Morridge from Warslow 27th August 2011

At the trig point on Merryton Low.

The Rey Memorial viewpoint.

Looking North West from the Re Memorial viewpoint.

At the trig point by the tumulus on Under the Hill.

Walk stats: Distance: 12.3 miles. Climb: 2104'.

Time: 6 hours 31 minutes. On the move walking average: 2.3m.p.h. Overall average: 1.9 m.p.h.

Group: Martyn and Dave J.

Showers were on the agenda today, and that is what w got!  although we wore our waterproofs for much of the walk, most of the time was just because we were too lazy to take them off!  Thankfully the worst of the weather seemed to just miss us.
This turned out to be a more challenging walk than we expected, both in terms of the terrain covered and the route finding, particularly on the link paths to and from Warslow.
Lunch was taken at the Rey Memorial Viewpoint, so we could enjoy the view towards Hen Cloud and the Roaches with Shutlingsloe beyond. It was somewhat breezy at this point and I ended up chasing after a plastic bag and the lid of my lunch box, both of which had tried to escape!

Birds seen or heard today included: Barn swallows (over 70 around Warslow), House sparrow, Collared dove, Woodpigeon, Black-billed magpie, Common starling, Kestrel, Common buzzard, Carrion crow, Raven, Jackdaw, Pied wagtail, Wheatear, Grey heron, Chaffinch, Blue tit, Great tit, Goldfinch, Meadow pipit, Skylark, Common pheasant and Red grouse.
After walk drinks were enjoyed at the Wilkes Head in Leek where the the Hartington Bitter tasted superb. The take-away was good too!
Overall an enjoyable walk despite the being stung by many Nettles, the long wet grass in many of the fields, the boggy pastures churned up by cattle and the steep slippery mud paths that we encountered.
Warslow Village Hall is a good start point for a walk, especially with its toilets open to the public.  No parking fee, although donations were welcome.  Hopefully everyone that parks there makes one!

The Three Lakes Walk 25th August 2011

One I prepared earlier, but not spotted today!

Setting off across the Llyn Aled dam .

Our first views of Snowdonia.

"They went that way! or ""It's Llyn Alwen".

Y llywedd and Snowdon, just appearing behind Moel Siabod.

"Singing in the rain" or "the latest in walking gear".

Anyone with a better suggestion can let me know, and if they buy me a pint in the Brit, I'll put it on the bog!

The third lake ahead, Llyn Aled Reservoir.

Walk stats: Distance: 11.5 miles. Climb: 1107'.

Time: 5 hours 46 minutes. On the move walking average: 2.4 m.p.h. Overall walk average: 2.0 m.p.h.

Group:Martyn, Roger, Gordon, Tim, Paul and Dave J.

Unusually for us this was an all male group, so some of the group were eagerly anticipating a walk free from discussions on recipes or babies and looking forward to deeper discussions on such as world economics!

We set off in bright sunshine, and as ever headed across the moors, no path on the ground, but at least we were confident that we knew where we were going!

Some of the views today were superb, especially towards Snowdonia. Moel Hebog, the Nantle Ridge, Y Llywedd, Yr Wyddfa, Moel Siabod and Tryfan showing particularly well.

We had lunch in the sunshine just after meeting what we thought was a lone walker, but he turned out to be employed by the local authority and was checking out footpaths!

There were a few boggy sections but overall the moors were much drier than we have experienced on earlier occasions and no-one ended up with wet feet.

After lunch we did get a few showers, but they didn't last long and the last couple were just a nuisance, do you put your waterproofs on or not.  In most cases we would have been better to have left them in our rucksacks!

Birds seen or heard today included: Meadow pipit, Pied wagtail, House sparrow, Mistle thrush, Barn swallow, Kestrel, Carrion crow, Raven, Common buzzard, Snipe and Red kite.

After walk drinks were enjoyed at the Britannia Inn where Dave J enjoyed a J20 and Martyn enjoyed a pint of Coke as did Gordon. Roger enjoyed his usual cider and Time and Paul sampled a drop of the black stuff!

Overall this was a superb walk, even if we did get home a little later than usual for a Thursday.

Hopefully the Lees bitter (acceptable to the landlady) will arrive by the time we visit next week!

Walks and Dates August 2011

Updated 24th August 2011.

Thursday 4th August 201

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!

Congratulations 

to 

Rosemary and Chris Broad 

on the safe arrival of their new daughter Jocelyn Ann.

(Born on 4th August 2011)

Congratulations too to Dave and Sylvia on becoming Grandparents for the second time.

Saturday 6th August 2011

Llyn Caer Euni from Llanderfel.

Distance:9-10 miles. Climb:1600’

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 11th August 2011.

Around Llansannan and Mynydd Tryfan.

