Around Bosley Cloud 15th March 2025

Sutton Common from lay-by where we had parked the car.

Our first view of Bosley Cloud.

One Wallaby seen through the fence.

Wallaby number two.

A display Peacock, but not to us!

A more chilled out Peacock.

Sutton Common and Bosley Reservoir from the Gritstone Trail Path to the summit of Bosley Cloud.

At the trig point on Bosley Cloud.

At the trig point on Bosley Cloud.

Beeston Hill from Bosley Cloud.

Jodrell Bank telescope from Bosley Cloud.

Our way down from Bosley Cloud.

The way ahead - a  more than three mile stretch along the Macclesfield Canal towpath.

Our lunch spot.

Bosley Cloud from the Macclesfield Canal towpath.

Buglawton Hall School from the Macclesfield Canal towpath.

A closer look at Buglawton Hall School.

Our first lambs of the day.

Lambs on the move.

Looking at Sutton Common again just before we departed from the towpath.

One of the stain glass windows in St. Mary the Virgin church, Bosley.

Inside St. Mary the Virgin church, Bosley.

Distance: 8.7 miles. Climb: 1050’
Time: 4 hours 54 minutes.
On the move walking average: 2.4 m.p.h.
Overall walk average: 1.8 m.p.h.
Temperature: 8 Celsius at the start. 7.2 Celsius on Bosley Cloud, but felt much colder! 7.7 Celsius at the end of the walk.
Beaufort Wind Force: 0 – 2. In the main, hardly much wind at all, although at times it just about made a Gentle breeze. Gentle breeze.
Group: Martyn and Mike.
The weather forecast today was looking good, sunny spells in the morning clouding over in the afternoon and feel-like temperatures of about 5 Celsius.
As we went past St. Mary the Virgin Church, Bosley there was a group of “Pay back” workers tidying up the grounds of the church.
Conditions underfoot were much better than expected, and the only really muddy path was encountered as we descended from the canal down towards the River Dane.
The surprise of the day, was seen in a field next to the path as we climbed to the top of Bosley Cloud. Three Wallabies and three Peacocks (two displaying their feathers).
Distant views from the top of Bosley Cloud were good, and we debated what hills were in view – a toposcope helped!
Lunch was taken by the Macclesfield Canal, where we took advantage of wooden planks used to block off sections of the canal whenever sections of the canal needed to be drained.
As we walked along the towpath, we noticed for the first time, a castellated building. Checking on the OS Map., it turned out t be Buglawton Hall School. This is residential special school.
Arriving back at Bosley, we went into St. Mary the Virgin church, more impressive on the inside than it appears from the outside.
Birds seen or heard today: House sparrow, Dunnock, Goldfinch, Jackdaw, Common blackbird, Carrion crow, Rook, Raven, Chiffchaff, Blue tit, Coal tit, European robin, Black billed magpie, Common buzzard, Great tit, Woodpigeon, Moorhen, Mallard and Canada goose.
Overall, a very enjoyable walk.
After walk drinks were enjoyed at the Morris Dancer in Kelsall. Mike had a pint of IPA, and I had an excellent pot of tea, made all the better as I asked for a jug of hot water.
Home in the daylight, and still, plenty of time to clean my boots outside.

Mynydd Marian 12th March 2025

Waves crashing on the rocks at Llanddulas.

Approaching quarry jetty.

ThevLittle Orme above the unusual sea defences.

Exploring ne terrain!

Approaching Old Colwyn.

A Turnstone below the Old Colwyn Path.

Primroses in Fairy Glen, Old Colwyn.

The neo-gothic folly tower was built in 1894 in the grounds of the Tan y Coed mansion as a retreat for its owner, Charles Woodall.

Daffodils in the Fairy Glen.

The view over the golf course towards the Great Orme and Little Orme.

The Conwy Brewery - producers of several fine real ales.

The view from our lunch spot - at least it is when we turned round.

The delightful limestone plateau traversed on our walk.

Valley views from the limestone plateau.

On the limestone plateau.

Crag y Forwyn.

Llanddulas ahead.

The delightful path through the trees below Craig y Forwyn.

St. Cynbrid's Church, Llanddulas.

Back at the coast at Llanddulas and the tide is now well out.

