A Moel Arthur and Penycloddiau Adventure Wednesday 26th August 2020

A Moel Arthur and Penycloddiau Adventure.

The blocked road that caused us to rethink!

At the top of Moel Arthur with Penycloddiau  in the background.

At the top of Moel Arthur with Moel Famau in the backgeound.

The view toward Penycloddiau.

A close view of the Red kite.

Another view of the Red kite.

On the western ramparts of Penycloddiau.

At the memorial cairn on Penycloddiau.

A delightful splash of moorland Heather on the western flanks of Penycloddiau.

Distance: 9.0 miles. Climb: 1385'.

Time: 5 hours 22 minutes. On the move walking average: 2.1 m.p.h. Overall walk average: 1.7 nm.p.h.

Group: Matyn, Nigel, Fran, Sue and Michel.

The day didn't start well on the narrow minor road leading from Nannerch to the Coed Llangwyfan car park, we were confronted by a a fallen tree blocking the road.  Fortunately three of the cars arrive at this point at the same time, and it was a good point that enabled us to turn around, Similarly the fourth driver of the group met us on the way back, and turned round to follow us.   After stopping to discuss future plans, we decided to head to Cilcain and head towards Moel Arthur from there.

The walk henceforth would be an improvised walk based on Moel Arthur, but at this point we were unsure if Penycloddiau would be part of the walk.

At the start of the walk, Moel Famau was in cloud and Moel Arthur wasn't much better, but the nearer we got to the foot of Moel Arthur the better the weather, and it wasn't blong before we were regretting putting waterproofs on (jackets for all full gear for some). 

At the top of Moel Arthur, point views weren't very good, particularly towards the south an Moel Famau., but bat least we could see Penycloddiau and Moel y Parc beyond.

At the Coed Llangwyfan car park we decided that we would do a sort of circuit of the hillfort fort, following its western rampart and ditch to the memoral cairn and following the main path back.

Part of this route to Penycloddiau was now on a one way system, clear from the car park, but not clear from the top.

At times we had hazy views of tghe Snowdonia nountains, Moel Siabod and Tryfan were easily identified, but the others were a little more difficult, even when you knew what they should be!

Lunch was taken at the southern end of the Penycloddiau hillfort, from which we had good views of Moel Famau and the southern Clwydians.

Our return route from the Coed Llangwyfan car park took us across the north western flank of Moel Arthur to link up with path that contoured around the west side of the hill.

Birds seen or heard today include: Bullfinch, Common chaffinch, Goldfinch, Meadow pipit, Common buzzard, Barn swallow, Common pheasant, Red kite, Raven and Winter wren.

We arrived back at the cars, having enjoyed a really good walk and ready to celebrate at the White Horse in Cilcain.  Most of us enjoyed brews made by the Flntshire Brewery, Facers. We sat outside, chatting about happy memories of Avis (Fran' s mother who recently passed away).

Walks and Dates August 2020 (Proposed Social Distance Walks).

It looks as though we may be able to resume our group walks together, but the Welsh Government require the walk to be organised, and in order to satisfy that, it is essential that you let me know the day before the walk so that your name can be added to the list of those intending to walk.

However we will still have to keep to the recommended social distancing advice given by the Welsh Government if we walk in Wales and the UK Government if we walk in England. Our numbers may have to be limited as well. 

Saturday 1st August 2020

Around Llyn Brenig.

Distance: 9.8  miles; Climb: 610'.
Start: Llyn Brenig Visitor Centre car park (Pay and Display, £2-50). Grid ref: SH968547' .
Leave Chester 08-30 a.m.

Please let me know as soon as you can if you intend to walk.
I will then add your name of those planning to walk to this post.

Those planning to walk to date: Martyn.Ed. 

We will all need to drive independently and keep to the 2m social distancing on the walk

This walk is based on a walks from Dave Berry's book "Walks in the Hidden Heart Of North Wales" or "Walks Around the Hiraethrog Moors and Lakes". This is a low level walk and is a gentle stroll around the lake. Apparently there is an Osprey nesting on a platform in the lake, so we should have a good chance of seeing one. Bring your binoculars if you have them.

Wednesday 5th August 2020.

Lady Bagot's Drive and More.

Distance: 8 -10 miles. Climb: 600'.

Start: Ruthin Riverside Car park (Pay and display - £3-50 in 2017, probably more now). Grid ref: SJ121582.

Leave Chester 9-00 a.m.

Please let me know as soon as you can if you intend to walk.
I will then add your name of those planning to walk to this post.

Those planning to walk to date: Martyn, David S., Nigel 

We will all need to drive independently and keep to the 2m social distancing on the walk

This walk is adapted from two walks from Dave Berry's book "Walks in the Vale of Clwyd".  We have completed this walk many times before in all sorts of weather conditions. Conditions underfoot have been particularly challenging after lots of rain and the Afon Clwyd is in spate.  In the past we have seen Kingfishers and Salmon jumping the weir, seeing either again would be nice.

