Another Walk Around Lyme Park 30th April 2011

One of the delights of Spring.

The Cage in Lyme Park, visited on the extension to the walk planned as we had lunch.

Bluebells at their best in this party of Ryles Wood, Lyme Park.

Walk stats: Distance: 10.7 miles. Climb:1788'.

Time: 5 hours 7 minutes. On the move walking average; 2.6 m.p.h. Overall walk average: 2.1 m.p.h.

Group:Martyn, Roger and Celia.

Yet another great day for walking, wall to wall blues skies, plenty of sunshine and a lovely cooling wind, especially at the start.  This was a superbly contrasting walk from canal towpath, woodland, open moorland to managed parkland. surprisingly we didn't see many people on most sections of the walk, except when we were near to the House.

As ever at this time of the year the flowers are beginning to bloom, especially the Bluebells, butterflies like the Orange tip are dancing everywhere, Willow warblers, Chiffchaff and Skylarks delight us with their song. What a joy it is to be out walking on days like this.

Bird seen or heard today included: Mistle thrush, Great tit, Blue tit, Blackbird, Meadow pipit, Canada goose, Mallard, Grey heron, Lapwing, Jackdaw, Carrion crow, Pheasant, Common buzzard, Pied  wagtail, Goldfinch, Willow warbler, Chiffchaff and Skylark.

After walk drinks were enjoyed at the Frozen Mop at Mobberley. Timothy Taylor  and Peronni were quaffed at a price! As most of us are just poor pensioners, we probably won't return!

Around the Ystrad and Foxhalls 28th April 2011

Not saluting porky, just trying to give her a greener bit of vegetation!

Phil and Gordon on the walls of Castell Dinbych.

Patiently waiting for Phil and the CADW pass holders or why do we have to wait for those .......!

Lunch on the banks of the Ystrad near Dr Johnson's Monument.

Bluebells and Ransoms in Pencoed, Denbigh.

Walk stats: Distance: 11.3 miles. Climb:1087'.

Time:5 hours 45 minites. On the move walking average:2.5 m.p.h. Overall walk average:2.0.m.p.h.

Group; Martyn, Roger, Gordon, Phil, Tim, Sylvia and Dave J, Fran and Tito.

What a glorious day for walking, wall to wall blue sky, temperatures that must have been above 20 Celsius, and only the occasional breeze to cool us. Perfect weather for walking.

We set off the first walk, and soon realised that the local authority had been doing a lot of work, replacing stiles with gates and creating new paths through Pencoed / Mount Wood which we will have to explore more on a further occasion.

Gordon and Martyn , CADW Card carriers, and Phil entered Denbigh Castle, while the rest of the group waited patiently outside.  

We decided to take a short cut to Dr. Johnson's Monument, and had to go along a drive to a private residents, where a very friendly Welsh Conservative supporting couple directed us the correct way through the buildings!

Lunch was taken by the Afon Ystrad near to the Dr. Johnson/s Monument.  This is a very pleasant spot, and the added bonus today was that Fran and Tito provided everyone with a piece of one of their daughters, Annie's wedding cake.

Once again several of the woods visited had Bluebells in full bloom, and in one wood, Primroses, wood anemone and Ramsons were in flower too.

Butterflies were seen in good numbers too, and included Small white, Large white, Peacock and Green veined white.

Birds seen or heard today included:House sparrow, Black-billed magpie, Chiffchaff, Common whitethroat, Willow warbler, Pheasant, Jackdaw, Carrion crow, Rook, Winter wren, Chaffinch, Rook, Blackbird, Blackcap, Green woodpecker, Herring gull, Pied wagtail, Barn swallow and Common buzzard.

After walk drinks were enjoyed at the Britannia Inn, Pentre Halkyn, where the Lees bitter went down well, particularly with Tim!

Dates and Walks April 2011

Updated 24th April 2011

I'm back on line at last!

Saturday 2nd April 2011.

The Dolwyddelan to Ty Mawr Round.

