Cwm Blaenant and Around Foel Fenlli for Some September 2024

 

The easy start, downhill to Cwm Blaenant.

Heads up around Cwm Blaenant.

On the dark side of Cwm Blaenant!

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View  of Bryn Alyn an Moel Findeg from our lunch spot.

The path heading for Foel Fenlli.

Still heading for Foel Fenlli.

The path following the ramparts.

"I'm glad I didn't go that way!"

Part of the path along the ramparts on Foel Fenlli.

On the path along the ramparts on Foel Fenlli.

The final descent to the car park at Bwlch Penbarra.

Moel Famau from the path around the ramparts of Foel Fenlli

Walk stats: 6.5 miles. Climb: 1578.

Time: 4 hours 30 minutes. On the move walking average: 2.1 m.p.h. Overall Walk average: 1.4 m.p.h.
Temperature: 12.5 Celsius to 16.8 Celsius.
Beaufort Wind Force: Mainly 0-3. Mainly Calm, but did rise to an 8.2 m.p.h. Gentle breeze as we contoured around Foel Fenlli.
Group: Martyn, Sue and Michel, Nigel and Fran.
We were hopeful that we would complete the walk before the rain came in. At least the wind forecast indicated that using an umbrella would be feasible.
The temperature was forecast to be around 12 Celsius all day. But it was better than that, and at lunch tie in brief sunshine, it nearly hit 17 Celsius.
This was a walk that last year was finished in gale force condition, so today we were optimistic that it would be a better experience today,
We stared from the Bwlch Penbarra car park (now pay and display at £5-00), and started down the road towards Ruthin. The surprise of the day was seeing several Reed buntings around the bracken on the roadside.
It turned out to be a good, pleasant day for walking, although distant views were still in cloud or mist. How ever, we didn’t miss out on views of Moel Famau as we descended from Foel Fenlii to Bwlch Penbarra.
Surprising this is a bit of a roller coaster of a walk, with several downs, ups and even more downs.
Lunch was taken along the Offa’s Dyke Footpath, west of Moel-eithiinenen Farm, which we could see below us.

Fran's Bead cke and Martyn's frit gave us the extra nergy needed to climb the "stee3 path to the arm parts on Foel Fenlli.
The stiffest climb of the day was the climb from Bwlch Crug-glas to up to the ramparts of Foel Fenlli.
Nigel was keen to climb to the centre of Foel Fenlli, but without MD, he was looking for someone to join him. Surprisingly Michel opted to be that person!
Three of us took the easier option of taking the path that followed the rim of the ramparts, giving us good views across the Vale of Clwyd.
Birds seen or heard included: Woodpigeon, House sparrow, Common buzzard, Common kestrel, Black billed magpie, Carrion crow, Jackdaw, Raven, House martin, Meadow pipit, Winter wren, Jackdaw, European wren, Mistle thrush, European robin, Coal tit and Reed bunting.
Overall, an enjoyable walk, although no-one opted to take up the option of an extension that could have included Moel Famau.
After walk drinks were enjoyed at the Glasfryn in Mold, when the Purple Moose’s, Snowdonia Ale went down well with most of us. The real fire was burning well, very welcome as it did feel quite cool outside when we arrive.

Deboroh’s Well, Moel Findeg and Around Big Covert 4th September 2024

The Memorial Stone marking site of Deborah's Well.

Heading north along the woodland edge path from Cadole

The way ahead - the first climb of the day.

Today's best view of Moel Famau

Distant view of Padeswood's Cement Works.

The start of the climb up Moel Findeg.

Getting to the top of Moel Findeg.

Distant hazy views of the Cheshire Plain from the top of Moel Findeg.

The best path from Moel Findeg to Maeshafn.

A Rabbit's view of Moel Famau.

The Rowan berries are looking good.

Even without Fran nagging us for lunch, this was the time of our lunch today.

Today's Maeshafn lunch spot.

"Oh No, not more bracken."

The delightful forest track through Big Covrt.

A sign that we hadn't noticed before today.

We obviously don't look back often enough!

More of the  delightful path through Big Covert.

Ed cleaning his boots as directed.

A fallen tree across the path leading to the Colomendy Outdoor Activities Centre.

The path leading to the Colomendy Outdoor Activities Centre.

