m.
Start:Snowdon Ranger car park and leaving at least 1 car at the Rhyd ddu car park. Grid ref: Snowdon Ranger car park SH564552. Rhyd Ddu car park SH572524 (pay and display). At the moment it looks like we will need at least 4 cars to give us the options that we want.
This is a change of plan to accomodate 5 of our Fench visitors from Arradon who want to go up Snowdon. Michel has informed them that we will pick them up from their hotel in LLandudno at 8-30 a.m., hence the very early start. It is intended that we will use the Snowdon Ranger for the ascent and the Rhyd Ddu path in descent. Return to the cars at the Snowdon Ranger car park will be by car or using the Snowdon Highland Railway if convenient. Any wait can be made by taking refeshments at the Cwellyn Arms.

Around the Ystrad Valley and Foxhalls 23rd April 2009

The best view of the day! It may be early, but there are plenty of Bluebells about!

Foxhall Newydd? Why this view? But can anyone identify the location of these wind turbines?

Walk stats:13.1 miles; Climb:1351'.

Time: 5 hours 51 minutes: On the move walking average:2.6m.p.h.: Overall walk average:2.2m.p.h..

Group:Martyn, Richard, Roger, Dave J., Gordon, Annie H., Michel and and Sue.

What a god day for walking this turned out to be. Not quite sunny all day but almost and very little wind. temperatures in the high teens what more could we want? the walk, a little contrived at times resulted in a later than usual lunch (had Fran been with us she wouldn't have been best pleased!). Birds seen were few, but we heard plenty and the the Spring flowers were magnificent. Bluebells seems to be well on their way and our normal Bluebell wood walk I think will have to be brought forward to the middle of May rather than at the end!

Birds seen or heard today included:Robin, Blackcap, Swallow, Blackbird, Carrion crow, Pied wagtail, Chaffinch, Chiffichaff, Willow warbler, Buzzard, Coal tit, Blue tit, great tit, House sparrow, Dunnock, Jackdaw, Wren and Raven.

After walk drinks were enjoyed at at the Britannia Inn at Pentre Halkyn, although the bitter today wasn't at its best!

At 13.1 miles this was a little longer than expected, it won't be as long next time!

Grinllwm and Gerionydd 18th April 2009

On the summit of Grinllwm.

Llyn Gerionydd - just before our lunch pot.

One of the many superb views seen today.

Some of the mountains of Snowdonia.

A rare sight - Roger leaving church - Llanrhychwyn.

Walk stats: 9.7 miles; Climb:1474'.
Time: 5 hours 46 minutes; On the move walking average:2.3 m.p.h.; Overall walk average:1.7 m.p.h.

Group: Martyn, Richard and Roger.

What a glorious day this turned out to be. Sunny all day, virtually no wind and pleasantly warm - perfect for walking. This was a day to linger and just take in the fantastic views or enjoy the birds singing, admire the splash of Spring flowers or the fluttering butterflies or have a chat with the locals! Today we heard the first Cuckoo of the year calling, and recalled that it was in the same area last year where we had seen them.

Other birds seen or heard today included:Buzzard, Kestrel, Meadow pipit, Tree pipit, Carrion crow, Magpie, Jackdaw, Raven, Robin, Chaffinch, Willow warbler, Chiffchaff, Goosander, Mallard, Little egret, Grey heron. Blackbird, Herring gull, Greenfinch, Swallow, Sand martin, House sparrow, Canada goose, Pheasant, Blue tit, Great tit, Pied wagtail, Grey wagtail, Wheatear and Dipper.
Much debate ensued concerning a small white flower that had leaves on separate stems coming from straight from the roots, identified as Wood Sorrel.

After walk drinks were enjoyed at the Britannia Inn at Pentre Halkyn. A pint of Lees bitter in fine condition, as it usually is at the Britannia, the perfect way to end the day!

Cwm Coed Drwg and Moel Morfydd 16th April 2009

This is what it can look like, if you stop to take off your rain gear! The main climb of the day, heading for the trig point on Moel Mprfydd.
Enjoying lunch part 1

Enjoying lunch part 2 (at least 1 enjoying it twice!).