Distance: 8.2 miles. Climb: 1073’
Time: 5 hours 29 minutes.
On the move walking average: 2.4 m.p.h.
Overall walk average: 1.7 m.p.h.
Temperature: 8 Celsius at the start. Around 10 Celsius for the whole walk.
Beaufort Wind Force: 0 – 4. In the main, just an occasional Gentle breeze, although a couple of times it did gust to a 13.1 m.p.h. Moderate breeze.
Group: Martyn, Mike, Nigel and Fran.
The weather was rather forecast today was looking good, although it did suggest a feel-like temperature around 4-5 Celsius.
This was pretty well what we got, but we did get more sunshine than expected. In sheltered spots and In the warm sunshine, it felt pleasantly warm. However, at other times, we were grateful to be wearing winter walking gear.
Arriving at the coast at Llanddulas, the tide was just about at its highest, and we were able to watch the incoming waves crashing onto the rocks.
The stretch along the North Wales Coastal Path from Llanddulas to Old Colwyn an at times be somewhat tedious, but we did find out a little more about the jetty and conveyor belt used to transfer rocks from the quarry to waiting ships. Nigel noticed a worker and was able to ask a few questions that we answered some of the questions that we had debated a little earlier.
As we went skirted around Old Colwyn Golf Course, it was very noticeable that lots of work was going on, possibly linked to improving drainage on the course. New fences were also in the process of being constructed.
Distant views were good all day, particularly towards the Little Orme.
Lunch was taken on the edge of Mynydd Marian, where we took advantage of large rocks next to the track on which to sit. Alas the sheltered bench on the top of Mynydd Marian was already occupied when we arrived!
One of the best parts of the walk is along the North Wales Path as it traverses the limestone plateau south of the caravan / holiday park. Not quite a ridge, but you do feel as though you are walking along the tops, with views down to the valley below.
It was good to see that the path alongside the Valantine Inn was again open.
Birds seen or heard today: House sparrow, Dunnock, Goldfinch, Jackdaw, Common blackbird, Carrion crow, Chiffchaff, Common chaffinch, Blue tit, European robin, Black billed magpie, Common buzzard, Herring gull, Turnstone and Great tit.
Overall, a very enjoyable walk on a bright and sunny day and arriving back at the car with boots still pretty clean, always a bonus.
After walk drinks were enjoyed at the Britannia Inn at Halkyn.
As we were leaving the Brit, it started to rain, so we can honestly say we had the best of the day for our walk.

Rhaeadr Fawr (Aber Falls), Rhaeadr Bach and More 8th March 2025

The Carneddau from our stat point in Abergwyngregyn.

A Grey heron on the Afon Aber at Abergwyngregyn.

Tourist parking habits must be a problem on this road leading to the Aber Falls Car Park.

The notice board at the entrance to the Aber Falls Walk.

The Afon Rhaeadr-fawr.

Our first clear view of Rhaeadr-fawr.

A glimpse of Rhaeadr-bach.

At the base of Rhaeadr-fawr.

Rhaeadr-fawr.

Rhaeadr-fawr close up.

The Sun wasn't in the right place for taking a picture of Rhaeadr-bach.

On the North Wales Path / Pilgrim's Way .

Frog spawn next to the path.

Carneddau mountain ponies on the lower slopes of Moel Wnion.

Distant views of Rhaeadr-fawr and Rhaeadr-bach.

More frog spawn.

Yet more frog spawn.

Our afternoon view across the sea to Puffin Island and Anglesey.

Beaumaris Castle from our lunch spot.

The view from our lunch spot.

Hawthorn coming into leaf.

You can always guarantee that Gorse will give you a splash of colour.

Lesser celandine coming in flower.

Lambs seen in afield near Glyn.

More lambs  in the field near Glyn.

The now closed St. Bodfan's Church at Abergwyngregyn.

Distance: 9.5 miles. Climb: 1388’
Time: 5 hours 29 minutes.
On the move walking average: 2.4 m.p.h.
Overall walk average: 1.7 m.p.h.
Temperature: 16 Celsius at the start. Around 17.3 Celsius for the whole walk.
Beaufort Wind Force: 0 – 4. In the main, just a Gentle breeze, although at the highest point on the walk, it did gust to a 13. m.p.h. Moderate breeze.
Group: Martyn and Mike.
The weather was rather forecast today was looking good, good enough to risk it being the first shorts day of the year.
Half way up the road from Abergwyngregyn to footpath leading to Aber Falls, a car stopped by us. It turned out to be my Godson, Tom with his two sons and a friend. Like us they were heading to the falls, quite a challenge for his two young sons Ted and Charlie.
The walk to the falls is always very popular, and today was no exception, so it was pretty lucky to be able to take photos of Rhaeadr Fawr without including people in the shot.
We saw a few people along he North Wales Path as we went past Rhaeadr Bach, but it wasn’t long before we had the path to ourselves.
As we contoured around Ffridd Ddu, we had good views across the sea to Puffin Island and Anglesey.
We found a couple of flattish rocks to sit on as we had lunch in the warm sunshine.
The weather was warm enough to bring a few bees out looking for suitable flowers. Soe of the hedgerows were showing leaves and lesser celandine were quite frequent along the roadside verges.
Birds seen or heard today: House sparrow, Dunnock, Goldfinch, Jackdaw, Common blackbird, Carrion crow, Meadow pipit, Skylark, Common chaffinch, Blue tit, European robin, Black billed magpie, Common buzzard, Herring gull and Great tit.
Overall, a very enjoyable walk in perfect weather conditions and largely dry underfoot.
After walk drinks were enjoyed at the Britannia Inn at Halkyn. The Brit was quite busy today, with people from several touring caravans on site.