Lady Bagot's Drive With Extras Wednesday 5th August 2020

Lady Bagot's Drive With Extras.

"Don't come any nearer or we will be breaking Welsh Covid Rules!"

or could it be

"Choose your weapons."

First views of Moel Famau.

A long eared variety of local residents.

Heading through Nant y Coed.

The bridge over the Afon Clywedog near Rhewl and the sighting of three Grey wagtails.

The Clwydian Hills - seen from a point unlikely to be visited ever again by Harris Hikers!

One of the many broken stiles crossed today.

Distance: 9.3 miles. Climb: 689'.

Time: 4 hours 58 minutes. On the move walkling average: 2.4 m.p.h. Overall walk average: 1.8 m.p.h.

Group: Martyn, David S and Nigel.

We set off from Ruthin Riverside car park, optimistic that we would miss all rain showers and get back before the heavier rain on the forecast to come in by about 16-00. 

We did pretty well and it was only as we approached Rhewl for the second time that two of the group decided to put on their waterproof jackets. Needless to say, the rain showerrs stopped a little later.

The planned route allowed us to explore some new to us paths and try to find one path that I had not used for more than ten years. With six problem stiles onthese sections, we now know they are paths won't be on future walks.

Having said that all awkward stiles from Llanfwrog to Lady Bagot's Drive (on our usual route) had be replaced by pristine galvanised kissing gates - a day to celebrate (which we did later at the Druids Inn at Llanferres).

The walk from Rhewl was in the opposite direction to the one way we usually go, so everything seemed comepletely different.

Lunch was taken just before descending to through Coed y Nant to Lady Bagot's Drive. We had to sit on the grass, but at least it was dry, the wind had dropped and the Sun came out. We didn't have a great lunch time view, but we were entertained bt House martins, Goldfinch and several butterflies flitting by (mainly Small /Large Whites).

Birds seen or herard today included: House sparrow, House martin, Grey heron, Goldfinch, Barn swallow, Common blackbird, Wood nuthatch and thestar bird of the day - Grey wagtail.

In the early part of the walk and in the latter stages of the walk,  we did get good views of Moel Famau and the Clwydian Hills.

We arrived back at the cars just as it started to rain quite heavily. An enjoyable walk, complete with legs still tingling from Nettle stings,  but thankfullly the rain had stopped just as we arrived at the Druids Inn at Llanferres where we were able to enjoy a superb pint of Purple Moose;s Snowdonia Ale.

St. Cwyfan's Trail and More 18th September 2019

Not the easiest style to negotiate, but in the end we had to negotiate it in both directions.

Trying to catch up!

Looking towards the North Wales Coast across the Vale of Clwyd.

An unexpected notice, only seen after crossing the footbridge.

"How do you get over this "style"?"

This is how you do it. Commentary by Wendy.

A friendly Alpaca.

"Wait for me"
An Alpaca that still wants to be friendly!

Moel y Parc and Penycodiau.

The Clwydian Hills.

How great it would be if all landowners marked out footpaths through their gardens in this way.

Inside St.Cwfan's Church.

The grave of a man that lived in three centuries, just outside the door to St. Cwyfan's Church, Llangwyfan.

An as yet unidentified butterfly in a field south west of Llangwyfan.

Probably a painted lady.

Can you spot the difference between these three photos of the Painted lady?

The site of the earliest Methodist church in the area in a field south west of Llangwyfan.

Is this the rare Black poplar mentioned in the walk description?

Walk stats: Distance: 8.7 miles. Climb: 624'.

Time: 5 hours 2 minutes. On the move walking average: 2.3 m.p.h. Overall walk average: 1.7 m.p.h.

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

A good day weather wise, well at least it was dry and sunny and later in the day a pleasantly cooling wind released us from the humidity earlier on.

 The walk today was to present us with several unexpected challenges, most of them involving styles. These awkward stiles often needed us to help each other to cross as steps were loose and wobbly or gates had to be braced as we crossed them. Good for team building - better than undergoing an SAS training event!

