Nant y Pandy and Moel Fferna 19th May 2011

Updated in 31st May 2011.

Oak Eggar Moth from Wikipedia.

Oak Eggar Moth Catterpillar from Wikipedia.

A bit of a pose job this one!

It's a long story, especially for those waiting!

A furry friend without a name!
It's an Oak Eggar Moth Catterpillar.

The Berwyns from Moel Fferna.

Taking advantage of an "early" lunch at the wind shelter on Moel Fferna.

A ladies day out?

Walk stats: Distance: 9.6 miles. Climb:1646'.

Time: 5 hours 12 minutes. On the move walking average: 2.3 m.p.h. Overall walk average: 1.8 m.p.h.

Group:Martyn, Roger, Gordon, Sue and Michel, Celia, Sylvia and Dave J., Carol and Tim.

Another glorious day for walking, better even than th weather forecast!  Bright and sunny for most of the walk with a gentle breeze at times, particularly on our approach to the top of Moel Fferna.

This was another good day for birds to, we heard at least two Cuckoos calling in the upper Nant y Pandy Valley and a couple of Redstarts on the way down.

Few birds were seen in by the Nant y  Pandy C, but we did hear lots of Chiffchaff, higher up above the road,  the Willow warbler seemed to have taken over.
Michel decided to leave us a we arrived at the road, a little Trout fishing in the Dee seemed like a better option!
The trek across from the road across the moor was better than usual with the peat being extremely dry and for once we all arrived at the top of Moel Fferna with clean boots!
We had lunch at the top of Moel Fferna, with all but the "leader" of the group taking advantage of the wind shelters!
The views from the top were good, but a little hazy, especially towards the Berwyns and Bala.
Birds seen or heard today included: Greenfinch, Chaffinch, House sparrow, Barn swallow, Jackdaw, Raven, Chiffchaff, Winter wren, Willow warbler, Meadow pipit, Redpoll and Redstart.
We arrived back at the car to find Michel ready to take Sue and Gordon on to the Grouse.  All of us had enjoyed a good walk and ready for that pint of Lees at the Grouse!

Coed Pen-y-Gelli and the Gorsedd Round 12th May 2011

Updated on 31st May 2011.

Walking through Coed Allt-y-tywood, the first and best of our Bluebell woods.

Chick of the day.

"We come to say hello, and they just walk away!".

"Come on kids, let's get away from that lot!"

Early Purple Orchids living up to their name!

You don't say?

Walk stats:Distance: 11.6 miles. Climb: !388'.

Time: 5 hours 33 minutes. On the move walking average: 2.6 m.p.h. Overall walk average: 2.1 m.p.h.

Group:Martyn, Sue and Michel, Phil, Sylvia and Dave J., Tim, Sue and Dave P.

The weather forecast was for showers, especially around lunch time and a cool wind.  We took lunch early, and beat the main shower by about 30 minutes, but thankfully it only lasted for about 10 minutes, the second lasted even less!

This turned out to be the best Bluebell wood walk of the year and all of the woods seemed to have more good Bluebells in flower than we had ever seen on previous walks.  Another bonus of the floral kind was a good display of Early purple orchids.

Two swallows don't make a Summer, but today they seemed to be everywhere, so surely Summer is here. Shorts weather certainly is!

However the delight of the day was seeing several Pheasant chicks, not being guarded very well by their parents. Perhaps they knew we were admiring them and wouldn't harm them!

Lunch as usual was taken at the Coed Pen-y-Gelli Nature Reserve (an old quarry), but Fran won't believe we had finished lunch by 12-25!

Overall this was a superb Bluebell wood walk, probably the best ever.

Birds sen or heard today included: Chiffchaff  (they seemed to be everywhere), Barn swallow (they seemed to be everywhere), Willow warbler, Woodpigeon, Common pheasant, Carrion crow, Rook, Jackdaw, Chaffinch, Great tit, Blackcap, Raven, Winter wren, European robin, Blackbird, Mallard, Canada goose, Dunnock, Black-billed magpie and House sparrow.

After walk drinks were enjoyed at the Britannia Inn at Pentre Halkyn, where the Lees bitter tasted particularly good!

