Holywell Common, Racecourse, Pantasaph and Pen-y-Ball Moument 26th February 2020

"Hands up, who volunteers to go for a walk mwith this lot?"

Walking throgh the snow on Holywell Common.

(with authentic raon spot on cameras lens).

Snowdrops n Holywell Racecourse.

Stretching out on Holywell Racecourse.

Pantasaph from Holywell Racecourse.

Daffodils on the roadsidebetween Babell and Gorsedd.

Our lunch spot in the grounds of Pantasaph Franciscan Friary, but where is everyone?

An interesting gravesone in the newest part of the cemetry at Pantasaph Franciscan Friary.

Young lambs being led away to safety.

Young lambs wary of walkers on their patch.

The Pen-y-Ball Monument.

The inscription on the Pen-y-Ball Monument.

The better inscription on the Pen-y-Ball Monument.

Moel famau from the Pen-y-Ball Monument.

Walk stats: distance: 7.9 miles. Climb: 1092'.

Time: 4 hours 8 minutes. On the move walking average@ 2.3 m.p.h. Overall walk average: 1.9 m.p.h.

Group: Martyn, Sue and Michel. Rger, Wendy and David S.

Everyone arrived at the start by 09-30, but was this a wise wen most forecasts suggested that the weather would clear up between 10-00 and 11-00?  Thankfully it did stop about tewn minutes after we had all arrived, so we set off in full waterproofs, anticipating the early showerswould continue. they did for about about half an hour, but afterwards we had long spells of lovely warm sunshine despite the cool breeze that accompanied us for most of the day.

 Early views weren't particularly good we could see Moel-y=Parc, bit MoelFamau was still in cloud.

 The greatest challenge today was the track from Calcoed to Graeana that had been seriously damaged by off road vehicles / farm vehicles, so much so that I raced ahead with David S in order to get out of ear shot of any winges about muddy paths that might emanate from some members of the group!

Perhaps the most enjoyable surprise of the day was the bindance of Snowdrops that we saw along the roadside, on Holywell Racecourse and in the grounds of the Pantasaph Franciscan Friary.

 lunch was taken at the Pantasaph Franciscan Friary, where we took advantage of some new benches (replacing the olderr church pews that we enjoyed using in the past) near the entrance to the retreat. 

 Fortunately today we had lunch sitting in warm sunshine, but knowing that if necessary we could have sheltered in the cafe with a hot drink. Some of the group did take advantage of the facilities before we resumed walking after lunch.

 after lunch we did explore a path that e hadn't used before, and it was while we crossed one of the field on this route that we were able to witness one of the undoubted joys of Spring - very young lambs gambolling as they followed mum.

 Arriving at the Pen-y-Ball Monument, we probably  had our best views of the Clwydian Hills, but alas they didn't have te coating of the white stuff that we had hoped for.

 Even David S was gettig into spotting birds first, including the Common kestrel seen hovering over Holywell Common.

 Birds seen or heard today included: Woodpigeon, House sparrow Common blackbird, Carrion crow, Jackdaw, Blue tit, Great tit, Dunnock, Herring gull, Common buzzard, Dunnock, Goldfinch  and Common kestrel.

 We arrived back at the cars, having has a good walk, despite the frequent muddy encounters ( not a lot really, it took me ten minutes to clean my boots when I got home - still warm enough to do the job outside).

 After walk drinks were enjoyed at the Britannia Inn at Pentre Halkyn, wher the Lees bitter demaded that I had a second pint!. The latte a tea went down well too!

A Mow Cop and Congleton Edge Round 22nd February 2020

Looking over the  Cheshire Plain from the Cheshire's Close Viewpoint - our starting point.

Lapwing in fields North of the Old Man of Mow.

The Old Man of Mow.

Another view of the Old Man of Mow.

First views of the Mow Cop mock ruin.

View of the mock ruin from the Primitive Methodist dedication stone to the Glory of God.

Final view of the mock ruin.

The path is there somewhere.

"I think this is the path."

Congleton Edge from the East.

Snowdrops just about to open.

Possibly the highest point on Congleton Edge.

The trickiest bit of the traverse of Congleton Edge.

Distance: 8.5 miles Climb: 1728' wind assistred GPS reading. In reality about 1050'

Time: 4 hours 44 minutes. On the move walking average: 2.2 m.p.h. Overall walk average: 1.8 m.p.h.

Group: Martyn and Nigel.

Getting out of the car at the Cheshire's Close viewpoint, the start of the walk, we thought David S had made the right decision and stayed at home. Thankfully we did decide to set off in the direction of the Old Man of Mow and the mock ruin at Mow Cop. It was only around the ruin that we felt anything like winds above 25 m.p.h., so we didn't hang about near the ruin for long.

