Holywell Common, Racecourse and Peny-Ball 6th October 20011.

The unusual waymarker at the start of the walk.

The Pen-y-Ball Monumen from the outh side of Holywell Golf Course.

Lunch time at the Pen-yBall Monument, but who's top dog to day?

At the trig point on Pen-y- Ball.

The Michael Owens' sculpture of Brynford Miners.

Walk stats: Distance: 10.6 miles. Climb: 948'.

Time: 5 hours 10 minutes. On the move walking average: 2.4 m.p.h. Overall walk average: 2.0. m.p.h.

Group: Martyn, Roger, Phil, Tito, Wendy, Sue and Dave.

Overall a very pleasant day for walking, a five minute shower was all we had to endure and the strong winds weren't cold. Nevertheless only one member of the group walked in shorts and a T-shirt for most of the walk!

Lunch was taken at the Pen-y-Ball monument, but attempts to hide from the cooling wind wasn't too successful.  Hot drinks in flasks were welcome!

The views from the trig-point on Pen-y-Ball Top, were superb, particularly towards the Wirral.

Birds seen or heard today included: House sparrow, Carrion crow, Jackdaw, Black-billed magpie, Common buzzard, Common pheasant, Woodpigeon and Goldfinch.

After walk drinks were enjoyed at the Britannia Inn, Halkyn, where the Lees Bitter went down well and the fire was just about to be lit.

Holywell Common, Racecourse, Pantasaph and Pen-y-Ball 11th November 2009.

At the trig point on Pen-y-Ball.

Walk stats: Distance:10.7 miles; Climb:950'.

Time:4 hours 54 minutes; On the move walking average:2.5 m.p.h.;Overall walk average:2.2 m.p.h.

Group:Martyn, Tim and Dave J.

The necessary switch to Wednesday this week meant that only three of the regulars could make it. The weather was kind to us in that it was dry and cool for most of the walk, but we did get a little sunshine with blue skies. Views weren't that clear, but we did get glimpses of the Clwydians and fairly good views across the Dee estuary.

This was a good day for birds, they seemed to be everywhere. Birds seen or heard today included: Bullfinch, Chaffinch, Dunnock, Goldfinch, Pied wagtail, Yellowhammer, Black-billed magpie, Raven, Jackdaw, Carrion crow, Common gull, Black-headed gull, Herring gull, Buzzard, Kestrel, Fieldfare, Redwing, Mistle thrush, Song thrush, Collared dove, Woodpigeon, Starling, Greater spotted woodpecker and House sparrow.

After walk drinks were enjoyed at the warm and welcoming Britannia Inn at Pentre Halkyn.

Holywell Common, Pen y Ball and Pantasaph 20th December 2007

The group at the Pen y Ball Monument.

Snowdonia from the Pen y Ball Monument.

Walk stats: Distance: 9. 7 miles; Climb:1167'.

Time: 4 hours 35 minutes; Walking average: 2.5 m.p.h.; Overall walk average: 2.1 m.p.h.

Group: Martyn, Richard, Dave J., Celia, Annie H., Sue and Michel P.

This walk was completed throughout in bright sunshine. I was thankful that I was wearing my new reactalight glasses and they worked well! Despite the sunshine temperatures were on the cool side, never rising above zero Celsius, and at times I'm sure felt more like minus five Celsius or even cooler. However we managed to get a little shelter from the wind, and Sue revived us with some superb homemade Stolon cake, and Michel revived our spirits with a tot or two (for some) of slow gin!

Back to the walk, the ground underfoot was frozen, but we still had to take care crossing the muddy sections! Too often the frozen surface gave way under our weight and it was just as muddy beneath. These problems were only on a short section as we approached Holywell racecourse. Views from Holywell Common and the Pen y Ball Monument were outstanding with the Snowdonia mounts clearly in view from Moel Siabod, Snowdon, the Glyders, Tryfan and the Carneddau all there to see. This was all the more amazing where near to the Dee estuary was shrouded in mist and the Wirral had disappeared all together.

Birds seen or heard today included, Nuthatch, Great spotted woodpecker, Blue tit, Great tit, Wren, Magpie, Fieldfare, possibly Redwing, Blackbird, Sparrowhawk, Robin and Buzzard.

As is normally the case when we walk in this areas, after walk drinks were enjoyed in that wonderful Lees hostelry, the Britannia Inn at Pentre Halkyn. The Lees bitter once again being in fine fettle.