Coed Ceunant, River Clwyd and Eyarth Halt 13th August 2009

A new view of the Clwydian Hills. The morning group heading for the Nettles!

The afternoon group strolling after their Jewish experience!

Walk stats:Distance:13.0miles; Climb:695'.

Time:5 hours 25 minutes (exc luding lunch). On the move walking average:2.7 m.p.h.;Overall walk average:2.5 m.p.h.

Group:Martyn, Roger, Gordon and Tim and joined by Fran, Sue and Dave P for the afternoon trip to Eyarth Halt.

This was a good day for walking, although at times it seemed a little humid. The occasional breeze was always a welcome. In fact the walk should't really include Coed Ceunant in its name as we took a short cut that missed out Llanbedre Hall ant Coed Ceunant altogether in our efforts to get back to the riverside car park in Ruthin before 13-00. Very little climb involved today and the main challenges were mainly stiles and stinging Nettles! The views all day along the Clwydian Hills and across the Vale of Clwyd were excellent whenever we could see above the crops of Maize.

We arrived back at the car park on time, and we were all rewarded with a fine piece of Margaret's cherry and sultana cake.

The afternoon walk was memorable for two things, the first being the muddy smelly farm and farm tracks that we had to endure and the second (the highlight of the walk) was receiving a text from Sylvia announcing that Rosemary had given birth to a girl, Libby, at 13-42 and that all were doing well.

Birds seen or heard today included:Blackbird, Chaffinch, House sparrow, Magpie, Buzzard, Grey heron, Grey wagtail, Blue tit, Carrion crow and Jackdaw.

After walk drinks were enjoyed at the Glasfryn where Snowdonia Ale was the quenching beer of choice, although one member tried one from the Three Tuns brewery!

Coed Ceunant, St Christopher's Blessing and the River Clwyd 26th February 2009

St. Peter's Medieval church, ruined by inappropriate efforts in renovation of the bell tower! Walking on the open footpath alongside Coed Ceunant.

Lunch by the River Clwyd.

A friendly pony at Llanynys.

Walk stats: Distance:13.6 miles; Climb:1055'.

Time:6 hours 3 minutes;On the move walking average:2.6 m.p.h.; Overall walk average:2.2 m.p.h.

Group:Martyn, Richard, Roger, Michel and Sue, Sylvia and Dave J., Gordon, Annie H., and Celia.

This walk proved to be full of surprises not least the fact that it was about 3 miles longer than we had originally expected. Dave Berry on this occasion had underestimated the length of both walks. On two occasions we were confronted with footpath closures and one land owner challenging the right to go along his drive from St Peter's Medieval church to link in with a footpath about 200 yards up the drive. Thankfully we did not see the owner of Llanbedr Hall, although a local resent had warned us of his unsavoury character! Despite these problems this was a long enjoyable walk in good conditions both underfoot as well as the in the main warm overcast weather that accompanied us throughout.

Rumour has it that a local farm shop encountered on route is in hard times - their free range eggs keep disappearing!

Lunch, by necessity was a little later than we would have liked, but eventually we did find a pleasant spot alongside the River Clwyd.

It was another Dipper day as we walked next to the Avon Clywedog on route to Llanynys.

A cute pony welcomed us as we went across fields from Llanynys. It was later on this walk that we encountered a closed path over a road bridge that had collapsed, but the diversion virtually followed the opposite bank, so the extra mileage didn't contribute much to the 13.6 miles total.

Celia broke her duck for this year by opening a gate for everyone and then closing it afterwards!

The birds seen or heard today included:Blackbird, Dunnock, Housesparrow, Chaffinch, Carrion crow, Rook, Jackdaw, Grey heron, Kestrel, Sparrowhawk, Nuthatch, Greatspotted woodpecker, Goldfinch, Greenfinch, Buzzard and Dipper.

We arrived back at the riverside car park very tired and we all agreed a little too late to take a celebration drink and all headed directly homeward.