Eglwyseg and Ruabon Mountain 30th August 2012.

Looking towards the Eglwyseg Escarpments from above World's End.

Heading across the the first section of moorland.

Still crossing the moorland.

The Eglwyseg Escarpments ahead.

Walk stats: Distance: 10.0 miles. Climb: 1792'.(probably a little high).

Time: 5 hours 54 minutes, On the move walking average: 2.0 m.p.h. Overall walk average: 1.7 m.p.h.

Group: Martyn, Roger, Phil, Sue and Dave P., Paul, Tim and Carol Herbstrick.

It didn't start well, as we arrived to find that the car park was closed, and had been for some years! We managed to squeeze four cars in area off the road opposite the gate to the old car park, but part of this area was very muddy, so much so that at the end of the day we had to give Phil a push to help him get out of the muddy area where his wheels were slipping!

The weather wasn't brilliant either, with very short showers on and off for most of the time before lunch.  The walk along the Eglwyseg Escarpments, we had done before, and is always a good part of any walk with its dramatic views along the valley.

 The walk across Ruabon Mountain towards the Frozen Clock was new to us, and finding the path was our first problem. For some this moorland crossing became a bit of a trudge, especially as they were hankering after a lunch spot.  Some good views towards the Cheshire Plain were had s we descended towards Frozen Clock, our lunch spot for the day.

The final section of moorland from the Mountain Lodge back to the World's End road, was at times a challenge to the waterproofness of our boots. Thankfully no-one complained about wet feet!

Birds seen or heard today included: Stonechat, Winter wren, Meadow pipit, Red grouse, Common pheasant, Barn swallow, Carion crow, Raven and Hen harrier.

After walk drinks were enjoyed at the Pant-yr-Ochain at Gresford, where Purple Moose, Snowdonia Ale was the refreshing pint that many of us needed.

Walks and Dates August 2012

Thursday 2nd August 2012.

Cyrn-y-Brain and Coed Llandegla.

Distance: 10 miles. Climb: 1500'.
Start: Car parking area opposite the Ponderosa Cafe. Grid ref: SJ192480.
Leave Chester at 09-00 a.m.
This walk is taken from Dave Berry's book " Walks Around Ruabon Mountain, the Clywedog Valley  and Hope Mountain." He describes it as a walk exploring open access moorland with panoramic views and contrasting forest paths.

Saturday 4th August 2012.

Weets Hill.
This walk has been postponed until later in the year.
We will take a coastal walk from Llanfairfechan to Tal-y-bont instead.

Distance: 9-10 miles. Climb: 900'
Start: Saltersforth Wharfe near Barnoldswick. Grid ref: SD887545.
Leave Chester at 08-00 a.m.
This walk is taken from Terry Marsh's book "50 Classic Walks in Lancashire" . He describes it as a fairly easy walk , combining farm paths, moorland paths and canal towpaths. Weet Hill offers some of the best views in the South Pennines.

Thursday 9th August 2012.

A Walk Around Disley.

Distance: 9-10 mile. Climb: 1200'.
Start: Disley Station Car Park. Grid ref: SJ972845. (If the car park is full, we will go to Lyme Park and park there, so if you are a National Trust member, bring your membership card with you.)
Leave Chester at 08-45 a.m.
This walk combine a walk from Jen Darling's book "More Pub Walks in Cheshire and the Wirral", with a walk from the "Pathfinders Guide to Cheshire".
The latter route takes us along the Gritstone Trail through Lyme Park and up to the Bowstones, where on a good day you get good views of Shutlingsloe and the Cheshire Plain.  The other walk on the East side of Disley, climbs Black Hill and gives good views towards Kinder.

Saturday 11th August 2012.

Creigiau Gleison, Llyn Crafnant and Llyn Geirionydd.

