Dove Dale 14th September 2019

On top of the world - no just Thorpe Cloud.

The stepping stones across the River Dove.

A fossil in the limestone step to Lover's Leap.

Tissington Spires above Dove Dale.

One of several fish seen in the river.

Ilam Rock.

The tantalising sound of tumbling river over a weir south of Milldale.

Arriving at the bridge at Milldale.

Looking back towards Coldeaton Bridge.

The view from our lunch spot high above Coldeaton Bridge on the Alstonfield path.

Brewster Hill ahead.

The narrow path across the flank of Brewster Hill.

Thorpe Cloud from the path crossing the field towards the Isaac Walton Hotel.

Walk Stats: Distance: 10.6 miles. Climb: 1401'.

Time: 5 hours 45 minutes. On the move walking average: 2.2 m.p.h. Overall walk average: 1.8 m.p.h.

Group: Martyn and Mike.

This was almost a perfect day for walking, largely sunny with the occasional cooling breeze.

we decided to climb Thorpe Cloud before experiencing the delights if the riverside path along Dove Dale. This proved a little more difficult than we expected, particularly as we went up a rather steep grassy path, but thankfully we were able to take a gentler path on the descent.

 As ever Dove Dale was very popular and throughout the walk we were always in sight of other walkers.

 After lunch, we headed towards Alstonfield and on to Stanhope. The descent into Milldale down to Dale Bottom and the climb out tested our legs, but not as much as the traverse along the upper path around Brewster Hill (next time I will opt for the easier lower path!).

The views all day were good, especially from any point where we had gained some height, but walking along side a babbling river catching the sight of fish takes some beating.

  We arrived back at the car to find cars still queueing to get in to the car park.

 Birds seen or heard today included: Moorhen, Meadow pipit, Goldfinch, Blue tit, Rook, Jackdaw, Carrion crow, Wood nuthatch Winter wren, Mallard, Common buzzard and Raven.

 Al that was left to celebrate a great day out was to head for the Wilkes Head in Leek for a pint of Whim Ales Hartington Bitter - it didn't disappoint.

Cefn Ddu, Y Graig and More 11th September 2019

Time for a drink.

One Peacock happy to be on display.

A delightful track on a good extension.

The track towards Bryngwyn Hall.

Brynwyn Hall - now under restoration.

Moel y Parc as we headed towarsds Sodom.

Sodom avoided as we head along a track towards Y Graig.

The track descending from Y Graig.

A place to reflect and pray.

Heading along the lowwer path on the west side of Moel Maenefna.

A last look towards Snowdonia, but I have seen better!

Walk stats: Distance: 8.0 miles ( some in the group think it was more!). Climb: 1436'.

Group: Martyn, David S, Mike and Ed.

 Weather forecasts suggested that after 09-00, there would be no rain. alas that was not true and we all set off with at least waterproof jackets on.  However within half an hour we all  were thinking about the question " when should we take off our waterproof?" 

 Unusually today we set off on the extension part of the walk, not the described walk. 

  The first part of the extension took us along the road, heading back towards the A55 , so it wasn't the most exciting part of the walk. However it wasn't long before we we following a delightful track on the way to Cefn Ddu.

 Together for most of the time, but we did end up on slightly different routes to the foot of Cefn Ddu.I think we all need to pay more careful attention to the details of the OS map, especially around tricky poIn. We can't always rely on on our mobiles to ensure that we reunite and get back on track.

After crossing Cefn Ddu we followed a delightful old track south west towards GraIg. This was the first time that I have enjoyed walking this track, a track that gave superb views of the high peaks of Snowdonia.

 Lunch was taken on Y Graig, where we appreciated being able to enjoy using one of the available picnic tables. After devouring the last of "fruit cake 1" , we set off on the usual route, but ended up adapting it slightly.

 Firstly Ed suggested a way around a usually bog/muddy section and later we followed a lower track across the southern flanks of Moel Maenefa.

 Birds seen or heard today included: Herring gull, Black headed gull, Starling, Barn swallow, Wood nuthatch, European robin and Common buzzard.

 After walk drinks were enjoyed at the Britannia Inn at Pentre Halkyn,  where the Lees Bitter was superb.  The coffee too was OK despite the apparent reluctance of making it!

Vivod Mountain from Glyn Ceiriog 7th September 2019

On the path through the Chwarai Wood.

First views of the Berwyns with Nantyr Forest on the right.

Looking south east towards Y Foel and Bidduph Tower.

Panorama looking North from Vivod Mountain.

Moel Famau from Vivod Mountain.

The Berwyns above Nantyr Forest.

At the boundary post on Vivod Mountain.

Looking South from Vivod Mountain.

Part of the North Berwyn Way South from Vivod Mountain.

One of several different fungi seen on the North Berwyn Way.

Different fungi seen on the North Berwyn Way.

The quiet lane running along the south side of Nantyr Forest.

Yelow cones on trees on the southern side of Nantyr Forest.

The sunken hedge lined path leading to Glyn Ceiriog.

Walk stats: Distance: 9.1 miles. Climb: 1250'.

