Shining Tor from the Errwood Reservoir 28th June 2009

The sad remains of Errwood Hall. Sue Powell "racing" along the Errwood Hall to Pym Chair Path.
Inside the shrine on the Errwood Hall to Pym Chair Path.

Walk stats:Distance:8.2 miles; Climb:1115'.

Time:4 hours 2 minutes; On the move walking average:2.4 m.p.h.;Overall walk average:2.0 m.p.h.

Group:Martyn and Sue Powell.

This turned out to be a little more than just an afternoon stroll. Route finding was easy, but the section around Errwood Hall to the Pym Chair Path caught us out, but not for long! The ridge from Pym Chair to Shining Tor is always good, with impressive views in all directions, especially towards Shutlingsloe and Croker Hill, but today we had the added bonus of first hearing and then seeing a Golden Plover in full breeding plumage.

Other birds seen or heard today included:Willow warbler, Chaffinch, Meadow pipit, Kestrel, Pheasant, Swift and Skylark.

Overall this was a lovely walk and the path from Errwood Hall to Pym Chair was a really good way of gaining height from the Reservoir to Pym Chair, and seemed to demand much less effort and was far more pleasant than had we just taken the path running parallel to the road from the Street car park to Pym Chair .

Cwm Bychan and Cwm Nantcol 27th June 2009

A different view of Rhinog Fawr - looking across Llyn Cwm Bychan.

An attempt to be artistic!

Dave J. on the Roman Steps and on a Roman Bridge?

Not one of the best views of the day! No it's only Roger on the Roman Steps!


The Rhinogs from Cwm Nantcol - one of the best views of the day!

Walk stats: distance: 13.3 miles; Climb:1797'.

Time: 6 hours 53 minutes; On the move walking average: 2.4 m.p.g.;Overall walk average:1.9m.p.h.

Group:Martyn, Richard, Roger and Dave J.

The weather today was marginally better than expected! We started of in very warm and humid conditions and ended the walk in hot sunny energy sapping conditions, but at least it didn't rain! This relatively low level walk was a little more challenging than expected, much of the walk required much looking to where the next foot should be placed and that was without Dave J. short cuts! This walk in the remote Rhinogs proved to be an understatement! First we met the Carnarfon branch of the Ramblers (and one member knew Richard!), then another party of about 8, two more pars of walkers and finally a couple who, like us had seldom ever seen other walkers! thanks to Dave J. eventually we did take one short cut that was beneficial to our weary legs and hot feet and the overall walk was kept to under 14 miles!

Nature wise the best sighting was two Hares, although Richard's Common frig cane a close second!

Birds seen or heard today included: Willow warbler, Chaffinch, Great spotted woodpecker, Blue tit, Coal tit, Long-tailed tit, Canada goose, Common sandpiper, Grey heron, Carrion crow, Nuthatch, Treecreeper, Stonechat, Wheatear and Robin.

After walk drinks were enjoyed at the Cholomeney Arms at Cadol. Some of us even enjoyed a Boggart brew that had ginger in it!

Llantysilio Mountain 25th June 2009

No Georgie, you can't play with the sheep!

The highest point of the day - everyone rejected it as a lunch spot - this wouldn't have happened if Fran was with us!

The rest of the group enjoying the experience of a new path!

The leading group with Richard leading on the new for us path - Satmap in conrol!

Walk stats: Distance; 8.0 miles: Climb: 1922'.

Time: 4 hors 40 minutes; On the move walking average;2.3 m.p.h.;Ovverall walk average: 1.9 m.p.h.; Overall walk average: 1.9 m.p.h.

Group: Martyn, Richard, Roger, Sylvia, Dave J., Annie H., Gordon, Michel and Sue and Georgie (becoming our resident dog and friend of all).

A glorious day all round. We arrived at the Ponderosa with a very cool breeze it made me feel like a Cormorant wanting to spread their wings and cool down/dry off! Others didn't appreciate the cooling wind as much!
This was the first time that we actually completed the walk as described by Dave Berry and the new path to us was delightful. missing out Moel Gamelin seemed to be a positive decision and later attempts to include it were rapidly rejected!

Nevertheless this was a lovely walk, although today it was a little too hot to appreciate all of its good points.

It was good to see that Richard was well again and happy to join us for the the second half of th walk!

Birds seen or heard today: Buzzard, Carrion crow, Pied wagtail. carrion crow, Swallow, Swift, House martin. Stonechat. Meadow pipit, Skylark, Wheatear, Linnet, Willow warbler, Pheasant and Blackbird.

After walk drinks were enjoyed at the New Inn at Pontybodkin where a Cottage brew was the one to tickle our fancy!

Holy Island 20th June 2009

South Stack from the cliffs above North Stack.

North Stack from the approach to South Stack.

