Llandrillo, Pont Rhyd-yr-Hydd and More 24th September 2022

 Looking south westward towards Llandrillo.

At Pont Rhyd-yr-Hydd.

A Rabbit close to the path - probably not well as it didn't run off.

A rarity - Mike trying to catch us up!

The Berwyn Hills from the highest point on our route.

The new signpostat the highest point on our route, but it doesn't tell us wich way to go towards Cynwyd. 

The Arenigs from the Tegig Way near our lunch spot.

Lunch by the Nant y Cwm.

Arenig Fawr on the skyline as seen from my lunch spot.

Red kites flying around close to the Tegid Way after lunch.

One of the three Red kites that came quite close to us today.

Walk stats: 

Distance: 10.3 miles. Climb: 1470'.

Time: 5 hours 11 minutes. On the move walking average: 2.5 m.p.h. Overall walk average: 2.0 m.p.h.

Tempewrature: 12.2 Celsius as we approached Pont Rhyd-yr-Hydd at about 11-00. 15.8 Celsius at lunch sitting in the Sun.

Beaufort Wind Force: 0 - 2. Mainly calm with no wind at all, occasionally reaching to ligh air and occasionaly gusting to a light 7.1 m.p.h. breeze.

Group: Martyn, Mike and Ed.

As we set off we had light rain, but it wasn't long before the umbrellas were down and waterproof jackets were banished to the rucksacks.

Unfortunately this route is one that is used by off road motor bikes and today was no exception. Thankfully they passed us as we had our first stop to remove our waterproof jackets.

On the outward journey we could see the grassy rooling tops of the Berwyns and later on we had good views of the Arengs.

Birds seen or heard stoday included: Wood nuthatch, Meadow pipit, Carrion crow, Raven, Rook, Black billed magpie, Woodpigeon, European robin, Common buzzard, Common pheasant and Red kite.

After lunch, we were treated the three Red kite and two Common buzzards circling high in the sky in front of us, but the Red kdites did better, as they at one point flew quite low over our heads - but still too quick for me to get a good photo,

Once again, we found it difficult finding the path through the caravan park, but with the aid of GPS Mapping we eventually made it through past the farms to the fields leading to Llandrillo.

Overall, we probably had more sunny spells than were on the weather forecast and the rain forecast for later in the afternoon didn't materialise.

Overall a very enjoyable walk, all that was needed was some suitable hostelry nearby for some liquid refreshment.  he Inn at Llandrilloe hadn't opened, so we ended up at the Blue Lion at Cynwyd where Facer's Spendid was the only real ale on offer.  Alll was vwell it tasted pretty good.

Even better Swan's Farm Shop at Treuddyn was still open and I was able to replensh my stocks of bacan and suasage!

Cadair Berwyn from Llandrillo 31st July 2021

Looking northward towards Llandrillo.

We know our route is over there, but it doesn't look too promising.

Bog aspodel.

Crossing the moorland on the west side of Carnedd y Ci.

Just before crossing Nant Cwm Tywell near the sheepdip.

A fingerpost points the wayup Foel Fawr and Cadair Berwyn.

Nigel at the trig point on Caair Berwyn.

At Cadair Berwyn trig point.

Crossing the Cadair Beryn ridge on the way to Bwlch Maen Gwynedd.

Lunch time at the top of BwlchMaen Gwynedd.

Distant views from the path near Moel Pearce on our descent.

Druids at the Bronze Age cairn circle on Moel Ty-uchaf?

No,  an elderly couple and in the centre a couple of teenagers that were enjoying the view and something else that we could smell as we went past them.

Distance: 10.4 miles. Climb: 2480' on one GPS and 2078' on the second GPS.

Time: 7 hours 0 minutes. On the move walking average: 2.0 m.p.h. Overall walk average: 1.5 m.p.h.

Max temperature on the way up: 25.2 Celsius. Lowest temperature: 13.2 Celsius o Cadair Berwyn.

Beaufort Wind Force: 0 - 3. Mainly calm/light air/light breeze and gentle breeze at Bwlch Maen Gwynedd.

Group: Martyn and Nigel.

The forecast for today wasn't good, but we were optimistic that the mist/fog/low cloud would lift by the time we got there. it almost did, we didn't get really good views from the Berwyn Ridge, although we did get that magical moment when the cloud /mist lifted and we had a good view south down Cwm Bwlch Maen Gwynnedd.

Our main challenge toay was crossing streams, the Chlochnant, an unnamed stram and Nant Cwm Tywell, but it was the first one that gifted us wet feet for the rest of the day.

The only rain we had, lasted for about half an hour when I had to resort to using my umbrella.