Distance:8-9 miles. Climb:1800'.
Start: Dolwyddelan Station Car Park. Grid ref: SH738522.
Leave Chester:8-00 a.m.
Last year we visited Ty Mawr on several occasions and found some of the described routes resulted in us treking through terrain not to our liking.  On looking at the map there seemed to be a more obvious which follows the Afon Bwlch y Groes, over Bwlch y Groes, through Pigyn Esgob to the Penmachno - Ty mawr road.
The return route will be the normal one that we take, the minor road to just past Ty Cyfyng and the forest tracks and quarry road back to the car park.
There may be another short walk (up to 4 miles)  from Dolwyddelan, if the group decides the Ty Mawr walk wasn't long enough.

Thursday 7th April 2011.

Fron Hen and Big with an extension to Moel Fammau.

Distance:10-11 miles. Climb:2000'.
Start: Layby on A594 Mold-Ruthin road, just South of Llanferres.
Leave Chester 9-00 a.m.
This walk combines a walk from Dave Bery's book " More Walks in the Clwydian Hills with an extension to the summit of Moel Fammau.  This is the first time that Moel Fammau has been included with the Fron Hen and Big Covert walk which explores both sides of the Alyn Valley around Llanferres.

Saturday 9th April 2011

Lyme park and Poynton Coppice.

Distance:11 miles. Climb:500'.
Start: Nelson Pit Visitor Centre Car Park. Anson Road. Grid ref: SJ945833.
Leave Chester 8-00 a.m.
This walk combines two walks produced by Cheshire Councils in their series "Discover Cheshire".  The main walk visits Lyme Park and the former hunting lodge called "The Cage".  Red deer may be seen on this part of the walk.  The second walk uses part of the Middlewood Way and the Macclesfield Canal towpath as well as visiting Poynton Coppice, a semi-natural wood planted in 1847.

Thursday 14th April 2011

Poncysyllte, Croes yr Esgob and Trevor Hall.

Distance: 11 miles. Climb:1560.
Start: Trevor Basin car park on the North side of Poncysyllte Aquaduct.
SJ272423.
Leave Chester 9-00 a.m.
This walk combines two walks from Dave Berry's book " Walks Around Llangollen and the Dee Valley".  This has become one of our regular walks and is good at any time of the year.  On a clear day the views across the Dee valley to Trevor Rocks and the Eglywseg escarpments are quite stunning.

Saturday 16th April 2011.

St Celynin's Church, Tal y Fan and More.

Distance:8+ miles. Climb:2600'.
Start: Roadside parking near the Post Office just after entering the village of Rowen.
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 visits Snowdonia's most Northerly peak at just under 2000'. It also visits an ancient church, Maen Penddu standing stone and an ancient burial chamber.  Hopefully the weather will be kind to us this time.

Thursday 21st April 2011.

The Eglwyseg Escarpments and Trevor Rocks.

Distance:9-10 miles. Climb:1400'.
Start: Off road parking on the Panorama road just East of the monument. Grid ref: SJ247426.
This must be one of the best walks in the Llangollen area, especially on a sunny day. a walk that makes you feel like you're  on top of the world with superb views in all directions, including the Dee Valley, Dinas Bran, the Llantysilio Mountains and the Berwyns.

Saturday 23rd April 2011.

Morridge from Warslow.

Distance:11 miles. Climb:1300'.
Start: Warslow Village hall car park. Grid ref: SK086585.
Leave Chester 8-00 a.m.
The Morridge walk is taken from Mark Richard's book White Peak Walks - Southern Dales" and goes past the Rey Memorial Viewpoint that looks across the the Roaches.  The walk is nominally only 5 miles, but the extra is gained by starting from Warslow.

Thursday 28th April 2011.

Around the Ystrad Valley and Foxhalls.

Distance:12-13 miles. Climb:1350'.
Start: Layby on Denbigh - Pentrefoelas road, A543, just after the road bend left on the edge of the town. Grid ref: SJ043659.
Leave Chester 9-0 a.m.
This walk combines two walks from Dave Berry's book "Walks in the Vale of Clwyd".  One walk explores the gently undulating countryside between Denbigh and Henlan, and the other walk visits historic houses  associated with Dr Johnson and Beatrice Potter. The maybe an opportunity to visit Denbigh Castle, so CADW members bring you card with you!

