Around Minera Mountain 19th June 2024.

 

One of many orchids seen today.

Minera limestone quarry.

Minera limestone quarry.

Minera limestone quarry from the south (north of Park Farm).

Distant views of Moel Famau.

At the trig point on Esclusham Mountain.

A Beluga XL passes overhead as we had lunch.

Moel Famau from the trig point on Esclusham Mountain.

The Clwydian Hills from the trig point on Esclusham Mountain.

Plenty og Bog cotton Fron-deg Flats. 

Crossing Fron-deg Flats.

White Park Cattle in what is usually a sheep (Jacob's Sheep) field.

The Jacob Sheep are still around, just moved to a different field.

A young foal with its mother.

Walk Stats:
Distance: 7.8 miles. Climb: 1156’
Time: 4 hours 43 minutes.
On the move walking average: 2.4 m.p.h.
Overall walk average: 1.7 m.p.h.
Temperature: 17.1 – 20.2 Celsius
Beaufort Wind Force: Max 2, a very pleasant Light breeze as we crossed Minera Mountain mid-afternoon.
Group: Martyn, Mike Sue and Michel, and Ed.
The weather forecast today was looking good, even a little warm / humid towards lunch time.
Distant views today were good, particularly towards the Berwyns and Clwydian Hills.
We missed one of the paths that we wanted and ended up seeing more extensive views of the Minera Quarry than we expected. Lunch was taken by the trig point on Esclusham Mountain.
Later on, we followed a path that took us a little further south from Fron-deg than we wanted. Thankfully we managed to get down to a minor road that linked with our route.
The final part of the walk allowed us to explore another path that led towards The Nant, and it was on this section that we encountered stiles for the first time, but at least it meant we avoided walking down one of the busier roads back to the Minera Lead Mine Centre.
Overall, an enjoyable walk, glad to take off our boots and sit in the car in the shade.
Birds seen or heard today: Carrion crow, Jackdaw, Raven, House sparrow, Dunnock,
European robin, Common blackbird, Common chaffinch, Chiffchaff, Winter wren, Common whitethroat, Woodpigeon, Willow warbler, Meadow pipit, Skylark, Barn swallow, Common pheasant, Red grouse and Cuckoo,
After walk drinks were enjoyed at the Pant yr Ochain where Purple Moose’s Cwrw Eryri went down well us for most of us and the alcohol free Fentiman’s Ginger Beer was enjoyed by the driver. We even sat outside, still in the Sun.

The Eglwyseg Escarpments and Trevor Rocks 5th June 2024.

On the cliff edge path above Trevor Rocks.

Walking on the cliff edge path above Trevor Rocks.

On the cliff edge path above Trevor Rocks.

The Llantysilio Mountains on the skyline.

On the path to World's End.

One of the Red kites seen from our lunc spot.

Relaxing after lunch.

Crossing the moor near Craig Arthur.

Waiting until we have passed them by.

An alien?

Looking back towards World's End.

The Eglwyseg Escarpments and the Offa's Dyke Path below.

Another Red kite comes into view.

This one was harassed by small birds.

In a world of his own!

Another view with the Llantysilio Mountains on the skyline.

One of the Oak eggar moth caterpillars seen today.

Dinas an from Trevor Rocks near the Eglwyseg Plantation

Walk Stats:
Distance: 9.4 miles. Climb: 1775’
Time: 5 hours 27 minutes.
On the move walking average: 2.2 m.p.h.
Overall walk average: 1.7 m.p.h.
Temperature: 10.2 Celsius for most of the walk. 16.7 Celsius at lunch in the sun and sheltered from the worst of the cooling wind.
Beaufort Wind Force: Max 3, a 11.2 m.p.h. Gentle breeze although it felt more like a Beaufort Wind Force 4/5, a Moderate to Fresh breeze.
Group: Martyn, Sue and Michel, Fran, Nigel and Ed.
The weather forecast today was looking good, with only a small chance of a shower around lunchtime. However, it did suggest a cooling north westerly wind gusting to about 17 m.p.h.
Today they were pretty accurate and we all wore our fleeces for most or all of the walk.
This walk always gives good views in all directions with the Berwyns, Llantysilio Mountains clearly seen.
Lunch was taken towards World’s End, where we sheltered rom the worst of the wind small valley next to the Offa’s Dyke Path.
It was at our lunch spot that we had our first view of Red kites, at one point there was three in the sky above us.
After lunch, the wind strength seemed to increase and we opted to take a path away from the escarpment edge. This allowed us to explore a path leading out of one of the valleys, an escape route that led us to the path we used on the outward journey. It wasn’t long before we found a link path to take us back to our original planned route and the path leading to the Eglwyseg Plantation and the path above Trevor Rocks that overlooked Dinas Bran.
All that was left was the tedious walk up the road back to the cars. However today it didn’t seemed as bad as usual , that alone was worth celebrating at The Sun at Trevor.
Birds seen or heard today: Carrion crow, Jackdaw, European robin, Common blackbird, Common chaffinch, Chiffchaff, Winter wren, Common whitethroat, Woodpigeon, Willow warbler, Stonechat, Common kestrel, Common pheasant, Grouse (very black looking, so possibly a Black grouse, Meadow pipit, Skylark, Red kite and a Whinchat (identified by Merlin).
As ever this was an enjoyable walk, enhanced by seeing the Red kites.
After walk drinks were enjoyed at the Sun at Trevor, where Black Sheep Bitter and Salopian’s Oracle went down well as did the tea and fruit cider!

