A Ponderosa Round 6th July 2017

A delightful track above Bryn-yr-odyn.

Looking across the Horseshoe Pass with the Llantysilio Mountains on the right.

Enjoying the shade on the descending path to Pant Glas.

The Eglwyseg Escarpments from the track leading to Fron-lwyd.

Lunch in the shade - West of Fron-lwyd.

Lunch in the shade of an old tree.

The bracken lined path West of Fron-lwyd.

"Where am I?"

" I don't know either!"

Walk stats: Distance: 6.6 miles. Climb: 1040'.

Time: 4 hours 34 minutes. On the move walking average: 2.0 m.p.h Overall walk average: 1.4 m.p.h. (Extra time spent enjoying the shade at lunch time!)

Group: Martyn, Sue and Michel, David S., Mal and Ed.

We set off from the Ponderosa, not quite knowing exactly what weather we would get, but we knew it was going to be pretty warm. Thankfully we didn't get the thunder and lightening that some of the forecasters had hinted at.

 The green track crossing the moorland towards World's End is always delight with its superb views over the Llantysilio Mountains and at its highest point the escarpments on the East side of the Eglwyseg Valley.

 Our original plan was to follow Offa's Dyke Footpath along the the road past World's End until it reached Llandegla Forest.

 However we didn't get that far. After some debate it was decided to avoid the long trek on the road by following the bridleway past Fron-lwyd. This track, although only a gentle gradient, seemed a real slog in the heat and humidity of around mid-day.

 We were very grateful to find a large tree, giving everyone enough shade as we had our lunches. I fact I for one was very reluctant to set off again as I knew the rest of the walk mean being exposed to the full glare of the Sun. We could but hope for clouds to muster and a cool breeze to come to our rescue. Both did, but only briefly.

 I had by now already decided that for me the full walk was not an option, and that I would shorten the walk by heading for wireless Station as soon as I could. In the end everyone decided that in this heat and humidity that they would do the same.

 We arrived back at the car, happy that the walk was long enough under the conditions, explored one new path and still had water left to drink had we needed it. 

 Overall a very enjoyable walk, especially when the final descent from the Wireless Station gave us views of the scarred path over the Llantysilio Mountains, reminding us how much better it is to walk on the moors East of the Ponderosa.

 Not many birds were seen or heard today, but they included: Skylark, Meadow pipit, Barn swallow, Stonechat, Common whitethroat, Raven, Carrion crow, Grey wagatil and Woodpigeon.

 Afte walk drinks were enjoyed at the Red Lion at Penyfordd, where Timothy Taylor's Landlord went down well.

A Walk in Coed Llandegla 7th February 2013

We're about to climb and the snow clouds are hanging over the forest.

Should we continue walking or go back to Llandegla Church for a cup of tea?

A forest track with a coating of snow.

The lake near the visitor centre, surrounded by snow, but thankfully no ice.

The last stand for Carole's walking pole.

Wooden Black grouse sculptures were all most of us saw!

The same field as the first photo, but the snow has gone!

Walk stats: Distance: 11.3 miles. Climb: 1345'.

Time: 6 hours 3 minutes. On the move walking average: 2.2 m.p.h. Overall walk average: 1.9 m.p.h.

Group: Martyn, Annie, Phil, Celia, David S., and Carole H.

We arrived at the car park i9n Llandegla in a heavy snow storm, making us a little concerned about the road conditions on our return journey across Llandegla Moors.   We needn't have worried as the snow had cleared from the roads as the snow had turned to rain!

In the end it turned out to be quite a pleasant walk around the forest, not many other walkers, butn a few more on their mountain bikes.

Although it was quite good walking, we did arrive back at the car with rather wet coats. I nearly lost  one of my gloves again, but managed to retrace my steps and found it again, and Carole lost her walking pole, which we failed to locate, despite retracing our steps to the last point where we knew she still had it.

However she did have the consolation, that she was the only one to see Black grouse (verified by Geoff Robinson who was at the hide at the same time.

Bird seen or heard today included: Carrion crow, Great crested grebe, Rook, Black grouse, Greenfinch, Blue tit, Great tit, Common blackbird and House sparrow.

After walk drinks were enjoyed at the Red Lion in Penyfford, where Tomothy Taylor, Landlord went down well as Michel had earlier told the bar person it would! The cup of tea was good too!

Cyrn-y-Brain and Coed Llandegla 2nd August 2012

Looking back towards the Ponderosa.

Total confusion, as usual,  at the transmitter masts!

At the Sir Watkin Tower on Ctrn-y-Brain.

At the trig point on Cyrn-y-Brain.

"That's my boy you're looking at".

Going where?

Walk stats; 9.3 miles. Climb: 1497'..

Time: 5 hours 6 minutes. On the move walking average: 2.3 m.p.h. Overall walk average: 1.9 m.p.h.

Group: Martyn, Roger, Sue and Michel, Tim, Dave J., Paul and David S.

Much of this walk was new to us, although we had done most of the Coed Llandegla part of the walk.  Overall this walk proved to be quite varied and the new part of the walk was along relatively good paths, even though the paths weren't easy to see on th OS map.  This part of the walk had particularly good views down the Eglwyseg Valley and beyond towards the Berwyns. 

The weather was better than expected as well, although we did get very light rain around lunch time. In fact we sheltered in Coed Llandegla for lunch, but it was debatable whether waterproofs were really necessary.

The section of the walk at the end as we crossed the moor with the start of the walk was in sight, proved quite challenging.especially if your boots were old and perhaps not as waterproof as they were when new!

Birds seen or heard today were few and far between but included: Barn swallow, Raven, Carrion crow, Meadow pipit, Kestrel, Common buzzard and Winter wren.

After walk drinks were enjoyed (by some) at the Bridge Inn at Pontblyddyn.  It would seem that Cottage Brewery  brews aren't to everyone's taste!

The Llantysilio Mountains 31st May 2012

On the top of Moel y Faen.

The Llantysilio ridge from Moel Morfydd.

At the trig point on Moel Morfydd - a touch breezy at this point!

Lunch-time in a litle gully, sheltered from the beeze.

"I did it all by myself" - a  recently born calf suckling, maybe for the first time.

Walk stats: Distance: 8.8 mi.es. Climb:1962'.

Time: 4 hours 46 minutes. On the move walking average: 2.1 m.p.h. Overall walk average: 1.8 m.p.h.

Group: Martyn, Annie H., Celia, Tim, Sylvia and Dave J.

Not the most ideal weather for this area, but it was better than we have experienced here on many occasions.  Although we had very little sunshine, it wasn't cold and the rain was so gentle it struggled to wet us. In fact I was wetter on the inside through overheating inside my waterproof than the outside of my waterproof!  However on occasions as we crossed from one hill to the next, it became a little breezy, particularly on Moel Morfydd.

Probably the surprise of the day was seeing a very small calf attempting to suckle from its mother and eventually being successful. The remains of the placenta was nearby, so this young calf must have been born only a short time ago, and this was probably its first feed.

Birds seen or heard today included: Jackdaw, Raven, Lesser black-backed gull, Wheatear, Pied wagtail, Willow warbler, Cuckoo, Common buzzard, Chaffinch, Meadow pipit, Common blackbird and Skylark.

This walk isn't everyone's cup of tea, but I still enjoy it despite the dreaded steep descents from every hill as you walk Westward, today was no exception.

After walk drinks were enjoyed at the Bridge Inn at Pontybodkin, where Brains bitter went down well.