Cefn Du, Sodom, Moel y Gaer and Moel Maenefa 15 September 2011

"You'd think the rest of the group could walk a little quicker, after all Cefn Du's only a little hill!"

Follow the leader.

"No, I went tell you what kind of sheep I am."
" Well OK, I'm a Balwen Welsh Mountain sheep"

"I'm only here for the view!"

Other suggestions?

Snowdonia from the Western slopes of Moel Maenefa.

At the top of Moel Maenefa, now marked by a small pile of stones.

Walk stats: Distance: 8.1 miles. Climb: 1471'.

Time: 4 hours 50 minutes. On the move walking average: 2.1 m.p.h. Overall walk average: 1.7 m.p.h.

Group: Martyn, Roger, Phil, Dave J., Fran and Tito, Celia, Gordon, Annie H., Sue and Michel.

What a superb day for walking, the weather and views were almost perfect (perfection of course can never be attained!).

Foraging today was official, and we started well with a bag full of scrumptious apples and we hadn't moved a foot! (Thanks to the abundance of apples on Fran and Tito's apple tree).
We set off along part of Offa's Dyke footpath and within a short distance came across a few walkers that were on their last stretch of the footpath. You could tell how happy they felt at being on the last stretch of the walk, when they smiled  as they thought we we were on our first!  Thankfully we were only doing part of it!
What a joy it is to meet other walkers and as today we were able to chat and exchange pleasantries.
Birds seen or heard today included: Chiffchaff, Barn swallow, Wheatear, Chaffinch, Blackbird, European robin, Nuthatch, Carrion crow, Jackdaw, Raven, Woodpigeon, House sparrow and Great tit.
The walk was a little shorter than usual, but suited quite a few members of the group, particularly Fran and Tito who had been invited to entertain their son and daughter on their birthdays.

Happy birthday Mike and Beth.

After walk drinks were enjoyed at the Britannia Inn at Halkyn, where the Lees bitter went down really well, but only six of us attended!

Tremeirchion, Sodom, Moel-y-Gaer and Y Graig 4th June 2009

Moel-y-Gaer hillfort, seen from the Offa's Dyke footpath only - no access! Looking towards the Great Orme from the slopes of Moel Maenefa.

There's always one who won't pay attention!

Walk stats: Distance:8.4 miles (9.4 miles for Dave J and Richard); Climb:1584'.

Time:4 hours 33 minutes; On the move walking average:2.3m.p.h.;Overall walk average:1.8 m.p.h.

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

Another glorious day for walking, much warmer than we expected and the threat of isolated showers didn't materialise. The views today were good, but quite hazy towards Snowdonia. Moel Siabod and the Great Orme could be recognised, but little more. Today we encountered more walkers than usual, most on their last stretches of the Offa's Dyke Long Distance Footpath, thankfully we were only doing parts of it! There were plenty of Spring flowers along the hedgerows and around the nature reserve at Y Graig, but the birds today were quite limited. Several sections of this walk can be quite muddy, but only one small patch rerquired carefall negotiating as Dave J tried to avoid getting his new boots muddy! Lunch was taken as usual at the little church on the hill adjacent to St Bueno's college, not the most comfortable spot, but with good views across the valley to Tremeirchion.

Birds seen or heard today included: Swallow, House martin, Blackbird, Carrion crow, Buzzard, Jackdaw, Chiffchaff, Willow warbler and Meadow pipit.

After walk drinks were at the Britannia In at Pentre Halkyn where the Lees bitter went down particularly well for the discerning drinkers in the group!

Moel y Gaer, Sodom, Y Graig and Moel Maenefa 5th June 2008

Crossing the unusually dry field at Tremeirchion.
St., Bueno's college church on the hill, our lunch spot for the day.

The group at the"trig point" on Moel Maenefa.

Walk stats: Distance:8.5 miles; Climb:1676'.

Time:3 hours 55 minutes; Walking average:2.3 m.p.h.;Overall walk average:2.0 m.p.h.

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

This is always a good walk with outstanding views to Snowdonia and the Clwydian Hills. Today was no exception, although the distant views were a little hazy and some of the peaks in Snowdonia were in cloud. The conditions underfoot were better than expected, with the usual muddy section by the field gate in Tremeirchion being dry. The weather was kind to us, in the main dry and sunny. Only towards the end of th walk on Moel Maenefa did we experience a cooling wind for a short period.

Lunch was taken at the vantage point of the small hill on which the little church associated with St., Bueno's College is situated.

Plenty of flowers were observed on route, but the birds seemed to be keeping their heads down.

Birds seen or heard today included:Carrion crow, Jay, Magpie, Blackbird, Song thrush, Dunnock, Linnet,Willow warbler, Chiffchaff and Buzzard.

Excellent J.W. Lees bitter was enjoyed by most of us at very welcoming Britannia Inn at Pentre Halkyn.