Another Ysceifiog, Lixwm and Nannerch Round 9th August 2023

On the woodland path, north east of Ysceifio Lake.

The commentary says it all!

A different view of St. Mary's Church, Ysceifiog.

This tree must be pretty old - seen once by me, but probably never again!

One Pigmy goat taking it easy!

At the start of Ysceifiog Footpath 188.

Ysceifiog Footpath 188 is now behind us.

Moel y Parc on the skyline.

Knappweed on the verge.

Inside St. Michael and All Angels Church at Nannerch.

This was a nice cool place to spend a few minute as we looked around the church.

It is always good to see churches in Wales open to the public during the week.

St. Michael and All Angels Church at Nannerch.

Walk Stats:
Distance: 8.0 miles. Climb: 909’. (Distance: 7.4 miles. Climb: 700’)
Time: 4 hours 24 minutes. On the move walking average: 2.1 m.p.h.
Overall walk average: 1.8 m.p.h.
Temperature: At the start – 19.7 Celsius in the wood north east of Ysceifiog Lake. At Lunch 22.7 Celsius. At the end of walk – 23.0 Celsius
Beaufort Wind force: 0 – 1. Mainly calm, but on one occasion we did just about feel light air on our faces.
Group: Martyn David S and Ed.
The forecast today was pretty good, mainly sunny, but towards the end of the walk it felt quite humid, not the best feeling as we climbed up the road back to Ysceifiog.
Our route today explored an old road heading towards Pant-gwyn and to our surprise we had to negotiate a sort of ford.
No problem with Ysceifiog Path 188 and we arrived at the Lixwm roadside seat just in time for lunch.
On the way to Ysceifiog Footpath 188, we also explored a path going through a small wood, very overgrown with nettles before emerging in a field with two caravans, tent and one of their owners sitting at a picnic table enjoying the warm sunshine along with her dog. I think this was one of two dog that didn’t bark at us!
The only excitement after lunch had to make way for two huge horses being ridden as we descended the bridleway from Nannerch towards Bryn Rug.
Birds seen or heard today included: Moorhen, Common coot, House sparrow, Barn swallow, Wood nuthatch, Goldfinch and Common buzzard.
Overall anther enjoyable walk, but we were glad to see the cars, sit down and take our boots off and put on a clean shirt. After walk drinks for two of us were enjoyed at Rake Hall, where DS enjoyed a Brimstage brewery beer made with New Zealand hops. I was driving, so I made do with a refreshing pot of tea!

A Ysceifiog, Lixwm and Nannerch Round 19th July 2023

At the start of Ysceifiog Footpath 188.

Doing it in stile on Ysceifiog footpath 188.

The woodlnd path from Ysceifiog Lake to Mynydd Llan.

A Comma butterfly seen today.

A Meadow brown sharing the same flowers ast the Comma.

We think it is a lathe of some sort, one for DS to sort out!

DS - probably started life as a verica milling machine that was later adapted,

Another bit of machinery - a motor and belt drive. 

It is a steam engine built by the Lincolnshire firm Ruston Hornsby.

Probably dates back to around 1935.

St.Michael's and All Angels Churc at Nannerch.

Bryn Rug - small hillfort.

St.Mary's Church, Ysceifiog.

Walk stats: 8.8 miles. Climb: 1017’.

Time: 5 hours 11 minutes. On the move walking average: 2.2 m.p.h. Overall walk average: 1.7 m.p.h.

Temperature: 17.7 Celsius at the start. 27.0 Celsius at lunch in the full glare of the Sun. Mid-afternoon temperature – 20.2 Celsius mid-morning in a sheltered spot on Marine Drive

Beaufort Wind Force: 0 – 2. Mainly Calm to Light Air but occasionally just about made a pleasant 5 m.p.h. Light breeze.

Group: Martyn and Nigel,

The weather forecast was pretty good today, although we did get more sunshine than we were expecting.

This proved to be a very varied walk and despite the predictable muddy sections it was very enjoyable.

The main objective for the walk today was to use the Ysceifiog Footpath 188thathad recently been fully opened after many years of battle by the locals including the Ramblers. Infect as we approached the northern end of the path, we were greeted by a local (lived in house opposite the start of the path) ho pointed out that the path was now fully open and asked us to use it. She seemed quite pleased that was exactly what we intended to do.

As we went past a farm near Pen-ffynnon-y-cyff, two young girls took great delight in showing off three young kittens that they had only had for a couple o weeks.

Lunch was taken on the south east side of Lixwm, where we took advantage of a roadside seat. We basked in the warm sunshine, surrounded by many flowers, butterflies, bees and insects foraging on the flowers in front of us.

Today was a day for seeing butterflies rather than birds, although we did hear quite a few birds.

Butterflies included: Comma, Meadow brown (lots), Small white, Red admiral and Peacock.

