Lady Bagot's Drive with St., Christopher's Blessing 18th July 2013

"You don't really expect me to climb that tree just to look for the Tyddyn-Isaf trig point, so you?"

A pleasant lunch spot, in the shade!

The Clwydian Hills from the banks of the Afon Clwyd.

On our last legs but nearly home!

Who'd be out in the midday sun, English "men" and a couple of Welshmen too!

Walk stats: 9.3 miles (7.6 miles) Climb: 500' (100').

Time: 5 hours 30 minutes (4 hours 5 minutes). Overall walk average: 1.9 m.p.h.

Group: Phil, David S., Tim and Celia ((+ Roger and Martyn).

The main group set off just before 10 a.m. on their way to Lady Bagot's Drive and the pleasant walk through the woods towards Bontuchal. They had lunch by a small pond (a small nature reserve)South of Llanynys.

  Martyn and Roger set off a little later at about 11-20 a.m., walking along the Afon Clwyd to eventually meet the main group as they reached the banks of the Afon Clwyd South east of Llanynys.  Martyn and Roger made a small detour in the attempt to find Tyddyn Isaf Trig point marked on the OS map, alas they failed!

 As this was a trial for Martyn to see if he could negotiate stiles without harming his hand,. This was successfully achieved, but a protective splint and a glove was needed at times.

  Birds seen and heard included: Common swift, Barn swallow, Grey wagtail, European robin, Long-tailed tit, Carrion crow, Rook, Woodpigeon, Collared dove and Jackdaw.
 Flowers seen today included: White clover Common ragwort, Meadow buttercup, Hedge bindwood, ramble, Red campion and Common mallow.

 A few butterflies were seen including Meadow brown, Small white, Large white and a Peacock. A few dragonflies were seen along the river too.

 After walk drinks were enjoyed at the Castle Hotel in Ruthin, where we replenished lost fluid as we "quietly" sat in cool spot inside. Hafod classic, brewed in Mold was the first choice, but Purple Mws, Glaslyn was more refreshing. Abbot's Ale went down well for one member of the group, and even cold orange squash and cold lager disappeared quickly too.

 It was good to be back walking with the group, even of it a little too warm ( high twenties Celsius) for the last couple of miles along the West side of the river without any prospect of any shade.