Walk stats: 7.9 miles. Climb: 1189’.
Time: 4 hours 30 minutes. On the move walking average: 2.3 m.p.h. Overall Walk average: 1.8 m.p.h.
Temperature: 16.8 Celsius to 18.2 Celsius.
Beaufort Wind Force: Mainly 0 - 1. Calm to light air
Group: Martyn, Nigel and Ed.
A good day for walking, despite the forecast shower just at 13-50 requiring the use of waterproof jackets or umbrella.
Distant views were pretty good towards the Clwydian Hills, although somewhat hazy towards Beeston.
We all arrived at the start quite early, so we were on our way before ten, and in danger of arriving at our preferred lunch spot at the play area at Maeshafn.
We did arrive early, but still decided to have lunch as there were plenty of picnic benches to chose from and a covered shelter if the threatened rain came in early.
We did get a rain shower that lasted about 20 minutes, but the worst of it came as we were in Big Wood sheltered by the trees.
Birds seen or heard today were but included: Woodpigeon, House sparrow, Common buzzard, Black billed magpie Carrion crow, Rook, Wood nuthatch, Common chaffinch, European robin and Common blackbird.
Another good walk, and for me a bonus as when I arrived home, it was still dry and I could clean my boots outside.
The only problem was where should we go for after walk drinks. Ed didn’t look too thrilled when the Glasfryn was suggested, but perked up when I suggested the Golden Cape in Mold. This was a bonus for Ed as it was a Wetherspoon hostelry in North Wales that he hadn’t visited before. Nigel enjoyed Wakahari, a brew from the Purple Moose Brewery and Ed had a shandy made up with Abbott Ale. I Had a cup of tea followed by a coffee as we were forced to shelter there for an extra half an hour until the rain stopped and we could return to the cars without getting wet!

Another Moel Famau Walk from Bwlch Penbarra 14th August 2024

 

Our first view of Moel Famau from the forest track in Coed Moel Famau.

Waiting on the forest track in Coed Moel Famau.

Ed starts on his chosen path.

The path is still there somewhere!

The path is getting better!

Feeding time on a Hawkweed.

Are they really cows down there?

Not sure, but they look like Belted Galloways to me.

Ed made it to the top via his chosen path.

I made too.

"What are you thinking Mike?"

At the top of the Jubilee Tower on Moel Famau.

Raven at close quarters.

The Rave looks as though it has caught an insect for lunch.

The final close up picture of our friendly Raven.

The view from my lunch spot.

This Distant view from our lunch spot was rather hazy.

Another view from our lunch spot.

The way back to Bwlch Penbarra.

Good to see this close to the top of Moel Famau, although you hope it will never need to be used.

The Offa's Dyke Path back to Bwlch Penbarra.

A beetle makes a run for cover.

Ed's photo from their afternoon extension.

Ed's second photo from their afternoon extension.
Distance: 6.0 miles. Climb: 1371’
Time: 4 hours 0 minutes.
On the move walking average: 2.3 m.p.h.
Overall walk average: 1.5 m.p.h.
Temperature: 17.4 Celsius to 19.2 Celsius.
Beaufort Wind Force: 0 – 2. Mainly calm, but it gusted to a very occasionally a very pleasant Light breeze.
Group: Martyn, Mike and Ed as far as Moel Famau and lunch. After Lunch Mike and Ed did a 2.0-mile extension and an extra 500’ of climb.
They only took an extra 35 minutes to complete the extension. I don’t think they stopped to take any photos or chat to any happy bushes!
The forecast for today was really good, dry and at 17 Celsius didn’t look like it being too hot for walking.
At times it did seem a little warmer than that and more of a breeze would have been very welcome.
The walk today was devised so that Ed could explore a way up Moel Famau from the east that he hadn’t done before. The initial climb was very steep, eroded and at an awkward angle that I found quite difficult. It was much more overgrown with bracken and occasional brambles encroaching across the path.
Eventually we all made it to the top of Moel Famau to find it very busy with lots of people have lunch and some even sunbathing. This was a very rare visit to Moel Famau summit – very little or no wind!
We did find a good spot for lunch on the northern side of the tower. I sat in the shade while the others still wanted to improve their tan!
Fortified fruit cake was provided as one member of the group has a birthday later in the week.
Near views today were pretty good, but distance views were rather hazy.
While having lunch we were entertained by tumbling Raven, one even came within a couple of feet of us. It flew off, so obviously didn’t fancy what we having for lunch.
Birds seen or heard today: European robin, Common buzzard, Carrion crow and Raven.
I arrived back at the car before the rest of the group, and had a very pleasant half an hour sitting in the car waiting for them to arrive.
Overall, an enjoyable walk, if you ignore that initial steep climb at the start of the eastern approach to Moel Famau.
After walk drinks were enjoyed sitting outside at Rake Hall, where Mike enjoyed the Brimstage Brewery’s Trappers Hat. The tea wasn’t bad either!