Distance: 10-11 miles. Climb:2000'.
Start: Pay and Display Car park near Llyn Crafnant. Grid ref: SH756618.
Leave Chester at 08-00 a.m
This walk combines two walks from Carl Rogers book "Walks in the Conwy Valley". One walk is described as being quite strennuous and requires good route finding, particularly on the featureless approach to Creigiau Gleison. This little ridge is one that I have wanted to visit for some time, so let's hope for a good day weatherwise.

Thursday 16th August 2012.

World's End from the Ponderosa.

Distance: 9 miles. Climb: 1600'.
Start: Car parking area opposite the Ponderosa Cafe. Grid ref: SJ192480.
Leave Chester at 09-00 a.m.
This walk is taken from Dave Berry's book " Walks Around Ruabon Mountain, the Clywedog Valley  and Hope Mountain."  This is described as an exhilarating walk of great variety, on good upland paths and tracks with panoramic viewscapes.

Saturday 18th August 2012.

Tegg's Nose and Macclesfield Forest.

Distance: 9 miles. Climb: 1000'.
Start: Tegg's Nose Country Park Car park. Pay and Display. Grid ref: SJ950732.
Leave Chester at 08-30 a.m.
This walk is taken from the "Pathfinders Guide to Cheshire". It is described as a varied walk with good views from Tegg's Nose. We will visit Teg's Nose first, rather than at the end of the walk. The walk is also described as an undulating walk exploring the countryside on the edge of the Peak District.

Thursday 23rd August 2012.

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 09-00 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 hopefully it won't be too bad at this time of the year.  This walk is not everyone's cup of tea, but over the years, it has become one of my favourite walks on the Denbigh Moors.

Saturday 25th August 2012.
A Walk in the "Last of the Summer Wine" Territory.

This walk has been postponed and will be put on the list later in the year.

Distance: 9-10 miles. Climb: 1000'.
Start: Crown Bottom Car Park on Huddersfield Road, Holmfirth. Grid ref: SE14250837.
Leave Chester at 08-00 a.m.
This is a walk taken from "Great Walks In Great Britain - The Peak District". This walk is described as being moderately strenuous exploring the Holmfirth Valley. Talking to a walking group from Holmfirth when they were staying in the Mill in Chester, they described their home patch as being a superb area in which to walk. That couple with the fact that I like the series based there, made me decide to put this walk on, even though it is a little further than we normally travel. It looks as though I'll be driving!

Thursday 30th August 2012.

Eglwyseg and Rhuabon Mountain.

Distance: 9-10 miles. Climb: 1500'.
Start: World's End Car park. SJ232483.
Leave Chester at 09-00 a.m.
This walk is taken from Dave Berry's book " Walks Around Ruabon Mountain, the Clywedog Valley  and Hope Mountain."   This is described as a challenging walk, featuring contrasting Limestone escarpments and Heather Moorlands.  This is a walk for experienced walkers - do we count!

Cwm Dulas and Gopa Wood 25 th August 2012

Rhyd-y-foel.

"WE have been up there, haven't we?"

Gwrych Castle from the Gopa Wood Viewpoint.

Walk stats: Distance: 8.3 miles. Climb: 756'.

Time: 4 hours 45 minutes. On the move walking average: 2.2 m.p.h. Overall walk average: 1.8 m.p.h.

Group: Martyn and Roger.

It wasn't planned, but we ended up starting the walk at Llandulas instead of Abergele.  In the end this turned out to be a good decision, as we were able to complete the inland part of the walk before the rain came.  Whilst we didn't get any rain, the area over Gopa Woods looked as though it was in rain as we had lunch on a seat on the sea front at the delightful Welsh resort of Abergele.   Although we didn't get the rain, it was quite humid at times, and only got the occasion relief from a cooling breeze. This was quite a varied walk, but distant views were somewhat limited as frequently the hills were decked in low rain clouds.

