Moel Siabod 12th July 2014

Looking back along the path from Pont Cyfyng.

Llyn y Foel.

Heading across the boggy terrain towards and the start of the up Daear Ddu and the summit of Moel Siabod.

At the trig point on Moel Siabod.

Descending along the forest track towards Capel Curig.

Walk stats: Distance: 7.7 miles. Climb: 2498'.

Time: 6 hours 29 minutes. On the move walking average: 1.5 m.p.h. Overall walk average: 1.2 m.p.h.

Group: Martyn, Mike, Celia and Vicky.

The weather at the start was pretty good, but alas it didn't last and we were in cloud for the scramble up Daear Ddu and an hour of the descent, thankfully it wasn't cold.

 Two Germans on holiday in the UK joined us for the scramble up to the summit and ended up staying with us for the whole walk.

 On the descent, I realised that I should have cut my toe nails before setting off, so I had a painfully slow descent, with one of my toes still hurting the next day.

 Not many birds seen or heard today, not helped when the frame of my glasses broke just as we reached the trig point, so anything more than a few metres away was just a blurr.

 Overall a good walk, despite walking in low cloud for over an hour. Without the Memory Map GPS, find the path down to Capel Curig wouldn't have been easy, but with it we were able to get back on track.

 Birds seen or heard today included: Barn swallow, House martin, Winter wren and Grey wagtail.

 After walk drinks wee enjoyed at the Britannia Inn at Pentre Halkyn

Around Garreg Fawr And Aber Falls 8th December 2012

The Afon Aber from Bont Newydd.

The first view of the sea.

Looking towards Ynys Mon.

Garreg Fawr ahead.

"A penny for them, Mike!

Celia at lunch.

A distant view of Aber Falls.

A close up view of Aber falls.

Walk stats: Distance: 8.8 miles. Climb: 1913'.
Time : 5 hours 21 minutes. On the move walking average : 2.1 m.p.h. Overall walk average :1.6 m.p.h.
Group : Martyn, Mike and Celia.
We started the walk in glorious sunshine, with blue skies and the Menai Straits looking blue. The views South towards the Cardeddau had snow on the tops, but thankfully we weren't going that high.
As we approached higher ground near Garreg Fawr, we felt the cold North west wind forced us to shelter behind a wall for lunch.
Just before lunch we met a young man with his 15 month old daughter taking her first steps on the Carneddau.
The final part of the walk was a there and back visit to see Aber Falls, always impresive at tthis time of the year. However by this time, the very fine rain had set in and wedidn't know whether it was spray from the fallsor the rain that was wetting our glasses!
By the time that we arrived at the car, we were glad to change into dry clothes and head for the Britannia.
Birds seen or heard today included : European robin, Pied wagtail, Common buzzard, Carrion crow, Raven, Black-billed magpie Chaffinch, and Meadow pipit.
As usual, we received a warm welcome at the Brit and the Lees bitter was at its best.

Around Alltwen, Foel Lus and the Druids Circle 10 th November 2012

Looking towards Capelulo from the Sychnant Pass.

Our first view of the sea and Puffin Island.

The Afon Gyrach  North of Capelulo.

On the Queen Victoria Jubilee Path.

Puffin Islans from the Jubilee Path.

Two of the five Druid Circles.

A promise of better weather to come!

Walk stats: Distance: 9.0 miles. Climb: 1693'.

Time: 5 hours 45 minutes. On the move walking average: 1.9 m.p.h. Overall walk average: 1.6 m.p.h.

Group: Martyn and Celia.

We started the walk in glorious sunshine, that persisted thankfully until after lunch. Our first encounter with another person happened just as we started to go round Alltwen. She had a spotting scope on a tripod, and turned out to involved with ringing Red-billed choughs and was out trying to find some and identify the individual bird by looking at the rings on their legs. She had already noted two birds that she had helped to ring on the Great Orme.  We did spot one as we went around Foel Lus, but that was as it flew over our heads.

Lunch was taken on the Western side of Foel Lus, taking advantage of the bench by the impressive direction stone.

It was only about half an hour after lunch that we had our first shower as we headed along the Coastal Path (upland) to the Stone Circles. From then on we had frequent showers interspersed with periods of sunshine and saw several really good rainbows, including one double one.

Thankfully we arrived back at the car at a time when the rain had stopped and the Sun was out again.

Birds seen or heard today included: Stonechat, European robin, House sparrow, Common blackbird, Meadow pipit, Carrion crow, Jackdaw, Raven, Herring gull and Red-billed chough.

This is always a good walk, but especially so when you get contrasting views as we did today.

After walk drinks were enjoyed at the Britannia Inn  at Halkyn, where the Lees bitter was in excellent condition.