Saturday 30th April 2011.

Another Walk Through Lyme Park.

Distance:10-11 miles. Climb:1500'.
Start: Nelson Pit Visitor Centre Car Park. Anson Road. Grid ref: SJ945833.
Leave Chester 8-00 a.m.
This walk combines another two walks produced by Cheshire Councils in their series "Discover Cheshire". This walk includes more paths through Knightslow Wood, along the Gritstone Trail as far as the Bowstones and returns via Lantern Wood and on past the front of the hall.

Around the Great Orme 23rd April 2011

The western edge of the Great Orme.

Two new kids on the block!

Nesting Fulmars.

Another bird to identify!

The Little Orme from the Marine Drive.

How many birds can you identify?

Walk stats: distance: 9.8 miles. Climb: 1364'.

Time: 5 hours 8 minutes. On the move walking average: 2.4 m.p.h. Overall walk average: 1.9 m.p.h.

Group: Martyn and Roger.

As there was only two of us, at last minute decision was made to take the sorter trip to Llandudno, and reserve the Peak District trip to another day.

The weather, as forecast was somewhat overcast, but at least we didn't have any rain and on this occasion the wind was manageable!  I fact as far as walking is concerned, the weather was good and we were in no danger of over heating and pleasantly comfortable for most of the time!

The walk around the Great Orme is always delightful, especially the area to the West around the limestone pavements.  We didn't see any Dotterels, but the Wheatears did us proud!

As we had started walking by 09-00, we were about a third of the way along the Marine Drive  before we decided it was time to take lunch. Although it was on the the roadside, we did have the luxury of a bench seat overlooking the sea, but Great Cormorants were the only birds that seemed to be flying by.

Lunch finished and with extra energy after devouring a "Bubbly Bunny" provided by Margaret, there was no excuse for a slow pace, unless the pull of a little birdwatching was to take precedence!

The highlight was what seemed to be a feeding frenzy involving Guillemots, Gulls and Great cormorants.  What they were feeding on we will never know.

As we dropped down the path from the road to the gun emplacement site we encountered a herd of goats with several kids, with the adults watching us carefully until we had gone past.

We arrived back at the car, having had a great walk.

Birds seen or heard today included: Herring gull, Mute swan, Jackdaw, Fulmar, Carrion crow, Raven, Blackbird, Willow warbler, Chiffchaff, Barn swallow, Meadow pipit, Skylark, Sparrowhawk, Great cormorant, Winter wren, Chaffinch, Stonechat, Great tit, Great black-backed gull,  Great cormorant, Oystercatcher, Shelduck, Kittewake and Guillemot.

After walk drinks were enjoyed as usual at the Britannia Inn at Halkyn. Despite the Lees bitter being on good form, we were still home before 16-00!

Eglwyseg Rocks and Trevor Rocks 21st April 2011

Awaiting a photo by Dave J.

Enjoying after walk drinks in the Telford Inn garden. Photo taken by Sue Pearson and requested by Gordon.

Heading across open moorland.

Checking us out!

Limestone escarpments, the haunts of Peregrine Falcons.

At our lunch spot overlooking the Eglwyseg Valley.

The Eglywseg Escarpments still hazy.

Distance:9.7 miles: Climb:1297'.

Time: 5 hours 4 minutes. On the move walking average: 2.3 m.p.h. Overall walk average: 1.8 m.p.h.

Group:Martyn, Roger, Phil, Paul C., Dave J., Celia, Sue and Michel, Gordon, Annie H., Tito, Sue and Dave P.

Little did we know that the Panorama Road was closed for road surfacing and we couldn't get access to our normal parking spot. Thankfully the early bird in the group, Phil, contacted us and I managed to warn most of the group that we were parking just round the corner.

The weather forecast was for a warm and sunny day without much wind.   Not a perfect day for walking, as the distant hills and even the valley below were hazy all day.

This is always a good walk, that makes you feel like you're on top of the world for much of the way. 

I think it was a little too warm for most of the birds today, although we started with Chiffchaff singing at the start and Willow warblers for most of the higher parts and Gordon managed to spot a male Wheatear just in front of us that Dave J managed to photograph.  We didn't see the Peregrines, but we did hear the Cuckoo calling from the opposite side of the Eglwyseg Valley.