Birds seen or heard today included: Common swift, Barn swallow, House sparrow, Common buzzard, Moorhen, Common coot, Grey heron, Eurasian jay, winter wren and Carrion crow.

After walk drinks were enjoyed at the Blue Bell in Halkyn, where the Lees Bitter tasted particularly good.

Even arrived home to be able to clean my boots outside and find my broadband had indeed been restored. No need for the BT engineer to visit tomorrow.

Coed Allt-y-Tywod, Coed y Garreg, Coed Pen-y-gelli and more 3rd May 2023

First sighting of Bluebells in Coed Allt-y-tywod, just an odd spike or two!

Bluebells in Coed Allt-y-tywod - starting to look better.

Bluebells in Coed Allt-y-tywod, now looking even better.

Bluebells in Coed Allt-y-tywod, almost at their best.

"Don't disturb us, it's nice and cosy here in the Sun."

Hazy views of both Liverpool cathedrals.

Elevenses at The "Roman" Tower in Coed y Garreg.

Beautiful Dandelions.

Early purple orchids.

Bluebells in Coed Pen-ygelli - not uite at their best.

A blue piano - not what we expected to see in Coed Pen-y-gelli.

The infomation board tells us there is a lime kiln here!

Panorama of our lunch spot in Chwarel Pen-y-gelli.

Hazy views of Moel Famau.

Hazy distant view of the Point of ayr Lighthouse.

St.Mary's Church, Gorsedd.

Walk stats:

Distance: 9.6 miles. Climb: 842’. (Data from Michel’s GPS, both my GPS’s decided to go to sleep half way through the walk!)
Time: 5 hours 2 minutes. On the move walking average: 2.2 m.p.h. Overall walk average: 1.9 m.p.h.
Memory Map Data: 9.0 miles. Climb: 962’.
Temperature: 12.5. Celsius at the start. 22.0 Celsius at lunch. 16.2 Celsius mid-afternoon.
Beaufort Wind Force: Max - 3 (a gust of 9.5 m.p.h.) just a gentle breeze.
Group: Martyn, Ed, Sue and Michel
This turned out to be a really good day for walking weather-wise, pleasantly warm, but at times there was a cooling gentle breeze.
Distant views were rather hazy, but we could still make out Liverpool cathedrals, Moel Famau and Moel y Parc and eve the Point of Ayr Lighthouse.
This was the first of our “Bluebell Wood” walks and as we entered Coed Allt-y-tywod, our first wood to visit Bluebells seemed to few and far between. Our early disappointment was soon dispelled as we went further and further into the wood. In fact the more open area of the wood gave us some superb displays of Bluebells.
Coed y Garreg wasn’t as good today for Bluebells, a lot of felling has done over the last couple of years and the wood is yet to recover.
Coed Pen-y-gelli wasn’t that much better, but at it provided us with the surprise of the day – a blue piano and a couple of grandfather clocks and two tables – none of us had and explanation as to why they were there!
Lunch was taken in Chwarei Pen-y-gelli, but not where we usually have lunch. A fallen tree prevented us from getting to a usual spot, so we had to seek pastures new.
Thankfully we did, but only because it was very dry, after rain the area we sat would have meant our feet would have been in water!
After lunch, the walk the extension towards Pantasaph and back through Gorsedd involved a fair bit of road walking, and apart from giving us more mileage in legs didn’t have a lot to offer except for distant views of the Clwydian Hills and Moel Famau!
Birds seen and heard today included: Greenfinch, Chiffchaff, European robin, Winter wren, Common blackbird, Carrion crow, Rook, Jackdaw, Goldfinch, Willow warbler, Common whitethroat, Mallard, Canada goose, Woodpigeon, Blackcap, Common chaffinch, Collared dove and Common buzzard.
We arrived back at the car having had a very enjoyable walk, another successful Bluebell Wood Walk, and for some looking forward to a pint of Lees Bitter at the Blue Bell Inn, Halkyn on the way home.

Holywell Common, Racecourse, Pantasaph and Pen-y-Ball Top 15th March 2023

The high tops of Yr Eryri decked in snow - taken from Holywell Common.

Tryfan and its neighbours.

Escaping the worste of the mud on this now closed off road track.

Not looking too happy coming in last on this part of Holywell Racecourse!

One happy lamb.

A few more appy lambs in the centre of Holywell Racecourse.

Not as much snow on Moel Famau as I expected!

The view frommy lunch spot at Pantasph Friary.

Some of the Snowdrops on the grass verge still looking good.

At Pen-y-Ball Top trig point, but someone couldn't wait for the rst of the party to arrive!

The Pen-y-Ball Monument erected in 1893 commemorating the marriage of the Duke of York (heir to the then throne).

The former Crooked Horn Inn at Brynford - obviously in the process of being upgraded to new "Destination Holywell Common (Brynford)".

Distance: 8.5 miles. Climb: 720'.