Distance: 10miles; Climb:1419'.

Start: Car park behind PC opposite the Post Office in Llansannan. Grid ref:SH933658.

Leave Chester 9-00 a.m.

This walk is taken from Lorna Jenner's book "Walking in the Vale of Clwyd". This is a varied walk along the Afon Aled and its tributaries, through rolling pastures edge with thick hedges and pockets of woodland, with a backdrop of mountains. Extension to include Mynydd Tryfan.

Saturday 13th August 2011. Postponed.

Cadair Bronwen, Cadair Berwyn and Moel Sych.

Distance:10-11 miles. Climb:3100''.
Start: Riverside Car Park in Llandrillo. Grid ref:SJ35372.
Leave Chester at 8-00 a.m.
This walk is taken from John Tranter's book "Walks in and around the Berwyn Mountains". This is quite a strenuous walk, and in the past has been quite boggy in sections. Hopefully that will not be the case this time as last time we did the walk it was during the Winter months. A superb walk in good visibility and the Sun is shining. Let's hope for a good day.

Thursday 18th August 2011.

Llanfair Talhaiarn, Moel Unben and Mynydd Dir.

Distance 10-11 miles; Climb:2000'.

Start:Riverside car park in Llanfair Talhaiarn. Grid ref:SH927702.

Leave Chester at 9-00 a.m.

This walk is taken from Lorna Jenner's book "Walking in the Vale of Clwyd and the Denbigh Moors". , and is a walk that we really enjoyed last time we did it. It is nominally only a 5 mile walk, but the extension doubles it.

Saturday 20th August 2011.

Chnict and the Moelwyns.

Distance:9-10 miles. Climb:3650'.

Start: Croesor village car park. Grid ref: SH631447.

Leave Chester 8-00 a.m.

This walk is taken from the Nuttalls' book "The Mountains of England and Wales Volume 1 Wales". It is a long time since we did Chnict and even longer since we included the Moelwyns in the walk as well.  This is quite a demanding walk, so lets hope for a good day weatherwise which will then give us  good views of the Snowdon  group of mountains and the ridge from Chnict to Moel Siabod.

Thursday 25th August 2011

The Three Lakes Walk.

Distance:11.6 miles; Climb:1523'.

Start: Park on grass verge just before crossing over the dam (Eastern side of the Llyn Aled). Grid ref:SH916579.

Leave Chester at 9-00 a.m.

This walk is taken from Dave Berry's books "Walks in the Hidden Heart of North Wales" and Walks Around Hiraethog Moors and Lakes" whichever you prefer. Same walks, just different covers, and one walk has been extended a little in the former book. Llyn Aled, Llyn Alwen and the Alwen Reservoir are the three "lakes" visited. In the past sections have been quite boggy to say the least, but considering the lack of rain of late, the going should be relatively good. This has become one of my favourite moorland walks, although it isn't everyone's cup of tea.

Saturday 27th August 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.

Pennington Flash and Martin Mere 22nd August 2011

Willow tit at Pennington Flash feeding station.

Bullfinches at Pennington Flash feeding station.

Male Bullfinch at Pennington Flash feeding Station.

European robin at Pennington Flash feeding station.

Juvenile Cuckoo at Martin Mere.

Walk stats: Distance: 5.0 miles. Climb:129'.

Time: 3 hours 24 minutes. On the move walking average: 2.7 m.p.h. Overall walk average:1.5 m.p.h.

Group: Martyn and Sue Powell.

Not the original walk planned, but this turned out to be a glorious day for walks around Pennington Flash and Martin Mere, although the bright sunshine often meant that many of the colours on the birds were difficult to see.

It started off well with large numbers of Greenfinch and Bullfinch visiting the feeders at Pennington Flash, but the star bird of the day was a Juvenile Cuckoo showing well at Martin mere. A couple of Willow tits at Pennington Flash feeding station and two Whooper swans at Martin mere were a bonus and the latter unexpected too.

Birds seen or heard today included: Common coot, Moorhen, Mallard, Canada goose, Mute swan, Great crested grebe, Tufted duck, Great tit, Blue tit, Bullfinch, European robin, Woodpigeon, Common pheasant, Black-billed magpie, Lapwing, Great cormorant, Common cuckoo, Whooper swan, Tree sparrow, Barn swallow, Black-headed gull, Grey heron, Ruff, Feral pigeon, Herring gull, Chaffinch, Greylag goose, Great black-backed gull and Kestrel.

A good day birdwatching as we walked around these two very popular venues, finishing with an enjoyable meal at Sue's.

Chnict from Coesor 20th August 2011

Cnicht in the distance.

The path to Cnicht.

Cnicht ahead.

Looking back from the slopes of Cnicht towards the coast.