I don't know what everyone had for lunch, but only four of the group completed the same walk as the leader!  However we all regrouped at the start of the permissive path across Trevor Rocks.

We arrived back at the car a little earlier than expected and Dave J decided to go to Worlds End and do a little more walking/bird watching.

11 of us decided we had walked for long enough and headed for the Telford Inn at Trevor basin, where we enjoyed Llangollen Bitter sitting in the shade of a large tree. at least two members of the group weren't ashamed to drink San Miguel!

Birds seen or heard today included: Chiffchaff, Willow warbler, Wheatear, Skylark, Raven, Carrion crow, Meadow pipit, Barn swallow, Common whitethroat and Cuckoo.

St Celynnin's Church, Tal y Fan and More 16th April 2011

Inside St Celynin's Church.

 At the trig point on Tal y Fan.

  Tal y fan,

I'm the king of the castle!

Wild ponies on the slopes of Tal y Fan.
 Distance:10.0 miles. Climb: 2297’.

Time: 6 hours 22 minutes. On the move walking average: 2.0 m.p.h. Overall walk average : 1.6 m.p.h.
Group: Martyn and Dave J.
As there were only two of us, we decided to include a little bird watching before starting the walk. We headed for the little village of Llanbedre y Cennin and Caerhun before starting on the walk.
Another good day for walking, not too hot and not too cold and little rain forecast. Our initial sorties to Llanbedre y Cennin and Caerhun didn’t pay dividends in that the Hawfinches proved elusive.  However we did have the bonus that the church at Caerhun was open.
The walk took a little longer than expected, but we did spend quite a lot of time looking for the remains of hut circles, standing stones, cairns and identifying distant mountains.
During the approach to St. Celynin’s Church we seemed to be accompanied all the way by singing Chiffchaff and Willow warbles with quite a few Blackcaps too.  However the birding highlight of the day seeing at least 7 different Ring ouzels on the slopes of Tal y Fan.  A close second were the Wheatears that seemed to be everywhere around the lower slopes of Tal y Fan as well.
Although it looked rather gloomy towards the Conwy valley, views to the coast and Anglesey were good and the Northern Carneddau could be clearly seen.
Once on the Tal y Fan ridge the route was reasonably well defined, and the section going West to the Roman Road was a very pleasant traverse.
Overall an excellent walk, despite the steep road leading from the YHA down to Rowen.
Birds seen or heard today included: Blackcap, Chaffinch, Willow warbler, Chiffchaff, Shelduck, Great cormorant, Mute swan Oystercatcher, House martin, Barn swallow, Jackdaw, Rook, Raven, Meadow pipit, Skylark, Wheatear, Common buzzard, Hen harrier Ring Ouzel, Blackbird, House sparrow, Great black-backed gull, Herring gull, Winter wren, Great spotted woodpecker, Rock dove, Woodpigeon and Collared dove.
After walk drinks were enjoyed at Britannia Inn at Pentre Halkyn, as ever the Lees bitter was on good form.

Poncysyllte, Croes Yr Esgob and Trevor Woods 14th April 2011

"Just like that ...."

I'll do it my way!

Crossing the aquaduct for the second time. Who's in a hurry then?

 A view of the Eglywseg Escarpments.

