Gop Hill and More from Trelawnyd. 21st August 2019

St, Peter's Church, Telawnyd.

Checking the engineering at Marian Mill.

Just friendly cows blocking the way?

Not what you expect in a field in Flintshire.

Time for elevenses.

A well defined path through a crop of barley.

A good lunch spot on the Offa's Dyke Path above the Prestayn Hillside Nature Reserve.

Coastal views from the Offa's Dyke Path above the Prestayn Hillside Nature Reserve.

The view from the tumulus near St. Elmo's Summer House.

Is he lost? No, just looking for St. Elmo's Summer House.

Golden Grove.

"Conquered The Gop at last!"

Descending from Gop Hill to Trelawnyd.

Walk stats: Distance: 7.7 miles. Climb: 1217'.

Time:  hours 36 minutes. On the move walking average: 2.1 m.p.h. Overall walk average: 1.7 m.p.h.

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

This turned out to be almost a perfect day for walking weather wise, although at one point around 11-30, we did think momentarily about putting waterproofs  on. Thankfully the spots of rain didn't last long and had stopped completely.

 The route from Trelawnyd to Marian Mill was new to me, quite pleasant paths although they did have potential for being muddy.

 On one section of the Offa's Dyke Path we did surprise the local postman as he came round the corner rather quickly to be suddenly confronted by a few walkers.  He stopped in time and we passed each other amicably.

 No problem route finding but one field presented a dilemma, the path went through a field that had lots of cows, calves and the mandatory BULL. Three of us chose to cross the field, but went round the edge of the field so that at no time did we get between the calfs and their mothers. The rest of the group decided to retrace their steps and take the road around this particular field.

 Having crossed the field uneventfully, the group sticking to the described route sat down and enjoyed "elevenses" as the waited for the whole group to be reunited.

 At this point we were able, thanks to the landowner, take a new concessionary path taking us off the road, but leading to the Offa's Dyke Path. I addition it led to a barley  field, but the path through the crop was also clearly defined. It would be great if all farmers had the same attitude.

  Arriving at Bryniau, we had a choice of extending the walk to visit the summit of Graig Fawr,or follow the described route. We did the latter.

 Crossing the Offa's Dyke Path above the Prestatyn Hillside Nature Reserve, we did get view towards the coast, but not particularly good, although the Great Orme could just be made out.

 Lunch was taken at Gwaenysgor, using the long bench at the Memorial Garden. Next time I have lunch here, I must make a point of visiting the adjacent St. Mary' Magdalene Church which a notice nearby said was open.

 Fruit cake was proved, as it had been one member of the groups seventieth birthday lasdt Friday, but not all dared to sample it at lunch time and took it home!

 Much of the route after lunch was familiar to us all, and Ed set off in front, but he was on "auto pilot" and missed the road we should have taken and carried on to the path that we usually take, a slight extension, but nothing to moan about!

 The last part of the Clwydian Way to Gop Hill, took us on a road between the New Plantation and Talfryn Wood, another new section to me. 

 As Ed hadn't visited the Gop Hill cairn before, it was a must that on this occasion we didn't bypass it.

 This done, we headed down the clearly marked path from Gop Hill back to Telwanyd and the start.

  Not many birds seen or heard today, but those we did included: carrion crow, Jackdaw, Rook, Lesser black back gull, Barn swallow, Herring gull, Woodpigeon, Wood nuthatch and Goldfinch.

 A good walk enjoyed by all and long enough for most of us.

 After walk drinks were enjoyed at the Britannia Inn at Pentre Halkyn, where the Lees Bitter went down well and the landlord smiled.

Mynydd Marian 17th August 2019

On the North Wales Coastal Path from Llanddulas o Old Colwyn.

Looking towards the Little Orme from the North Wales Coastal Path.

A Great black-backed gull on the shore west of Llanddulas.

Looking across the bay towards Rhos-on-Sea and the Little Orme.

Walking through the Fairy Glen at Old Colwyn.

Gulls and corvids.

More gulls and corvids in a recently cropped wheat field.

Off shore wind turbines seen from our lunch spot on the east side of Mynydd Marian.

Heading eastward on the North wales Path south east of Mynydd Marian.

Almost a complete Fairy Circle.

A butterfly feeding on thistle nectar, but is it a Painted lady?

Craig y Forwyn and Rhyd-y-foel.

Llanddulas ahead.

A section of the delightful wooded path on the east side of Craig y Forwyn.

Memorial to Lewis E. Valentine at Llanddulas.

