A "Mistery" Walk Around Halkyn Mountain 22nd January 2020

The first stile of the day conquered!

That's another stile conquered.

That's it, the best stile of the day.

Even the sheep were reluctant to move.

Lunch time in a small quarry opposite the new entrance to Pant-y-pwll-dwr Quarry.

At the trig point on Halkyn Mountain.

I thought that I had taken a photo of the Catch radio masts!

Walk stats: Distance: 7.9 milers. Climb: 613'.

Time: 4 hours 7 minutes. On the move walking average: 2.4 m.p.h. Overall walk average: 1.9 m.p.h.

Group: Martyn, Sue and Michel, Roger, Nigel, Fran, Davis S and Wendy.

This wasn't a day when we were expecting to get any views in any direction, so getting to the top of anywhere wasn't a prime objective! Visibility was never good, but thanks to the fact one or two of the group are good talkers it was easy enough to make sure that everyone was never out of hearing distance!

Although we were walking in low cloud/mist all day, it was never particularly cloud and the only breeze we experienced was around Moel-y-Crio.

Seeing birds today wasn't going to be easy, but we did manage to clock up a few. They included: Common blackbird, European robin, Collared dove, House sparrow, Black-billed magpie, Jackdaw, Carrion crow, Meadow pipit, Fieldfare and possibly a Raven.

Weather conditions meant that we didn't stop very often, few birds to look at and little reason to stop and take any photographs.

 Unusually for us we did see a large group of ramblers, but ass far as I know, not one linked to North Wales Ramblers.

 Lunch was taken in a small quarry opposite the new entrance to Pant-y-pwll-dwr Quarry, a good place to remember as there were plenty of stones on which to perch.

 After a slightly longer lunch stop than usual, one or two of the group indicated that they were ready to set off again by standing up and putting their rucksacks on.

 Our route took us between Bryn Mawr Quarry and Pen yr Henblas to the Brynford-Halkyn road. In the past the path was clear as it went through a section of high gorse, but today it was somewhat unclear as the gorse had been cut back.

 Usually our route from the trig point on Halkyn mountain was easy to see as we would just head for the masts at windmill and then those at Catch, but today the masts could only be seen when we were about 50 metres away.

 We arrived back at the cars, having had a good walk, perhaps a little shorter than some of us would have preferred, but still knowing that we had had some worthwhile exercise, despite the lack of appreciation of the wonderful industrial heritage that can be enjoyed in this area.

 After walk drinks were enjoyed at the Britannia Inn at Pentre Halkyn, where the Lees Bitter was in tip top condition, but it usually is!

  Someone must have annoyed the driver as they set off without him. Thankfully the driver noticed the empty seat and stopped before leaving the car park and waited for the last member of the group before heading for home!

Moel y Gaer and Around Halkyn Mountain 26th Jamuary 2019

The Clwydians from Moel y Gaer Hillfort ramparts.,

Res-y-cae and Halkyn Mountain ahead.

Lunch time in a small quarry North of Pen-y-pwll-dwr quarry.

The Clwydians from the trig point on Halkyn Mountain.

The Dee estuary from the trig point on Halkyn Mountain.

The route to Windmill from the trig point on Halkyn Mountain.

Walk stats: Distance 8.1 miles. Climb: 1506' (Wind assisted GPS reading). Realistically about 900' (Memory Map).

Time: 3 hours 56 minutes. On the move walking average: 2.6 m.p.h. Overall walk average: 2.0 m.p.h.

Group: Martyn and Jim.

We weren't sure what weather to expect, but strong gusty winds and rain were on the forecasts for later in the day.

In fact it was quite mild and at times sunny, and the wind di pick up just before lunch time, but we only felt a few spots of rain as we arrived back at the car. 

 Distant views from Moel y Gaer Hillfort were quite good, but the summit of Moel Famau was in cloud.

 In the recent past, the path on the West side of North of Pen-y-pwll-dwr quarry had been closed while work by the quarry owners was taking place. Thankfully the route was now  open, so we didn't have to take any detours to get to the North  side of the quarry.

