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When? Started: 1993 Who? Started with staff and friends from U H S, Chester. Organiser: Martyn Harris We walk every Wednesday and Saturdays, New Years day and May Day. How many walk? Walks take place as long as there are at least 2 wanting to walk on that day. More walk on a Wednesday than on a Saturday. Most ever: 29. Current group size walking: 2-7 in mid-week and 2-4 on Saturday. Where do we walk? Saturday: Anywhere in North and Mid-Wales, Peak District, Shropshire and the Long Mynd and as far North as the Trough of Bowland. Thursday: Anywhere within about 40 miles of Chester. Type of walk: Distance: 6 – 14 miles (but usually under 10 miles). Climb: up to 4000’ (but usually very much less!). People involved on walks in 2024:- Martyn Harris, Fran Murphy, Sue and Michel Pelissier, Mike Dodd, David Savage,, Ed Meads, Nigel and Elaine Taylor, Winston Feather.

Wednesday, 25 September 2019

The Alun Valley, Llyn Gweryd and Limestone Pastures 25th September 2019

On the Offa's Dyke Path North of Llandegla.
Fungi on ffa's Dyke Path  North of Llandegla.
On the Offa's Dyke Path North of Llandegla.
Still climbing.
Negotiating one of the new gates recently installed on our route today.
Heading towards the Clwydian Hills.
The Clwydian Hills on the skyline fro the path south of Alyn Bank.
A young buzzard near Alyn Bank.
South west view from the track leading to Llyn Gweryd.
Lunch time on Offa's Dyke near Nurse Gorlan overlooking the Vale of Clwyd.
Limestone pastures an one of the hidden valleys.
St. Tecla's Church at Llandegala.
Inside St Tecla's Church.
Leaving St. Tecla's Church at Llandegla.
St.Tecla's Church from the car park inllandegla.
Start: distance: 8.2 miles. Climb: 763'.
Time: 4 hours 17 minutes.On the move walking average: 2.4 m.p.h. Overall wal average: 1.9 m.p.h.
Group: Martyn, Roger, Mike, Wendy and Nigel.
 Low cloud / mist covered the higher ground as we set off, but it soon cleared and we were blessed with good views throughout the walk. It was pretty wet underfoot, but the soaking wet grass ensured that at least the upper part of our boots were pretty clean at the end of the day. 
 Following Offa's Dyke Footpath past Tecla's Church, the awkward stile had been replaced by a new gate. This was the first of several experienced today, much appreciated by all of us. Even the stile near Alyn Bank was made easier to negotiate by one step being provided.
 As we approached the Llyn Gweryd track we had our first real views of the Clwydian Hills with Moel Y Plas directy in front of us.
  The Llyn Gweryd track is always a bit of a slog, but at least some of us  knew that we were approaching a suitable lunch spot.
 Lunch was taken sitting on the bank just as we reached the Offa's Dyke Path south west of Llyn Gweryd.  We had set a pretty good pace so far, and we had already completed 5.4 mikles as we stoppe for lunch.
 Our lunch spot gave us good views over the Vale of Clwyd with the Clocaenog Forest Wind Farm on the horizon.
  After lunch we had a fair bit of road walking, but on this quiet road our greater danger was from fast moving cyclists who only had their voice to warn us of their imminent arrival.
 The limestone patures around Rhen Wylfa are delightful hidden quiet valleys always come aas a surprise for those experiencing then for the first time.
 Birds seen or heard today included: Blackbird, Common pheasan, Rook, Carrion crow, Woodpigeon, Wood nuthatch and Europea robin.
 However the bonus of the day was to as we arrived back at Llandegla. arriving back at the car early, we all decided to see inside the parish church of St. Tecla with its welcoming notice to everyone including walkers with boots, a place to eat lunch, make hot drinks in their kitchen nand even use the loo. What a welcome to visiors. Well done St. Tecla's and the community of Llandegla.
 Entering the church the east  window was one no-one had ever seen before.  The glass of the east window was made for the he east window of St. Asaph Cathedral in 1799 by Francis Eginton of Birmingham. It was one painted on smoked / enamelled glass.
After walk drinks were enjoyed at the bridge Inn at Pontybodkin, where Crocodile Tears brewed by the Parkway Brewery.
 A good walk enjoyed by all.

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