Rhoscolyn to Trearddur Bay 28th May 2011

Borthwen Beach.

Leaving our lunch spot.

Looking towards Trearddur Bay.

Oystercatchers.

A Linnet.

A Rock pipit.

Distance:9.1 miles. Climb:1381' (wind assisted) more likely about 700'.

Time: 4 hours 32 minutes. On the move walking average:2.5 m.p.h. Overall walk average:2.0 m.p.h.

Group:Martyn, Roger, Celia and Mike D.

Showers forecast, but thankfully they all occurred when we were in the car.  Dull and cloudy with a stiff Westerly wind at first, and the day got better and better. Blue skies and sunshine by mid-day, but the cool wind on the coast persisted throughout, but still short sleeves and shorts weather for some, well one really!

Coastal walks are always great, especially when you've got the waves crashing against the rocks.  Not quite as many birds as we had hoped, but the cry of the Oystercatcher was never far from us.  Rock pipits were an added bonus too.

Walking along the coastal path was so good that we decided to return along the same route rather than using the inland path through fields.
At lunch time Roger produced some of Margaret's chocolate chip bicuits that went down well with al of the group members. Thanks Margaret. Birds seen or heard today included:House martin, Common whitethroat. Barn swallow, Carrion crow, Jackdaw, Blue tit, Rook, Great cormorant, Meadow pipit, Linnet, Stonechat, Meadow pipit, Rock pipit, House sparrow, Herring gull, Black-billed magpie, Common gull and Oystercatcher.

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

The Ceiriog Valley and Y Foel 26th May 2011

A Buttercup meadow near the start in Pontfadog.

On the way to Bidulph Tower .

At the summit cairn on Y Foel.

Walk stats: istance:11.6 miles. Climb:2139'.

Time: 5 hours 51 minutes. On the move walking average: 2.5 m.p.h. Overall walk average: 2.0 m.p.h.

Group: Martyn, Roger, Annie H., Sue and Michel, Phil, Sylvia and Dave J.

Showers and strong winds forecast with better prospects for the afternoon.

We set optimistically set off up the hill from Pontfadog, but it was only 10 minutes  before the first shower arrived, It was going to be one of those "on off days" as far as waterproofs were concerned!  However we did get good spells of sunshine as we walked along the ridge road and as we had lunch in the lee of McJones' Plantation.

Before lunch was good with lots of birds singing as we progressed up hill, and quite a few House martins, Swallows and Swifts as we set off.  Even along the ridge road we added Bullfinch, Common buzzard, Goldfinch, Curlew and Linnet to our list.

Heading for the summit of Y Foel, the weather turned nasty, driving rain and a strong wind. It eased slightly as we arrived at the summit, but only momentarily!

After an enjoyable lunch in the sunshine we decided follow the path along the the Northern flank of Y Foel until we arrived at the cross path that headed back towards Glyn Ceiriog.  A good decision and I'm sure that we will choose this option  again in the future.

The steep descent into Glyn Ceiriog was quite challenging, as was the unexpected for some, climb up the road  out of the village.

We all  arrived back at the car, happy to have almost dried out and only a few spots in the air.

Birds seen and heard today included: House martin, Barn swallow, Common swift, Chiffchaff, Willow warbler, Common buzzard, Common pheasant, Bullfinch, Chaffinch, House sparrow, Jackdaw, Carrion crow, Goldfinch, Skylark, Meadow pipit, Long-tailed tit, Curlew, Winter wren, Song thrush and Chaffinch.

After walk drinks were enjoyed by just five of the group at the Alyn Inn at Rossett where Brakespear Oxford Gold refreshed the parts that .........!

Rumours have it that at least one member of the group was playing truant so that he could play with his train set!

Walks and Dates May 2011

Updated 23rd May 2011.

Congratulations 
to 
Michael and Amy Collinson 
on the safe arrival 
of
Lucy Elizabeth
and to 
Paul and Yvonne on becoming Grandparents again.

Monday 2nd May 2011.
Pendle Hill – another Search for Dotterel

Distance:7-8 miles. Climb:1400’.