  Early Purple Orchid. Photo by Sue Pearson

Walk stats: Distance: 11.7 miles. Climb: 1598’.
Time: 5 hours 31 minutes. On the move walking average: 2.6 m.p.h. Overall walk average: 2.0 m.p.h.
Group: Martyn, Roger, Gordon, Sue Pelissier, Annie H., Sue and Dave P., Tito, Sylvia and Dave J.
A rather overcast day with that feeling of dampness in the air, but everyone set off with waterproofs still in their rucksacks.
This is always a good and varied walk, and crossing the aqueduct is always a joy and a reminder that construction workers in the past must have had fantastic skills.  Once above Pen-y-Graig Quarry we had good, but not crystal clear views across the Dee towards Trevor Rocks and the Eglywseg Escarpments and beyond to the Llantysilio mountains.
Lunch was taken in the Pisgah Quarry Nature Reserve, before heading back towards Frocysyllte and the Llangollen Canal to start our second walk.
Trevor Woods produced the flowers of the day with a good patch of Bluebells in bloom, lots of Primrose and just before hitting the road a single Early Purple Orchid.
What a privilege it is to be able to walk at this time of the year when flowers are coming into bloom and birds like the Willow warbler and Blackcap are singing.
Walking back along the canal had for quite a way been made easier as the towpath had been surfaced all the way up to the Bryn Howel.
Birds seen or heard today included: Collared dove, Woodpigeon, Blue tit, Great tit, Blackbird, Chiffchaff, Willow warbler, European robin, Blackcap, Winter wren, Mallard, Greenfinch, Great spotted woodpecker, House sparrow, Red legged partridge, Meadow pipit, Carrion crow, Jackdaw, Jay, Rook, Black-billed magpie, Chaffinch and Nuthatch.
After walk drinks were enjoyed at the Telford Inn at Trevor Basin. The Abbey Grange Brewery’s Llangollen Bitter went down well, but at 5.1% it was a little stronger than we would have liked for our after walk tipple!

Poynton Coppice and Lyme Park 9th April 2011

 A Blackbird on the Middlewood Way.

 The Cage in Lyme Park.

 Bluebells in flower in Ryles Wood.

It must have been hot!

Walk stats: Distance: 7.6 miles. Climb: 1016'.

Time: 3 hours 52 minutes.

On the move walking average: 2.4 m.p.h. Overall walk average:2.0 m.p.h.

Group: Martyn and Roger.

This was yet another glorious day for walking.  Very sunny and the only wind that we experienced was as we approached the Cage in Lyme Park, and that was pleasantly cooling.  It was so warm that you could have believed that it was a Summer day rather than an April day, even Roger risked removing his zip-offs!

We set off along the Middlewood Way with Willow Warblers and Chiffchaff singing from the tree tops every few yards or so.

Poynton Coppice had a good display of Spring flowers including some Bluebells. Ryles Wood in Lyme Park had even more.  

Lyme Park around the House was very popular. The highlight of the walk was the little ridge with the Cage at the top.  Good views in all directions, although not really crystal clear on  this occasion.

The Lyme Park walk was much shorter than in the description, and we were back at the car just after 1.

Birds seen or heard today included: Blackbird, , Feral pigeon, Chiffchaff, Willow warbler, Mallard, Canada goose, Black-headed gull, Skylark, Blue tit, Great tit, Carrion crow, Jackdaw, Pheasant and House sparrow.

After walk drinks were enjoyed at the Railway Inn at Mobberley where Dunham Massey green Tree Bitter went down well.

Fron Hen, Moel Famau and More 7th April 2011

Tito's 65th Birthday Walk.

Everyone at the Jubilee Tower on Moel Famau.

Does anyone know where they are going?

Our first view of the summit of Moel Famau clear of mist.

Walk stats: Distance:10.1 miles, Climb: 1879'. 

Time: 5 hours 5 minutes. On the move walking average: 2.4 m.p.h. Overall walk average: 2.0 m.p.h.

Group: Martyn, Roger, Annie H., Gordon, Tito and Tim.

This was a walk that we started off in cloud or was it rain and ended in glorious warm sunshine.  Views in the morning were none existent, but at least we had plenty of Chiffchaff singing and we heard our first Willow warbler of the year.  The extension to the summit of Moel Famau was just a means of testing our climbing legs, but despite the weather conditions everyone we met was cheerful and friendly.

Lunch was taken at the main car park / picnic site where we used one of the new picnic tables.  Tito even provided a piece of superbly moist Date and Walnut Loaf for everyone.

After lunch the weather got better and better and the group gradually shed more and more layers, but only two exposed knees throughout!

Birds seen or heard today included:Chiffchaff, Willow warbler,, Blackbird, House sparrow, Chaffinch, Jackdaw, Carrion crow, Nuthatch, Common buzzard and Woodpigeon.

