Deganwy Castle with a Gunsite Extension 27th April 2024

The view across Llandudno West Shore Boating Lake at the the start of the walk.

The approach to the Deganwy Watchtower.

Coffee break at the Deganwy Watchtower.

The Great Orme from the Deganwy Watchtower.

Deganwy Castle (on the right)  from the Deganwy Watchtower.

St. Hiliary's Parish Church, Llanros.

The information board at St. Mary's Well.

Inspecting St. Mary's Well.

Approaching the hills of Deganwy Castle.

Bluebells on the north eastern slope of Deganwy Castle hill.

Looking over the Deganwy  towards Anglesey.

Bluebells below the path western slope of Deganwy Castle hill.

A closer look at the Bluebells on western slope of Deganwy Castle hill.

More Bluebells on western slope of Deganwy Castle hill.

Conquerers of Deganwy Castle!

Looking over Deganwy to Conwy Marina.

The view  from our lunch spot  on the Coastal Path at Deganwy.

The  view from the sand dunes at Deganwy.

At  male Stonechat poses in the dunes.

Kid's lunch!

Tracks through the Golgarth Gunsite.

Goats on the move.

On the Golgarth cliff path heading for the West Shore.

Goats on the cliff edge.

Walk Stats:
Distance: 9.4 miles. Climb: 866’ (1000’ for some).
Time: 5 hours 10 minutes.
On the move walking average: 2.5 m.p.h.
Overall walk average: 1.8 m.p.h.
Temperature: 9.7 Celsius to14.7 Celsius.
Beaufort Wind Force: 1-2 Light air to a Gentle breeze feeling cool at times.
Group: Martyn, Mike and Ed.
The weather forecast today was pretty good, dry with plenty of Sun, but with cooling norther westerly wind. It was just about right, although we did get more Sun than we expected. We didn’t see many people on the walk until we reached the Coastal Path at Deganwy.
This walk was put on as the Bluebells were stunning when we did this walk last year. We weren’t disappointed and the number of wild flowers seen we saw was quite impressive. They included: Daisy, Buttercup, Dandelion, Stitchwort, Herb Robert, Gorse Periwinkle, Bloody Crane’s bill, Dog violet, Green alkanet, Lesser periwinkle and Spring squill.
This time we decided to avoid a known muddy track and used a path leading to Deganwy Castle from a housing estate east of the castle. This was a good decision and will be used again whenever we do this walk.
Birds seen or heard today: House sparrow, Dunnock, Carrion crow, Jackdaw, Black billed magpie, European robin, Common blackbird, Blue tit, Common chaffinch, House sparrow, Chiffchaff, Willow warbler, Common whitethroat, Winter wren, Great tit, Collared dove, European robin, Chiffchaff, Woodpigeon, Goldfinch, Stonechat, Greenfinch, Fulmar and Sandwich tern. In addition, Merlin app identified a Lesser whitethroat.
Overall, a very enjoyable worthy of a visit to the Britannia Inn to see if the Lees bitter was as well-kept as it was when Sarah was last in charge of the Brit 15 years ago. It was and Sarah recognised us and gave us a warm welcome. I think the Brit will be back in favour when the opening time returns to 12-00.

Coed Allt-y-tywod, Coed y Garreg and Coed Pen-y-Gell – Bluebell Wood Walk 24th April 2024

The first Bluebells seen in Coed Allt-y-tywod.

Bluebells in Coed Allt-y-tywod.

More Bluebells in Coed Allt-y-tywod.

More Bluebells in Coed Allt-y-tywod.

More Bluebells in Coed Allt-y-tywod.

More Bluebells in Coed Allt-y-tywod.

More Bluebells in Coed Allt-y-tywod.

More Bluebells in Coed Allt-y-tywod.

That explains it!

Views across the Dee Estuary as we emerged from Coed Allt-y-tywod.

Views of Hilbre from the path below Coed y Garreg.

Elevenses at the Watchtower in Coed y Garreg.

Is this the remains of the lime kiln in Coed y Garreg?

Mum keeping close to her youngster.

Still staying close.

An interesting warning sign on the gate at Gelli Fawr.

Our first view of Moel Famau.

Cowslips near Ffordd Las.

Early purple orchid near Ffordd Las.

The best of the Bluebells in Coed Pen-y-Gelli.

More Bluebells in Coed Pen-y-Gelli.

On the path through Coed Pen-y-Gelli after lunch in Chwarei Pen-y-Gelli.

St. Paul's Church, Gorsedd.

A couple of Rooks in the trees outside Gorsedd.

"If we go now, we can head them off!"

The last climb of the day, but where is Ed?