Not quite heading into the Sun - the final section of the coastal path with the Lleyn Peninsular in the background.

Walk stats:Distance:13.0 miles; Climb:1905'.

Time:6 hours 54 minutes; On the move walking average: 2.2 m.p.h.;Overall walk average: 1.9 m.p.h.

Group: Martyn, Richard, Dave J., Sylvia and Georgie.

Thankful the predicted showers never materialised until we had finished the walk, instead it was pleasantly warm throughout with the often cool wind to make it almost perfect for walking. This is a walk to dawdle on, anything quicker means that you will probably miss some of the magnificent flowers or birds that are seen all along the coast. Today was no exception with two orchids, the Spotted Heath Orchid and the Purple Marsh Orchid and Ragged Robin just three of the many flowers observed. We even saw a very pretty small blue butterfly, probably a Common Blue. the birds seen on this walk at this time of the year are always numerous and included: Chough, Magpie, Carrion crow, Jackdaw, Raven, Woodpigeon, Collared dove, Greenfinch, Goldfinch, Stonechat, Herring gull, Kestrel, Kittewake, Guillemot, Razorbill, Oystercatcher, Swallow, House martin, Blackbird, Wren, Willow warbler, Wren, Meadow pipit and Skylark. We did see Puffins, but only on the live CCTV shown in the Ellen Tower RSBP centre (we missed out on seeing them through our binoculars because we decoded not to go down the steps towards the lighthouse to join a group of twitchers, we should have known better!). Enjoyable as it was we were all grateful to arrive back at the car and able to remove heavy boots from our tired feet and head for that refreshing pint of Lees bitter at the Britannia Inn at Pentre Halkyn.

Dates and Walks June 2009

Updated 19th June 2009.

Congratulations to Sue and Dave Pearson on the arrival of their new grandson,Sam. Born at 11-45 p.m.on Monday 4th June, weighing in at 9 lb 9 onz. Mother and baby both doing well. Grandparents proud, but apparently stressed!

Thursday 4th June 2009.

Tremeirchion, Y Craig, Sodom and Moel Yr Gaer.

Distance:9-10 miles;Climb:2500'.
Start: Off road parking, minor road East of Tremeirchion. Grid ref:SJ095740.
Leave Chester 9-00 a.m.
The walk is based on two walks from Dave Berry's book "Walks on the Clwydian Hills". This is another walk that is one of my favourite walks and one that appears on the list at least once a year. At this time of the year it should give us the opportunity to look for Spring/Summer flowers, particularly around Y Craig Nature Reserve. We will probably visit St Bueno's chapel on the hill again.

Saturday 6th June 2009.

Roman Steps and Llyn Cwm Bychan.

Postponed until the end of the month. I decided it was too far to go just to get wet!

Thursday 11th June 2009.
Moel Arthur, Moel Llys-y-coed, Clicain and Cwm Gain.

Distance: 10 miles; Climb:2000'.
Start: Llangwyfan Forestry Car Park betwen Penyclodiau and Moel Arthur. Grid ref: SJ139668 .
Leave Chester 9-00 a.m.
The walk is based on two walks from Dave Berry's book "Walks on the Clwydian Hills". This is another two walks on our local patch. It is always good to walk along the Offa's Dyke footpath across the Clwydian Hills, even if this walk doesn't quite make it to the summit of Moel Fammau.
It is good to include a new section too, I don't remember doing the Cwm Gain route before.

Saturday 13th June 2009.

The Llyn Padarn Circuit and the Powdr Oil Walk.

Distance: 10-11 miles; Climb:2000+'.
Start: Lakeside car park close to Llanberis (Pay and Display). Grid ref: SH750770 .
Leave Chester 8-00 a.m.
This is a walk that th group attempted in October 2008, when the weather was somewhat too wet for me and I abandoned the second half of the walk. The rest of the group did complete the walk and agreed it would be good to do the walk again when they could see where they were going! The walks are taken from Dave Salter and Dave Worrall's book "New Walks in Gwynedd From Mountain Tops to Valleys". Fine views are anticipated on a fine day.

Thursday 18th June 2009.

All Around Llyn Brenig and In Search of Our Ancestors.

Distance: 13 miles; Climb:1000'.
Start: Llyn Brenig Visitor Centre car park (Pay and Display). Grid ref: SH968547' .
Leave Chester 9-00 a.m.
This walk is based on two walks from Dave Berry's book "Walks in the Hidden Heart Of North Wales" or "Walks Around the Hiraethrog Moors and Lakes". This is a low leval walk, and although it it extends the walk a little it is well worth the extra effort to visit the ancient Bronze Age Cairns, they were quite impressive the last time we visited them, definately worth a second look!

Saturday 20th June 2009.

The Nantlle Ridge - Rhydd Ddu to Talysarn.

