Around Aled Isaf 3rd July 2019

Looking across Llyn Aled from dam at its Northern end.

"Are you sure this is the path?"

One of the Hiraethog boundary stones.

Snowdon, the Glyders and the Carneddau from the boundary stone.

Better views of Snowdonia, including Chnict, Moel Siabod and Snowdon.

Moel Famau on the skyline.

Looking over the fields to our lunch spot with the high tops of Snowdonia on the skyline.

On the road to Aled Isaf.

Aled Isaf form the dam at the Northern end.

Crossing the dam at the Northern end of Aled Isaf.

I can see Llyn Aled and the car - not far to go now.

Walk stats: distance: 8.4 mils. Climb: 731'.

Time: 4 hours 45 minutes. On the move walking average: 2.3 m.p.h. Overall walk average 1.8 m.p.h.

Group: Martyn, Nigel, Sue and Michel.

This was almost a perfect day for walking, sunhats and shades needed all day. Pleasantly warm with the occasional breeze welcome whenever it chose to accompany us.

 This is a walk that has been described as a walk with a wet start and a dry finish. Thankfully today it wasn't that wet at the start. 

 However paths on the ground across the moors are none existent, so finding a way through the boggy moor, reeds, heather and more was quite challenging, but noon got wet feet or even dirty boots.

 Arriving at the second Hiraethog boundary stone gave us our first views of Snowdonia,  reward for challenging trekking across the moor already done.

 In fact from then on the views became better and better with Chnicht, Moel Siabod, snowdon, the Glyders including Tryfan and Yr Garn, Pen-yr-Olwen, ccarnedd Dafydd and Carnedd Llewellyn all being easily identified.

 This section of the moor seemed to be a hot spot for Skylarks and meadow pipits, always a bonus.

 Also crossing the moor we were surprised to see the amount of cuckoo spit around, it was like an epidemic, these frog hopper/spittle bugs certainly liked this moorland environment.

 Lunch was taken, just North of Beaver Grove, where we had views across the valley o the broad that we would eventually join. We only had a grassy bank to sit on, but the wind dropped and it felt quite warm. We were serenaded by  crickets / grasshoppers near us and an old jet plane flew overhead a couple of times.

 Just before we hit the Aled Isaf road, we had a pleasant chat with a couple f farmers as they came into the field that we had jusrt crossed.

 Just before arriving at the Aled Isaf Dam , we watched two farmers rounding up sheep with the aid of two sheepdogs and putting them into a trailer.

 Later on they passed us. On their return, the farmer stopped ad once more we had a pleasant chat with him.

 Whoever said "Welsh farmers aren't very nice?", hasn't walked in this area. Our experience of Hiraethog farmers over many years has always been good.

 We were almost back at the car and hadn't yet seen or heard a Eurasian curlew, even in the areas that in the past we had always seen them.

 Just as we had given up hope o seeing one as if on cue, a Eurasian curlew called out, flew over the road in front of us and back again before dropping down on the moor. 

A perfect end to a very enjoyable walk.

Birds seen or heard today included: Greylag goose (a pair with three goslings). Meadow pipit, Skylark, Common buzzard, Rook, Carrion crow, Pied wagtail (lots), House martin, Barn swallow, Stonechat and Eurasian curlew.

We arrived back at the car, happy  knowing we had done this walk in possibly the best possible conditions underfoot and looking forward to refreshments at the Dinorban Arms at Bodfari.

The beers enjoyed were Wadsworth's Summer Ale and Brunning and Price's own namwd beer - we even sart outside ansd admired the view towards the Clwydian Hills towards Llandegla.