Acrefair, A Hidden Tunnel and More 25th May 2024 May 2024.

The start of our walk today.

The path leading to the hidden tunnel.

The start of the hidden tunnel.

Looking back into the hidden tunnel.

The entrance to the hidden tunnel with he railway embankment above.

Part of the track leading nor7th from the hidden tunnel.

One of the derelict building next to the track.

At a crossroads checking the route.

The through the Tref-y-nant wood leading to Tower Hill.

One of the fields of buttercups.

The King William 11 Tower (Trevor Tower) near Garth.

The delightful path descending through Tower Wood to Garth.

Horses grazing in fields of buttercups near Garth.

Another tunnel through the railway embankment.

The Pont-Cysyllte Marina.

The female Mandarin with er brood.

Red valarian on the roadside on the way to Newbridge.

Mallard ducklings not like the attention of the male Mallards nearby.

Mandarin ducklings going for a swim.

A blue dragonfly not yet identified.

Heading acoss the Pont-Cysyllte Aqueduct for the second time.

Canoeing across the aqueduct.

A good day for fishing in the River Dee!

A part of the Llangollen can seen by me for the first time.

More of the Llangollen Canal system seen by me for the first time as I approached a birding experience I don't want to be repeated.

Walk Stats:
Distance: 9.3 miles. Climb: 876’
Time: 5 hours 21 minutes.
On the move walking average: 2.5 m.p.h.
Overall walk average: 1.7 m.p.h.
Temperature: 17.1 Celsius at the start. 22.1 Celsius at lunch. 19.1 Celsius at the end of the walk.
Beaufort Wind Force: Max 3, just Light breeze now and as much as an 8 m.p.h. Gentle breeze as we crossed the Pont-Cysyllte aqueduct.
Group: Martyn and Ed.
The weather forecast today was pretty good, not much sunshine, but with only a chance of rain around mid-day.
In fact, the weather was better than expected and we had warm sunshine for most of the day. Although we had forgotten our Factor 50, we did remember to bring our sunhats and whenever possible we took advantage of the shade provided by trees and high hedges.
The main objective was to explore the “secret tunnel” that we had read about that could be accessed by a path on the west side of the Duke of Wellington at Acrefair.
The purpose of the tunnel itself seemed to be to allow a path to continue over a stream under the embankment of the railway line above. A little underwhelming, but well worth seeing.
After the tunnel, we explored the area to the north west of Acrefair, initially along a wooded track that was quite pleasant, despite it being quite muddy.
The most interesting part of the was visiting Trevor Tower. The current owner informed us that it was built by G.H Walley, possibly as a folly or as a Hunting Lodge. G.H Walley was Welshman and also an M.P for Peterborough. It was built in1827 and originally named King William II Tower. G.H Walley died there in 1878.
The fields of buttercups also stood out on this walk in the Garth area as ell as the smell of garlic whenever we went near woodland.
Lunch was taken at the very popular Pont-Cysyllte where we took advantage of one of the many picnic tables. We chose one in the shade. This is the starting point for many people hiring narrow boats or going on day trips along the Llangollen Canal, so there were lots to entertain us as we d lunch, especially if you liked to indulge in a bit of people watching.
The plan in the afternoon was return to Acrefair via the canal, Newbridge, Ty Mawr Country Park and Cefn-mawr.
Alas our plans were to be thwarted, the road at Newbridge was closed and that included pedestrians as well as cars. We had no other choice and ended up having to retrace our steps back to our lunch spot and take a more direct route back to Acrefair. However, it did allow us to explore a short section of the Llangollen Canal system north east of our lunch spot that I hadn’t explored previously.
Alas it was on this section that I was attacked by an unknown bird, a very large bird judging by the amount that decided to deposit on me as I walked next to a tree. Thankfully I had a complete change of gear back at the car. I was very grateful that none of the deposit went in my hair despite it getting on my arm, on my shirt an in my trouser pock and on my GPS and its case. One of my handkerchiefs didn’t come clean even after washing!
It took me nearly half an hour cleaning myself up before I dared sit in Ed’s car or go into the Pant yr Ochain for a refreshing pint of Purple Moose’s Cwrw Eryri (Snowdonia Ale) and Titanic’s Plum Porter.
Overall, an enjoyable walk despite the fact that we had to a there and back after lunch.
Birds seen or heard today: Carrion crow, Jackdaw, Black billed magpie, European robin, Common blackbird, Common chaffinch, Chiffchaff, Winter wren, Woodpigeon, Goldfinch, Common starling, House sparrow, Common pheasant, Greenfinch, Mallard and Mandarin.