Around Ffith Mountain, More For Some, But Less for Me. Wednesday 12th August 2020

Around Ffith Mountain, More For Some, But Less for Me.

Moel Famau in the distance - but not for me today.

At the blast shelter on Ffrith Mountain.

"I'm not going up there!"

Nigel at the summit.

Ed at the summit of Moel Famau.

The view from my lunch spot.

Time to rehydrate.

Would the still be smiling an hour later?

Which way now?

Distance: 4.8 miles. Climb: 773' 

Time: 3 hours 35 minutes. On the move walking average: 1.8 m.p.h. Overall walk average: 1.3 m.p.h.

Group: Martyn, with Ed and Nigel for about 2 miles.

Distance: 9 miles. Climb: 2050'.

Time: 5 hours 30 minutes, On the move walking average: 1.8 m.p.h. Overall walking average: 1.6 m.p.h.

Birds seen or heard today included: Common buzzard, Goldfinch, Willow warbler, Common pheasant, Black bille magpie, Common chaffinch, House martin, Barn swallow, Raven and Winter wren.

We set off already with "are we making the right decision to walk in this heat?" or was David S right to stay at home?

It was already in the mid-twenties and feeling very humid, and I was struggling to keep up wth the others, so I decided to head back to Cilcain at the earliest opportunity. After passing the east side of Ffrith Mountain we arrived at the Clwydian Way, a good point for me to head back while the others headed for the top of Moel Famau.

I stopped on the Clwydian Way, sheltering in a wooded area to have lunch, but in reality it was a rehydration stop. I was thankful to have filled one flask with juice that had been in the fridge overnight. I ended up taking the road through Cilcain, rather that retrace the path used earlier.

I was quietly sitting in the back of my car, attempting to keep cool, when I heard bagpipes being played. Someone in a nearby farm was practising on the bagpipers, but thankfully not too long.

I anticipated the others to arrive back quite soon. Little did I know they would abandon the original planne route and do their own thing.

Ed and Nigel ende up returning to Cilcain via Bwlch penbarra, Coed Moel Famau, Brithdir-mawr, around the south east of Ffrith Mountain.

They arrived back a couple of hours after me, looking very grateful to see the cars.

We were all ready to head for the White Horse in Cilcain, where two of us enjoyed a refreshing pint of Facer's Splendid Bitter and Ed emjoyed a cool glass of cider.

A Short Riverside Walk Monday 10th August 2020

A Short Riverside Walk, road testing a a bunion!

The view from Saltney Ferry Footbridge.

The grounded Arenig Fawr - awaiting collection.

The grounded Arenig Fawr.

The empty dock.

The empty loading bay at the dock.

Distance: 4.8 miles. Climb: 69'. 

Time: 1 hour 56 minutes. On the move walking average: 2.9 m.p.h. Overall walk average: 2.4 m.p.h.

Group: Martyn.

Over the last couple of days, the bunion on my left foot has been giving me a bit of jip, so I thought I had better see what it felt like after walking a few miles in walking boots, before attempting Moel Famau on Wednesday.

Thankfully it felt no worse, so hopefully I won't have to cut the Wednesday walk short.

Initially it was very pleasant walking, but after an hour it became somewhat muggy, so I didn't hesitate turning back and heading for home.
I walked as far as the A380 wing barge dock in order to check out the status od the tug boat  - Arenig Fawr.  Last Friday, travelling along the Flint Road, I noticed the boat seemed to out of the water. Arriving opposite the dock, this proved to be correct, so it looks like all the A380 wings made have gone to Toulouse. The Arenig Fawr Tug boat must be heading for new waters.

Birds seen or heard today included: Mallard, Black headed gull, Lesser black back gull, Woodpigeon, Black billed magpie, Jackdaw, Carrion crow, Great cormorant, House sparrow, Common starling, Collared dove, Lapwing, Barn swallow, House martin and Grey heron.

The Wales Coast Path was the quietest that I have ever seen it, very few cyclists (and none racing), one walker and one dog walker and only one inconsiderate person - a jogger.

Lady Bagot's Drive With Extras Wednesday 5th August 2020

Lady Bagot's Drive With Extras.

"Don't come any nearer or we will be breaking Welsh Covid Rules!"

or could it be

"Choose your weapons."

First views of Moel Famau.