Start: Downham Village Car park. Grid ref: SD785442.
Leave Chester:8-00 a.m.
This is an extra walk for this week, so is a little shorter than usual. The route today is the one in Terry Marsh’s book “Fifty Classic Walks in Lancashire”.  He describes it as “undoubtedly the finest ascent of Pendle Hill”. Let’s hope for a good day weather-wise, topped up with good views of Dotterel as we did last year.  Don’t forget to bring binoculars.

Thursday 5th May 2011
Maen Achwfan, Llyn Helyg, Crown Bach and Coed Pen-y-Gelli.

Distance:9-10 miles. Climb:1500’.
Start:Roadside parking opposite the church in Whitford. Grid ref:SJ147782.
Leave Chester 9-00 a.m.
This is the first of our Bluebell Woods walks.
The walk starts off by using one of the walks in Dave Berry’s book “ Walks Around Holywell and Halkyn Mountain. We have completed this one several times, including visiting the beautifully carved Maen Achwfan.  However this time we include exploring two new woods, Glol and Llyn Helyg woods.  The latter has only recently been opened to the public, so we may have to search a little to find the access point. Hopefully we will return through Crown Bach woods to Lloc and then return to Whitford via Twll Bach.

Saturday 7th May 2011.
Long Mynd, Wild Moor and Pole Bank.

Distance:10-11 miles. Climb:2100’.
Start: Centre of Church Stretton car park (Pay and display). Grid ref: SO454930.
Leave Chester 8-00 a.m.
This walk is taken from Ian R. Jones’s booklet “20 Church Stretton Walks”.  All of the walks around Church Stretton are popular, although this walk does include a few sections that are a little less visited by the throngs.  Another possible Dotterel day, but if we do see any, it will be our first on the Long Mynd.  Even without Dotterels this is a superb area of the country to walk in, especially as you explore the moors around Pole Bank.

Thursday 12th May 2011.
Coed Pen-y-Gelli and the Gorsedd Round 

 Another Bluebell Wood Walk.

Distance:11-12 miles. Climb:1050’.
Start: Roadside parking at Lloc.  Turn left by the public house if approaching from Holywell on the A5026 o right if approaching on the A5026 from its nearest junction with the A55. Grid ref:SJ145765.
Leave Chester 9-00 a.m.
This walk combines two walks from Dave Berry’s book “ Walks Around Holywell and Halkyn Mountain”. In the past this has proved to be one of our best Bluebell walks and includes three woods, Coed Allt-y-coed, Coed-y-Garreg as well as Coed Pen-y-Gelli that we visited last week.

Saturday 14th May 2011. Walk postponed.
Llyn Caer Euni from Llanderfel.

Distance:9-10 miles. Climb:1800’
Start: Roadside parking by the stream in the village of Llanderfel. Grid ref:SH982371.
Leave Chester 8-00 a.m.
The described part of the walk is taken from Dave  Berry’s book “Walks Around Y Bala and Penllyn”. This is only a 5 mile walk, but the extra miles is linking the start of the walk in Sarnau with Llanderfel, using different paths on the outward and return journeys.
The outward route will include using a path through the Nature Reserve Cors y Sarnau. There is a good chance of seeing Red kites in this area.

Thursday 19th May 2011.
Moel Ferna and Nant-y-Pandy.

Distance: 9-10 miles. Climb:2000’.
Start: Lay-by adjacent to the Butterfly Man Craft Centre on the A5 Llangollen to Corwen road near Glyndyfrdwy. Grid ref:SJ11584360.
Leave Chester 9-00 a.m.
The described part of the walk is taken from Dave Berry’s book “Walks Around Llangollen and the Dee Valley”. He describes it as a fascinating walk through the wooded Nant-y-Pandy with its old slate works.  The extension takes us to the summit of Moel Ferna, let’s hope for a good day so that we can linger on the top and taken in the excellent views.

Saturday 21st May 2011.
Llyn Geirionydd, Llanrhychwyn Church and the Llanrwst to Trefriw River Walk.

