Around Gwysaney and More 9th July 2015

Looking back towards Rhosesmor and Moel y Gaer, not long after setting off.

Obviously not as warm as you would expect for the middle of Summer even in this country!

Walking through Big Wood, warmer for some!

Gwysaney Hall from the path just after leaving Big Wood.

A more impressive view of Gwystaney Hall.

Moel Famau from Gwystaney Hall.

Looking Eastward towards Cheshire from a point just after leaving Ram Wood.

Walk stats: Distance: 9.9 miles. Climb: 797'.

Time: 4 hours 35 minutes. On the Move walking average: 2.3 m.p.h. Overall walk average: 1.8 m.p.h.

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

A good forecast today, cool at first, but warming up later with good spells of sunshine. this was quite a varied walk including good sections of open farmland, woodland paths that thankfully weren't to muddy today and high points with good distant views, particularly towards the Cheshire plain and later across the Dee estuary towards Liverpool where both cathedrals could be easily seen.

 As our start point was Rhosesmor, both cars arrived quite early and we were able to start walking by 09-30 and that's early for a Thursday group!

 Our only surprise today was to come across  a man sitting cross-legged, hands together in front, meditating - we all felt a little guilty disturbing him as we went past, even though he did smile and spoke to us as we approached.

 Setting off early meant that we were nearly back at the start point when we decided to have lunch sitting on the grass in a recently cut field. 

 After lunch we decided to extend the first walk by heading towards Halkyn along paths we have used many times before, including one on the access path East of Midlist Farm and climbing to the road near the quarry entrance at Halkyn. 

 One or two of the group had tired legs at this point, so we decided to take the shortest route back to the car by skirting Moel y Gaer on the lower path its East side.

 We arrived back at the car at a few minutes after 3 p.m., happy knowing that the Bluebell Inn at Halkyn would be open by the time we arrived!

 As ever drinks including Blue Bell Bitter and Two trees Perry were able to refresh us after our walk.

 Birds seen or heard today included: Common blackbird, Goldfinch, Greenfinch, Moorhen, Common buzzard, Barn swallow, Lapwing, Common pheasant, Red-legged partridge, Woodpigeon, Goldfinch, House sparrow, Jackdaw, Rook, Mistle thrush, Song thrush and Winter wren. A Fox was also seen in an area where we normally see Brown hares.

Craig Bron-Banog and Cwm Alwen 4th July 2015

A thoughtful chair at the start of the walk at the pic-nic site in the Alwen valley North west of  Llanfihangel Glyn Myfyr.

Two furry friends encountered near the start of the walk.
Are they Polecat kits?

Maen Cled on the way to Craig Bron-Banog.

Panorama from our lunch spot adjacent to the radio mast on Craig Bron-Banog.

Is this really the footpath?

This one is a bit easier to get past - under in this case!

Is the footpath really in there?  

How did we get out of there?

Our furry friends at the end of the walk - at least they had moved a little.

Walk stats: 9.7 miles. Climb: 1310'.

Time: 5 hours 39 minutes. On the move walking average: 2.3 m.p.h. Overall walk average: 1.7 m.p.h.

Group: Martyn and Mike.

The weather today at times was on the humid side, especially when a breeze momentarily rested! In the morning we had a good deal of cloud cover, and after about 14-00 it was mainly bright sunshine.

 Our first surprise of the day was our encounter with our two furry friends, fast asleep and didn't waken with our presense near them. We weren't sure that they were even alive, but when we went back to see them at the en of the walk, they had moved into slightly different positions.

 Our second surprise encounter was with one of the locals at Bryn-y-gwrgi who happened to be a Vauxhall enthusiast and was taking one of his cars from the 1970's to link up with a relay rally that was going from John o' Groats to Lands End. His stage was from Helsby to Shrewsbury.

 Much of the remaining walk before lunch was along good forest roads, all the way to the radio mast on Craig Bron-Banog, where we were pleasantly surprised to find a pic-nic table, a perfect spot forlunch with good views of the whole Clwydian Hills and the Llantysio Mountains.

