Coed Pen-y-Gelli 9th May 2013

Bluebells in Coed Allt-y-tywod.

Striding out along the field paths, heading for Coed-y-Garreg.

Common Spotted orchid.

Cowslips.

A new (to us) part of Chwarel Pen-y-Gelli.

The lime kiln in Chwarel Pen-y-Gelli.

Walk stats: Distance: 6.3 miles. Climb: 968' (probably wind assisted).

Time: 3 hours 14 minutes. On the move walking average: 2.4 m.p.h. Overall walk average: 2.0 m.p.h.

Group: Martyn, Phil, David S., Sue and Dave P.

If you believed the weather forecast, this was a day when we should have stayed at home. Thankfully like Sue we looked out of the window and saw that the Sun was shining, so let's go for it!

Just as we arrived at Lloc, it started to rain, but only a few spots, but we donned our waterproofs in anticipation of the downpour to arrive soon.  Rain was always in the air, but it never reached the really unpleasant, "why I am here?" levels.

This was the second of our Bluebell wood walks and thankfully today we did manage to see a few in Coed Allt-y-tywod and Coed Pen-y-Gelli. We did see Early spotted orchids and Cowslips just starting to bloom too.  All these flowers blooming, it was enough to make you think it was Summer, despite the less than double digit temperatures!

We had lunch as usual at Chwarel Pen-y-Gelli Nature Reserve, sheltering from the gentle rain and the cool breeze the best we could. It didn't encourage us to linger long, and poor David didn't have enough time to eat his chocolate snack!

Overall this was a very enjoyable walk, especially so as we explore more of the paths through Coed Pen-y-Gelli and the Nature Reserve, paths I'm sure we will return to again and again.

When we arrived back at the car, we decided that our best option was to miss out on the second loop of the walk around Gorsedd and head straight for the Britannia Inn, and also give Phil the chance to get back early to be with his Granddaughter  It turned out to be a good decision as it seemed to be raining even heavier as we headed down the A55 on the way home.

Birds seen or heard today were few and far between, but included: Chaffinch, Common blackbird, Chiffchaff, Carrion crow, Jackdaw, Rook, Goldfinch, Barn swallow, Black-billed magpie, Woodpigeon and Blue tit.

Thanks to Sue and Dave P, I didn't have to drive, so I could really enjoy my earlier than usual Lees bitter at the Britannia Inn at Halkyn. Just for the record, I wasn't the only one to enjoy the Lees bitter!