Time: 4 hours 4 minutes. n the move wlking average: 2.4 m.p.h. Overall walk average: 2.0 m,.p.h.

Temperature: 4.5 Celsius 0 ^.6 Ce;sius (although at times it felt much cooler tha that!).

Beaufort Wind Force: 1 - 2. Light air to light breeze, but at times not even noticeable.

Group: Martyn, Nigel, Fran and Ed.

A good forecast for the morning with the prospect of lots of rain after lunch, meant w needed to make sure we stopped for lunch at the Pantasaph Friary before well before 13-00.

As we crossed Holywell Common we had some superb views of he high tops of Yr Eryri decked in snow. Moel siabod, Tryfan and the Carneddayu could easily be made out.

The first challenge of te day came as we made our way towards Graeana, where the track was so badly damaged that only tractors would be able to negotiate the deep ruts now present  it soon became obvious why several  "road closed" signs had been put up.

It wasn't that easy for walkers either, but at all we suffered was muddy boots!

The star turns today we the good numbers of Spring lambs - the smallest that we have seen tis year on our Wednesday walks.

We made it to our lunch spot just after 12-00, so were able to enjoy lunch in the dry, and using a couple of benches to sit on. We all happy to use the outside facilities at Friary, open, even though the cafe wasn't.

The expcted rain started at 12-50, bu at least wasn't the very heavy rain forecasted.

Our only problem came after visiting the trig point on Peny-Ball Top, the direct path was blocked by vegetaion / gorse that had been cut and left in a place that blocked the path. We eventually arrived at the Pen-y-Ball Monument after about a mile detour.

Birds seen or heard toda included: Dunnock, Common buzzard, Wood nuthatch, Blue tit, Woodpigeon, Herring gull, and Rook. 

The other surprise was the renovation being carried out at the former Crooked Horn Inn - now destined for grater things!

We arrived back at the cars, too early to head for the Blue Bell Inn, so Ed went straight home and the rest of us headed for Rake Hall at Little Stanney.  Ed would have enjoyed the Titanic Plum Porter that was on offer,, as did at least one member of the party.

I even got home in time to clean my boots outside!

An enjoyable walk for some!

 

The Moor, Valley, Coast and Coed Strand 1st March 2023.

Ist March Daffodils on the Coastal Path.

investigating the Greenfield Mills upper reservoir.

Who knows what we are doing?

information about Stand Cottage - we would later return through Coed Strand.

Sheep in the fields near Stokyn Hall.

These sheep didn't seem to like us!

The Duke of Lancaster (Fun Ship of Old) - lunch is not too far away.

D redgeing tking place around the llanerch-y-more docks.

Gorse and Daffodils in flower along the Wales Coastal Path.

An avenue of Blackthorn blossomo the Wales Coasta Path.

Blackthorn blossom worthy of a closer look!

Stroling through Coed Stand.

Less algae vthan last year on this mill pond, and only a short distance from the Bryn Celyn Car Park - the start of our walk today.

Walk stats: 

Distance: 9.5 miles. Climb: 750'.

Time; 4 hours 21 minutes. On the move walking average: 2.5 m.p.h. Overall walk average: 2.1 m.p.h.

Temperature: 7.7 - 9.7 Celsius.

Beaufort Wind Force: Max - 2.  Never more than a light breeze.

Fran misseed out on an an enjoyable "Halkyn Mountain free walk" walk today, but it did allow me to get a lift off Nigel, and enjoy a pint or two at The Market Place, Holtwell ( a Wetherspoons hostelry - not upmarket enpough!),

The weather forecast wasn't brilliant wih a <10% chance of rain all day. Thankfully there was frequenrly dampness in te air, but never enough to even think of using an umbrella - Nigel was particularly grateful! 

Our best views today was over the Dee Estuary, and at times the Wirral seemed to be getting more sunshine than us, but at least it didn't feel cold, there was little wind and were weren't getting wet and it wasn't too muddy!

We arrive at Llanerch-y-mor just befor mid-day, but we decided that sitting on je picnic tables at the Aberkan was still our best option. Lots of people were at the Aberkan, but for some reason, it was only us that took advantage of the picnic tables!

After lunch, we had a gentle stroll past the Duke of Lancaster along the Wales Coastal pasth,  sheltered from most of the cool north easterly wind by the high stone sea defences.

The last part of the walk include the path through Coed Strand - a new path to explore for all of the group today.

Social media informs us that Fran had a good 12+ mile walk in the environs of Upton/Chester/Eccleston, but she did miss out on the welcoming hospitality of The Market Place in Holywell!

Birds seen or heard today included: Moorhen, Mallard, Blue tit, Great tit, Dunnock, Greenfinch, common buzzard, Europea robin, Common blasckbird, Woodpigeon. Common redshank, Oystercatcher, herring gull, Lesser black bace gull, Carrion crow and Eurasian curlew.