 As we climbed the track between Bryn Mawr Quarry and Pen yr Henblas Quarry the wind picked. Approaching lunch time we started to look for a suitable sheltered spot, and eventually decided on a small quarry North of Pen-y-Pwll-dwr quarry which we had used in the past.

 Plenty of stones were available to sit on and for the whole of lunch we we bathed in warm sunshine and the wind seemed to have dropped a little.

After lunch we arrived at the trig point on Halkyn Mountain and Moel Famau was still in cloud. It was only as we crossed Halkyn Mountain towards Windmill that the wind increased in strength, but it never gusted to the extent that some forecasters had predicted.

 We arrived back at the car, having had a good walk, still dry although our boots were muddy underneath.

 Birds seen or heard today included: Woodpigeon, House sparrow, Collared dove, Jackdaw, Meadow pipit, Fieldfare and European robin.

 after walk drinks wee enjoyed at the Blue Bell In at Halkyn, where Weetwood's Best Bitter and Gwyn-y-Draig's Black dragon cider went down well

Halkyn, Limestone, Lead and More 17th August 2017

The Liverpool skyline as we descend towards Castle Wood.

Holiday experiences on the menu as they meander through Castle Wood.

Moel Famau and the Clwydian Hilld from the trig point on Billins, Halkyn Mountain.

At the trig point on Billins, Halkyn Mountain.

Lime kilns on the South west side of Bryn Mawr Quarry.

Our lunch spot on the North of the Pant-y-pwll-dwr Quarry.

Looking North across the Pant-y-pwll-dwr Quarry.

"Do we really have to go up there?"

The panorama looking Northwards from the Moel-Ffagnallt Millenium Cairn.

Capped mine shafts on Halkyn Mountain as w head for the Catch  wireless masts.

Walk stats: Distance: 9.6 miles. Climb: 1141'.

Time: 5 hours 26 minutes. On the move walking average: 2.3 m.p.h. Overall wealk average: 1.8 m.p.h.

Group: Martyn, Jim. Celia and Paul.

This turned out to be a superb day for walking, largely Sunny, pleasantly warm and occasionally a cooling breeze.

 Distant views were good, especially towards the Dee estuary and the Clwydian Hills.

 Our only disappointment was to find the path we usually take along the West side of the Pant-y-pwll-dwr Quarry is now closed. This forced us to rethink the route and find a new lunch spot. This trned out to be a small quarry North of the Pant-y-pwll-dwr Quarry, where we found plenty of suitable stones to sit on. Thankfully we were also hidden from the passing traffic on the nearby road.

 after lunch we headed along the East side of the Pant-y-pwll-dwr Quarry, much of it on a path that gave extensive views into this vast quarry.

 Our planned route was to take us across fields to Moe-Ffagnallt via Lilly Hill farm, but this time our way was blocked by a flood on the road East of Cefn-y-gildia farm, and much too deep for Celia to test out her new boots!

 After a short rest at the Millenium Cairn on Moel-Ffagnallt we headed across Halkyn Mountain back to the start.

 Birds seen or heard today included: Common buzzard, Jackdaw, Raven, Common kestrel, Black-billed magpie, Goldfinch, House sparrow and Barn swallow.

 After walk drinks were enjoyed at the Blue Bell Inn at Halkyn where one of the real ciders went down well. Celia was a bit mift as her usual "posh" lager was no longer on offer and she had to put up with a bottle of Pirroni.

Halkyn, Limestone, Lead and Four Quarries 22nd December 2016

The delightful path through Castle Wood.

Looking over the Dee Estuary towards Liverpool.

Halkyn Church.

Ed at the trig point on Halkyn Mountain.

At the trig point on Halkyn Mountain.

Pen t Henblas Quarry.

Pant y Pydew Lime Kilns on the East side of Bryn Mawr Quarry.

"Don't they realise that they can't come this way?"

"I'll try and look aggressive, it might stop them coming over the stile."

Pant-y-pwll-dwr Quarry and the new bank that is in the process of being built.

The unusual looking mine shaft caps that appear on Halkyn Mountain, especially East of Rhes-y-cae.

Walk stats: Distance: 8.7 miles. Climb: 926'.