The length of the walk depends on which way we decide to return to Rhuthin from Rhewl.

Saturday 8th August 2020.

To be arranged if there is any demand.

Please let me know as soon as you can if you intend to walk.
I will then add your name of those planning to walk to this post.

Those planning to walk to date: Martyn. 

We will all need to drive independently and keep to the 2m social distancing on the walk.

Please let me know as soon as you can if you intend to walk.
I will then add your name of those planning to walk to this post.

Those planning to walk to date: Martyn. 

We will all need to drive independently and keep to the 2m social distancing on the walk.

Wednesday 12th August 2020.

Moel Famau, Moel Dywyll and Moel Llys-y-coed.

Distance: 8.0 miles. Climb: 1700'.
Start: Car park area West of Cilcain. Grid ref: SJ170652.

Leave Chester at 09-00 a.m.

Please let me know as soon as you can if you intend to walk.
I will then add your name of those planning to walk to this post.

To date those planning to walk are: Martyn, Nigel, Ed.

We will all need to drive independently and keep to the 2m social distancing on the walk.

To get to the parking area, at the crossroads in Cilcain turn right (Westward), past the White Horse, Church and Village hall, at the end of a few houses on the right turn, left and the parking area is a few hundred yards further on on the right. 
This walk includes three hills along Offa's Dyke Footpath - Moel Famau, Moel Dywyll and Moel Llys-y-coed. The latter hill is not one of my favourite hills in the Clwydian range and I can't remember when it last appeared on one of our walks. It is the ascent from North to South that I dislike so much, the fact that we will be descending from South to North shouldn't be quite so bad!
 On a good clear day we should get excellent views in all directions.
The last time we did this walk, we missed a path and then encountered a farmer that accused us of missing the path sign and ending up in his farm yard.  This time we will take a different path and so avoid any chance of confrontation.

Saturday 15th August 2020.

To be arranged if there is any demand.

Wednesday 19th August 2020.

The Yeld, Primrose Hill, Pale Heights and Delamere Forest.

Distance: 8 miles. Climb: 750’.

Start: The Yeld Car Park, Yeld Lane, Kelsall.

To get to the car park, turn right at the traffic lights at the top of Kelsall Hill and again turn right (opposite the Farmers Arms) into Yeld Lane. The car park is on the left about 0.3 miles (0.5 km) up Yeld Lane.

Leave Chester at 09-00.

Please let me know as soon as you can if you intend to walk.

I will then add your name of those planning to walk to this post..

To date those planning to walk to date: Martyn, David S, Sue and Michel, Wendy. 

We will all need to drive independently and keep to the 2m social distancing on the walk.

Saturday 22nd August 2020.

To be arranged if there is any demand.

Please let me know if you intend to walk, so I can add your name to the list.

To date those planning to walk to date: Martyn. 

We will all need to drive independently and keep to the 2m social distancing on the walk.

Wednesday 26th August 2020.

Moel Arthur and Penycloddiau.

Distance: 7-9 miles. Climb: 1380'.

Start: Llangwyfan Forestry car park: SJ138668

Leave Chester 09-00 a.m.

Please let me no as soon as you can if you intend to walk.
I will then add your name of those planning to walk to this post.

Those planning to walk to date: Martyn, Sue and Michel, Nigel, Fran. 
We will all need to drive independently and keep to the 2m social distancing on the walk
This walk combines two walks taken from Dave Berry's book "Walks in the Clwydian Hills".  This area of the Clwydians has so much to offer, and Moel Arthur and Penycloddiau are particularly good.  On a good day the views from both hill forts are superb.

Please let me know if you intend to walk, so I can add your name to the list on this post.

To date those planning to walk to date: Martyn. 

We will all need to drive independently and keep to the 2m social distancing on the walk.

Saturday 30th August 2020.

To be arranged if there is any demand.

Please let me know if you intend to walk, so I can add your name to the list on this post.

Those planning to walk to date: Martyn. 

We will all need to drive independently and keep to the 2m social distancing on the walk.

Pale Heights and Delamere Forest From The Yeld Wednesday 19th August 2020

Pale Heights and Delamere Forest From The Yeld.

At Pale Heights.

Looking towards Flintshire,

Blackemere Moss Mere.

A juvenile Common buzzard, perched and calling out to be fed.

Another of the recently created meres in Delamere Forest.

Distance: 6.8 miles. Climb: 496'.
Time: 3 hours 11 minutes. On the move walking average: 2.4 m.p.h. Overall walk average: 2.1 m.p.h.

Group: Martyn, David S., Wendy, Sue and Michel.