A long eared variety of local residents.

Heading through Nant y Coed.

The bridge over the Afon Clywedog near Rhewl and the sighting of three Grey wagtails.

The Clwydian Hills - seen from a point unlikely to be visited ever again by Harris Hikers!

One of the many broken stiles crossed today.

Distance: 9.3 miles. Climb: 689'.

Time: 4 hours 58 minutes. On the move walkling average: 2.4 m.p.h. Overall walk average: 1.8 m.p.h.

Group: Martyn, David S and Nigel.

We set off from Ruthin Riverside car park, optimistic that we would miss all rain showers and get back before the heavier rain on the forecast to come in by about 16-00. 

We did pretty well and it was only as we approached Rhewl for the second time that two of the group decided to put on their waterproof jackets. Needless to say, the rain showerrs stopped a little later.

The planned route allowed us to explore some new to us paths and try to find one path that I had not used for more than ten years. With six problem stiles onthese sections, we now know they are paths won't be on future walks.

Having said that all awkward stiles from Llanfwrog to Lady Bagot's Drive (on our usual route) had be replaced by pristine galvanised kissing gates - a day to celebrate (which we did later at the Druids Inn at Llanferres).

The walk from Rhewl was in the opposite direction to the one way we usually go, so everything seemed comepletely different.

Lunch was taken just before descending to through Coed y Nant to Lady Bagot's Drive. We had to sit on the grass, but at least it was dry, the wind had dropped and the Sun came out. We didn't have a great lunch time view, but we were entertained bt House martins, Goldfinch and several butterflies flitting by (mainly Small /Large Whites).

Birds seen or herard today included: House sparrow, House martin, Grey heron, Goldfinch, Barn swallow, Common blackbird, Wood nuthatch and thestar bird of the day - Grey wagtail.

In the early part of the walk and in the latter stages of the walk,  we did get good views of Moel Famau and the Clwydian Hills.

We arrived back at the cars just as it started to rain quite heavily. An enjoyable walk, complete with legs still tingling from Nettle stings,  but thankfullly the rain had stopped just as we arrived at the Druids Inn at Llanferres where we were able to enjoy a superb pint of Purple Moose;s Snowdonia Ale.

Around Llyn Brenig Saturday 1st August 2020.

Around Llyn Brenig.

Llyn Brenig from near the Osprey Information Point.

Here comes the sheriff!

Llyn Brenig from the Clwydian Way on the north side of the reservoir.

A Wheatear ? near our lunch spot.

The ring cairn near the Boncyn Arian Tumulus.

The new Osprey Hide, seen from the east side of the reservoir.

A small flock of Greylag geese.

On the trot.

Panorama from the dam.

Distance: 9.4 miles. Climb: 434'.

Time; 4 hours 12 minutes. On the move walking average: 2.7 m.p.h. Overall walk average: 2.2 m.p.h.

Group: Martyn and Ed.

The forecast for today wasn't brilliant, but we can't complain they got it right. At times there was just dampness in the air, but occasionally umbrellas were put to good use. As we arrived at the northern most part of the walk around Gorse-Maen Llwyd Naure Reserve, it became warmer, almost humid at times. Even so distant views were all in the clouds,

Lunch wa taken using the picnic bench at the Boncyn Arian Tumulus. 

After lunch we started to see more people, walking (mainly with dogs) and quite a few families on bikes, but the surprise encounter was seeing four ponies and traps setting off along the lakeside road.

It was amazing to see how much of the forest had been cut down with only stumps and debris to be seen, it can no longer be describes as a walk along forest tracks.

Birds seen and heard today included: Common chaffinch, Barn swallow, House martin, Pied wagtail, Herring gull, Black headed gull, Great cormorant, Canada goose, Lesser black back gull, Carrion crow, Meadow pipit, Wheatear, Greylag goose, Canada goose, Siskin and Stonechat.

We left the car park that was occpied by only a few cars, and arrived back to find it full.

Despite not seeing an Osprey, we had had an enjoyable walk and arrived back at the cars still dry and with boots requiring little cleaning.

Mynydd Marian Wednesday 29th July 2020

Mynydd Marian.

The quarry jetty - still favoured by Great cormorants.

Heading along the enclosed path towards the home of Bradgy Conwy.