 After lunch we encountered our next surprise, the marked footpath started quite well, became tricky as we had to carefully pick our way to avoid getting we feet, and then seem to be blocked a few metres by large trees. We did manage to past, over them, under them and off the path around them. We literally think we had escaped onto a forest road.

 The rest of the walk was once more on good forest roads or a tarmac road, but we weren't complaining!

 We arrived back at the car, having had a good walk, with enough time to go and check on our furry friends.

 Birds seen or heard today included: Barn swallow, Woodpigeon, Common buzzard, Meadow pipit, Grey heron, Common blackbird, Willow warbler and Carrion crow.

 After walk drinks were enjoyed at the Colomendy Arms at Cadole, where Brimstage "Trapper's hat went down well.

Eglwyseg Escarpments and More 2nd July 2015

The first viewpoint on top of Trevor Rocks.

The only cairn visited, ab ove Trevoe Rocks.

A large catterpillar, but what am I when I can fly?

A Common toad on Eglwyseg Mountain.

"Nearly there, but I could do with a leg up!"

"Made it! Now I can get away from the "Red blob!""

View from our lunch spot.

Lunch over, time too move before it rains!

Looking back towards Dinas Bran from the mid-level path chosen by Sue.

Walk stats: Distance: 9.3 miles. Climb: 1200'.

Time: 5 hours 31 minutes. On the move walking average: 2.1 m.p.h. Overall walk average: 1.7 m.p.h.

Group: Martyn, Sue and Michel, Sheila, Annie, Wendy and David S.

Thankfully the temperature today had dropped from the high twenties Celsius of yesterday, to a much more bearable mid teens, and with a pleasant cooling wind, it made good conditions for walking. rain was in the forecast and we did get brief showers after lunch, but the downpour came on our way home in the car.

 We set off up hill from our parking area near the monument, and it was pointed out that this group was not quite the same as other days, today the women were in the majority!

 This is always a superb walk, with superb views throughout the walk, whether looking East across Ruabon Mountain, West towards the Dee Valley and beyond, or Northward towards Llandegla Moors and the Llantysilio Mountains.

 David was in the front for most of the walk before lunch and was able to bring to our attention the hairy catterpillar, a Common toad and a Common lizard. 

 We also saw a good number of flowers and a few butterflies along route.

 Lunch was taken just before Craig Arthur. 

      After lunch we headed off along the escarpment around Craig Arthur along the waymarked path that descended into the valley East of Tan-y-graig. Here David S decided to investegate a higher level route and rejoined us East of Bryn Goleu.

 As we approached the Eglwyseg Plantation, Sue decided that she didn't fancy walking along the Panorama Road from just East of Trevor Rocks, so led us up hill again to return along a delightful path that descended to the Panorama Road a little nearer to where we had started.

 Birds seen or heard today included: Common whitethroat, Woodpigeon, Wheatear, Eurasian jay, Mistle thrush, Common chaffinch, Stonechat, Carrion crow, Raven, Lesser black-backed gull, Goldfinch, Meadow pipit, Skylark and Peregrine falcon. A Red-legged partridge was also seen from the car as w approache the parking area.

 We arrived back at the car, just as it started to rain, so we were quite pleased to enjoy our after walk drinks at Telfords Inn at Trevor, where Llangollen bitter was enjoyed by some of us.

Sheen Hill, Pilsbury Castle and Parkhouse Hill 27th June 2015

One of the wils flower meadows as we headed from Longnor towards Sheen Hill.

Chrome hill and Parkhouse Hill above Lower Boothlow farm.

The trig point on Sheen Hill.

The popular Pilsbury Castle.

Abundant flowers on the roadside from Crowdicote to Earl Sterndale.

Chrome hill and Parkhouse Hill from the minor road from Crowdicote to Earl Sterndale.

Chrome Hill from the farm road on the South side of Parkhouse Hill.

Parkhouse Hill from the farm road on its South side.

