Around Clip-yr-Orsedd and the Druids Circle 9th February 2019.

First views of Anglesey and Puffin Island as we climbed out of Llanfairfechan.

Puffin Island from Henar Farm.

The first two Welsh ponies seen today as we reached the end of the quarry track.

Clip-yr-Orsedd ahead, but we decided ti contour around the south side.

"Keep still I'm hungry."

Looking over Penmaenmawr towards the Great Orme.

A few more Welsh ponies as we followed the track to the Druids Circle.

The Druids Circle from the West.

At the Druids Circle.

The Valley leading to Llanfairfechan.

The locals that surprised me on their dog walk through Nant-y-Coed Nature Reserve.

The Afon Llanfairefechan fro near our lunch spot.

Looking across the valley towards the route we had taken in the morning.

Taken from the Terrace Walk.

Walk stats: Distance: 7.3 miles. Climb: (2140' GPS wind assisted reading). 1500' (Memory Map route value):  

Time: 4 hours 0 minutes. On the move walking average: 2.5 m.p.h,. Overall walk average: 1.8 m.p.h. (Due to extended lunch break!).

Group: Martyn and Jim.

The forecast for the day made me think twice about walking at all. Yes it would be dry and not too cold, but the predicted wind of 27 m.p.h. and gusting even higher put doubts in my mind.

 Thankfully  I chickened out of making that early morning call to Jim in order to cancel the walk.

 On most of the climb we had the wind with us, and the views towards Puffin Island and Anglesey were superb. Even looking back over Llanfairefechan was good, but the Carneddau's higher peaks were never clear.

  It was only when we reached open hillside as we approached Clip-yr-Orsedd that we felt the full force of the strong winds. We decided to contoured around the south side of  Clip-yr-Orsedd and leave the traverse of this little hill to a less windy day.

 It was delightfuyl to see Welsh ponies , some foals still feeding from the mares, and in all e saw about 24 ponies, most close to the Druid's Circle, grazing in the lee of Moefre.

  After visiting the Druids Circle, we followed the North Wales Path towards Llanfairfechan and looking for a suitable sheltered spot for lunch.

 We didn't find one until we reached the Nant-y-Coed Nature Reserve, where we found suitable perching spots and some shelter from the wind.

 As we had our lunch, we had a steady stream of dog walkers passing us, but to my surprise I knew two of them from my teaching days in Upton. It was Lynn and Rebecca L and her new canine friend, Scout. How uplifting it is when you get pleasant surprises like this. Another sign of Spring, one tree in the Nature Resrve had catkins.

. The rest of the walk was just a pleasant stroll along the Terrace Walk back into Llanfairfechan, all the time with superb views over the village towards the sea with blue skies above.

  Arriving back at the car we had enjoyed a superb walk, perhps a little on the short side, but still well worth doing.

 Birds seen or heard today included: European robin, Common blackbird, Common buzzard, Carrion crow, Jackdaw, Red billed chough Blue tit, Woodpigeon and Raven.

 After walk drinks were enjoyed at the Blue Bell Inn at Halkyn, where Lees Bitter and Gwyn-y-draig cider went down well.