Looking over the golf course towards the Little Orme andAnglesy beyond.

Looking towards Abergele from Mynydd Marian.

The peaks seen from Mynydd Marian.

The Common kestrel seen from our lunch spot.

Socially distance lunch.

Another delightful section of the North Wales Path.

The North Wales Path, with Craig y Forwyn on the left, Llanddulas in the middle and Cefn yr Ogof on the right.

Distance: 8.3 miles. Climb: 938'.

Time: 4 hours 33 minutes. On the move walking average: 2.4 m.p.h. Overall walk average: 1.8 m.p.h.

Group: Martyn, David S, Nigel, Sue and Michel.

A good day for walking, pleasantly cool as we set of, but warming up as the Sun came out. The walk started with a gentle two mile stroll along the Wales Coast Path from Llanddulas to Old Colwyn, but thankfully today this was not the race track for the lycra loony brigade.

Lots of Butterfly bushes still in flower alongside of the path, but only bees were taking advantage of the food they offered.

Views all day were pretty good, with much of northern Snowdonia clearly seen from Mynydd Marian, stretching from Moel Siabod in the south, northwards towards the Carneddau. The Little Orme and Anglesey could also be seen.

Lunch was taken on the eastern side of Mynydd Marian, where we took advantage of the many blocks of limestone socially distance apart. It was a special day for the Pelissiers as it was their wedding anniversary and Sue provided everyone with a chocolate cookie. Wedding anniversaries are always special, for the Pelissiers next years aniversary is even more special.

At lunch I was treated to a chorus from some nearby grasshoppers as I watched a Common kestrel and the many butterflies flitting around the wild flowers.

Butterflies seen today includd, Peacock, Speckled wood, Small white, Large white and Meadow brown.

Birds seen or heard today included: Black headed gull, Herring gull, Oystercatcher, House sparrow, Barn swallow, Common swift, Common blackbird, Bullfinch and Common kestrel and a Common buzzard near the Brit.

The best spot of the day was seeing a Common lizard on the scree below Craig y Forwyn.

We arrived back at the start to find that there were a lot more cars in the car park, but we were all smiling as we had all enjoyed a really good walk.

Two cars headed straight home, but two of us were looking forward to a pint of Lees bitter at the Britannia Inn at Halkyn. Alas we arrived at the Brit to find that was staying closed all day today, so we too, headed straight home!

Walks and Dates July 2020 (Proposed Social Distance Walks)

Harris Hikers Walk Again.

It looks as though we may be able to resume our group walks together, but the Welsh Government require the walk to be organised, and in order to satisfy that, it is essential that you let me know the day before the walk so that your name can be added to the list of those intending to walk.

However we will still have to keep to the recommended social distancing advice given by the Welsh Government if we walk in Wales and the UK Government if we walk in England. Our numbers may have to be limited as well. 

It will probably mean that we all have to travel in our own cars and meet at the start.

Wednesday 8th July 2020.

Mynydd Marian.

Distance: 7-8 miles. Climb: 1000'.

Start: Llandulas Beach Car Park. Grid ref: SH907786.

Leave Chester at 09-00.

This walk is taken from Dave Berry's book, "Walks on the North Wales Coast". It combines an interesting section of the coast line with the attractive limestone countryside between, Old Colwyn, Llysfaen and Llandulas. This is one of my favourite walks, so I thought it would make a good one for starters.

Saturday 11th July 2020.

Prestatyn, Talacre and The Point of Ayr.

Distance: 10 miles.(Less if we don't do the Point of Ayr loop). Climb: 200'.

Start at Prestatyn Barkby Beach.. I suggest that you park at Beach Hotel car park, (£2-00) On our visit in January 2019 , this is the same as the pay and display car park!) on the large parking area by the PC,  Grid ref: SJ068839. The hotel may still be closed due to Covid-19, so it is probably best to park at the public car par park by the PC block.

Leave Chester at 09-00 a.m.

We will all need to drive independently and keep to the 2m social distancing on the walk. 

This is a walk that is always on the list at this time of the year, as it is always a good time to see the Little tern colony. so bring binoculars with you. 

High tide is at about 15-50, and is about 25.8', so we go along the beach / sand dunes first  on the way to Talacre and the Point of Air. We will take lunch using one of the picnic tables along the path leading to the Point Of Air. We will decide on the day whether to extend the walk as far as the RSPB observation point. 