 Both the ruin and the Old Man of Mow are worth visiting. retracing our steps from the ruin, we were able to explore a lower level path that skited round the West side of the masts.

The path West of Cheshire;s Close , was as expected the boggiest, but with care were able to find a way through without getting our feet wet.

 We stopped for lunch on the Gritstone Trail, South of Whitemoor Local Nature Reserve, where were pleased to take advantage of a picnic table.

 As we had lunch, we did experience our first signicant gust of the day, when Ngel's grapes tried to escape!

 after lunch we soon back on track heading past Higher Whitemoor Farm to pick up the Staffordshire Way at the Northern end of Congleton Edge. The track North of Higher Whitemoor Farm soon turned into a muddy mess caused by off road motor bikes, so it was a relief to to escape from it into a field.

 The traverse of Congleton Edge went well, although the narroest section of path was a little intimidating, but thankfully the strong wind at that time was blowing us towards the fence and not the cliff edge.

 We arrived back at the car having had a good walk, with no more than a few spots of rain early on, and thankful that we were largely sheltered from any wind for most of the walk. Even in the wind it never felt cold.

 Birds seen or heard today included: lapwing, Common kestrel, Carrion crow, Woodpigeon, Black-billed magpie, House sparrow, Greenfinch, Great tit, Common pheasant, Common blackbird, Wood  nuthatch and Grey wagtail.

 After walk drinks were enjoyed at the Vale Royal Abbey Arms, Oakmere. This hostelry has been recently renovated to a high standard by Lees. Most people seemed to be eateing food, but we were able to find seats to enjoy a good pint of Lees Bitter. It was a good decision to try this place out, and i am sure we will call in again whenever we are passing after walking in the East Cheshire.

Moel Arthur and Penycloddiau 19th February 2020

The Vale of Clwyd rom the Northern slopes of Moel Arthur.

Waiting at the summit of Moel Arthur.

Looking towards Pentcloddiau from Moel Arthur.

Looking towards Moel Famau from Moel Arthur.

The Vale of Clwyd from the terack on the Western side of Penycloddiau.

Heading towards the muddy section of the track on the Western side of Penycloddiau.

The summit of Penycloddiau.

Walk stats: Distance: 7.6 miles. Climb: 1736' (Wind assisted GPS reading). In reality about 1680' on Memory Map Route calculation, so not as much wind assistance s I expected!

Time: 4 hours 37 minutes. On the move walking average: 2.1 m.p.h. Overall walk average: 1.6 m.p.h.

Group: Martyn, Nigel and Fran.

We set off, knowing that rain was on it way, but exactly when we didn't know. The wind as well could have been an issue with gusts of upto 28 m.p.h. a possibiity. At least at the moment it we had no weather issues to worry us.

 The climb from Coed Llangwyfan up the Northern flank of Moel Arthur is never a route I look forward to, but at least the steep what seems an endless climb usually gives views to appreciate when we arrive at the summit of Moel Arthur, but not so today.

 Distant views today were not brilliant, but at least we could see Moel Famau and the extent of the flooding in the Vale of Clwyd.

 After descending fom Moel Arthur, a short section led us to the track ariund the Western flank of Moel Arthur, always pleasant, if you can negotiate any muddy sections.

 After passing the intriguing, now completed house, Pen-y-bryn, we set off alomg the track around the Western side of Penycloddiau. It was now mid-day, so our objective was to find a suitable spot for lunch, but not before passing the metal water tank that has become etched into our memories.  Reaching this landmark seemed to take for ever, but i was only about half an hour after starting along the track.

 After lunch we continued along the Clwydian Way e extensive views of the flooded sections of the Vale of Clwyd, accompanied by a wind that was beginning to increase in strength.

 The last section of our walk took us along the Offa's Dyke Path on a mile clong climb up the North western slopes of Penycloddiau, a seemingly endless slog, more so today when the wind did its best to blow us off our feet.

 Thankfully we only experience a few drops of rain around lunch time, so we arrived back at the car having had a good walk, quite tired and at least one side of our face feeling weather beaten!

 Birds seen or heard today included: Common pheasant, Great tit, Common kestrel, Common buzzard, Winter wren, Raven, Red legged partridge, Eurasian jay. and Carrion Crow.

 After walk drinks were enjoyed at the Glasfry at Mold , whereBrunning and Price's house bitter, Purple Moose's Snowdonia Ale and Newton Pale ale all went down well.

 Even better as we left the Glasfryn for home, it was now raining steadily - wee had definitely made the most of the day without getting wet!