Surprisingly we did see more people on the moors than we expected, a farmer checking his sheep and a group of four walkers on the summit ridge and a lone walker out with his dog.

Conditions were such that we didn't stop for lunch until 14-00, when we dropped down on the south side of Bwlch Maen Gwynedd to get out of the cool wind.

It was while we had lunch that we had some superb views of Red kites, briefly being able to look down on them.

Not many birds seen or heard today but those we did included: Red kite, Common buzzard, Wood nuthatch, Goldfinch and Meadow pipit.

The path we used in descent from Bwlch Maen Gwynedd contouredaround the west of Cadair Bronwen and Moel Pearce, before visiting the Bronze Age cairn curcle on Moel Ty-uchaf.

We arrived back at the car, knowing we had had a good walk lasting exactly 7 hours and with feet still wet.  This didn't bother us, and at least Nigel could put a tick next to Cadair Berwyn on his list of hills/mountains done!

Chirk, Chirk Castle and Two Tunnels 7th July 2021

Fran's photo showing Wendy and David about to emerge from Chirk Tunnel.

Emerging from the first of the tunnels on the south west side of Chirk.

Narrow boats queuing up to get through the tunnel on the way to Llangollen.

The Ceiriog Vaalley loking towards Llangollen, taken from the aquaduct through the arches of the viaduct.

Taken from the same spot, but Fran's photo is looking in the opposiite direction.

Heading down to the Ceiriog Valley.

Good views of Chirk Castle.

Ponies that totally ignored us, obviously happy to be in the shade of the trees.

Sorry no more photos, my camera must have gone to sleep after lunch!

At our Chirk Castle Grounds lunch spot.

Distance: 10.9 miles. Climb: 1060'.

Time: 5 hours 47 minutes. On the move walking average: 2.2 m.p.h. Overall walk average: 1.9 m.p.h.
Beaufort Wind Force: 0 - 1.Calm to light air.
Temperature: Max: 24.2 Celsius.
Group: Martyn, David S., Mike, Fran and Wendy.

The weather today was probably better than the forecast suggested, we only had a couple of real shower when my umbrella came out and we certaily had more sunshine than we expected.

In the past we have only walked through one of the Chirk Canal Tunnels, but today I decided that we would go through both of them. Not everyone's cup of tea, especially when you forget to gt your head torch out and my GPSs didn't like the experience.

After a couple of deviations from the planned route, one enforced because of a path closure that resulted in more climbing, we eventually arrived at our lunch spot in the grounds of Chirk Castle, where strategically placed felled tree trunks provided us with suitable spaced seats for all that needed them.

The final part of the wal along the Llangollen Canal always seems much longer than we expect, but at least today we had the distraction of the heavy narrow boat traffic on the canal. We found out that every company offering narrow boats for hire were currently fully booked.

Birds seen or heard today included: Mallard, Common buzzard, Moorhen, Common blackbird, Song thrush, Jackdaw, Rook, Carion crow, Barn swallow, House martin, Goldfinch and Black billed magpie.

Overall, a good and varied walk, perhaps  little longer than some of us woud ideally like, but we all survived. 

We decided to celebrate this fact in the Hand at Chirk, but as they had no real ale, we decided to go to The Stanton House instead.  Initially as we enteted we weren't impressed, but at least tey had one beer on hand pump, we decided to stay.  After engaging with the ar person, her friendly cheerful manner, change our minds and the excellent Hydes beer that we sampled helped as well!

Y Foel from Llangollen 7th August 2019

The River Dee looking eastward from the Castle Street Bridge in Llangollen.

The view from the top of the old highway Allt y Badi.

Allt y Badi, probably the best bit!

Some time soon we will be walking over there.

Y Foel protected by blooming heather.

The northern view from the remains of Biddulph Tower.

At the remains of Biddulph Tower.

At the Y Foel trig point.

Still heather hopping, but better than on the way to Y Foel.

The view from our lunch spot, looking eastward.

Our last look at Biddulph Tower remains taken from the North Berwyn Way on the north side of the Nant y Bache valley.

Both sides of the Nant y Bache valley - we have been everywhere.

Walk stats: Distance: 8.0 miles. Climb: 1644'. Marginally a little on the high side ass it became quite breezy around Y Foel.

Time: 5 hours 2 minutes. On the move walking average: 2.2 m.p.h. Overall walk average: 1.7 m.p.h.

Group: Martyn, Wendy, Nigel, Celia and David S.

This was a good day for walking, with no rain forecast and only gentle westerly winds to help us on our way. We did get a few spots of rain early on, but no more than that.

 After crossing the River Dee at Llangollen, with its superb views down stream, our way forward was up. 

 The steady climb along the old highway "Allt y Badi", to me is a continuous slog with very view views to break the monotony.