 The first no style problem faced us as we entered a field of maize, we should have gone straight across, but this wasn't an option, going round the edge also proved diffiicult and we ended up crossing a partially blocked (due to a fallen tree - there for at least two years) twice.

 We managed to get back on track by following a forest track that led us to the road. This isn't an official route but today we got away with it as the property we had to go past was really a building site.

 We were soon back on route as we went down the lane passed Pentre Mawr, holding our noses on the way when we couldn't avoid passing a long dead juvenile Badger.

 Further challenges involved Mike having to display his skills with a secateur on the path near Glan Clwyd Ganol.

 However the worst challenge were as we were getting around Glan Clwyd, attempts were made to stop us using this way through, but didn't offer any alternative way through.

 The next challenge, at least for some, was going through a field with three Alpacas. One of these was particularly friendly, getting quite up close at times, but didn't show any signs of wanting to spit at us.

 After escaping from the Alpaca field, we ended heading owards for the Clwydian Hills on paths that were new to all of us. 

 The path through Dre-goch's garden was well directed, including the steps leading to the road, as was the path through the grounds of Finger Cottage.

 Lunch was take along the track south east of Berth Farm where we sat by he track with good views over the Vale of Clwyd.

 On this occasion we went inside St. Cwfyan's Church, a bonus as the was the last time we went passed, it was under restoration.

 Birds heard or seen today included: Goldfinch, Woodpigeon, European robin, Rook, Carrion crow, Common pheasant and Common buzzard. 

Despite the problems encountered it had been a walk enjoyed by all, capped by refreshments at the Dinorben Arms at Bodfari. Purrpe Moose's Snowdonia Ale was on offer - I think John as been talking to Emma! Other brews were enjoyed too.

St. Dyfnog's Well and Llwyn Wood from Brookhouse 15th May 2019

What a nice footbridge, but not one for public use.

The Afon Ystrad East of Brookhouse, Denbigh.

Two Greylag geese trying to hide.

Walking on t6he Afon Clywedog embankmant.

Following our leader.

I didn't think we were so popular with the bovine community.

Heading to the fingert post hrough a crop, but are we in a straight line?

Ann Parry's gravestone with the inscription in Welsh that translates as "God kept His word". 

Just before she died God promised her that her body would remain as incorruptible as her soul. 43 years when her son was to be buried in the same grave her coffin fell open to reveal that her body was perfectly preserved, hence the reason for the inscription on the gravestone.

St. Dyfnog's Well at Llanrhaeadr.

Locals on their patch - Blue face  / Taxal cross?

Early purple orchid in Llwyn Wood.

Buttercups and Daises as we approach Ystrad Farm.

The Clwydian Hills on the horizon.

Not far to go now, two fields and we are back to the start at Brookhouse.

Walk stats: Distance: 7.5 miles. Climb: 572'.

Time: 4 hours 55 minutes. On the move walking average: 2.2 m.p.h. Overall walk average: 1.5 m.p.h.

Group: Martyn,Roger, Sue and Michel, Fran and David S.

This was a glorious day for walking, dry, blue skies all day, pleasantly warm and very occasionally a cooling breeze.

 This wasn't a particularly challenging walk, although we had to cross several fields of lunch grass, cross through the middle of a crop, friendly cows and a route description that took us to a gap in a wall through which padlocked gate not barred our way.

 That taken into account this was a very enjoyable walk. Plenty of flowers to see including Bluebells and Early purple orchids and even a family of Greylag geese on the Afon Clywedog.

 When we arrived at the church at Llanrhaeadr, the church was open, and we were invited to see the famous "Jesse window and the grave of Ann Parry, the history of which was enthusiastically described to us.

 Lunch wa taken in the woodland between Llanrhaeadr church and Dyfnog's Well. The Pelissier's indulged us by proving everyone with a piece of a French a very rich buttery , high calorie bakers delight. No-one resisted the temptation to enjoy the offer - Brexit didn't come in to the consideration!

