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When? Started: 1993 Who? Started with staff and friends from U H S, Chester. Organiser: Martyn Harris We walk every Wednesday and Saturdays, New Years day and May Day. How many walk? Walks take place as long as there are at least 2 wanting to walk on that day. More walk on a Wednesday than on a Saturday. Most ever: 29. Current group size walking: 2-10 in mid-week and 2-4 on Saturday. Where do we walk? Saturday: Anywhere in North and Mid-Wales, Peak District, Shropshire and the Long Mynd and as far North as the Trough of Bowland. Thursday: Anywhere within about 40 miles of Chester. Type of walk: Distance: 6 – 14 miles (but usually under 10 miles). Climb: up to 4000’ (but usually very much less!). People involved on walks in 2020:- Martyn Harris, Fran Murphy, Sue and Michel Pelissier, Mike Dodd, David Savage, Wendy Peers, Celia de Mengle, Wendy and Ian Peers, Roger Smith, Paul Collinson, Ed Meads, Nigel and Elaine Taylor, Celia de Mengle, Sue Pearson.

Thursday 26 May 2011

The Ceiriog Valley and Y Foel 26th May 2011

A Buttercup meadow near the start in Pontfadog.
On the way to Bidulph Tower .
At the summit cairn on Y Foel.
Walk stats: istance:11.6 miles. Climb:2139'.
Time: 5 hours 51 minutes. On the move walking average: 2.5 m.p.h. Overall walk average: 2.0 m.p.h.
Group: Martyn, Roger, Annie H., Sue and Michel, Phil, Sylvia and Dave J.
Showers and strong winds forecast with better prospects for the afternoon.
We set optimistically set off up the hill from Pontfadog, but it was only 10 minutes  before the first shower arrived, It was going to be one of those "on off days" as far as waterproofs were concerned!  However we did get good spells of sunshine as we walked along the ridge road and as we had lunch in the lee of McJones' Plantation.
Before lunch was good with lots of birds singing as we progressed up hill, and quite a few House martins, Swallows and Swifts as we set off.  Even along the ridge road we added Bullfinch, Common buzzard, Goldfinch, Curlew and Linnet to our list.
Heading for the summit of Y Foel, the weather turned nasty, driving rain and a strong wind. It eased slightly as we arrived at the summit, but only momentarily!
After an enjoyable lunch in the sunshine we decided follow the path along the the Northern flank of Y Foel until we arrived at the cross path that headed back towards Glyn Ceiriog.  A good decision and I'm sure that we will choose this option  again in the future.
The steep descent into Glyn Ceiriog was quite challenging, as was the unexpected for some, climb up the road  out of the village.
We all  arrived back at the car, happy to have almost dried out and only a few spots in the air.
Birds seen and heard today included: House martin, Barn swallow, Common swift, Chiffchaff, Willow warbler, Common buzzard, Common pheasant, Bullfinch, Chaffinch, House sparrow, Jackdaw, Carrion crow, Goldfinch, Skylark, Meadow pipit, Long-tailed tit, Curlew, Winter wren, Song thrush and Chaffinch.
After walk drinks were enjoyed by just five of the group at the Alyn Inn at Rossett where Brakespear Oxford Gold refreshed the parts that .........!
Rumours have it that at least one member of the group was playing truant so that he could play with his train set!

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