Walk stats: Distance: 9.5 miles. Climb:1201'.

Time: 5 hours 58 minutes. On the move walking average: 2.1 m.p.h. Overall walk average: 1.6 m.p.h.

Group: Martyn and Celia.

We arrived at Longnor just in time as we were able to take the last car park space on the cobble area in the centre of the village.

 We knew it was going to be on the warm side as it was, but fortunately there were frequent spells where passing clouds shielded us from the full glare of the Sun.

 The start of the walk took us through several meadows that had superb displays of wild flowers, only matched later on by the display along the minor road from Crowdicote to Earl Sterndale.

 The views today down the valleys and the distant Chrome hill and Packhouse Hill were superb.

 Once again we didn't manage to get to the trig point on Sheen Hill, but we did see a fewer walkers get there.

 It would seem that Packhouse Hill is now open access, we started up the steep hill, but I abandoned the idea half way up but Celia climbed a little higher before we both returned to the farm road on the South side of the hill.

 Birds seen or heard today included: Barn swallow, House sparrow, Eurasian curlew, Carrion crow, Rook, Wheatear, House martin, Dunnock, House sparrow and Great tit.

 Drink were enjoyed at the Wilkes Head in Leek, where the Hartington bitter went down well. I had planned to have a drink at the Grapes in Longnor, but alas it has been shut for nearly seven years, so we had no choice but to head for the Wilkes Head!

Cwm Dulas and Gopa Wood 25th June 2015

Off Abergele shore wind turbines under construction or repair?

On the beach heading for Llandulas.

"I'm nearly with you, but I got chatting to a couple and had to put them right about the closed Coastal Path between Abergele and the Caravan site at Llandulas."

Rock roses on the slopes of Pen-y-corddyn-mawr.

View from our lunch spot on the southern side of Pen-y-corddyn-mawr.

Is it a lunch time power nap?

"I wonder what this is in my sandwich?

The Norther end of the Clwydians from Gopa Wood.

Distance: 8.6 miles. Climb: 810'.

Time: 4 hours 38 minutes. On the move walking average: 2.4 m.p.h. Overall walk average: 1.8 m.p.h.

Group: Martyn, Roger, Phil, David S., Celia, Annie, Tim and Wendy.

This turned out to be a walk of surprises in more ways than one! Weather was no problem, although it was a little too warm and humid at times, but we did get a little respite when the breeze picked up momentarily!

 Our first surprise came at the very start of the walk when sections of the beach had been cordoned off as Ringed plover had started nesting there.

 The next problem occurred when workmen approached us on the Coastal Path, asking us whether or not we had seen the notice about the footpath being closed. He didn't appreciate us politely informing him that the notice had been put in the wrong place! This meant that we had to retrace our steps slightly and go along the beach as far as the Caravan site at Llandulas. This was a pleasant alternative to the tarmac route on the Coastal path, although did test waterproofing of some of the group's chosen footwear or this walk!

 Once at Llandulas, no more enforced extensions and optional extensions were unanimously discounted!

 Lunch was taken at our usual spot at the Southern end of  of Pen-y-corddyn-mawr, where we had good views of the route we would take late as we skirted Betws Lodge Wood.

 Some sections of the route were somewhat overgrown with briers and benefited from a trim with secateurs!

 Birds seen or heard today included: Herring gull, Great black-backed gull, Ringed plover, Pied wagtail, Jackdaw, Common blackbird, Common whitethroat, Barn swallow, House martin, Common buzzard, Grey wagtail and Grey heron (David wouldn't like me to miss this one out!)

 We arrived back at the car a little earlier than expected, but no-one complained, and most of us were looking forward to a refreshing drink at the Blue Bell at Halkyn.

 On route Tim had received a message from Carol, saying that she had gone to Birmingham as her far wasn't too well, and Tim suddenly realised that he hadn't got his house key with him! Hopefully Carol's father will recover from his hospital visit, and Tim will be picked up later from Celia who had kindly volunteered to be a hostess.

Walks and Dates June 2015.