Time: 5 hours 5 minutes. On the move walking average: 2.2 m.p.h Overall walk average: 1.7 m.p.h.

Group: Martyn and Ed.

This was a superb day for walking, but if Ed hadn't been able to make the trip from Llangernyw to join me, I'd have been "Billy no mates again!"

 It turned out to be a superb day for walking, bright sunshine all day, accompanied by stiffish breeze that started quite cool, but after lunch was pleasantly warm.

 The worst of the mud was through the North west section of Castle Wood a we approached Halkyn old cemetry.

 As a change, I decided that after leaving the trig point on Halkyn Mountain, we would explore paths on the East side of Pen yr Henblas and then around the Northern edge of Bryn Mawr Quarry.

 The Pant y Pydew Lime Kilns would have been a good place to stop for lunch, but the wind was in the wrong direction and there was a strong smell coming from the chicken farm nearby that encouraged us to keep on going.

 I had a a section of the limestone outcrops on the South East side of Pant-y-pwll-dwr as the next best place to stop for lunch. Alas my plans were thwarted as the track running on the West side of the quarry had been closed since 16th October 2016 while the quarry owners built up the safety embankment so that they could extend the quarry workings.

 This meant we had an unplanned detour involving paths that had not seen much use for some time and finding the right stile proved tricky. We eventually arrived at the track that lead towards Pwll-melyn where we met the owner of the farm. He suggested that we took the track that lead directly back towards Halkyn Mountain, rather than take the official path round the back of his property. He was a little concerned over some unprotected mine shafts near the path.

 This was much better for us as it took us back to where we should have been an hour or so earlier!

 Lunch was taken as soon as we found a suitable spot as we crossed Halkyn Mountain just short of Rhes-y-cae. As the grass was dry we sat on the side of the path as it wound its way through the old mine workings.

 As we had already done over six miles at lunch, we decided to miss out Moel Ffagnalt and head from Rhes-y-cae towards the radio mast at Catch.

 Birds seen or heard today included: Common blackbird, Jackdaw, European robin, Winter wren, Meadow pipit, Black-billed magpie, House sparrow, Redwing, Fieldfare and Raven.

 We arrived back at the start a little on the early side and had to wait about 10 minutes for the Blue Bell to open, Blacksheep's Blitzen went down well and I'm enjoying Sheppy's Orchard Dew Cloudy Cider as I complete this post.

 Overall a very enjoyable walk, but it is sad to see that the Blue Bell is up for sale and I'm sure that many of our walking group will be disappointed to hear that I might have to leave of our annual "Halkyn, Limestone and Lead walk for some time"!

A Blue Bell Inn Walk Around Quarries 17th December 2015

Mountains tops in the sky as we left the cars at the start of the walk.

Limekiln on the the South side of Moel y Gaer, Rhosesmore.

"Don't run away, itn may look like a replica, bti it it's the real thing!"

Michel in listening mode and happy bush hunters still in the distance!

The view from our lunch spot, looking across the estuary towards the Wirral.

Happy bush opportunities as well!

Who is that emerging after exploring the Pen yr Henblas Quarry?

It's a happy ? hunter!

"Are these identical twins?"

At the Halkyn Mountain trig point.

At least one person suggests the temperatures are 6 degrees  above the norm for mid-December!

"why does it say keep out?

There's always one poser!

Walk stats: distance: 9.3 m.p.h. Cimb: 1259' (Possibly wind assisted at times!).

Time: 4 hours 44 minutes. On the move walking average: 2.5 m.p.h. Overall walk average: 2.0.m.p.h.

Group: Martyn, Sue and Michel, Annie, Phil, Tim, Wendy, David S. and Celia.

This walk was based on Steve's Blue Bell Inn, Halkyn walk 3, but adapted to avoid most of the muddy sections!