After walk drinks were enjoyed at the Rainbow Inn, where Blacksheep Bitter went down well.  Tito offered to buy everyone  drink to celebrate his becoming a real pensioner, but he had only one acceptor, no prize for guessing who!

Tito's 65th Birthday 7th April 2011

Happy Birthday Tito.

Have a Good Day

Dolwyddelan Castle and More 2nd April 2011

 The Snowdon Horseshoe above Dolwyddelan Castle.

 Fran and Tito studying the route to Dolwyddelan Castle.

 Moel Siabod from the top of Dolwyddelan  Castle.

Resting at Dolwyddelan Castle.

Walk stats: Distance: 8.6 miles. Climb:2007'.

Time: 5 hours 20 minutes. On the move walking average: 2.0 m.p.h. Overall average: 1.6 m.p.h.

Group: Martyn, Roger, Dave J, Fran and Tito.

Another glorious day for walking, the weather got better and better as the day progressed.  We couldn't say the same for conditions underfoot!

We didn't make it to Ty Mawr, after reaching Bwlch y Groes, the conditions underfoot became so wet and there seeme no way round , that we had lunch and retraced our stepss back to the car.  The bonus however were the superb views of the Snowdon Horshoe and the place seemed to be alive with Meadow pipits.

We arrived back in Dolwyddelan, some of us with wet feet, but that didn't stop us setting off for Dolwyddelan Castle, another location worth a visit. As a CADW card holder I was looking forward to using it, but in the end there was no one to show it to at the entrance to the castle.

Birds seen or heard today included: Chaffinch, Pied wagtail, Mallard, Goosander, House sparrow, Meadow pipit, Chiffchaff, Carrion crow, Raven, Mistle thrush, Great tit, Blue tit, Woodpigeon, Collared dove and Song thrush.

After walk drinks were enjoyed at the Britannia Inn at Halkyn where the Lees bitter as ever was in good nick.

Moel y Gaer, Moel Fammau and Its western Fringes 31st March 2011

 Moel Y Gaer Hillfort.

 Two Little lambs .....

 On the way to our lunch spot at the foot of Moel Arthur.

At the Jubilee Tower on Moel Fammau.

 View from the Jubilee Tower on Moel Fammau.

Walk stats:Distance: 10.6 miles. Climb:estimated 2000'.
Time:5 hours 27 minutes. On the move walking average:2.3 m.p.h.  Overall walk average: 1.9 m.p.h.
Group: Martyn, Roger, Annie H., Sue and Michel, Phil, Sylvia and Dave J.
We arrived at the car park at Bwlch Penbarra to what seemed like a gale force wind, but at least it was o the warm side and the Sunwas shining. The wind didn't abate too much throughout the walk, but otherwise it was a good day for walking. Another shorts and short sleeves day for some!
We set off battling against the wind, and it was only at the second stile that Michel slipped and caught his back foot on the top of the stile sending him head over heals and banginghis head as he fell.  Thankfully, although dazed he recovered quickly and insisted on completing most of the walk., although he decided not to complete the extension to Moel y Gaer Hill fort.
The paths around the Western fringes of Moel fammau are always delightful to follow with their good views across the vale of Clwyd and  and on a good day Snowdonia. We even manged a new path that contoured around Bron y Felin.
An early lunch was takn in the shelter of a wall by the car park at the South of Moel Arthur, although Sylvia, Dave J and Roger preferred to take their lunch half way up the slopes of Moel Llys-y-coed.
Once on the ridge section from Moel Arthur to the Jubilee Tower on Moel Fammau must be one of the best sections of the Offa's Dyke Footpath,
The extension to Moel y Gaer Hill fort wasn't the best and we had to do a little Heather hopping. Nevertheless the hill fort is still worth visiting at least once!
We arrived back at the car with our legs telling us that we had been on a good walk and our faces a little weather beaten.
 Birds seen or heard today included: Raven, Meadow pipit, Skylark, Carrion crow, Jackdaw, Song thrush, Common buzzard, Kestrel, Blue tit, Great tit, Mallard and Blackbird.
After walk drinks were taken at the We Three Loggerheads Inn where Titanic Bitter and Blacksheep bitter went down well.  Some of the seats however still needs to be replaced or cleaned.