The Three Lakes Walk 8th July 2010

Looking across Llyn Aled from the road across the dam. Arriving at our first stile, the questions seems to be "What do we do?"

Looking down the access track to Ty'n-llyn on the Northern shore of Llyn Alwen.Heading for the bridge across the Alwen Reservoir.

Sundews galore on Hiraethog Moor!

Distance:11.5 m.p.h.; Climb:1508'.

Time:5 hours 31 minutes; On the move walking average:2.4 m.p.h.; Overall walk average:2.1 m.p.h.

Group:Martyn, Richard, Celia and Gordon.

The weather turned out to be much better than the forecast, it was much sunnier than expected and we only experienced the odd spot or two of rain, and most of those were in the last half a mile or so. In addition for most of the walk we were accompanied by a very pleasant cooling breeze. As we approached Llyn Aled, a Red kite flew across the road in front of us, and then we passed a local farmer having his sheep sheared on the roadside. We set off across the dam and noticed that the former club house of the sailing club had been totally removed. As usual the first trek across open moorland was pathless and it is always reassuring to arrive at the fence and slate boundary marker.

On arriving at Ty'n-llyn, Richard informed us that a young Barn swallow had momentarily landed on his hand as he opened the gate for us. Ty'n-llyn was in fact the residence of several Barn swallows as the zoomed out of the windows and doors of the derelict buildings as we passed.
The other main disturbance of the day was a couple of RAF jets obviously on training flights and flying quite low.

On the final section of moorland we encountered a herd of Highland cattle, but thankfully the bull wasn't interested in us, and just followed his female friends as they ran away from us, standing still didn't seem an option for them.

At the bridge across the Alwen Reservoir, we met a couple of cyclist who were surprised to find that the track around the reservoir was one way for cyclist and one way for walkers. They were relieved to find they were in fact going the right way round!

Birds seen or heard included:Red kite, Herring gull, Meadow pipit, Skylark, Carrion crow, Raven, Barn swallow, Pied wagtail, House sparrow, Wheatear and Buzzard.

It was an enjoyable walk, all the better for the better than usual dry conditions underfoot, and the fact that Skylarks singing seemed to be everywhere. On the moorland near to the slate boundary mark, there seemed to be lots of Sundew flowers. Nevertheless legs were still tired and that pint of Lees bitter at the Britannia Inn went down well.