Bluebells next to the path from Abergwyngregyn that links with North Wales Path
Looking over Abergwyngregyn towards the coast.
The Carneddau still in cloud.
"Let's have a race."
Lambs racing away.
Lambs racing back towards us.
The North Wales Path ahead.
On North Wales Path. The hills still in cloud.
Penrhyn Castle and Anglesey from the North Wales Path.
Bluebells in the Coed Ty'n-yr hendre.
Penrhyn Castle from the road near Ty'n-yr hendre.
Horsetails next to the pavement on the road from Tan-y-lon.
A different view of the Horsetails.
White "bluebells" which seem to dominate the rea around the Spinnies and Aber Ogwen car park.
The main lake at the Spinnies Nature Reserve.
The Spinnies' Little Egret
The Grey heron at the Spinnies N.R.
The start of the North Wales coastal leading to Abergwyngregyn.
A fallen tree across the path blocks our way, but thankfully we could get round it by going onto the beach.
I initially thought it was a Eurasian curlew, but on closer inspection it was a Whimbrel.
This is the first time that we have seen Whimbrels on one of our walks.
A closer look at one of the Whimbrel
A closer look at the Whimbrel seen in the first photo.
Bluebells in Coed Gyfynys.
"How are we going to get back on the track after the latest dumping?"
At this point Fran would say "B...... Landowner."
Looking back towards our route to the North Wales Path from Abergwyngregyn.
Penmon Lighthouse and Puffin Island from the North Wales Coastal Path.
Lesser periwinkle on the roadside verge.
Insects visiting the Ox-eye daisy flowers.
Time: 5 hours 16 minutes.
On the move walking average: 2.5 m.p.h.
Overall walk average: 1.7 m.p.h.
Temperature: 12.5 Celsius at the start. 9.6 Celsius at the highest point on the North Wales Path. 17.6 Celsius at lunch in the Sun and sheltered from the wind.
Beaufort Wind Force: 0 – 3. Mainly a cool North westerly Light breeze, but reached a 10.6 m.p.h. Gentle breeze on the coast.
Group: Martyn and Mike.
Arriving at the start, it felt much cooler than the 12.5Celsius registered on the car thermometer, so we both set off wearing our fleeces.
As we crossed the slopes of the Moel Wnion along the North Wales path, we knew we had made the right decision where the temperature measured 9.6 Celsius.
Perhaps the surprise of the day was seeing lots of Bluebells, some in places that you wouldn’t expect to see them. Other flowers seen today included: Stitchwort, Ramson, Herb Robert, Lesser periwinkle, Dandelion, Welsh poppy Forget-me-not and Ox-eye daisy. It was good to see bees visiting the flowers as well. We also saw Horsetail plants growing next to the pavement.
However, it was young lambs that made us smile the most as they seemed to be racing each other as they raced away from us and then turned round and raced back towards us.
Birds seen or heard today: House sparrow, Dunnock, Goldfinch, Jackdaw, Common blackbird, Carrion crow, Chiffchaff, Willow warbler, Grey heron, Red kite, Mallard, European robin, Woodpigeon, Winter wren, Skylark, Meadow pipit, Blackcap, Common chaffinch, Black billed magpie, Oystercatcher, Common buzzard, Mute swan, Herring gull, Great black back gull, Little egret, Shelduck, Eurasian curlew, Barn swallow, House martin, Sedge warbler and Whimbrel.
Several butterflies were seen, including Large white, Orange tip and Speckled wood.
We visited the Spinnies Nature Reserve, but only a Grey heron, Little egret and a pair of Greylag geese were seen on the reserve. We did however see the Red kite flying over the reserve as we sat in the main hide.
Lunch was taken at the picnic area at Aber Ogwen. WE sat in the Sun, sheltered from the wind by the bank and hedge behind us.
After walk drinks were enjoyed at the Britannia Inn at Halkyn, where the Lees bitter was the better of the brews that I tried. The Forest Trail Session beer brewed by the Bowland Brewery tasted a little tart, so wasn’t at its best. It was Mike’s turn the have a refreshing pint of Coca Cola and a packet of crisps.
At the start, the higher mountain tops were decked in cloud, but as the Sun came out after lunch, the clouds lifted and the distant views became clearer.
Overall, an enjoyable walk, despite the usual dumped material making it difficult to get from the beach onto the track and the nettle stings our legs received as we walked down a little used and slightly overgrown path.
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