Maes-Mynan and Pwll-Gwyn Woods and around Bryn Golau 22nd January 2009

What are they looking at?

It's me! The perfect lunch spot for a mutineer!
One of the stars of the day!
Richard's mast!
Yes, today's weather was really this good!

Walk stats:12.4 miles; Climb:2225'.

Time 5 hours 39 minute; On the move walking average: 2.6 m.p.h.; Overall walk average:2.2 m.p.h.

Group:Martyn, Richard, Roger, Tim, Celia, Fran and Tito, Michel and Sue, Gordon, Annie H.,, Sylvia and Dave J.

The highest number of walkers for the year. Thankfully the weather was so good! This was a wonderful walk, even if I did get it a week early! Lots of ups and downs and very little mud! The sun was wonderful the variety great, the views magnificent. The route finding was good except when our resident member decided had to be called back as he was going down the wrong path!

The lunch spot proved a problem, no suitable spot could be found at the appropriate time. we almost had mutiny amongst the ranks, but all ended well! Sue Pelissier even provided everyone with a piece of homemade short bread (Burns week), not good for the after Christmas diet, but superb to taste, an indulgence not not feel guilty about! Thanks sue.

Birds seen or heard today included: Robin, Wren, Carrion crow, Rook, Magpie, Jackdaw, Blackbird, Buzzard, Raven, Chaffinch, Blue tit, Great tit, Mallard, Coot, Little grebe, Woodpigeon, Collard dove, Nuthatch, Magpie and Starling.

After walk drinks were at the Britannia Inn, Pentre Halkyn where the Lees bitter was in excellent form.

Don't forget Thursday 5th February we are having a meal there, two courses for £5 before 6 p.m. (An offer we couldn't miss and no need to stop for lunch!)

Llyn y Parc and the Miners Trail 17th January 2009

A newt encounter, nothing to do with our alcoholic habits!

It is in fact either a Palmate Newt or a Smooth Newt?
Part of the Hafna Mine workings.
A view of the lunchtime view point. A view point with a dining facilties just at the right time. (lunch nearlt over at this time).

Walk stats: Distance: 10.8 miles' Climb:2807''.

Time5 hours 56 minutes; Moving walking average:2.5 m.p.h.; Overall walk average:1.8 m.p.h.

Group:Martyn, Richard, Roger and Dave J.

The weather today was better than expected the morning was bright an sunny and the afternoon became progressively cloudy and windy, but we only experienced a few drops of rain during the last half an hour of the walk, and even then they weren't enough to wet us! Going from the car to the Britannia Inn later was a different matter.

This was a walk of many surprises, pleasant routes through the forest to Richard spotting a newt on the footpath and an interesting ramble around the Miners Trail. Even lunch at a view point overlooking the Conwy valley was a surprise as it provided us with a picnic bench too. However the highlight of the lunch was yet another piece of Margaret's Christmas cake! The afternoon didn't live up to the morning, but the views down the Conwy valley were good and there were some good paths through the forest and along shelves along the edge of the forest.

Birds seen or heard today included:Jackdaw, carrion crow, Collared dove, Goosander, Blue tit, Long-tailed tit, Great tit, Chaffinch, Wren, Siskin, Blackbird, Herring gull and Buzzard.

Once again after walk refreshments were enjoyed at the Britannia Inn at Pentre Halkyn, with the J.W. Lees bitter being in particularly good form!

Eryrys and Moel Gyw 15th January 2009

On route to Llanarmon yn Ial from Eryrys.
On Offa' Dyke footpath contouring Moel Gyw.

Most of the group at the trig point on Moel Gyw.

Roger returning to the trig point on Moel Gyw.

Walk stats: Distance:11.8 miles;Climb:2727'.

Time:5 hours 43 minutes; On the move walking average:2.5 m.p.h.;Overall walk average:2.1 m.p.h.

Group:Martyn, Richard, Roger, Gordon, Celia, Dave J, Sue and Michel.