We all arrived early today, so we set off just after 09-30, hoping that we would at least get most of the walk in before the forecast rain arrived.  Thankfully we managed to complete all of the walk, without needing to put on waterproofs or deploy umbrellas.

it wasn't long before we reached Pale heights, with its superb views in all directions including Staffordshire, Lancashire, Flintshire and not forgetting much of Cheshire.

Arriving a Pale Heights were were greeted by the aroma of "wacky baccy" coming from a cyclist resting by the monument smoking a joint.  We didn't linger long or confront the smoker".

We were all amazed to see how much work had been built on the new Visitor Centre Complex and the number of youngsters queueing up at "Go Apes".

It was good to see lots family groups out walking and cycling in the forest, but we only heard one cyclist ring his bell to warn us of his approach.

As we continued on our walk, we saw several areas that had been allowed to reflood and create meres - all part of the overall plan to improve habitat and the biodiversity of the forest.

Birds seen or heard today included: Common blackbird, Wood nuthatch, Barn swallow, Mallard, European robin, Greylag goose and Common buzzard.

At times it was quite humid, especially when we went off the main tracks on paths lined by bracken. there was a little rain in the air about 12-00, so we decided to delay lunch until we arrived back at The Yeld, where if necessary we could have lunch in the cars. 

We all had drinks before heading for home, but David was the only one finish off his lunch before doing so.

In all we had had a good and enjoyable walk, all before the heavy rain started as we set off home in our cars.

Around Ffith Mountain, More For Some, But Less for Me. Wednesday 12th August 2020

Around Ffith Mountain, More For Some, But Less for Me.

Moel Famau in the distance - but not for me today.

At the blast shelter on Ffrith Mountain.

"I'm not going up there!"

Nigel at the summit.

Ed at the summit of Moel Famau.

The view from my lunch spot.

Time to rehydrate.

Would the still be smiling an hour later?

Which way now?

Distance: 4.8 miles. Climb: 773' 

Time: 3 hours 35 minutes. On the move walking average: 1.8 m.p.h. Overall walk average: 1.3 m.p.h.

Group: Martyn, with Ed and Nigel for about 2 miles.

Distance: 9 miles. Climb: 2050'.

Time: 5 hours 30 minutes, On the move walking average: 1.8 m.p.h. Overall walking average: 1.6 m.p.h.

Birds seen or heard today included: Common buzzard, Goldfinch, Willow warbler, Common pheasant, Black bille magpie, Common chaffinch, House martin, Barn swallow, Raven and Winter wren.

We set off already with "are we making the right decision to walk in this heat?" or was David S right to stay at home?

It was already in the mid-twenties and feeling very humid, and I was struggling to keep up wth the others, so I decided to head back to Cilcain at the earliest opportunity. After passing the east side of Ffrith Mountain we arrived at the Clwydian Way, a good point for me to head back while the others headed for the top of Moel Famau.

I stopped on the Clwydian Way, sheltering in a wooded area to have lunch, but in reality it was a rehydration stop. I was thankful to have filled one flask with juice that had been in the fridge overnight. I ended up taking the road through Cilcain, rather that retrace the path used earlier.

I was quietly sitting in the back of my car, attempting to keep cool, when I heard bagpipes being played. Someone in a nearby farm was practising on the bagpipers, but thankfully not too long.

I anticipated the others to arrive back quite soon. Little did I know they would abandon the original planne route and do their own thing.

Ed and Nigel ende up returning to Cilcain via Bwlch penbarra, Coed Moel Famau, Brithdir-mawr, around the south east of Ffrith Mountain.

They arrived back a couple of hours after me, looking very grateful to see the cars.

We were all ready to head for the White Horse in Cilcain, where two of us enjoyed a refreshing pint of Facer's Splendid Bitter and Ed emjoyed a cool glass of cider.

A Short Riverside Walk Monday 10th August 2020

A Short Riverside Walk, road testing a a bunion!

The view from Saltney Ferry Footbridge.

The grounded Arenig Fawr - awaiting collection.

The grounded Arenig Fawr.

The empty dock.

The empty loading bay at the dock.

Distance: 4.8 miles. Climb: 69'. 

Time: 1 hour 56 minutes. On the move walking average: 2.9 m.p.h. Overall walk average: 2.4 m.p.h.

Group: Martyn.

Over the last couple of days, the bunion on my left foot has been giving me a bit of jip, so I thought I had better see what it felt like after walking a few miles in walking boots, before attempting Moel Famau on Wednesday.

Thankfully it felt no worse, so hopefully I won't have to cut the Wednesday walk short.

Initially it was very pleasant walking, but after an hour it became somewhat muggy, so I didn't hesitate turning back and heading for home.
I walked as far as the A380 wing barge dock in order to check out the status od the tug boat  - Arenig Fawr.  Last Friday, travelling along the Flint Road, I noticed the boat seemed to out of the water. Arriving opposite the dock, this proved to be correct, so it looks like all the A380 wings made have gone to Toulouse. The Arenig Fawr Tug boat must be heading for new waters.