The final descent on the Dee Valley Way to Glyndyfrdwy.

Walk stats: Distance: 9.4 miles; climb: 1990'.

Time: 4 hours 41 minutes: On the move walking average:2.4 m.p.h.: Overall walk average: 2.0 m.p.h.

Group: Martyn, Richard, Roger, Celia, Dave. J., Annie H., Paul, Fran and Tito, Sue and Michel.
The weather forcast for today wasn't good, rain predicted for most of the day, especially after lunch and a cool Easterly wind too! Thankfully we only experienced any real rain for about an hour as we approached the summit of Moel Morfydd.

Only three of the group, Fran, Paul and Martyn decided to brave the conditions and walk in shorts!

This was in fact a grey day weathewise, bur it was still a really good walk and has so much potential for experiencing good views on an appropriate day with somewhat more distant visibility!

Birds seen and heard today included: Greenfinch, House sparrow, Dunnock (Roger's bird of the day), Carrion crow, Raven, Herring gull, Blue tit, Great tit, Red grouse, Pheasant, Wren, Meadow pipit, Stonechat, Buzzard, Swallow (more than one!) and Green woodpecker (only seen by Dave J.)

After walk drinks were enjoyed at the wonderful Grouse Inn at Carrog where the Lees Bitter is is always served it top condition and the views to the river are superb (if you get the window seat!).

Here Fran declared that she must win the award for still wearing shorts and showing bare legs. No one commented except Michel who said that they were the sexiest legs on show! No-one commented, but everyone seemed happy having had another good day in the hills!

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All Around Moel Eilio from Dolgarrog 11th April 2009

A Willow warbler - not that you can tell! Llyn Eigiau Reservoir - not the usual view!
Llyn Cowlyd reservoir.
Celia on the Roman road! Coety or Coedty Reservoir with Moel Eilio behind.

Walk stats: Distance:10.1 miles; Climb:1967'.

Time:5 hours 54 minutes; On the move walking average:2.2 m.p.h.;Overall walk average:1.7 m.p.h.

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

What a glorious day this turned out to be. Wall to wall blue skies to start with and sunshine virtually throughout the walk. This was certainly a day to linger and we did much of that as we tried to spot the singing Willow warbler or the skylark serenading us high in the sky. this was a beautiful walk, easy at first, then a little challenging off-roading although theoretically on a footpath, finishing with a lovely wooded descent alongside the Afon Porth - llwyd before visiting the Memorial Trail commemorating the 1925 Dalgarrog flooding disaster when 16 local people lost their lives.

Birds seen or heard today included:Blue tit, Great tit, Chiffchaff, Willow warbler, Meadow pipit, Skylark, Wren, Stonechat, Wheatear, Carrion crow, Greenfinch, Garden warbler, Great-crested grebe, Buzzard, Raven, Song thrush, Pheasant and a calling bird of prey (not easily identified, maybe a Merlin but probably a Kestrel). On route we also saw an unusual red spider, a few Rabbits and a collection of tadpoles.

After walk drinks were enjoyed at the Britannia Inn at Pentre Halkyn. It seems such a long time since we have enjoyed the generous hospitality of this local. The Lees bitter was excellent as usual and the bonus of the day was some Hot cross buns provided by the landlady Sarah. It's a pity we don't have a local like this nearer home!

The Ceiriog Valley, Y Foel and Biddulph Tower 9th April 2009

The bird of the day - a Yellowhammer. Admiring the view or not!
The view towards Llangollen and the Eglwyseg Escarpments from the ridge North of the Ceiriog Valley.

At Biddulph Tower on Y Foel.

Walk stats:Distance:9.3 miles; Climb:1837'.

Time:4 hours 57 minutes; On the move walking average:2.6 m.p.h.;Overall walk average:1.9 m.p.h.

Group:Martyn, Richard, Roger, Gordon, Annie H.,Fran and Tito, Sue and Michel, Sue and Dave P.