What would he think of Plaid Cymru now?

Another memorial to Lewis E. Valentine at Llanddulas.

Walk stats: Distance: 8.1 miles. Climb: 1136'.

Time: 4 hours 33 minutes. On the move walking average: 2.2 m.p.h. Overall walk average: 1.8 m.p.h.

Group: Martyn, Roger and Celia.

This is always a good walk, but today it was one of he best as it was completed almost entirely in warm sunshine, accompanied by a refreshing breeze.

 the views from the North Wales Coastal path were excellent, especially looking westward towards Rhos-on-Sea and the Little Orme. 

 As we climbed the path on the east side of the golf course, Roger had a lucky escape as a stray golf ball came over the hedge, hit his walking stick, deflected off his chest and into the hedge never to be seen again.

 We decided to have lunch on Mynydd Marian, past the first two available seat, expecting to find a third seat on the east side of the old signal station. alas it was no longer there!

 Instead, we dropped down to track leading to Llysfaen, and took advantage of the large stones lining the track.

 On this occasion, we stayed on the North Wales Path rather than climb up and over Craig y Forwyn.

 Sections of our route today were lined with Nettles that seemed to spot bare legs and willingly left their mark.

 Bird seen or heard today included: Herring gull, Great black-backed gull, Black-headed gull, great cormorant, House sparrow, Carrion crow, Rook, Jackdaw, Goldfinch and Winter wren.

 WE arrived back at the car having has a very enjoyable, celebrated with a pint of Lees at the Britannia Inn at  Pentre Halkyn. Other drinks were enjoyed 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.

Conwy Harbour, Conwy Mountain and Maen Esgob 3rd August 2019

Conwy Castle - the start of the walk.

Conwy Harbour.

A Little egret on the shore of the Conwy Estuary.

A Grey heron on the shore of the Conwy Estuary.

A male Stonechat with a meal.

Conwy Castle from the eastern end of Conwy Mountain.

A Painted Lady butterfly, one of many on Conwy Mountain.

Is that a Painted lady there?

"What is it?"

"Nothing really, just taking my rucksack off."

Happy to be out on Conwy Mountain.

 Puffin Island and Anglesey from our lunch spot.

A change of plan - that is the way we will go after lunch.

A small pool on the west side of Maen Esgob.

We wondered where the ponies were hiding, but at last we have found a few.

Conwy Mountain ahead.

What am I? A Raven or a Carrion crow?

Walk stats: Distance: 8.4 miles. Climb: 1444'.

Time: 5 hours 22 minutes. On the move walking average: 1.6 m.p.h.

Group: Martyn and Celia.

The weather was set fair, with the chances of rain increasing after 15-00. We did get a few spots from about 11-30 onwards, but nothing to make you even think about putting on waterproofs. However it was very humid and brief encounters with the slightest breeze were very welcome.

 As we crossed Conwy Mountain the views towards Tal-y-Fan in one direction and out towards the coast in the other direction were superb. Crossing Conwy Mountain Painted lady butterflies were everywhere.

Conwy Mountain was decked with the vibrant purple of the Bell heather, always a joy to see.

 Lunch was taken on the north western side of Maen Esgob, near the boundary gate to the Pennant Estate.

 After lunch, instead of taking the path South of Maen Esgob, we took the path on the north side, a path that I had never used before.

 Another surprise on the walk today was the head high Bracken that bounded both sides of the paths we used and made us suffer the associated increased humidly that resulted from our proximity to the Bracken.

 Birds seen or heard today included: Jackdaw, Woodpigeon, Herring gull, Black headed gull, Little egret, Grey heron, Great cormorant, Common redshank, Oystercatcher, Mallard, Goldfinch, Stonechat, Carrion crow, Meadow pipit, Common buzzard, European robin, Winter wren, Common blackbird and probably a Raven as well.

 Approaching Conwy Castle on the way to the long stay carpet, I decided to avoid the shorter route down the steps and took the longer but gentle easier sloping path. I am glad we did as we had two really good views of a Stoat crossing the path in front of  not once but twice.

 We arrived back at the car, having had a very enjoyable walk, about as much as we wanted to do on a day that was so humid, but we were still dry and our boots were dusty, but wouldn't need much cleaning.

 After walk drinks were enjoyed at the Britannia Inn at Pentre Halkyn, where he Lees bitter was excellent.  Apparently this was the first time that Celia had been to the Brit after its extensive refurbishment - it almost got a thumbs up from Celia!