Birds seen or heard today included: Great cormorant, Oystercatcher, Black-headed gull, Lesser black-backed gull, Great black-backed gull, Pied wagtail, Linnet, House sparrow, Common starling, Ringed plover, Carrion crow, Raven, Common buzzard, Jackdaw, Woodpigeon, Common blackbird, Mallard, Mute swan and Stonechat.

The surprise of the day was seeing a man on a "bike" being pulled along at a fair speed by two dogs!

After walk drinks were enjoyed at the Britannia Inn, where the second pint of Lees bitter went down really, especially as it was on the house!

The Three Lakes Walk 23rd August 2012

This walk is described as being on largely pathless moorland - can you tell?

On a path (the access track to Ty'n-llyn at last - alongside  Llyn Alwen.

"Mine's the black feller on the right, I'm not so sure about those two fawn ones behind me"

Llyn Alwen from a point where all three lakes on the walk could be seen.

Llyn Aled from a point where all three lakes on the walk could be seen.

Alwen Reservoir from a point where all three lakes on the walk could be seen.

Walk stats: Distance: 11.5 miles. Climb: 912'.

Time: 6 hour 17 minutes. On the move walking average: 2.1 m.p.h. Overall walk average: 1.8 m.p.h.

Group: Martyn, Phil, Paul, Tim and Celia.

We were a little late getting started on today's walk and didn't get home 'till around 7 p.m., so my apologies to Carol, Tim and Jean. We didn't get lost, I just walk slow these days!

The weather today was almost perfect for walk, a pleasant temperature, a cool breeze, little sunshine and virtually no rain ( at least not enough to make me put waster-proofs on).

This was a a superb walk in largely open moorland, where we only saw two people that we were able to speak yo all day.

The views today were good, especially towards Snowdonia, where the Snowdon range, the Glyders and the Carneddau could all be seen, admittedly some with their heads in the clouds.

The birds sen or heard today included: Common kestrel, Red kite, Barn swallow, House martin, Lesser black-backed gull, Common blackbird, Meadow pipit, Carrion crow and Raven.

After walk drinks were enjoyed at the Britannia Inn at Halkyn, where the Lees bitter was good enough to bring me back to life, and some of the locals were surprised that we were so late getting there!

Tegg'a Nose and Macclesfield Forest 18 th August 2012

Iron work in Tegg's Nose Quarry.

The path through Macclesfield Forest.

St. Stephen's Chapel in the hamlet of Forest Chapel.

A sign made for walkers with limited map reading skills!

Tegg's Nose ahead, so we're nearly back at the car.

Walk stats: Distance: 9.5 miles. Climb:1743'.

Time: 6 hours 8 minutes. On the move walking average: 1.9 m.p.h. Overall walk average: 1.5 m.p.h.

Group: Martyn and Celia.

A good day for walking, but it was a little on the humid side for comfort.  This turned out to be very much an up and down walk of great variety, and felt a lot longer than it actually was!

The birds seen or heard today included: carrion crow, Raven, Black-billed magpie, Barn swallow, Common buzzard, Stonechat, Meadow pipit and Kestrel.

An enjoyable walk, and quite tiring,I was really looking forward to a pint at the Farmers Arms at Kelsall, alas it was closed with plastic cones across the entrance to the car park!  We ended up at the Boot at Willington, where I was able to enjoy a pint Wheetwood best bitter.

This is certainly a walk that will be repeated in the future.

World's End from the Ponderosa 16th August 2012

A view looking back towards the Llantysilio Mountains.

Headu-ing through the bracken, at least 3 feet taller than 2 weeks ago!

Craig y forwyn from World's End.

Climbing through the gorge at World's End.

Back on Offa's Dyke footpath.

At Sir Watkin's Tower on Cyrn-y-Brain.

Looking towards Moel Fammau from Cyrn-y-Brain.

Walk stats: Distance: 9.7 miles. Climb: 1456'. 

Time: 5 hours 25 minutes. On the move walking average: 2.2 m.p.h. Overall walk average: 1.8 m.p.h.