Distance:12-13 miles. Climb:1500’.
Start: Plas yn Dre Car park, Llanwrst. Grid ref:SH796618.
Leave Chester 8-00 a.m.
This walk combine two walks from Dave Berry’s book “ Walks Around Betws-y-coed and the Conwy Valley”.  The walk begins with a pleasant walk along the Afon Conwy to Trefriw, before heading up to Llyn Geirionydd.  The valleys around Geirionydd are known haunts for Cuckoos, so hopefully we might hear one or as in the past been lucky enough to see one.

Thursday 26th may 2011.
The Ceiriog Valley and More.

Distance:9-10 miles. Climb:1840’.
Start: Pontfadog Car Park. Grid ref:SJ234380.
Leave Chester at 9-00 a.m.
This walk is based on a walk taken from the “Walking Wales” magazine called “Churches in the Valley Walk”. However we will extend it to include the summit of Y Foel and the Biddulph Tower. Our return route from Y Foel will be decided on the day, but won’t be the heather hopping route chosen last time!  The main route in the beautiful Ceiriog valley passes 7 churches  and eventually rises to the hill top road where there are superb views to be had, especially towards the Berwyns and the Shropshire Hill.

Saturday 28th May 2011.
Rhoscolyn, Treaddur and More.

Distance:10-11 miles. Climb:650’.
Start: Rhoscolyn Beach Car park. Grid ref: SH273752.
Leave Chester 8-00 a.m.
About 4 miles of this walk are taken from Carl Rogers’s book Coastal Walks Around Anglesey – Volume !”.  Much of the walk including the extension to Treaddur , uses the Anglesey Coastal Path. The second extension from Borth Wen to Traeth  Llydan on the coastal path returns  via inland paths and quiet roads.

Llyn Geirionydd from Llanrwst 21st May 2011

Sand martins nesting in the banks of the Afon Conwy just outside Trefriw.(Turn your speakers off!)

The Fairy Glen above Trefriw.

In Coed y Gwinannog, yet another Bluebell wood!

A fritillary, but which one? I think it is a Pearl bordered fritillary.

Llyn Geirionydd.

Walk stats: distance: 10.8 miles. Climb:1773'.

Time: 5 hours 50 minutes. On the move walking average: 2.5 m.p.h. Overall walk average: 1.8 m.p.h.

Group: Martyn, Dave J and Mike D.

We set off  knowing that we could expect showers around lunch time, but we didn't anticipate the shower would last for more than two hours, but at least it wasn't cold.

The morning walk was superb, with birds in abundance. It started well with five Common swifts flyining overhead in the car park in Llanrwst.  The first bird on the Afon Conwy was a red breasted merganser and then a couple of Goosanders. Things got even better when just further down the river we watched Sand martins galore, racing around us and entering their nest holes in the banks.  House martins had been a rarity on our walks todate, but we saw them first as we arrived on the shores of Llyn Geirionydd and then later by the Afon Conwy towards Llanrwst.

The walk up the valley through Coed y Gwinannog past the Klondike Mill was superb. The walk around the Llyn Geirionydd was a little tricky at times as we had to "tip toe" through the tree roots, but at least this route turned up a Common sandpiper in exactly the same spot as we had seen one in previous years!

Lunch was taken at the pic-nic site by Llyn Geirionydd, and it was from this point that the rain started in earnest.  At least as we approached the track leading to Castell y Gwynt we heard a Cuckoo.
As we approached Llanrhychwyn Church we encountered four youngster that had deviated a little from the route that they should have taken.  They agreed to follow us back to Trefriw, but were pleased to see their "leaders" in their mini-bus just after we had reached the road.  It turned out that one of them had been in Mike's form just a few years ago!
We arrived back at the car, a little wetter than we would have liked, but having enjoyed a good walk.
Birds sen or heard today included: Common swift, Greenfinch, Chaffinch, Blackcap, Blue tit, Great tit, House martin, Barn swallow, Sand martin, Jackdaw, Common buzzard, Red breasted merganser, Goosander, Shelduck, Mallard, Herring gull, Common sandpiper, Chiffchaff, Willow warbler, Wood warbler, Meadow pipit, Stonechat, Eurasian jay, Pied wagtail, Skylark, Mute swan, Winter wren, Great spotted woodpecker and Cuckoo.
After walk drinks were enjoyed at the Britannia Inn at Pentre Halkyn. The Lees bitter as ever was on top form.