Time: 5 hours 48 minutes. On the move walking average: 1.6 m.p.h.

Group: Martyn and Mike.

This was a good day or walking weather wise, largely sunny with a cool breeze as we walked along the higher sections of the North Berwyn Way. The only rain experienced was about ten spots as we descended towards Nantyr Frest.

 The views today were superb, including to the North - the Clwydian Hils across Llandegla moors as far as Moel Famau and Moel y Parc and to the South - the Berwyns, the nearest one being Moel Ferna,

 The North Berwyn way South of Vivod Mountain was new to me, but was pleasant track through heather covered moorland before it wound through the edge of Nantyr Wood.

 Lots of different fungi were seen along this path.

 Lunch was taken on the side of the forest track that went along the south side the Ceiriog Forest, still with good views across the valley. Thankfully we weren't disturbed by the 4 by 4 vehicles that also use this track, only one farm vehicle and a few cyclists went past.

 After a slightly longer than usual lunch and fortified with fruit cake, we set off with about four miles of the walk to go.

 The road on the south side of Nantyr Forest was very pleasant, especially as we had it to our selves. The final off road section was down an old sunken track, which would have been much pleasanter in the past, but was now quite badly eroded and required attention as to where  your next foot should be placed.

Birds seen or heard today included: Meadow pipit, Jackdaw, Carrion crow, Winter wren,  Common buzzard, Barn swallow, Eurasian jay and Common blackbird.

 Overall a good walk an enjoyable walk.

After walk drinks were enjoyed at the Pant-yr-Ochain, where Purple Moose's Snowdonia Ale and Hawkshead's Dry Stone Stout went down well.

Cefn-Hir-fynydd and Bwlch-Adwy-Wynt from Pontricket 4th September 2019

Setting off along the Ceiriog Valley Way towards Tregeiriog.

The Afon Ceiriog ahead on the way to Dyffryn Ceiriog.Llanarmon.

The Afon Ceiriog West of St Garmon's Church.

St Garmon's Church viewed from the East.

St Garmon's Church viewed from the South.

Conflicting info if you are a dog lover!

Looking North west towards Nant y Glog.

"Believe me, there is a car behind you."

Looking South west from the track across Cefn-Hir-fynydd.

The track across Cefn-Hir-fynydd sems to go on for ever.

A tricky section, but someone was didn't want to be in the picture!

Still on the Upper Ceiriog Trail.

Rain spot over Llanarmon Dyffryn Ceiriog.

Walk stats: Distance: 8.6 miles. climb: 1365'.

Time: 4 hours 34 minutes. On the move walking average: 2.3 m.p.h. Overall walk average: 1.9 m.p.h.

Group: Martyn, Nigel. Sue and Michel.

The forecast for day was pretty good, bright and breezy in the morning with the possibility of rain showers after 13-00. We can't complain, that is exactly what we got, but without a possibility of rain, it did rain!

 The start of the walk was in bright sunshine, but alas the windy gusts sent me running back after my sunhat, no-one else seemed to be affected.

 The views westward along the Ceiriog valley were superb, with Common buzzards heard several times, but somewhat reluctant to show themselves.

 We entered the grounds of St Garmon's Church at its eastern side, but then went long the road on its southern side.

 We resisted the temptation of calling in at The Hand at Llanarmon Dyffryn Ceiriog and for the first time headed up the road signposted to Llanrhaedr. 

 This was a long gentle road climb, but the views opened up, particularly North east along the Nant y Glog valley.

. Throughout the climb on the road he views ahead of us were superb and we could only eagerly anticipate the views as we crossed Cefn-Hir-fynnydd.

 This did not disappoint us, the traverse of Cefn-Hir-fynnydd gave us superb views in all directions until the the light rain followed from the North west.

 It was getting quite breezy now and we were hoping to get some shelter, but little was found, but having already walked six miles we decided to make the most of where were were. Alas it wasn't long before the rain encouraged us to put on our waterproofs. Even well fortified fruit cake didn't make us linger and we set off once more after a shorter than usual lunch break.

 the upper Ceiriog Trail seems to go on for ever, but it is a lovely traverse that I am sure we will do again in the future. Birds today seemed reluctand to show themselves, although a flock of over one hundred Goldfiches feeding on thistle seed was delightful. Just a little further on the highlight of the day was spotted by Sue, a Red kite, always a sighting to perk up the spirits.

 on this occasion, we opted to take the stony track despite on occasions disliking it greatly, and headed North in the most direct route possible back to the car.

 Overall a very enjoyable walk, despite finishing the walk, still in waterproofs, when we should have bit the bullet and taken them off an hour or so earlier.

Birds seen or heard today included: Common buzzard, Mallard, Goldfinch, Meadow pipit, Carrion crow and Jackdaw.

 After walk drinks were enjoyed at the Pant yr Ochain at Gresford, where Purple Moose's Snowdonia Ale went down well as did the Brunning and Price Original. All was left was 

to head home to watch the Ashes cricket or if so inclined watch what was happening in Parliament. Alas he cricket was cut short by rain!