St. Tysilio's Church, Llangollen, Around Barber Hill, Snowdrops and More 12th February 2020.

Snow on the Llantyslio Mouintains.

The Horseshoe Falls from the Llantysilio Green Car Park path.

Snowdrops in the St.Tysilio's churchyard.

St.Tysilio's church.

On the path to the Horseshoe Falls.

The river Dee, looking West from the llangollen road bridge.

Our lunch spot in the sun, West of Cae Madog Wood.

Looking towards the Llantysilio Mountains from the road on the West side of Barber Hill.

Castell Dinas Bran from Bryniau-bach.

Looking towards Llangollen from the Chainbridge.

The River Dee, looking towards Llangollen from the Chainbridge.

Crossing the Chainbridge.

Walk stats: Distance: 6.4 miles. Climb: 1046'.

time: 4 hours 7 minutes. On the move walking average: 2.3 m.p.h Overall walk average: 1.6 m.p.h.

Group: Martyn, Sue and Michel, Roger, David S., Nigel, Fran, Sue and Dave P,. and Celia.

Ten of us started off, a record for 2020, but by the time we were enjoying a pint at the Sun at Trevor we were down to six!

This turned out to be a great day for walking and the very strong wind forecast never mtaerialside.. The wors of the wind was as we walked up the valley appraching Caed Madog Wood, but thankfully we managed to find  a sheltered spot in the Sun for lunch.

 Surprisingly, we saw several hunting dogs on he slpes opposit our lunchspot - being exercised acoording to one man ) probably a farmer/gamekeeper!

 The views, pariculaly after lunch were superb, particularly looking towatds the llantysilio Mountains, Eglwyseg Escarpments and Castell Dinas Bran.

 The vwalk ended up being a little shorter than usual, but no-one complained!

 Birds seen or heard today included: Common blackbird, Blue tit, Wood nuthatch, Common nuthat, Common buzzard, Woodpigeon, Mallard, European robin, Winter wren and Common pheasant.

After wqalk drinks wer enjoyed at the Sun at Trevor, where were fortunate to sit in a windoww seat and were happy to enjoy the warm sunshine as it came through the window.  Magic Dragon's Border Bitter was the only beer on offer (the three other pumps were in process of having new barrels attached. Border bitter was somewhat unusual in flavour, but it didn't stop me having a second pint!

A Llantysilio Green Walk in Search of Snowdrops 8th February 2020

First views of the Horseshoe Falls as we leave the car park on the way to St. Tysilio's Church.

St. Tysilio's Church.

Snowdrops in St. Tysilio's Church cemetry.

A close up of some of the Snowdrops in St. Tysilio's Church cemetry.

Inside St. Tysilio's Church.

The start of the towpath to Llangollen.

Waving weeds in the Llangollen Canal.

More waving weeds in the Llangollen Canal.

Castell Dinas Bran from the West.

On the Clwydian Way heading towards World's End.

Valle Crucis Abbey from the Clwydian Way.

Our delightful "Korswecud" picnic spot on the Clwydian Way above Valle Crucis Abbey.

The Eglwyseg Escarpments from Pen-y-clawdd Farm.

The path across Pen-y-bryn.

Heading for the Dee Valley.

Walk stats: Distance: 8.2 miles. Climb: 1559'.

Time: 5 hours 1 minute. On the move walking average: 2.2 m.p.h. Overall walk average: 1.6 m.p.h.

Group: Martyn and Mike.

Despite the strong cool wind this was a good day for walking, and thankfully we did't experience any of the 30 m.p.h. gusts on most forecasts. Throughout the morning we were in bright sunshine, and as predicted it started to cloud over after 14-00. Thankfully the only rain we experienced was we headed for home.

 The first objective was to check out the status of the Snowdrops in St. Tysilio's Cemetry. We weren't disappointed - hopefully they will be even better by next Wednesday.

 On arriving at Llangollen, we started the steady climb up the path directing us to Castell Dinas Bran, so it wasn't long before we were getting good views of it.

 After lunch we encountered our first problem, we found the path we wanted descended too steeply into the valley bottom. After searching for an easy way down, we gave up, went back to the Clwydian Way and decended the next path just after Birch Cottage.

 The track from the Britanna Inn across Pen-y-bryn was apparently part of the Llantysilio Tramway.

 We arrived back at the car, having had a good walk and looking forward to a refreshing pint at the Chainbridge Hotel. Stonehuse Brewery's Sundance and Station Bitter went down well, but at £4-20 a pint , we will probably look for an alternative hostelry o future visits.

 Birds seen or heard today included: Common blacklbird, European robin, Blue tit, Mallard, Common buzzard, Common kestrel, Long tailed tit and Raven.