We set off from Pontfadog hopeful that the weather forecast for rain and strong winds would not materialise. It looked good until we reached the ridge road above the Ceiriog Valley where the strong cooling wind kicked in. This time we decided to make the short there and back trip to the viewpoint overlooking the Vale of Llangollen. Was it worth, yes because we saw a wonderful Yellowhammer on a Gorse bush on our return to the ridge road. We had lunch by Biddulph Tower, sheltering from the wind, but thankfully at this point not in the rain. We decided to do a bit off-roading, heading across the Heather clad moorland in search of a track that would lead to a footpath heading back to Glyn Ceiriog. This could section could easily be described as Tito's tumbles with Heather! Heather hopping isn't one of favourite hobbies to say the least, but we did eventually find the footpath! Soon afterwards the rain started and accompanied us all the back to the car. A diversion caused us to use the "quiet" road back to Pontfadog!

Birds seen or heard today included:Carrion crow, Chaffinch, Blue tit, Great tit, Housesparrow, Curlew, Lapwing Grey wagtail, Blackbird, Meadow pipit, Skylark and Yellowhammer.

We tried in vain to find an open hostelry in the Ceiriog Valley, but ended up at the Pant Yr Ochain at Gresford where a Derwent brew and Timothy Taylor Landlord were the beers sampled.

St. Celynin's Church and Tal Y Fan 4th April 2009

An early view of the Conwy. St. Celynin's Church - unfortunately not open.

At the trig point on Tal y Fan.

No I won't go in that cromlech!

Walk stats: Distance:7.4 miles; Climb:2605'.

Time :4 hours 36 minutes; On the move walking average:2.1 m.p.h.; Overall walk average: 1.6 m.p.h.

Group:Martyn, Richard, Roger,Celia, Dave J., Fran and Tito.
Another day of surprises, especially the weather. At time it was warm and sunny and unfortunately when we were approaching the ridge of Tal y Fan the cloud/mist came down and a bitterly cold gale force wind seemed determined to limit our forward progress. We didn't linger long at the trig point! Lunch was taken sheltering behind a substantial wall. We were all thankful that hot liquid refreshment was the order of the day, a little bit of fruit cake helped too! The other surprise was the vast number of people that we saw on Tal y Fan, it must have been over 30 in all. We certainly didn't expect this minor little peak to be so popular.

At last we have visited St. Celynin's Church, but it was disappointing to find it closed.

The walk invited us to search out several standing stones, one or two being quite impressive, as well as an ancient burial chamber.

Birds seen or heard today were few and far between but included: Buzzard, Raven, Carrion crow, Great tit, Meadow pipit, Skylark, Coal tit, Chaffinch, Shelduck and Grey wagtail.

It was good to see some of the Spring flowers in bloom including some British Bluebells, almost a month before we would normally expect to see them.

Only Richard, Roger and Martyn went to the Lees hostelry in Rowen for refreshment. Lees Dark was also enjoyed as well as the normal Lees bitter.

Eglwyseg Escarpments 2nd April 2009

On the first ascent - left .....left .... left .. right .. left!

Lazy horses!At the lunch spot.
An Impressive Rock Face on one of the Eglwyseg Escarpment (below our lunch spot!).

A Second Elwyseg Escarpment.

Walk stats: Distance:9.4 miles; Climb:1384'.

Time:4 hours 40 minutes; On the move walking average:2.4 m.p.h.;Overall walk average:2.0 m.p.h.

Group:Martyn, Richard, Roger, Gordon, Celia, Fran and Tito, Sylvia and Dave J.

The weather forecast was good, dry and sunny all day! It didn't quite turn out that way. The morning was pleasantly on the cool side, almost perfect for walking, and the only real sunshine was from lunchtime and afterwards.

This must be one of the most rewarding walks you can go on with virtually no effort involved. Superb views all the way round whilst following the edges of these fantastic limestone escarpment. Every step gives a view that just makes you want to stop and linger and take it all in!

The spot of the day was what seemed to be a giant Brown Hare running across the moor on the skyline, but for Dave J., it was probably the good views of a Wheatear at the lunch spot!

Other birds seen or heard today included:Chaffinch, Buzzard, Canada goose, Chiffchaff (my bird of the day!), Raven, Carrion crow, Great tit, Meadow pipit, Stonechat and Skylark.

The Australia Arms was closed again, so we ended up at the Pant y Ochain where we sat outside to enjoy our drinks in the sunshine!