Our return route will be through The Warren Nature Reserve, the Caravan Park and finally through Prestatyn Golf Course. If the footpath through the caravan park is closed, we may have to take the path through the sand dunes bacck to the beach.

Wednesday 15th July 2020.
Thurstaston Common, Stapledon Wood, Caldy and More

Currently we six different people can meet outdoors, so please let me no as soon as you can if you intend to walk.
I will add the name of those planning to walk to this post, so everyone will know and we can keep to the six people limit.

To date those planning to walk are: Martyn, Wendy, David S., Sue and Michel.

Distance: 8-9 miles. Climb: 700'
Start: Thursaston Visitor Centre Car Park. Grid ref:SJ239835.
Leave Chester at 9-00 a.m.

We will all need to drive independently and keep to the 2m social distancing on the walk.

This combines two walks from Raymond Roberts' booklet "Wirral Walks - the West Wirral Six". This is a relatively easy walk with good views along the way, especially from Thurstaston Hill. We hope to walk back Thursaston along the beach, so bring binoculars with you. High tide is at 07-15, and is a 24.3' tide (7.4 m).  We should have no problems walking along the beach whatever time we get there.

Saturday 18th July 2020.

A Walk Around the Great Orme.

Postponed due to bad weather.

Distance: 8-10 miles, but will be decided on the day.

Climb: 500'-1000', depending on the route we take.

Start at Llandudno West shore. Roadside parking near the boating lake. Grid ref: SH771820.

Leave Chester at 08-30 a.m.

Please let me no as soon as you can if you intend to walk.
I will add the name of those planning to walk to this post.

We will all need to drive independently and keep to the 2m social distancing on the walk.

The walk will involve taking the path above Marine Drive (if open  or the Marine Drive if it isn't), take the Monk's Path across the limerstone escarpment to the plateau on the Great Orme. After visiting the summit trig point, we will explore the area above the ski slope, the site of an old hillfort Pen y Dinas. 

The return route will either be the zig zag path and / or the invalids path back o the West Shore.

Replacement walk.

The Yeld, Primrose Hill, Pale Heights and Delamere Forest.

Abandoned due to bad weather.

Distance: 8 miles. Climb: 750’.

Start: The Yeld Car Park, Yeld Lane, Kelsall.

To get to the car park, turn right at the traffic lights at the top of Kelsall Hill and again turn right (opposite the Farmers Arms) into Yeld Lane. The car park is on the left about 0.3 miles (0.5 km) up Yeld Lane.

Leave Chester at 09-00.

Please let me know as soon as you can if you intend to walk.
I will then add your name of those planning to walk to this post.

To date those planning to walk are: Martyn and Roger.

We will all need to drive independently and keep to the 2m social distancing on the walk.

This walk starts by heading south down Yeld Lane, past the Farmers Arms and up the road as far as King's Gate. There we head into the wood and return to Gresty'd Wate Car Park via Primrose Hill.  The next stage goes into Delamere Forest and includes a visit to Pale Heights, where hopefully we should get good 360 degree views.

The last part of the walk explores Delamere Forest, north west part of the visitor centre, before returning to The Yeld.

Wednesday 22nd July 2020.

Halkyn, Limestone, Lead and More.  

Please let me know as soon as you can if you intend to walk.
I will then add your name of those planning to walk to this post.
To date those planning to walk are: Martyn, David S.

To date those planning to walk are: Martyn.

Distance: 9  miles; Climb:1000'.

Start: Common Land opposite the Blue Bell Inn, Halkyn. Grid ref: SJ209702. 

Leave Chester at 09-00 a.m.

We will all need to drive independently and keep to the 2m social distancing on the walk.

We haven't started a walk from this location for quite some time. I thought that it was about time we did so to do so again. This walk combines two of my favourite walks in this fascinating area on our local patch. We used to start this walk from the Britannia Inn and finish the walk by going through the "Water buffalo" fields, but as we start near the Blue Bell Inn, we will miss out that part of the walk.

Plenty of options to make this walk shorter, if required.

Saturday 25th July 2020.

Cwn Dulas, Cefn yr Ogof and Gop Wood.

Distance: 9.2 miles; Climb:1130'.

Start location. Abergele, Pensarn Beach car park by PC. Grid ref:SH942786.