Birds seen or heard today included: Mallard, Black headed gull, Lesser black back gull, Woodpigeon, Black billed magpie, Jackdaw, Carrion crow, Great cormorant, House sparrow, Common starling, Collared dove, Lapwing, Barn swallow, House martin and Grey heron.

The Wales Coast Path was the quietest that I have ever seen it, very few cyclists (and none racing), one walker and one dog walker and only one inconsiderate person - a jogger.

Lady Bagot's Drive With Extras Wednesday 5th August 2020

Lady Bagot's Drive With Extras.

"Don't come any nearer or we will be breaking Welsh Covid Rules!"

or could it be

"Choose your weapons."

First views of Moel Famau.

A long eared variety of local residents.

Heading through Nant y Coed.

The bridge over the Afon Clywedog near Rhewl and the sighting of three Grey wagtails.

The Clwydian Hills - seen from a point unlikely to be visited ever again by Harris Hikers!

One of the many broken stiles crossed today.

Distance: 9.3 miles. Climb: 689'.

Time: 4 hours 58 minutes. On the move walkling average: 2.4 m.p.h. Overall walk average: 1.8 m.p.h.

Group: Martyn, David S and Nigel.

We set off from Ruthin Riverside car park, optimistic that we would miss all rain showers and get back before the heavier rain on the forecast to come in by about 16-00. 

We did pretty well and it was only as we approached Rhewl for the second time that two of the group decided to put on their waterproof jackets. Needless to say, the rain showerrs stopped a little later.

The planned route allowed us to explore some new to us paths and try to find one path that I had not used for more than ten years. With six problem stiles onthese sections, we now know they are paths won't be on future walks.

Having said that all awkward stiles from Llanfwrog to Lady Bagot's Drive (on our usual route) had be replaced by pristine galvanised kissing gates - a day to celebrate (which we did later at the Druids Inn at Llanferres).

The walk from Rhewl was in the opposite direction to the one way we usually go, so everything seemed comepletely different.

Lunch was taken just before descending to through Coed y Nant to Lady Bagot's Drive. We had to sit on the grass, but at least it was dry, the wind had dropped and the Sun came out. We didn't have a great lunch time view, but we were entertained bt House martins, Goldfinch and several butterflies flitting by (mainly Small /Large Whites).

Birds seen or herard today included: House sparrow, House martin, Grey heron, Goldfinch, Barn swallow, Common blackbird, Wood nuthatch and thestar bird of the day - Grey wagtail.

In the early part of the walk and in the latter stages of the walk,  we did get good views of Moel Famau and the Clwydian Hills.

We arrived back at the cars just as it started to rain quite heavily. An enjoyable walk, complete with legs still tingling from Nettle stings,  but thankfullly the rain had stopped just as we arrived at the Druids Inn at Llanferres where we were able to enjoy a superb pint of Purple Moose;s Snowdonia Ale.

Around Llyn Brenig Saturday 1st August 2020.

Around Llyn Brenig.

Llyn Brenig from near the Osprey Information Point.

Here comes the sheriff!

Llyn Brenig from the Clwydian Way on the north side of the reservoir.

A Wheatear ? near our lunch spot.

The ring cairn near the Boncyn Arian Tumulus.

The new Osprey Hide, seen from the east side of the reservoir.

A small flock of Greylag geese.

On the trot.

Panorama from the dam.

Distance: 9.4 miles. Climb: 434'.

Time; 4 hours 12 minutes. On the move walking average: 2.7 m.p.h. Overall walk average: 2.2 m.p.h.

Group: Martyn and Ed.

The forecast for today wasn't brilliant, but we can't complain they got it right. At times there was just dampness in the air, but occasionally umbrellas were put to good use. As we arrived at the northern most part of the walk around Gorse-Maen Llwyd Naure Reserve, it became warmer, almost humid at times. Even so distant views were all in the clouds,

Lunch wa taken using the picnic bench at the Boncyn Arian Tumulus. 

After lunch we started to see more people, walking (mainly with dogs) and quite a few families on bikes, but the surprise encounter was seeing four ponies and traps setting off along the lakeside road.

It was amazing to see how much of the forest had been cut down with only stumps and debris to be seen, it can no longer be describes as a walk along forest tracks.

Birds seen and heard today included: Common chaffinch, Barn swallow, House martin, Pied wagtail, Herring gull, Black headed gull, Great cormorant, Canada goose, Lesser black back gull, Carrion crow, Meadow pipit, Wheatear, Greylag goose, Canada goose, Siskin and Stonechat.

We left the car park that was occpied by only a few cars, and arrived back to find it full.

Despite not seeing an Osprey, we had had an enjoyable walk and arrived back at the cars still dry and with boots requiring little cleaning.