The walk on the Nantlle Ridge has been postpone until next month.(See below for the proposed walk.)

Distance: 10-11 miles; Climb:4000'.
Start: Rydd Ddu station car park (Pay and Display). Grid ref: SH571526 .
Finish Talysarn car park (Pay and display). Grid ref:SH487529.
Leave Chester 8-00 a.m.
I always think of this walk as the second best walk in Wales. Hopefully the weather will be kind to us. This long and strenuous walk gives superb views in all directions on clear days, giving good excuses to linger and take in the vista or take a photo when really you need a rest! We will need to take sufficient cars to enable us to have cars at both ends of the walk.

Saturday 20th June 2009

Holy Island.

Distance:11 miles. Climb:1500'.
Start: Opposite P.C. on the harbour road (just before the road to South Stack.) Grid ref: SH246833.
Leave Chester 8-00 a.m.
This is a superb walk around Holy Island and for most of the route gives dramatic views of the rugged cliffs on the North West of the Island. This walk also gives plenty of opportunities for birdwatching. Possible birds to look out for include:Chough, Peregrine, Puffin, Guillemot and Razorbills. The walk is taken from Carl Roger's bok "Coastal Walks Around Anglesey Volume 2".

Roger won't be walking today - it's his birthday. Family celebrations. Happy birthday Roger.

Thursday 25th June 2009.
The Llantysilio Ridge.

Distance: 8 miles + a possible 3 mile extension; Climb:2200+'.
Start: Parking area opposite the Ponderosa Cafe. Grid ref: SJ191481 .
Leave Chester 9-00 a.m.
This walk is based on Dave Berry's "Llantysilio Mountain" walk. We have done this walk several times, but usually adapt it to suit ourselves. Perhaps we will complete the earlier part of the walk as described, even though it misses out the summit of Moel y Gamelin. Possible extension to Cyrn-y-Brain and Sir Watkin's Tower. Always a good walk on a fine day. This roller coaster walk can be more of a challenge than you might expect!

Saturday 27th June 2009.

Roman Steps and Llyn Cwm Bychan.

Distance: 12 miles; Climb:1500'.

Start: Car park/picnic site in Cwm Bychan. Grid ref: SH622295 . Leave Chester 8-00 a.m. This is a relatively low level walk in the Rhinogs, and it is not intended to visit any of the high summits on this occasion. This is a walk that have wanted to do for many years, but in the past have been unable to resist the call to visit the summit of Rhinog Fach or Rhinog Fawr. This time we will resist that temptation. The wall will still give us the opportunity to experience the rugged and beautiful scenery of this wild area of Wales. The walk follows Romans steps to Bwlch Drws Ardudwy and down Cwm Nantcol as far as Pont Cerric and back to the car parking area.

Around Llyn Brenig and More 18th June 2009

Looking up Llyn Brenig from the path across the dam.

The ring cairn and behind Boncyn Arian Bronze Age burial chamber.

The group at the platform cairn.

Walk stats:Distance:11.6 miles;Climb:1489'.

Time:4 hours 44 minutes; On the move walking average:2.7 m.p.h.; Overall walk average:2.4 m.p.h.

Group:Martyn, Richard, Roger, Annie H., Sylvia, Dave J., and Georgie.

We started the walk with most of the group feeling it was a little on the cool side and being accompanied by a stiff breeze. At least it didn't rain, although we could feel a few spots at times. On the few occasions when the Sun did break through it almost felt like Summer. Today we didn't have the area to ourselves, all round the lake, in the lake and on the lake there were fishermen, but we didn't see any fish being caught!
As on previous trips the platform cairn never fails to impress and it alone makes the extension worthwhile.

Lunch was taken in the shelter of the bird hide at the North East end of the lake, being out of the wind made this a very pleasant lunch spot, aided of course by Sylvia's cake and the last of Martyn's fruit cake.

Birds seen or heard today included:Chaffinch, Herring gull, Willow warbler, Pied wagtail, Stonechat, Reed bunting, Carrion crow, Goldfinch, Common sandpiper, Lesser black-backed gull, Canada goose (lots), Greylag goose (lots), Song thrush, Mistle thrush,Meadow pipit and Skylark.

After walk drinks were enjoyed at the Britannia Inn where the Lees bitter revived us and even made tired legs feel better! The Britannia Inn was proudly displaying its new sign pointing to the entrance to its caravan park.

Around Llyn Padarn and the Powdre Oil walk 13th Kune 2009

The lovely path through Oak woodland along the Northern side of Llyn Padarn. Goosander and chicks.

Late lunch!

Striding out across the moors, glad to be on a path!

One of the many superb views seen today. Llyn Padarn with Snowdon rising to the right.

Walk stats:Distance:10.7 miles; Climb:1516'.