 A mile or so into the walk, a realise that I was carrying a dead platypus in my rucksack as my back was wetter that I would expect through sweat!

 i surprise of the day and delight too, was to see so many flowers, including Bluebells and Early purple orchids. Other flowers included: Buttercup, Daises, Stitchwort, Field forget me nots, dandelions, Herb robert, Common dog violet and Himalayan balsam,

 Birds seen or heard today icluded: house sparrow, Pied wagtail.Barn swallow, Mallard, House martin, Pied wagtail, Chiffchaff, rook, Carrion crow, Eurasian curlew an  Greylag goose.

 Butterflies were about as well, including Orange tip and Small white.

 In warm weather we don't that quick, so it was decided unanimously not to extend the walk to visist Denbigh Castle, and instead head back to the cars and onto liqiod refreshement at the Dinorben Arms , where Snowonia Ale ad Brunning and Price's own brew went down well.

 An enjoyable walk ending with realtive clean boots, nless you happened to step onto the presents that sheep leave behind ( still preperable to what ant dog leaves behind)!

Coed Ceunant and the River Clwyd 29th August 2018

Inside St Peter's Church (New), Llanbedr Dyffryn Clwyd.

Part of the 14th Century gravestone (now situated inside  St Peter's Church (New).

 St Peter's Church (New).

Old St Peter's Church.

Pond on the East side of Coed Ceunant.

Coed Ceunant and the Vale of Clwyd beyond.

Looking over the sheep to the Vale of Clwyd - are they admiring the view too?.

The old mill South west of Ash, leading to the River Clwyd.

the view from my lunch spot, sitting on a fallen tree trunk.

Our lunch spot by the River Clwyd.

Looking across the River Clwyd towards the Clwydian Hills, from a point North of Ruthin Weir. 

Walk stats: Distance: 8.3 miles. Climb: 702'.

Time: 4 hours 17 minutes. On the Move walking average: 2.4 m.p.h. Overall walk average: 2.o m.p.h.

Group: Martyn and Wendy.

As we set off from Chester it was raining, and the forecast for Ruthin had changed, suggesting that it would be late morning before it would pass. Thankfully it stopped just as we turned into the Riverside Car park at Ruthin, The rest of the day was dry. No sunshine until lunchtime and a cool wind, perfect conditions for walking.

 We set off from the car park, and deviated slightly from the described route, and ended up exploring parts of Ruthin that I hadn't seen before, finding a Chatwins shop (locations always worth noting!).

 The next part of our route was round the back of Ruthin School, but major building work was going on, and we were unable to access the diversion marked, and ended up retracing our steps and following the main road as far as   St Peter's Church (New) at Llanbedre Dyffryn Clwyd.

 As Wendy hadn't seen the well known 14th Century gravestone associated with St. Peter's Church, we decided to seek it out. Thankfully the church was open as it had been relocated from the entrance to inside the church. It always lifts my spirits when I find a church open all day, every day of the week o welcome everyone.

 As we crossed the lower slopes of the Clwydian Hills, the tops of the hills cleared and the views in all directions got better and better, I fellow out with the local sheep, I took a tumble after stepping on sheep droppings. Not much damage done, except for a bruised arm and hip and very muddy SEAT TO MY SHORTS (thankfully I had a change of clothes back at the car).

 Lunch was eventually taken by the River  Clwyd, East of Plas-y-Ward farm. It was a bonus to find a couple of fallen tree trunks n which we could sit while we had lunch. Even better we were now blessed to be in the warm sunshine. Even better, as we had lunch, Wendy got a message from Ian, saying that he was safely at home recovering, after spending an hour and a half at the dentist!

 After lunch we only had a gentle stroll along the river bank to Ruthin, arriving at the car park just after 14-00.

 Birds seen or heard today included: House sparrow, Common blackbird, Winter wren, Jackdaw, Rook, Carrion crow, Common buzzard, Black-headed gull, Woodpigeon, Common pheasant and Grey wagtail.

  After walk drinks were enjoyed at The Druids Inn at Llanferers. Luckily we arrived there 15 minutes before it closed at 15-00.

 Overall a very enjoyable walk, despite the detour along the Mold Road to Llanbedre Dyffryn Clwyd.