Thursday 4th June 2015.

Craig Adwy-Nant, Nant Clwyd Hall and the Afon y Maes Valley.

Distance: 9-12 miles. Climb:1500'.

Start: Llanelidan. Grid ref: SJ108503. To get to the parking area, take the A494 Ruthin to Bala road, 2 miles after Pwllglas, turn left towards Llanelidan. Keep ahead at the crossroads as you enter the village, then go down a "No through road" past houses, telephone and a chapel to the end of the road where there is a parking area.

Leave Chester 9-00 a.m.

This walk combines two walks from Dave Berry's book "Walks in the Vale of Clwyd", and explores the beautiful, unspoilt undulating countryside around the Nant Clwyd Estate.  The last time we did this walk we reduce it to about  10 miles and a climb of just over 1000'. We will probably do the same agin this time.

Saturday 6th June 2015. 

The Big Moor Including Curbar Edge, Froggatt Edge, White Moor and Baslow Edge.

Distance: 9-12 miles. Climb: 1500'.

Start: Curbar Edge National Trust Car Park: SK262747
Leave Chester 08-00 a.m.

The Big Moor walk is taken from Robert Harris' book "Walks In Ancient Peak District". This walk is a superb walk along mainly gritstone edges and gives plenty of opportunity to search out a few sites of historical interest. These include Stoke Flats Stone Circle, Hurkling Stone, Swine Sty Enclosure and Swine Sty. Some of them aren't easy to recognise even when you know that the grid reference is right! We did find one or two last time we explored this area.

The extension is 2-3 miles and allows us to traverse across Baslow Edge back to the car park.

Last time we did this walk we didn't complete the extension, making the walk around 10 miles.

Thursday 11th June 2015.

Stokyn, The Coastal Path and More.

Distance: 8.0 miles Climb: 1000'.
Start: Holywell Halkyn Street Car Park. Grid ref: SJ18957548.
Leave Chester at 09-00 a.m.
This is the last of the walks taken from Ron Williams and Elfed Jones' booklet "10 Walks Around Holywell".  Much of the walk is familiar to all of us. As this walk is nominally shorter than our usual walk, it will probably give us time to explore the grounds of Basingwork Abbey, or maybe extending the walk after perusing the map at lunch time.

Saturday 13th June 2015.

Meini Hirion and More

Distance: 10 miles. Climb: 500'.

Start: Coastal car park near Wylfa Power Station. Grid ref: SH356938.

Leave Chester 08-00.

This walk involves two walks from Robert Harris's book "Walks in Ancient Wales". Much of the walk is along quiet lanes, but we will uses field paths and part of the Coastal Path to link the two walks. The walk goes South down an access road to Tregele, down a minor road to link with the path to some standing stones to meet up with the second walk. From Llanfechell we will take the path North around Pen y Bryn and on to Cemaes and return along the Coastal Path. Bring binoculars with you.

Thursday 18th June 2015.

Grindley Brook to Marbury.

Distance: 8-9 miles. Climb: 200' at a guess.
Start: Layby on the A41, East of Grindley Brook Locks Cafe and about 400 m before the roundabout / junction with the A49. Grid ref: SJ 524428.
Leave Chester at 09-00.
This is a repeat of the walk that we did in December, and the general opinion was that we should try the walk again, but as a Spring or Summer walk.
 I had originally planned for a walk to Moel Fferna today, but the still ongoing A483/A55 Post House  roadworks, have persuaded me to abandon all thoughts of walks towards Llangollen should be put off until at least August! Hence the reason for me putting this Cheshire walk on a little sooner.
The walk starts at the Horse and Jockey, but we will start in the layby a little East of that particular hostelry.
The walk is described as one which goes through a countryside that is a maze of drumlin hills and kettlehole lakelets. I womder if we will be able to identify these two features of the landscape. He describes the walk as being boggy in places, but he did it in February, hopefully it won't be as bad for us! The walk included parts of Bishop Bennett's Way, the Sandstone Trail, South Cheshire Way and parts of the Shropshire Union Canal.

