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.