Disley and Lyme park 16th May 2011

The cage again!

Sue checking we are still on course!

Deer in Lyme Park.

Shutlingsloe and Macclesfield Forest from the Bowstones.

Walk stats: Distance:7.3 miles. Climb:1077'.

Time: 3 hours 3 minutes. On the move walking average:2.8 m.p.h. Overall walk average: 2.4 m.p.h.

Group: Martyn and Sue Powell.

The weather turned out well for walking, dry throughout and pleasantly on the cool side, although the wind was a little on the blustery side around the Bowstones.

Our original route had to be amended as some of the paths around the reservoirs were closed, forcing us to use Green Lane on the return journey as well as on the outward route.

Lyme Park was quite quiet, and for once we had good views of some of the deer on fields/pasture North of Knightslow Wood.

Throughout the walk Barn swallow were seen and in Lyme Park good numbers of Skylark were seen and even more heard singing.

Birds heard or seen today included: Chiffchaff, Willow warbler, Jackdaw, Black-billed magpie, Jay, Canada goose, Green woodpecker, Carrion crow, Mallard, Blackbird, Curlew, Pied wagtail (including a juvenile bird), Greenfinch, Goldfinch, Meadow pipit, Woodpigeon and Common swift.

After walk celebrations were enjoyed by a meal at the Fort of Bengal in Sale, where the Jalphrezi went down particularly well.

Coed Pen-y-Gelli and the Gorsedd Round 12 th May 2011

Walking through Coed Allt-y-tywood, the first and best of our Bluebell woods.

Chick of the day.

"We come to say hello, and they just walk away!".

"Come on kids, let's get away from that lot!"

Early Purple Orchids living up to their name!

You don't say?

Walk stats:Distance: 11.6 miles. Climb: !388'.

Time: 5 hours 33 minutes. On the move walking average: 2.6 m.p.h. Overall walk average: 2.1 m.p.h.

Group:Martyn, Sue and Michel, Phil, Sylvia and Dave J., Tim, Sue and Dave P.

The weather forecast was for showers, especially around lunch time and a cool wind.  We took lunch early, and beat the main shower by about 30 minutes, but thankfully it only lasted for about 10 minutes, the second lasted even less!

This turned out to be the best Bluebell wood walk of the year and all of the woods seemed to have more good Bluebells in flower than we had ever seen on previous walks.  Another bonus of the floral kind was a good display of Early purple orchids.

Two swallows don't make a Summer, but today they seemed to be everywhere, so surely Summer is here. Shorts weather certainly is!

However the delight of the day was seeing several Pheasant chicks, not being guarded very well by their parents. Perhaps they knew we were admiring them and wouldn't harm them!

Lunch as usual was taken at the Coed Pen-y-Gelli Nature Reserve (an old quarry), but Fran won't believe we had finished lunch by 12-25!

Overall this was a superb Bluebell wood walk, probably the best ever.

Birds sen or heard today included: Chiffchaff  (they seemed to be everywhere), Barn swallow (they seemed to be everywhere), Willow warbler, Woodpigeon, Common pheasant, Common whitethroat, Pied wagtail, Carrion crow, Rook, Jackdaw, Chaffinch, Great tit, Blackcap, Raven, Winter wren, European robin, Blackbird, Mallard, Canada goose, Dunnock, Black-billed magpie and House sparrow.

After walk drinks were enjoyed at the Britannia Inn at Pentre Halkyn, where the Lees bitter tasted particularly good!

The Long Mynd 7th May 2011

At the toposcope on the Long Mynd.

At the toposcope on the Long Mynd.

Walk stats: Distance:9.3 miles. Climb:1339'.

Time: 3 hours 43 minutes. On the move walking average:2.8 m.p.h. Overall walk average:2.5 m.p.h.

Group: Martyn, Mike, Sue and Dave P.

