Conwy, Bodlendeb Wood, Conwy Mountain and More 5th February 2011

On the walls around Conwy.

Part of the walls around Conwy.

"We're the kings of the castle."

At Conwy Quay.

Walk stats: Distance:2.5 miles, Climb:336'.
Time:1 hour 5 minutes. On the move walking average:2.6 m.p.h. Overall walk average:2.2 m.p.h.
Group:Martyn, Roger, Dave J and Mike D.
The weather forecast was for rain and yet more rain, and it wasn't wrong.  At least it wasn't too windy or cold.  Nevertheless we set off towards the centre of Conwy to pick up the route that went along part of the walls. We found the right start point, but once on the walls we turned left, but the walk description went right! Next time we we will do the right section of the walls. Thankfully this was a good section of the wall,and the need to re-route meant we had to go along the quayside to rejoin the walk at the Western end of the quay.  The quayside at Conwy has been renovated and now makes a very pleasant walk.  The next part of the walk took on the North Wales footpath around Bodlendeb Wood, but still close to the estuary. The estuary provided most of the birds on our list today.
This walk around Conwy and Bodlendeb Wood was well worth doing and could easily be added to the start of other walks that we start at Conwy.
Having completed the first part of the walk and before setting off for Conwy Mountain, the photographer decided to retire to his car -  wet enough for one day! Consequently there won't be any photographs of the second part of the walk.
Birds seen or heard on the first part of the walk included: Carrion crow, House sparrow, Jackdaw, Herring gull, Dunnock, Redshank, Mallard, Blue tit and Dunlin.  We thought we had spotted an unusual wader-like bird swimming, but when it came out of the water it turned out to be just a Redshank. This was the first time that any of us had seen a Redshank swimming, but searching on the Internet revealed that they do in fact swim.
Report on the second part of the walk by Roger.
Length - 11.4 miles. Climb - 2375 feet
Time - exactly 5 hours. On the move walking average: 2.6 m.p.h. Overall walking average :2.3 m.p.h.
Group:Roger, Dave J and Mike D.
The walk was good if a little wet.  However for much of the walk the rain was no more than a light drizzle. Low mist meant that there were no views and I lost my sense of direction completely. Lunch was taken huddled against a wall (all 10 minutes of it), and afterwards Mike set a cracking pace such that on the long descent into Conwy I found myself virtually jogging to keep up with him. Dave spotted a Chaffinch, Great tit and a Chough! ( and some more which I can't remember).
I assume that they they enjoyed after walk drinks at the Britannia Inn.