Time:5 hours 44 minutes;On the move walking average:2.4 m.p.h.; Overall walk:1.9 m.p.h.

Group:Martyn, Richard, Roger and Celia.

Another glorious day walking, pleasantly warm, the occasional breeze and no rain to worry about. Today we even found the path that led under the railway to the car park near to Dolbadarn Castle. We didn't relish the slog up the "1001" slate steps, so when the opportunity arose not long after after viewing Vivian Quarry we head off along a delightful path through Oak woodland. The path contoured on the hillside, giving occasional glimpses of the lake below, first emerging near the Quarry Hospital. the path then rose on a track to reach a bend where we headed down through the trees to meet the path described in the walk.

The second walk, the Powdre Oil walk, presented a challenge in trying to match the route description, with paths on the ground and with the OS map! In fact he route across the open moor was finally achieved by sticking to the OS map only!

As we descended towards Cwm-y-Glo, we encounted a group of young walkers from South Wales and much to everyone's surprise found out that the mother of one of the girls lived in the same street as Roger and his parents!

The last part of the walk was a pleasant stroll along the lakeside path back to Llanberis.

Birds seen or heard today included:Cormorant, Herring gull, Coal tit, Grey heron, Jackdaw, Carrion crow, Buzzard, Kestrel, Stonechat, Mallard, Goosander with four young, Blue tit, Great tit, Chiffchaff, Willow warbler and Meadow pipit.

After walk drinks were enjoyed at the Britannia Inn at Pentre Halkyn, where the excellent Lees bitter revived us ready for the rest of the journey.

Moel Llys-y-coed, Cwm Gain and Moel Arthur 11th June 2009

On the green road around Moel Arthur. Walking on the new (for us), delightful track from Moel Arthur.
Are these bevy of beauties really walking on their own?

The group at lunch, but after Martyn's fruit cake!.

Snowdonia in focus - the best distant view of the day.

The group at the top of Moel Arthur with Moel Fammau in the background.

Walk stats: Distance:9.2 miles; Climb:1880'.

Time: 5 hours 6 minutes; On the move walking average:2.4 m.p.h.;Overall walk average:1.8 m.p.h.

Group:Martyn, Celia, Richard, Annie H., Sue and Michel, Rowland and Lucette Pelissier.

What a glorious walk this was, the weather was perfect all day and no-one moaned about "can we have lunch". Today definitely had a French connection - five French speakers, only two none French speakers and one in between! You only need to look at the profile of Rowland to knoe that he is ma Pelissier! this area is always good for walking and the path across the Eastern slope of Moel Llys-y-Coed was a new and delightful path to the group.

walking along ther Offa's Dyke Path gave us the best views of Snowdonia.

Birds seen or heard today included: buzzard, kestrel, Chaffinch, Meadow pipit, Carrion crow, Raven, Mistle Thrush, Song thrush, Willow warbler, Great tit, House sparrow, Hedge sparrow, Chiffchaff, Pheasant, Peacock (doesn't count really) and Swallow.

After walk drinks were enjoyed at the Britannia Inn at Pentre Halkyn where the welcome can never be bettered! It does help when the Lees bitter is on good form and even Rowland and Lucette sampled the it (Celia didn't)!

It's always good to have new people jioining the group!

Tremeirchion, Sodom, Moel-y-Gaer and Y Graig 4th June 2009

Moel-y-Gaer hillfort, seen from the Offa's Dyke footpath only - no access! Looking towards the Great Orme from the slopes of Moel Maenefa.

There's always one who won't pay attention!

Walk stats: Distance:8.4 miles (9.4 miles for Dave J and Richard); Climb:1584'.

Time:4 hours 33 minutes; On the move walking average:2.3m.p.h.;Overall walk average:1.8 m.p.h.

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

Another glorious day for walking, much warmer than we expected and the threat of isolated showers didn't materialise. The views today were good, but quite hazy towards Snowdonia. Moel Siabod and the Great Orme could be recognised, but little more. Today we encountered more walkers than usual, most on their last stretches of the Offa's Dyke Long Distance Footpath, thankfully we were only doing parts of it! There were plenty of Spring flowers along the hedgerows and around the nature reserve at Y Graig, but the birds today were quite limited. Several sections of this walk can be quite muddy, but only one small patch rerquired carefall negotiating as Dave J tried to avoid getting his new boots muddy! Lunch was taken as usual at the little church on the hill adjacent to St Bueno's college, not the most comfortable spot, but with good views across the valley to Tremeirchion.

Birds seen or heard today included: Swallow, House martin, Blackbird, Carrion crow, Buzzard, Jackdaw, Chiffchaff, Willow warbler and Meadow pipit.

After walk drinks were at the Britannia In at Pentre Halkyn where the Lees bitter went down particularly well for the discerning drinkers in the group!