We set off, hoping for the odd shower, and that's all we got, but it did last for over 3 hours!  The weather conditions didn't encourage us to stop and linger. In fact one kind motorist on the road across the Long Mynd stopped and asked us if we wanted a lift back to Church Stretton!  Naturally we declined and continued on our merry way, eventually dropping out of the cloud as we descended Townbrook Hollow.  As we arrived back at Cardingmill Valley, the rain had stopped, but we decided that it would be better to go straight back to the car and change out of as many wet clothes as we could and eat our lunch in the car.  In fact we went for a drink in the Buck Hotel before we had our sandwiches and we were still back in Chester by 4 p.m.

Birds seen or heard today included: Swift (the hundredth different bird species seen on our walks in 2011), Chiffchaff, Willow warbler, Carrion crow, Chaffinch, Greenfinch, Blackbird, Jackdaw, Song thrush and House sparrow.

Overall an enjoyable walk, especially in the shelter of Townbrook Hollow and once the rain had stopped!

Maen Achwyfan, Glol and Llyn Helyg Wood 5th May 2011

Bluebells still flowering in "replanted wood"  East of Bryn-digrif.

Tito at one of his better rest spots, by the "Roman" Watch tower in Coed y Garreg.

One of the footpaths through Glol wood, another Bluebell wood to add to our list!

Name the blue flower? 
Apparently this is Large or Great camas (Camassia Leichtlinii), a plant originally from North America and was featured in the Royal Horticultural Society Show a couple of years ago.

Walk stats: Distance: 10.0 miles. Climb: 971'.

Time: 5 hours 11 minutes. On the move walking average: 2.5 m.p.h.. Overall walk average: 1.9 m.p.h.

Group: Martyn, Phil, Gordon, Fran and Tito.

A very select group set off from Whitford, wondering if the forecast rain would materialize or not. We needn't have worried as we only felt the odd spot of rain throughout the walk. Even better what seemed to0 be like the start of a "reasonable" shower occurred as we were enjoying a good pint of Lees bitter at the  Britannia Inn at Pentre Halkyn.

The Maen Achwyfan  walk went well, and as we went through the woods East of Bryn-digrif and the Glol there were good displays Bluebells. The only disappointment was the walk around Llyn Helyg Wood, we had hoped to see the lake as well and the Bluebells were present in patches.  As Gordon said "This is not really a Bluebell Wood, just a wood with Bluebells!".

The paths through Glol wood seemed to disappear as far as the way we wanted to go, and we eventually found ourselves in the enclosure, when the Sun came out and we decide it was good time to have lunch.

We eventually arrived back at the car, glad that the walk had just tipped the 10 miles mark and that we had had rain!

Birds seen or heard included: Common starling, Greenfinch, House sparrow, Blackbird, Jackdaw, Carrion crow, Rook, Barn swallow (they seemed to be everywhere as we passed farm buildings), Chiffchaff, Willow warbler, Pheasant, Woodpigeon, Great tit, Chaffinch and Blue tit.

Pendle Hill from Downham 2nd May 2011

Our first view of Pendle Hill.

Another splash of Bluebells in Longlands Wood.

Sue and Dave at the Scout Memorial Cairn.

Downham village from our lunch spot.

Walk stats: Distance:6. 5 miles. Climb:2400' it was windy, so 1400' is nearer reality!

Time: 3 hours 49 minutes. On the move walking average:2.2 m.p.h. Overall walk average: 1.7 m.p.h.

Group: Martyn, Sue and Dave P.

Another glorious day for walking, blue skies throughout and pleasantly warm when sheltered from the stiff breeze!  In fact by the trig point on Pendle Hill, it was so gusty that we had a job to stand still, let alone take a  the usual trig point photo!  Definitely too windy for Dotterel, assuming that they have more sense than us!  However several Skylarks sang to us as  we battled from the Scout Memorial Cairn across the plateau towards the wind shelter and onto Big End and the trig point.

Another delight of the day was the song of the Willow warbler.  They seemed to be everywhere around Downham and the woods in the valley.

Lunch was taken in a sheltered spot on the main path back to Downham, thankfully before getting back to the car.

Birds seen or heard today included: Carrion crow, Jackdaw, Willow warbler, Barn swallow, Meadow pipit, Skylark, Kestrel, Mallard and Grey heron.

After walk drinks were enjoyed at the Assherton Arms in Downham, where the beer of choice was Thwaites Wainwright Bitter.