Saturday 20th June 2015. 
No walk - Billy no mates again, unless you know otherwise.

Thursday 25 June 2015.

Cwn Dulas, Cefn yr Ogof and Gop Wood.

Distance:10 miles; Climb:1300'.
Start location. Abergele, Pensarn Beach car park by PC. Grid ref:SH942786.
Leave Chester 9-00 a.m.
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 or even be tempted to paddle in the sea at the end of the walk.

Saturday 27th June 2015.

The White Shark. 

A Classic White Peak Walk! 

Distance: 12-13 miles; 2100'.

Start: Longnor car park. Grid ref: SK088649.
Leave Chester at 08-00.

To get to Longnor follow the A51 towards Nantwich. Then the A500 towards Stoke on Trent. Then the A53 to Leek. From Leek take the A523 road to Ashbourne. At the Green Man Pub. turn on to the B5053 to Onecote, Warsow and Longnor. In Longnor turn right and the new car park is on the right. The alternative parking area is on the cobbled square in the centre of Longnor.

This walk is one we did quite a few years ago, on a day that we first experienced the delights of the Wilkes Head in Leek.

The walk is taken from the Trail Magazine. It suggest that the walk takes 6.5 hours, but I expect that we will take a little longer, although I do anticipate taking a few short cuts on the day!

Grindley Brook and Marbury 18th June 2015

Heading for Marbury Big Mere.

Marbury church on the far side of Big Mere.

Two pairs of Canada geeese with their goslings on Big Mere.

Marbury Church as we approached from the East.

Inside Marbury Church.

The of Marbury Little Mere from our lunch spot around the old oak tree.

Our lunch spot opposite the Swan at Marbury - spurned by Celia and Paul!

Walk stats: distance: 10.2 miles. Climb: 565'.

Time: 4 hours 45 minutes. On the move walking average: 2.5 m.p.h. Overall walk average: 2.1 m.p.h.

Group: Martyn, Roger, Phil, Annie, Paul, Sue Pearson, Tim, Celia, Wendy and David S.

The weather today was almost perfect for walking, plenty of sunshine and a pleasantly cooling breeze, which at times made wearing a sun hat difficult to keep on, and at times fears that it may get blown in to the canal.

 At the start we tried to investigate a path that took us through Grindley Brook Farm, but couldn't find the way through and a friendly farmer directed us through his fields to rejoin the route that we did last year.

 As we had had a lot of dry weather, we optimistic that our approach to Big Mere East of The Knowles would be dry underfoot, it wasn't and some of ended up with the backs of our legs  being splashed with muddy water!

 On this occasion we were able to see inside Marbury church, it's always good to see places of worship open everyday for the general public.

 Lunch was taken by most of us taking advantage of the seating around the old oak tree opposite the Swan,  a few sat on the grass in the sunshine as the seats around the oak tree were in the shade.

 Two of the group headed back to Marbury Church to take advantage of the seats in cemetery that overlooked Big Mere.

 After lunch we headed around Little Mere before having a brisk stroll along the towpath of the Llangollen canal back to Grindley Brook.

 Birds seen or heard included: House sparrow, Jackdaw, Carrion crow, Black-billed magpie, Canada goose, Common coot, Great crested grebe, Common blackbird, Mallard, Barn swallow and House martin.

 We arrived back at the car quicker than expected, even earlier enough for Paul to get back home in time to assist in the taxi service for his grandchildren!

 After walk drinks were enjoyed the Horse and Jockey at Grindley Brook, where most beers were from the Cheshire based Woodlands Brewery and the Shropshire based Joules Brewery. The one I tried was Ale Fresco brewed by Green King, had I known that, I wouldn't have tried it!

 Overall a pleasant walk and with ten of us, one of the best turn outs for some time, with holidays depleting our group over the last few weeks.

 It was suggested that next time we do this walk, we should complete the walk by doing the canal section first and route using the South Cheshire Way and Bishop Bennet's Way on the way back from Marbury.