Group: Martyn, Roger, Phil, Paul and Celia.

The weather turned out to be almost perfect for walking, not too hot, not to cold, no rain, and occasionally a lovely cooling wind.

This was a superbly varied walk, one that I'm sure will be repeated many times.  Much of the moorland around Cyrn-y-Brain, we have explored before, but the area around World's End was new, and the valley below Craig y forwyn was delightful, but better as we were ascending, rather than descending!

The surprise of the day was meeting a cyclist that had set off from Ellesmere as part of a cycling week based there, but she seemed to be enjoying the ride, despite the long trip involved!

Lunch was taken on the moor, just above World's End, where most of the group were able to enjoy some of Martyn's well matured birthday fruit cake!

Birds seen or heard today included: Raven, Meadow pipit, Chaffinch, House martin, Common kestrel, Stonechat and Carrion crow.

After walk drinks taken at the Red Lion at Penyfordd, where Timothy Taylor Landlord was the best brew on offer. Not sure that we really enjoyed them, as our thoughts were still very much with the Jenkins' family.

Creigiau Gleision and Llyn Crafnant 11th August 2012

At Creigiau Gleision North Top.

Creigiau Gleision South Top.

Creigiau Gleision from the path to Crimpiau.

On top of the world, not really, just Crimpiau.

Llyn Crafnat ahead, but it still looks a long way off for walkers with titred legs!

Walk stats: Distance: 8.8 miles. Climb: 2162'.

Time: 6 hours 17 minutes. On the move walking average: 1.7 m.p.h. Overall walk avererage: 1.4 m.p.h.

Group: Martyn, Roger and Dave J.

With good weather forecast this was a walk that I was really looking foreward to, as  this little ridge has been on my "to do list" for more years than I like to remember.

The weather was good, perhaps a little on the warm side, especially as the forecast wind didn't materialise until the descent of Crimpiau!  The views all day were superb, although somewhat hazy. The paths were relatively good, although the descents were quite steep and one required a little bit of third leg work to get around (but we think there was probably a better route had we gone a little further West of the rocky outcrop at the end of the ridge).

This turned out to be a much more demanding walk than we had anticipated, and by the time we had descended to the Capel Curig - Llyn Crafant path, at least two of the group, had no appetite to extend the walk to Llyn Geirionydd. In fact I needed two good pints of Lees bitter at the Britannia at Halkyn to fully revive me!

I was quite surprised to see other walkers on this remote little ridge, but they were all walking from the Capel Curig side towards the Northern Llyn Cowlyd side, probably the better way of doing the ridge.

Birds seen or heard today included: Common buzzard, Long-tailed tit, Stonechat, carrion crow, raven and Great cormorant.

Will this be my first and last visit to the summit  of Creigiau Gleision? Who knows, but Roger implied that he would be unavailable should it be on the list again!

Disley, Lyme park and Whaley Moor 9th August 2012

The Cage from Bollingurst Reservoir.

Lyme Hall from the main gates.

A few of the deer in Lyme park.

"Hang on a minute, I'm talking to the boss!".

On the top of Whaley Moor.

The gentle descent of Whaley Moor towards Disley.

Whaley Moor from Long Lane.

Walk stats: Distance: 8.9 miles. Climb:1343'.

Time: 4 hours 59 minutes. On the move walking average: 2.2 m.p.h. Overall walk average: 1.8 m..h.

Group: Martyn, Roger, Sylvia and Dave J, Celia and Tim.

A superb Summer day was forecast, and that's what we got. Sunshine all day and alas no wind to keep us cool. As might be expected lots of people were taking advantage of the good weather, especially around Lyme Park.  No problem with views today, and Shutlingsloe could clearly be seen.