Fortunately Metcheck got it wrong and BBC Wales got it right! Our patch missed out on the rain and we were able to walk all day without getting wet, in fact at lunch time we we even managed to enjoy some sunshine. Views today towards Moel Famau and the Clwydians were good, but looking over Ruthin and beyond towards Snowdonia they were absent with the hills masked by cloud. Lunch was enjoyed by most of us, back at the car parking area at the Pistyll Gwyn Quarry where large blocks of limestone provided ample seats for all. These two walks are always good to do, and today was better than usual with conditions underfoot being in the main good, even the usual muddy sections weren't as bad!

Today there was little bit of wandering off the prescribed route by several members of the group wanting to seek the high tops! at one pint Celia had to be encouraged by Roger to return to the rest of the group who were waiting a few hundred yards in the opposite direction to the one in which she was heading!

Birds seen or heard today included:Wren, Chaffinch, Blue tit, Great tit, House sparrow, Dunnock, Blackbird, Carrion crow, Jackdaw, Raven, Buzzard, Great spotted woodpecker, Nuthatch, Fieldfare and Kingfisher.

After walk drinks, enjoyed by all but Richard, were taken at the Glasfryn where the real fire was welcome, especially by Michel. The beer of the day was Cwrw Eryri, a light and refreshing pint, excellent after a walk, but had to be allowed to warm up a little on this occasion to bring out its true flavours!

Birchen, Baslow and Curber Edges 10th January 2009

Looking along Birchen Edge towards Nelson's Monument and Three Ships Stones (Only two in the picture!).

Heading across Baslow Edge.

The quiet waters of the River Derwent under New Bridge.

Our last views of Baslow Edge.

Walk stats:Distance: 12.9 miles; Climb:2087'.

Time:6 hours 2 minutes; On the move walking average:2.5 m.p.h.;Overall walk average:2.1 m.p.h.

Group:Martyn, Richard, Roger, Celia and Dave J.

This walk proved to be more challenging than we expected! the weather forecast predicted that it would be cold, temperatures feeling like - 6 Celsius(yes minus 6), it felt that and I'm convinced it as even colder! Nevertheless this was a superb walk along these edges coated in hoar frost, giving a beautiful picturesque appearance that you are glad not to have missed.

These edges will be revisited, hopefully when the distant views are a little clearer.

Our lunch, sheltering in the lee of stone wall, was enhanced by a some wonderful Christmas cake made Roger's wife, Maragret, it made the cold a little more bearable!

Bird seen or heard today inncluded: Robin, Wren, Collarded dove, Magpie, Great-spotted woodpecker, Mallard, Jackdaw, Blackbird, Blue tit, Long-tailed tit, Carrion crow, Chaffinch and Moorhen.

After walk drinks were enjoyed at the Wilkes Head in Leek. A fine pint of Hartington bitter was quaffed by most, but like the day, it was a little on the cold side!

A longer than usual walk and colder than we would like, but still a good day out.

Cwm Conwy, Moel y Gaer and Around Gwysaney 7th January 2009

On the reservoir at Moel Y Gaer

Two friends on Moel Y Gaer Walking through Big Wood

Walk stats: Distance: 12.4 miles; Climb:1375'.

Time: 5 hours 33 minutes; On the move average:2.6 m.p.h.; Overall walk average:2.2 m.p.h.

Group:Martyn, Richard, Roger, Annie H., Gordon, Tim and Dave J.

What a glorious day this turned out to be, sunshine and blue skies all day and hardly any wind. Perfect for walking! It was even warm enough to sit in a short sleeved shirt without a coat to have lunch.

This is always a good walk to complete at any time of the year and the fact that the ground was frozen helped us to negotiate those muddy and wet areas that we have encountered on warmer days made it even better today. The views across the estuary, the Cheshire plain and towards the Clwydians were excellent. Even though it was icy on some of the minor roads none of us actually slipped over, although there were a few near misses.

Birds seen or heard today included:Carrion crow, Rook, Jackdaw, Buzzard, Blue tit, Great tit, Lapwing, Black-headed gull, Nuthatch, Long-tailed tit, Woodpigeon, Fieldfare, Dunnock, Robin and Great-spotted woodpecker (bird of the day).

As usual refreshments were enjoyed at the Britannia Inn at Pentre Halkyn where J.W.Lees bitter went down particularly well. Some of the group even had crisps!

