Chirk, Chirk Castle, Offa's Dyke and Two Canal Tunnels 12th November 2022

The King George VI Oak (1937) in Chirk.

The start of our wak along the towpath.

Trevor Rocks peping through.

Chirk Castle from the road (Offa's Dyke Path) near Tyn-y-groes.

Chirk Castle from the south west.

A magnificent tree in Autumnal colours.

Fungi on the tree trunk that I was sitting on at lunch.

The Afon Ceiriog from the Battle of Crogon Bridge,

Lots of work going on the higher path through Pentre Wood folowing sections of the riverside path being washed away!

Crossing the main line to Shrewsbury.

Waiting to cross the aquaduct to the second tunnel of the day.

Walk stats: Distance: 10.2 miles. Climb:1100'.

Time: 4 hours 54 minutes. On the move walking average: 2.5 m.p.h. Overall walk aerage: 2.0 m.ph.

Temperature: Max - 18.2 Celsius. Minimum - 14.2 Celsius (around this for most of the walk),

Beaufort Wind Force:  0 - 2.  At most it reached no more than a light breeze,

We arrived at the main car park at Chirk at about 09-40, disappoited to find that the PC block wasn't yet opean. (it was when we got back to the car atabout 14-45).

This was a walk that we have done several times before, so as a change we decided to complete it in the anticlockwise direction, and in addition allowing Ed to adapt the route occasionally!  Was this a good idea, or would I regret it!

autumnal colur were evearywhere, no more so as when we started along the towpath heading westward towards Llangollen.

When we had our first views of Chirk Casle, we had the option of following the offa;s Dyke Path and the taking a a NT path leading to Chirk Castle.

As usual, we took advantge of well placed felled tree trunks as our lunch spot.

The mornng was wax a stile free walk.

After lunch the path we wanted to use had a notice saying that it was closed until 1st April. Good to note for future planning of walks in this area.

After crossing the Crogan Bridge, Ed was in his element as I gave him to lead the wa\y , sometmes on paths not of my choosing!

thankfully all went wel, and we arrived back on the Shropashire Union ? Llangollen spur heading back to Chirk.

I also had the opportinuity to uase muy head torch as we went through the3 final and lngest tunnel of the day.

Birds seen or heard today icluded: Mallard, Moorhen, Balck headed gull, Woodpigepn, Black billed magpie, Carrion crow, Rook, Jackdaw, Common blackbird, House sparrow,Pied wagtail, Long tailed tit, Great tit and Common buzzard.

Overall a great walk, clebrate with a pint of Titanic Brewery's Plum Porter at the Pant-yr-Ochain, Gresford.

Chirk, Church Bank, Bramble Wood, Ddol and Chirk Green 1st June 2022

"We're not even wild, but we still like a swim in the Llangollen Canal."

"Let's go for a swim."

A step too many - uncut!

Stepping out after lunch.

Red kite above.

Red kite above.

Lapwing below.

Flowers on the roadside

Time for a rest.

Foggy (DS) says "we'll get in and Compo (EM) you can push."

Walk stats: 6.8 miles. Climb: 719',

Time: 4 hours 3 minutes. On the move walking average: 2.2 m.p.h. Overall walk average: 1.7 m.p.h.

Group: Martyn, Ed, Mike, Nigel and David S. (Sue and Michel joined us at the Pant yr Ochain.Temperature: Max 21.2 Celsius. 18.2 Celsius at Lunch.

Beaufort Wind Force: 0 Calm.

This was the 10 year anniversary of David S walking with the group, and this was the walk he chose for the occasion, along with a celebration drink at the Pant yr Ochain after the walk.

Fortified fruit cake was provided for the walk, although some chose to eat it before we set off.

The weather was kind to us, with none of the wet stuff, no wind and plenty of warm sunshine.

Quite a varied walk, with a few too many wobbly stiles and one stie that led to zig zag steps to a road about 3 metres below.

Birds seen or head today included: Common buzzard, Common blackbird, Common pheasant, Chiffchaff, Skylark, Red kite, Woodpigeon, Common starling and Lapwing.

DS spotted a shrew, but being the one in front, he was the only one to see it before it hurried into the undergrowth.

We arrived back at the cars just before 14-00, having ha an enjoyable walk even though I can still feel the nettle stings 4 hours later.

DS bought everyone a drink at the Pant yrOchain, Most enjoyed Purple Moose's Snowdonia Ale, but Ed had Titanic's Plum Porter, and David celebrated his ten years with Harris Hikers with a glass of red wine.