 However when the gradient eased and Penlan farm is reached, we were rewarded with good views across the Dee valley towards the Eglwyseg Escarpments in one direction and the Cheshire gap in the other.

 Last time we were in this area, we missed out Y Foel, but today that wasn't an option as the walk title was "Y Foel".

 We headed off along the feint track bounded by heather/bracken and occasionally gorse - not Celia's terrain of choice, and once again she suffered lacerations to her leg, that were suitably patched up at lunch time.

 After reaching the remains of the Biddulph Tower, spotting a young couple (one with a young baby on his back) continuing on a feint track through the heather, we decided to follow and avoid the retracing of our route as described in the description.

 This we did, shortening the walk slightly and ended up having lunch in the same spot on the Vivod expedition in July.

 The return route was along North Berwyn Way, but we took the higher route on a good track through heather/bilberry decked moorland towards Ffynon-las Wood.

 This higher track gave us some really good views, in all directions North and North east.

 We arrived back at the car, having had a really good walk, but with ageing leg muscles, complaining feet and sore toes, very grateful that we didn't have to go any further. All that was left was to have a refreshing pint in the Ponsonby Arms next to the car park. 

 Barnsley bitter was enjoyed, but it was disappionting to request to have a full pint! How lucky Celia was to have her special lager served in a "jug", but I don't think she appreciated it!

 Unusually the toilets had a coded numbered lock, that defeated all of the first time, even one of the engineers amongst us!

 Birds see or heard today included: Common blackbird, Common buzzad, Carrion crow, Goldfinch, Wood nuthatch, Great spotted woodpecker, Sparrowhawk, Barn swallow, House sparrow and Meadow pipit.

Around Chirk, Including the Castle and Tunnels 20th March 2019

Emerging from the Chirk Bank Tunnel.

The woodland path on the Llwybr Maelor Way.

Plenty of water in the Afon .Ceiriog.

Chirk Castle on the skyline.

Limekilns on the roadside on the way to Pont Carog.

The Afon Ceiriog from the bridge with the paque commemorating the Battle of Crogen.

A young lamb seeking protection from its mother.

Lunch time is over - ptreparig to leaeave Chirk Castle.

Chirk Castle from the coach park.

Heading North west from Chirk Castle.

Abundant Primroses along the hedgerows.

Wynnstay Hall on the skyline.

A Mistle thrush in fields West of Plas-Offa.

Back on the towpath heading for Chirk.

Lesser celandine on the bank above the canal.

Emerging from the tunnel on the North side of Chirk.

Walk stats: Distance: 8.8 miles. Climb:710'.

Time: 4 hours 32 minutes. On the move walking average: 2.5 m.p.h. Overall walk average: 1.9 m.p.h.

Group: Martyn, Ed, David S. Wendy, Celia and Fran.

Overall this turned out to be a glorious day for walking, mainly blue skies and warm sunshine all day - Sunhats and shorts recommended.

 On arriving at Chirk, we found that the car park was already foll, so ended up parking on Station Road, probably the start point of choice whenever we do this walk again.

 On this occasion we started the walk along the canal heading South through the longest of the two Chirk tunnels, a good way to start this walk, reducing the overall climb of the walk a little.
 On the higher parts of the walk, distant views were good, Wynnstay Hall stood out prominently on the skyline and the ridge on the North side of the Ceiriog Valley looked superb against the largely blue sky.

 The Afon Ceirog was higher that usual , although at least one Dipper was seen.

 Lunch was taken at Chirk Castle,where conveniently placed tree trunks near the Coach Park provided suitable places to sit. Throughout lunch we were able to bask in the warm sunshine. Lunch was a little longer than usual, it was so pleasant just sitting in the warm sunshine and no-one showed any eagerness to set off. 

 There were plenty of Spring flowers along the hedgerows, requiring plenty of stops a and much debating a we attempted to identify them. Was that one Common bistort or Common broomrape or even Butterbur? It was in fact Butterbur.Other flowers seen included: Primrose, Lesser celandine, Daffodil, lesser periwinkle, Common daisy,Common dandelion, Green field speedwell and Common dog violet. Plenty of garlic smells as we went through woodland, bt still a little early for Ramsons to be in flower.
 Birds seen o heard today included: House sparrow, Blue tit, Great tit, Goldfinch, Rook, wood nuthatch, Common blackbird, Jackdaw, Canada goose, Greylag goose, Dipper, Mallard and Common buzzard.

 The last parrt of the walk was along the canal and involved going through the shorter of the two tunnels.

 Overall a very enjoyable walk, culminating in a well earned drink at the Pant-yr-Ochain at Gresford on the way home. Titanic Plum porter and Purple Moose Snowdonia Ale went down paticularly well.