Birds were few and far between, although we did see at least 5 Common kestrel hunting over the Whaley Moor area.  Once again we saw lots of butterflies, mainly Small whites, Large whites, Meadow browns and Tortoiseshell.
The surprise of the day was the delightful little gritstone ridge, Whaley Moor, that gave superb views across towards Lyme Park.
Birds seen or heard today included: Carion crow, Jackdaw, Raven, Common buzzard, Common kestrel, Green woodpecker, Goldfinch, Black-headed gull and Canada goose.
Overall a good walk, just about right for today's rather warm conditions.
After walk drinks were taken at the Rams Head in Disley, where Celia enjoyed her lager, but the real drinklers found the Blacksheep bitter not at its best!

Llanfairfechan to Aber Ogwen 4th August 2012

Looking along the beach towards Aber.

"Who said it was going to be cold today?"

A Red admiral - one of the many butterflies seen today.

A few of the Mute swans seen around Aber Ogwen.

Walk stats: Distance: 10. 6 miles. Climb: 201'.

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

Group: Martyn and Roger.

The weather forecast was at best light showers and at worse prolonged heavy showers.  In the morning we had very little rain of any significance, late in the afternoon we did get a shower that lasted for nearly an hour!

This turned out to be a very pleasant coastal walk with lots of butterflies about and lots of birds to see, particularly around high tide.

The highlight of the day was probably seeing 80 Mute swans around Aber Ogwen, although seeing seven Eider ducks and 10 Ringed plover was good too.

Lunch was taken at Aber Ogwen, where we were able to take advantage of one of the pic-nic tables, unfortunately without a see view, and we didn't see where the swans went.

We also saw impressive numbers of Greylag geese, Canada geese, Oystercatchers, House martins, Barn swallow, Common swift, Common curlew and gulls.

The surprise of the day was seeing Lynn Loyley and Ringo as we approached Llanfairfechan at the end of the walk.

Birds seen or heard today included: Mute swan, Mallard, Jackdaw, Carrion crow, Black-leaded gull, Lesser black-backed gull, Herring gull, Great black-backed gull, Common tern, House sparrow, Pied wagtail, Ringed plover, Common curlew, Eider duck, Lapwing, Oystercatcher, Great cormorantGreenfinch,  Little egret, Common blackbird, Grey heron and Common redshank.

Butterflies seen today included: Small white (in quite large numbers), Red admiral, Common blue, Meadow brown and Gatekeeper.

After walk drinks were enjoyed at the Britannia Inn at Halkyn.

Cyrn-y-Brain and Coed Llandegla 2nd August 2012

Looking back towards the Ponderosa.

Total confusion, as usual,  at the transmitter masts!

At the Sir Watkin Tower on Ctrn-y-Brain.

At the trig point on Cyrn-y-Brain.

"That's my boy you're looking at".

Going where?

Walk stats; 9.3 miles. Climb: 1497'..

Time: 5 hours 6 minutes. On the move walking average: 2.3 m.p.h. Overall walk average: 1.9 m.p.h.

Group: Martyn, Roger, Sue and Michel, Tim, Dave J., Paul and David S.

Much of this walk was new to us, although we had done most of the Coed Llandegla part of the walk.  Overall this walk proved to be quite varied and the new part of the walk was along relatively good paths, even though the paths weren't easy to see on th OS map.  This part of the walk had particularly good views down the Eglwyseg Valley and beyond towards the Berwyns. 

The weather was better than expected as well, although we did get very light rain around lunch time. In fact we sheltered in Coed Llandegla for lunch, but it was debatable whether waterproofs were really necessary.

The section of the walk at the end as we crossed the moor with the start of the walk was in sight, proved quite challenging.especially if your boots were old and perhaps not as waterproof as they were when new!

Birds seen or heard today were few and far between but included: Barn swallow, Raven, Carrion crow, Meadow pipit, Kestrel, Common buzzard and Winter wren.

After walk drinks were enjoyed (by some) at the Bridge Inn at Pontblyddyn.  It would seem that Cottage Brewery  brews aren't to everyone's taste!