Leave Chester 9-00 a.m.

Please let me no as soon as you can if you intend to walk.
I will then add your name of those planning to walk to this post.

To date those planning to walk are: Martyn

We will all need to drive independently and keep to the 2m social distancing on the walk.

The bulk of the walk is taken from Dave Berry's book "Walks on the North Wales Coast", with an extension to include the small hill Cefn yr Ogof. Always a good walk with several opportunities to have extensive views. We may decide to explore Gop Wood a little more. If we miss out Cefn yr Ogof, the walk will be a mile or so shorter and the climb reduced by about half.

Wednesday 29th July 2020.

Mynydd Marian.

Distance: 8 miles. Climb: 700'-1000'.

Start: Llandulas Beach Car Park. Grid ref: SH907786.

Leave Chester at 09-00.

Please let me no as soon as you can if you intend to walk.
I will then add your name of those planning to walk to this post.

To date those planning to walk are: Martyn, David S., Nigel, Sue and Michel.

We will all need to drive independently and keep to the 2m social distancing on the walk.

This is a repeat of the walk that I did with Ed on the 8th, but as it is one of my favourite walks,  I don't mind doing it again and it is a good one to start to get a little climb into our legs.

This walk is taken from Dave Berry's book, "Walks on the North Wales Coast". It combines an interesting section of the coast line with the attractive limestone countryside between, Old Colwyn, Llysfaen and Llandulas.

The Great Orme and Pen-y-Dinas Saturday 25th July 2020

The Great Orme and Pen-y-Dinas.

The tide was well out as we set off from the West Shore.

Possible cause of the footpath closure.

Feral goats resting on the road.

The Silver studded blue butterfly.

Ed's Silver studded blue.

Looking back towards the West Shore from the top of the Monks Path.

At the trig point on the Great Orme  - for some reason wrapped in red plastic.

At the trig point on the Great Orme.

The decent from the Great Ormes.

Pen--dinas - the next objective.

The "rocking stone" on Pen-y-dinas.

Inside the Elephants Cave.

Inside the Elephants Cave.

The entrance to the Elephants Cave.

Looking over the Grand Hotel towards the Little Orme.

It is Summer after all  - cricket underway.

A Stonechat looks towards us, but doesn't seem to care.

Ed's Stonchat.

Distance: 7.2 miles. Climb: 1212'.

Time: 4 hours 8 minutes. On the move waking avrage: 2.2 m.p.h. Overall walk average: 1.8 m.p.h.

Group: Martyn and Ed.

We made a last minute decision to walk on the Great Ormes as this area seemed to give us the best chance of missing out on getting wet. We even delayed the start until after 10-00. This proved to be a good decision, as we wre blessed with warm sunshine before mid-day and just overcast conditions after lunch.

We left West Shore with plenty of roadside parling still available, but by the end of the walk very few spaces were to be found.

Llandudno seemed to be pretty busy with cars and people. Having said that we had no problems keeping to Welsh covid rules, even on the top of the Great Orme, the onlt tight spot was along the Invalid Terrace.

As the path above Marine Drive was still close, we had to follow the road as far as the Monks Path, and unexpectedly we did see a few of the Great Orme star butterlies, the Silver studded blue, as we climbed passed the sunbathing Feral goats.

As ever the views from the Great Orme were good, although the high tops of the Carneddau were still in cloud, It always delightful to stroll across the limestone plateau on the Great Orme and today was no exception.

Lunch was taken in a section of workings on Mynydd Isaf which gave us a little shelter from the breeze as we sat on convenient limestone rocks.

Ed, relying on recent memory, managed to guide me to the summit of Pen-y-dinas, the site of a hillfort south of the ski centre, that I had only recently heard about after watching a tv proramme on a walk on the Great Orme.

Ed also introduced me to the "Elephants Cave" in the cliffs below Pen-y-dinas.

Birds seen or heard today included: Mute swan, Mallard, Jackdaw, Herring gull, Carrion crow, Stonechat, Dunnock, Barn swallow and Meadow pipit.

It was disappointing to find the PC still closed at the West Shore and in the Happy Valley but gratefl that the ones at the start Llandudno end of the Invalid Terrace were open.

A great day out, but we couldn't stretch it to anything more than just over seven milers.