Moel Famau, Around Ffrith Mountain and Moel Dywyll 19th October 2019

The path from Bwlch Penbarrasheading north east towards the picnic site / PC car park.

"I couldn't possibly comment."

Looking across the rservoir towards our route to join the Offa's Dyke Path.

On the path heading for the Offa's Dyke Path to Mel Famau.

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At the Moel Dywyll Cairn.

Resting by the Jubilee Tower on Moel Famau.

Looking back towards the Jubilee Tower on Moel Famau.

The Vale o Clwyd from the Bwlch Penbarras Car Park at the end of the walk.

Walk stats: Distance: 9.9 miles. Climb: 1581'.

Time; 5 hours 18 minutes. O the move walking average: 2.3 m.p.h. Overall walk average: 1.9 m.p.h.

Group: Martyn and Mike.

Overall this was a good day weather wise for walking, mainly dry and at times pleasantly warm i the warm morning sunshine. I did stop once to put on my waterproof jacket, but as son as I had done so, the rain stopped!

 Alderhey Hospital had a sponsor event involving Moel Famau, but our paths didn't overlap, except for seeing some organisers picking up route direction way markers as we descended to Bwlch Penbarras at the end of the walk.

 Distant views were somewhat limited due to the overcast nature that was predominant for most of the day.

 We settled for lunch, perching on the remains of a stone wall north east of Moel Dywyll, only disturbed by the sound of gunshot o the opposite side of the valley.

 The climb over Moel Dywyll to Moel Famau is always a bit of a slog, but at least it was dry and not windy and the views over the Vale of Clwyd were pretty good.

 Unusually arriving at the Jubilee Tower on Moel Famau there was hardly any wind and a pair of Ravens entertained US nearby.

Birds seen or heard today included: Goldfinch, European robin, Common blackbird, Eurasian jay, Common magpie, Winter wren, Meadow pipit, Common pheasant, House sparrow, Raven, Carrion crow, Jay and Meadow pipit.

Overall a very enjoyable walk, capped by refreshing drinks at the Cholomendy Ams at Cadole - all five of their real ales on offer were sampled! None were disappointing!

Around Gwysaney and More 16th October 2019

Looking North west towards Rhosesmor and Moel y Gaer.

Looking North towards Tyddyn-bach and the Dee Estuary.

Strolling in the mid-morning sunshine.

Negotiating the boggy section in Big Wood.

Looking west across the valley towards Gwysaney Hall.

A local resident trying to escape.

Not something we expected to see on the way to Gwysaney Hall.

Looking eastward towards Gwysaney Hall.

Moel Famau from the path on the west side of Gwysaney Hall.

Blue skies and a buzzard.

Liverpool from Moel y Gaer, Rhosesmor.

Looking towards the Dee Estuary from the ramparts if Moel y Gaer.

The Clwydian Hills from the ramparts if Moel y Gaer.

St. Paul's Church at Rhosesmor.

Walk stats: Distance: 8.8 miles. Climb: 838'.

Time: 4 hours 37 minutes. On the move walking average: 2.2 m.p.h. Overall walk average: 1.9 m.p.h.

Group: Martyn, David S and Nigel.

This was almost a perfect day for walking weather wise, plenty of warm sunshine, very little wind of any significance and only a few spots of rain towards the end of the walk as we climbed up Moel y Gaer.

 Once more the views today were quite extensive, but perhaps didn't quite match up to those seen last week. Nevertheless we did see as far as Liverpool and Fiddlers Ferry in one direction, the Cheshire plain and Beeston Hill in another direction and the Clwydian Hill in another.

 Lunch was taken on the west side of Ram Wood, where we took advantage of a low section in the wall on which to perch.

 After lunch it wasn't long before we were faced with the challenge of the marshy area as we headed towards Sarn Galed from Quarry Farm. This done, all still with dry feet, every was plain sailing. Just beyond Sarn Galed farm, we had some superb close up views of a Common buzzard circling above us.

 Perhaps the best views of the day were obtained once we had climb to the top of Moel y Gaer hill fort at Rhosesmor. The views from this vantage point extended to a full 360 degrees, well worth the effort to climb to the top at the end of the walk.