 We set off with waterproof on as there was still rain in the air, but it wasn't long before some of us were suffering from "boil in the bag syndrome" and decided that taking off our waterproofs/Winter jackets was the best option. However as the weather forecast suggested it wasn't long before we had to change our minds. However it was still warm and the rain itself wasn't too unpleasant, Despite a little grumbling re-lunch spots we carried on past the Pen-y- Pwll Quarry and ended up having lunch in a sheltered spot on the West side of the Pen-y-Henblas Quarry.  We had good vies across the Dee Estuary towards Liverpool where the Anglican Cathedral could clearly be seen.

 Wendy provided everyone with Jaffa Cakes as it was her "?" birthday tomorrow. This was a reminiscent flavour for many of us and at one point even large Waggon Wheels were mentioned! Thank you Wendy and enjoy your day on Friday.

 After lunch we had hoped to explore the Pen-y-Henblas Quarry, but the route in at the North west end had been recently blocked off by substantial new fencing.  Consequently we had to go along the road yet again. when we arrived at the original entrance, access was still available, but notices proclaimed that motorised vehicles were now banned. Has there been a serious accident that led up to all this expensive fencing been put in place since our last walk just sixth months ago?

 After lunch was much better and waterproofs could be discarded and "boil in the bag syndrome" was a thing of the past!

 I'm getting a little worried, on the last two walks our overall walking average has been 2-0 m.p.h., and once again I had to think of extensions in order to get back to the Blue Bell Inn at Halkyn close 15-00 when the Post Office Opens!

 Birds seen or heard today included: Carrion crow, Greu Heron, Jackdaw, Common kestrel, Raven and Mistle thrush.

After walk drinks were enjoyed at the Blue Bell Inn at Halkyn, where for once we were grateful that they hadn't lit the fire!

 Ther Blue Bell Bitter and the Sam's Medium Cider went down particularly well.

Limekilns, Quarries and More from the Blue Bell Inn at Halkyn, 5th March 2015

Walking around the ramparts of Moel-y-Gaer at Rhosesmore.

Panorama from the Kame at Moel-y-Crio - looking towards Clwydian Hills.

Panorama from the Kame at Moel-y-Crio - looking towards Moel-y-Crio and Halkyn Mountain.

Hatching a plot at the Waenbrodlas limekilns?

Pen yr Henblas Quarry from the South.

Phil pointing out some fresh water mussels in a pool in Pen yr Henblas Quarry.

"Move over, it's my (Annie's) turn now".

Young lambs at Midlist Farm, Halkyn

Walk stats: Distance: 10.6 miles. Climb: 1641'.

Time: 5 hours 12 minutes. On the move walking average: 2.5 m.p.h. Overall walk average: 2.0 m.p.h.

Group; Martyn. Sue and Michel, Phil, Celia, Annie and Wendy.

 A relatively early start, we were on our way well before 10-00 a.m., our usual aim to start by time. Overall a very dry day, and even the expected muddy matches were quite dry. Not much Sun and the cool wind made sure we had no chance of over heating!

 We had frequent good views, especially from the Kame at Moel-y-Crio and the trig point on Halkyn Mountain. Views across the Dee estuary showed Parkgate to be having more sunshine than us.

 At lunch time, we had to shelter from the wind in mine workings on the South side of Pen yr Henblas Quarry.

 At this point I realised we would get back to the Blue Bell Inn, Halkyn too early avail ourselves of their hospitality, so I had to think of ways to extend the walk slightly wherever the opportunity arose! We ended up exploring inside the Pen yr Henblas Quarry from both of its possible entry points. Amongst the quarry spoils we saw several samples of rocks with patterns and markings that didn't exactly look like fossils but were just as beautiful.

  Arriving back at the twin masts, we were still too early, so I had to add another short extension that took us past the primary school, clay pigeon shoot and Midlist Farm.

 This extension enabled us to see the new born lambs in the fields next to Midlist Farm. These were the youngest lambs that we have seen on walks this year.

 We eventually arrived back at the Blue Bell Inn, just before 15-00, just about perfect timing!

 Birds seen or heard today included: Chaffinch, House sparrow, Song thrush, Common blackbird, Jackdaw, Carrion crow, Dunnock, European robin and Sparrowhawk.

 After walk drinks enjoyed today included Purple Moose's "Calon Lan Bitter", brewed each year at the time of the Six Nations Rugby.