Walk stats: Distance: 8.2 miles. Climb: 2290'.

Time: 5 hours 15 minutes. On the move walking average: 2.0  m.p.h. Overall average: 1. 6 m.p.h.

Group: Martyn and Dave J.

We set off from Croesor quite optimistic that the weather might hold out and the light showers forecast would be all that we would get.  We did get only one shower, but it lasted from 12-20 until we arrived back at the car 3 hours later!  At least it wasn't cold, but we did get wet and at the end of the day I could pour water out of my boots!

Nevertheless the climb up to the top of Cnicht was quite enjoyable, with slightly more scrambling than I had remembered.  We passed over the summit, not spotting the small cairn described by the Nuttalls and headed down the Northern ridge towards Llyn  yr Adar and onto the Rhosydd Quarry.

The route to the quarry is always difficult to find, especially so today with the mist/cloud around us.  Thanks to the Memory Map GPS we did eventually arrive at the the quarry and at one time found us heading towards  Llyn Stwlan, a possible route back to Croesor, but not the one we wanted.  After retracing  our steps through the quarry we eventually found the right path.

No photographs were taken after lunch as we didn't stop, Dave ate his lunch on the hoof and I ate my butties back at the car!

Despite everything it was quite an enjoyable walk, ending with the delight of changing into a complete set of dry clothes!

Birds seen or heard today included: European robin, Common blackbird, Raven, Carrion crow, Herring gull, Pied wagtail, Nuthatch, Barn swallow, Meadow pipit and Wheatear.

After walk drinks were enjoyed at the Britannia Inn at Pentre Halkyn where the Lees bitter went down well.

Llanfair Talhaiarn, Moel Unben and Mynydd Dir 18th August 2011

Snowdonia from the slopes of Moel Unben.

At the top, of Moel Unben.

Walk stats: Distance: 10.9 miles. Climb:1800'.

Time: 5 hours 32 minutes. On the move walking average: 2.4 m.p.h. Overall walk average: 2.0 m.p.h.

Group: Martyn, Roger, Dave J., Wendy and Sue Pearson.

On Wednesday morning a group of twelve was expected to start the walk today. However by the time we set off we were down to five, and of those five only three made it to the Brit.  The one bonus of the small numbers was that everyone had two pieces of Martyn's fruit cake (baked yesterday and too soon to have added any preservative). 

The start of the walk was at the picturesque village of Llanfair Talhaiarn with its car park, PC and picnic site beside the river.

This is a superbly varied walk, frequently giving panoramic views in all directions. The best however was the view of Snowdonia from Moel Siabod, Y Llywedd, Snowdon, Tryfan and the Carneddau that we enjoyed from Moel Unben.

Further round we had good views towards the coast with the foothills behind Llandulas and Abergele in the middle distance.

Once again the Heather gave fantastic spreads of purple across the slopes of Moel Unben and later on beside a stream Himalayan Balsam seemed to have taken over the banks.

Birds seen or heard today included: House martin, Barn swallow, Common swift, Common buzzard, Stonechat, House sparrow, Carrion crow, Raven, Jackdaw, Eurasian jay, Wheatear, Meadow pipit, Common pheasant, Woodpigeon and Nuthatch.

At least two members of the group enjoyed the excellent pint of Lees bitter at the Britannia Inn at Pentre Halkyn.

We wish a speedy recovery for several of the walking group that were unfortunately away today on sick leave!

Around Llansannan 11th August 2011

No photos from me, someone had another "senior moment and forgot his camera! Photos later if Sue and Tim manage to send them.
Walk stats: Distance: 9.8 miles Climb:1771'.
Time: 5 hours 50 minutes. On the move walking average: 2.6 m.p.h. Overall average: 1.7 m.p.h.
Group: Martyn, Roger, Gordon, Tim (Carol was expected, but couldn't make it at the last minute, hopefully next week she will be OK) , Fran and Tito, Sylvia and Dave J. Paul C., Sue and Dave P.
Not a brilliant day for walking weather wise, but at least we didn't get too wet unless you were leading the way through chest high bracken! Very warm and at times rather humid, cooling breezes were few and far between.  A good and varied walk, but the extension that looked good on the map, didn't meet with Fran's approval! deep down I probably agree, and when the walk is repeated, this particular  extension won't.  Sorry Dave, after all your extra miles checking the route ahead to see if the rest of us could follow.  At least you did get us out of our worst difficulty, even if we did end up going round the wrong side of a farm to get back on track!
Overall, quite an up and down walk along river valleys and across farm land with a few challenging stiles and gates, but at least the two fords crossed were easy!
The unusual event of the day was seeing various farm vehicles approaching us as one crossed another ford, carrying a trailer of fence posts as was an other vehicle, one carrying fence wire and the other had a device for hammering home the fence posts. At least they smiled as we took appropriate steps to get out of their way!
Birds sen or heard today included: Common buzzard (quite a lot, especially juveniles), Black-billed magpie, Barn swallow, House martin, Eurasian jay, Carrion crow, Raven, Winter wren and House sparrow.
After walk drinks were enjoyed at the Britannia Inn at Halkyn. The Lees bitter went down a treat, especially if you had forgotten your "platypus"!
Tim took a superb photo of a Red admiral butterfly, so hopefully it will arrive too!
Photos arrived thanks to Sue P's mobile phone.

