A young Buzzard near the start of the walk.
A Yellowhammer along Offa's Dyke, heading South to Cefn Ddu.
Crossing Cefn Ddu.
Looking towards Moel Famau and the Clwydians from the South side of Moel-y-Gaer from the point where the Offa's Dyke went towards Bodfari.
Not one red blob, bu two on the path on the North side of Moel-y-Gaer.
Panorama looking towards the Vale of Clwyd from the lunch spot on Y Graig.
Rain on its way across the Vale of Clwyd.
Descending the woods on Craig Tremerchion.
There is always one!
Distant view becoming slightly clearer.
A special place for pryer in the grounds of St. Bueno's Spiritual Centre.
Walk stats: Distance: 8.1 miles. Climb: 1432'.
Time: 5 hours 4 minutes. On the move walking average: 2.1 m.p.h. Overall walk average: 1.6 m.p.h. (slower than usual due to the frequent need for Ed to use my secateurs to make it possible to cross stiles).
Group: Martyn, Sue and Michel, Roger, David S. and Ed.
The walk started with a slight detour to see if we could spot a young buzzard that we could hear as we put our boots on. It was calling to be fed and was still there when we got back to the cars just over five hours later!
It wasn't long before we heard a Yellowhammer, eventually seeing it s it perched on a tree in front of us.
This was a good forecast, with only a 40% chance of rain just before lunch and feeling like about 21 Celsius so I suppose it wasn't surprising to meet other walkers on route, first on Cefn Ddu and then again as we headed towards Graig Tremerchion.
Lunch was taken on the top of Graig Tremerchion, where two picnic benches provided sufficient seats for all. Good views as well, either towards the Vale of Clwyd, or towards Moel y Parc and the Clwydian.
Just as we set off after lunch, we could see rain approaching across the Vale of Clwyd, but thankfully we were still in the woods when it started - and finished, giving us no need to put on waterproofs!
Just before descending to the worst section of the route, the views started to open up a little more and parts of the hills of Snowdonia could clearly be seen. As ever, the worst section of the route was near the stream North of Graig Bach, but it was relatively easy to skirt around it, but not without getting our boots a little muddy.
As we headed for Ysgubar, the path had been diverted slightly, making a better approach around the property and onto the road.
As Ed had not done this walk before we decided to vist the St. Bueno's oratory that we had seen a we descended headed towards Ysgabor.
On this occasion we decided not to visit the top of Moel Maenefa, and instead followed the Offa's Dyke Path to the road, before taking the road past Aelwyd-uchaf back to the cars.
Overall a very enjoyable walk, despite the frequent ups an downs of the route. Just 1432' of climb, but feeling like a little more than that, but we all finished with some energy to spare and looking forward to after walk refreshments at our usual hostelry.
Birds seen or heard today included: Common buzzard, Collared dove, Barn swallow, House martin, Yellowhammer, Black-billed magpie, Wood nuthatch, Blue tit, Winter wren, Rook, Raven and House sparrow.
After walk drinks were enjoyed at the Britannia Inn at Halkyn, where the Lees Bitter was enjoyed by some.
A notice informed us that the Brit had won an award as Lees Pub of the Year 2018.
No comments:
Post a Comment