Final views of the Clwydians from Moel Famau to Moel y Parc.

Walk Stats:
Distance: 8.9 miles. Climb: 961’.
Time: 5 hours 18 minutes.
On the move walking average: 2.3 m.p.h.
Overall walk average: 1.7 m.p.h.
Temperature: 7 Celsius at the start of the walk (on car thermometer). 11.7 Celsius to 14.7 Celsius.
Beaufort Wind Force: at most 1, just an Light air.
Group: Martyn, Sue and Michel, Nigel, Fran and Ed.
The weather forecast today was pretty good, dry with plenty of Sun, but with a feel like temperature of 6 Celsius. In reality it was much better than that, warm sunshine all day and never feeling cold.
Coed Allt-y-tywod was the best for Bluebells again with Coed Peny-Gelli coming second and Coed y Garreg showing very few.
We had problems as we crossed the field towards Ffordd Las as the field was waterlogged, too deep to walk through unless you were wearing wellies! We manged to get round it by following the fence to the field edge to the East.
It was good to see a few Early purple orchids and Cowslips in flower.
Our surprise of the day was seeing a field full of donkeys including one very young one.
Birds seen or heard today: Carrion crow, Rook, Black billed magpie, European robin, Common blackbird, Blue tit, Common chaffinch, House sparrow, Song thrush, Chiffchaff, Willow warbler, Mallard, Winter wren, Great tit, Collared dove, Great spotted woodpecker, Common buzzard, European robin, Chiffchaff, Woodpigeon, Goldfinch, Canada goose, Barn swallow and Pied wagtail.
Overall, a very enjoyable walk ending up with a visit to the recently opened Druid’s Inn at Gorsedd where we sat outside. A good selection of beers from local breweries was on offer.

The second surprise today was when Martyn accepted Nigel's offer of a second pot of tea!

Stanley Hall, Peak Forest Canal, Disley and Lyme Park 20th April 2024

 

The Ram's Head, the start and finish of our walk today.

Stanley Hall Farm.

The track leading to Stanley Hall Wood.

The bone mill chimney.

Looking back along the High Peak Canal.

The lift bridge over the High Peak Canal.

The swing bridge over the High Peak Canal and our way back to Disley.

Bollinghurst Reservour from the Gritstone Trail.

Good views of The Cage in Lyme Park.

The "back entrance" to Lyme Hall.

Distant views of Red deer as we headed towards The Bow Stones.

Shutlingsloe from the Bow Stones.

The Bow Stones.

Trying to find the least boggy way!

Walk Stats:
Distance: 9.9 miles. Climb: 1434’.
Time: 5 hours 31 minutes

On the move walking average: 2.4 m.p.h.

Overall walk average: 1.8 m.p.h.
Temperature: 7 Celsius at the start of the walk. 14.7 Celsius lunch in Lyme Park. 11.2 Celsius mid afternoon. 12.2 Celsius at the end of the walk.
Beaufort Wind Force: at most 3, just an 8.1 m.p.h. Gentle breeze.
Group: Martyn, Ed and Mike.
The weather forecast today was pretty good, dry with plenty of Sun, but with a feel like temperature of 6 Celsius.
We started the walk from Disley Station, but on this occasion we decided to do the extension first. We headed off northward to the golf course and Stanley Hall and onto the High Peak Canal. Plenty of golfers out early and lots of dog walkers, especially along the canal.
Arriving back at the car, I decided it was time to ditch my Paramo and put on my shorts.
Arriving at the car park area in Lyme Park, it was really busy, but thankfully we were able to find a picnic bench vacant and enjoy our lunch stop overlooking one of the lake.
Walking through the grounds of Lyme Park, we only had very distant views of Red deer, but we did come across several D of E groups on training outings.
The path from Cock Knoll was extremely boggy and churned up by the horses and the path on the East side of Bollinghurst Reservoir wasn’t much better.
Birds seen or heard today: Carrion crow, Jackdaw, Black billed magpie, Eurasian jayEuropean robin, Common blackbird, Blue tit, Common chaffinch, Wood nuthatch, House sparrow, Song thrush, Chiffchaff, Willow warbler, Mallard, Tufted duck, Winter wren, Great tit, Collared dove, Green woodpecker, Common buzzard, European robin, Eurasian curlew, Great spotted woodpecker, Chiffchaff, Woodpigeon, Goldfinch, Canada goose and Skylark.
Mike’s Merlin app picked up the calls of Mistle thrush and Long tailed tit.
Overall a very enjoyable walk, celebrated with a pint or two of St., Austell’s Proper Job at the Ram’s Head in Disley. Ed had to put up with a coffee and a lime and soda!