Foreg about Fran, any ideas about the plant/bush behind her!

We all thought Richard might know.

It's a good job someone can read a map!

Does anyone know where they are going?

Photos from Tim.

You'd think they could open a gate between them!

The Aled Valley from Mynydd Tryfan.

The last climb of the day.

Tim's Red admiral.

Llyn Caer Euni from Llanderfel 6th August 2011

The pathway to the "orange/red bog" leading to the path through the nature reserve.

Celia, "the path finder" through the bracken.

"I'll do anything you say dear!"

"No, I', not a tall Welsh lamb, I'm an Alpaca 

and 

Yes my shearer should've gone to Specksavers!"

Llyn Caer Euni, our lunch spot for the day.

The Arans from our final approach to Llanderfel.

Walk stats: Distance: 9.5 miles. Climb:1571'.

Time: 5 hours 25 minutes. On the move walking average: 2.2 m.p.h. Overall average: 1.7 m.p.h.

Group: Martyn, Celia and Dave J.

The weather was kind to us and the showers that were forecast didn't materialize, although as we were eating our lunch, the skies darkened above us. Thankfully they didn't release any of the wet stuff.

On previous occasions we have done this walk in the Winter months which has the advantage that we didn't have to wade through chest high bracken!  However the much of the walk seemed new to me, despite the fact that I know we have done the walk before!

Overall this is a delightful, I feel I'm quoting someone here, walk with many challenges to test your route finding following route descriptions and relating it to the OS map!

Our lunch spot by Llyn Caer Euni was also delightful, despite the boggy  areas around it.

Birds seen or heard today included: Common buzzard (at least 20 different birds seen on route), House sparrow, Goldfinch, Chaffinch, Carrion crow, Common pheasant, Redpoll, Linnet, Raven Meadow pipit, Collared dove, Woodpigeon, Herriing gull, Lesser black-backed gull and Pied wagtail.

After walk drinks were enjoyed at the New Inn at Pontblyddin where the Reverand James brew went down well. Celia even enjoyed her large pot of tea!

Around the Llantysilio Mountains 4th August 2011

At the top of Moel y Faen, clouds starting to lift.

The Berwyn Quarry, still in use.

Walking through the heather.

Contrasting Gorse and Heather.

Walk stats: Distance: 8.4 miles. Climb:1556'.

Time 4 hours 40 minutes. On the move walking average: 2.1 m.p.h. Overall walk average: 1.8 m.p.h.

Group: Martyn, Paul, Celia, Fran and Tito, Sue and Dave P.

We arrived at the start with even the low tops decked in cloud and still raining. We had no choice but to go over the road and have tea or coffee and for some cake and biscuits in the Ponderosa cafe.  Enjoying ourselves so much in the cafe, we hadn't noticed that it had stopped raining and the clouds had almost completely lifted.

We set off on our usual route along the main path to the summit of  Moel y Faen, but then set off for the Berwyn Quarry instead of continuing on the main ridge.  Much of this route was just contouring around the hill through the flowering heather and gorse, in places giving a superb and contrasting appearance to the slopes.

Eventually we returned to the main ridge path and the slog up to the trig point on Moel Morfydd.  This was to be a lunch spot for the day, with the Sun shining and a delightfully cooling breeze taking the earlier humidity away.

Just after lunch I received a text from Sylvia announcing the arrival of her new granddaughter, Jocelyn Ann Broad. No wonder the Sun was shining!

Not many birds today, but we were lucky enough to see a Badger trundling towards us along the minor road near Bwlch y Groes. It didn't seem to notice us, but veered off the road to the East of the road and disappeared.

Many of the gates along the path to Plas Norway had been replaced with new bridleway type gates, but there  stiles near the tip and Plas Norway are still missing.

Birds seen or heard today included: Meadow pipit, Carrion crow, Raven, Stonechat, Red grouse and Common buzzard.

After walk drinks were enjoyed at the Bridge Inn at Pontblyddyn where Cottage Vulcan was the beer that went down best.

I arrived home, wondering how far the decorators had manged to get on during the day, to find that the floor boards in one corner had collapsed beneath them!  Thankfully it happened during the removal of the old paper and before a new work had been done.