 In addition, we decided to look inside St. Paul's Church at Rhosesmor, the first time that we had so. In the past we had ignored the welcoming notices on the gate outside, perhaps next time we will spend a little more time in the church, preferably at the start of the walk when our boots are still clean.

Birds seen or heard today included: House sparrow, Common blackbird, Woodpigeon, Carrion crow, Rook, Jackdaw, European robin, Common pheasant, Black billed magpie and Common buzzard.

 After walk drinks were enjoyed at the Britannia Inn at Halkyn, once more under new management but the Lees Bitter was just as good. The coffee was good too.

East of Holywell, The Moor and Greenfield Valley 9th October 2019

The Wat's Dyke Way path through Coed Llwybr-y-bi.

On the Wat's Dyke Way path through Coed Llwybr-y-bi.

Fallen trees block the he Wat's Dyke Way path through Coed Llwybr-y-bi.

Fallen trees block the he Wat's Dyke Way path through Coed Llwybr-y-bi, taken from the stile as the path emerges into an open field.

Liverpool Cathedral on the skyline.

Looking a cross the Dee Estuary towards Hilbre Island Wat's Dyke Way near Coeti-Llwyd.

"Why can't we come with you?"

Looking across the Dee Estuary as we descendedTyn y Pistyll.

Unlike the young calves seen earlier, these sheep couldn't get away quick enough!

I was in front at the time, so was it just me that they were trying to get away from or just people?

Looking across the Dee Estuary as we descended from The Moor.

Final views looking north across the Dee Estuary as we descended from The Moor.

Walk stats: Distance: 8.2 miles. Climb: 1025'.

Time: 4 hours 58 minute. On the move walking average:2.3 m.p.h. Overall walk average: 1.8 m.p.h.

 Group: Martyn, Nigel and David S.

The forecast today was pretty good, although there was always the chance of a shower particularly in the morning.  We did get one heavy shower near Ffordd-y-Dre, but we were able to shelter under the cover of the tree canopies that crossed above the road. I looked at the "Dark Sky" ap on my phone and it suggested the rain would stop in about 8 minutes. It was in fact a little longer, but it was well worth sheltering for an extra couple of minutes or so.

 We set off, knowing that the first challene would be the Wat's Dyke Way through Coed Llwybr-y-bi, oftenvery muddy even in the Summer.

 However the problem today was much worse, with many of the steps badly needing attention and higher up had been blocked completely by several trees that had fallen across the stepped path.

 Reaching the open field was a great relief. Views today were pretty good, but were rather poor after the excellent views that we had last week.

 after our rain delay, we decided to miss out the northern section of the walk mand headed along the road back to Holywell.

 Lunch was taken, as we often do in the Remberance Garden in Holywell.

 After lunch we set off from Holywell, heading across The Moor, once again giving us good views across the Dee Estuary, before descending towards Greenfield Valley.

 David S persuaded us to take a short cut through a cemetery, and was heard to say "I struggled to get out" as he went through the exit kissing gate. A postman over heard him and had visions of someone trying to get out of one of graves in the cemetery!

 The final part of the walk was the steady gentle climb along the former railway track back to Holywell and the start.

 Overall a good and enjoyable walk and all ready for a descent pint at the Britannia Inn at Haly. Unfortunately it was closed and some of ended up having refreshments at the Fox and Grapes in Hawarden. Weetwood's Eastgate Bitter was one that we tried, but Moorhouse's Pendle Pride was in much better nick.

Llugwy and Lledr Valleys 5th October 2019

The Afon Llugwy at Betws-y-coed - looking toward Pont-y-Pair.

The Afon Llugwy from the Miner's Bridge.

Not one of the locals - grazing in field on the west side of Sarn Helen.

Sarn Helen as we started to descend into the Lledr Valley.

The afon Lledr from our lunch spot east of Lledr Hall.

The miner's boardwalk on the north side of the Afon Lledr.

A Great cormorant in the middle of the Afon Lledr - resting after a spell of fishing.

Crossing the Afon Lledr on the way to the A470 near Pont Gethin.

Llyn Elsi from its southern end.

On the forest track leading to Betws-y-coed.

Walk stats: Distance: 8.6 miles. Climb: 1456'.

Time: 5 hours 33 minutes. ON the move walking average: 2.2 m.p.h. Overall walk average: 1.5 m.p.h.

Group: Martyn, Mike and Roger.