Around Llyn Elsi 3rd January 2009

Icicles on the river - photo by Richard.

A different view across Llyn Elsi - photo by Richard.

Looking west towards the Glyders. Our guide around Llyn Elsi.
Can I walk on water? Someone already has but at least one of our group says no!
Who's hoarding the Welsh cakes then?
Sparkles on the hoar frost.

Icicles on the waterfalls at the Miners' Bridge.

Walk stats: Distance:9.1 miles;Climb:1580'.

Time:5 hours 0 minutes; On the move walking average:2.4 m.p.h.;Overall walk average:1.8 m.p.h.

Group:Martyn, Richard, Roger and Dave J.

What a glorious day out walking this turned out to be. Very cold, bright sunshine and no wind. The sunlight reflecting and refracting on the crystals of hoar frost created rainbow effects and sparkling that made everyone agree that nature is wonderful. Another joy of the day was a friendly Robin that guided us around Llyn Elsi and whenever we stopped delighted us by pecking around our feet and at times tried to land on our heads. This Robin was the only one to sample Martyn's fruit cake on this walk! Llyn Elsi was frozen over and had its own magical charm about it.

Lunch was enhanced by Margaret Smith providing us with Welsh cakes and Mince Pies, devoured by all with relish, not a crumb was left! Thanks Margaret.

The views towards Moel Siabod were superb all day.

Birds seen or heard today included: Robin, Grey wagtail, Dunnock, Herring gull, Blackbird, Jay, Nuthatch, Great tit, Goldcrest, Jackdaw, Mallard and Magpie.

Refreshments were enjoyed at the Britannia Inn at Pentre Halkyn.

Penycloddiau and Moel y Parc 1st January 2009

The group on Penycloddiau -Photo by Michel

Looking west towards Snowdonia from the slopes of Penycloddiau - Photo by Michel The group on the cairn on Penycloddiau. Snowdonia from the Northern end of Penycloddiau.

The group at the summit cairn on Moel Y Parc.

The trig point on Moel y Parc.
Walk stats: Distance:7.1 miles; Climb:1675'.


Time:3 hours 38 minutes; On the move walking average:2.4 m.p.h.; Overall walking average:1.9.m.p.h.

Group:Martyn. Richard (birthday boy), Roger, Sue and Michel (proud grandparents), Tim and Carol, Sylvia, Fran and Tito, Dave J. and Georgie the Jack Russell pup.

This was a cold and crisp day for walking, cold enough to stop a camera and GPS to stop working if left out in the cold! The low sun gave a yellowy light that transformed the landscape to have a similar tinge, particularly the frost covered slopes. Distant views weren't perfect, but the Snowdonia range was clear enough to make you think you could almost reach out and touch them. At times, out of the wind, we could bask in the sunshine, lunch was one of those times and we lingered longer than usual. Fruit cake was provided in honour of Richard's birthday and the arrival of Amelie Charlotte who was also toasted with bubbly provided by Sue and Michel.

Birds seen or heard today included: Robin, Blackbird, Great tit, Carrion crow, Raven, Buzzard, Fieldfare, Jay, Magpie, Chaffinch, Blue tit and Treecreeper.

Georgie the Jack Russell puppy put in her first appearance, but didn't like the cold and seemed to prefer being tucked up inside Dave's coat out of the wind.

Arriving back at the car Tito and Fran thought that they had a big problem, Tito couldn't find the car keys in his pocket. Ideas were passed from one to the other, should they go back and look for them or should they contact their son to bring a spare set of key, but then Richard came to the rescue when he pointed out that just after starting off Tito had given the keys to Fran so that she could go back to the car to get the flask of coffee. Sure enough you know who had the keys and the pint of J.W. Lees bitter tasted even better than usual!

After walk drinks were enjoyed as usual at the Britannia Inn at Pentre Halkyn. Sarah giving all a warm welcome and wishing everyone happy New Year, even if she did look a little tired from previous days celebrations and acting as a taxi till the early ours of the morning.
Overall this was an excellent start to the new year and enjoyed by all.