We arrived at Betwsy-coed, with low cloud/mist hanging over the trees and sufficient dampness to encourage us all to at least start with our waterproof jackets on. However it pretty warm and very humid, so it wasn't long before we had all discarded our waterproofs in order to stop us from suffering "boil in the bag syndrome".

 As we climbed Sarn Helen towards the Lledr Valley, we encountered a group of Brummy walkers and later on five off road motor cyclist who were also from Birmingham.

 The distant views today weren't very good, but at least it wasn't raining and near views were good. As ever on this section of Sarn Helen we had to negotiate around flooded parts of the road.

 Leaving Betws-y-coed at about 10-30, meant that it was about 13-00 before we found a suitable spot to have lunch. A low wall on south side of the river gave us good perching places and Mike even spotted a Great cormorant fishing in the river near by.

 After lunch we continued along the riverside path, which at times was quite hazardous in that they were quite slippery.

 After reaching the A470,  we had ahead of us, the steep climb through the Gwydr Forest to Llyn Elsi. Having completed the climb through the forest as far as the forest track, we had a choice to make. Do we carry on along the path through extremely boggy territory or do we opt for the slightly longer route using forest tracks.  We chose the latter. This proved to be a wise choice, and one I will do every time we do this walk in the future - even in the Summer.

  Birds seen or heard today included: Common blackbird, European robin, Wood nuthatch, Eurasian jay and Great cormorant.

 We arrived back at the car having had a good walk and some of us suffering from tired legs and aching knees.

 After walk drinks were enjoyed at the Bridge Inn at Pontybodkin, where Theaksons' Black Bull went down well.

LLwyn Ifor and More 2nd October 2019

First views of the Dee Estuary as we reached The Moor north of Bryn Celyn.

On The Moor, but does anyone know which way to go?

Looking across the Dee Estuary towards Blackpool Tower.

The Duke of Lancaster from Llwyn Ifor.

Liverpool's cathedrals from the path east of Llwyn Ifor Bach.

Mertyn Hall - where my ancestors were in service.

"We are coming to check you out."

Like Barn swallows, walkers gather too at this time of the year.

or

Just a convenient place to stop for lunch next to the playground at Holway west of Holywell.

Tryfan and the Glyders from the ridge south east of Pen-y-Ball top.

Snowdonia on the skyline.

Moel Famau from the ridge south east of Pen-y-Ball top.

Descending through bracken towards our start in Holywell.

Walk stats: Distance: 7.7 miles. Climb: 979'.

Time: 5 hours 25 minutes. On the move walking average: 1.9 m.p.h. Overall walk average: 1.4 m.p.h.

Group: Martyn, Sue and Michel, David S., Mike, Wendy, Fran and Nigel.

This turned out to be a glorious day for walking, largely sunny, little wind and warm enough to make wearing a fleece unnecessary,

 The views today were superb, we could see Blackpool tower, the mountains of the Lake District, Snowdonia  as well as our local heroes of Moel Famau and Beeston. Both cathedrals in Liverpool were also clearly seen.

 Birds seen or heard today included: European robin, Rook, Raven, Woodpigeon, Great spotted woodpecker an Common buzzard.

 However the very slow on the move walking average tells another story. Several sections were somewhat over grow, rsukting in those with bare legs getting several scratches and many nettle stings.  Frequent delays were made as we used secateurs and other implements to make our way more easily.

 Lunch was taken, using a wall near the playground at Holway, not with a view, but having recently been challenged when we had to negotiate unpleasant a muddy section enhanced by cow deposits, we were still very grateful.

 After lunch was the time we ended up on a path needing most use of secateurs, only to find we could have missed it all outby going along the edge of the playing field.

 Later on, as we were heading towards Pen-y-Ball  the way to Pantasaph when we cam across a  field of a waist high crop that we should have gone right through the middle. This wasn't an option for most of us, so an alternative route back to the car was taken. 

 The bonus of choosing this new route was that it gave us some super views of the high peaks in Snowdonia and enabled Fran to get home relatively early.

 After walk drinks were enjoyed at the Britannia inn at Halkyn, where the Lees bitter went down well; as did the G and T and the coffee.

 Overall a very enjoyable walk despite the many stiles that were often quite slippery. Thankfully no-one had any mishaps.