Nant y Pandy and More 19th May 2016

Part of the delightful walk by Nant y Pandy.

Looking up the valley towards the upper reaches of  Nant y Pandy and the Cuckoo calling.

The startn of an unexpected climb for some.

More trekking through bilberries rather than a being on a path.

Exiting the lunch spot of choice foe most of the group - convenient tree stumps.

"Is that Sue P on top of her favourite Llantysilio Mountains"

Who can resist a steam train? This one heading for Carrog and Corwen

Walk stats: Distance: 7.9 miles. Climb: 1285'.

Time: 4 hours 45 minutes. ON the move walking average: 2.1 m.p.h. Overall walk average: 1.6 m.p.h.

Group: Martyn, Roger, Michel, Tim, Phil, David S., Celia and Paul.

We set off, hoping that the sunshine would last and the rain forecast for later in the day would hold off until after we had got back to the car.

 We were soon on the gentle climb through the Nant y Pandy, hoping to see a Dipper, but even better Michel glimpsed a blue flash, possibly a Kingfisher flying up stream. Once again a few Bluebells were still showing in parts of the valley.

 Heading for the moorland, we took a path a little earlier than usual, one that climbed gently alongside a fence up to the moor. This was when we heard the Cuckoo calling and at one point some of were within about 20' or so and I was able to see it fly from a tree heading towards the upper reaches of Nant y Pandy.

 The "path/track" over the moors wasn't easy to follow, but got a little better as it turned North west alongside a fence and went uphill.

 Time was slipping by and when we came to the point where a decision about Moel Fferna needed to take place, we had arrived at the Southern entrance to the Carrog Plantation and decided to have lunch instead. 

 After lunch Paul set off on the last part of the described route back to Glyndfrdwy while we contemplated which route the rest of would take, having unanimously decided a visit to the summit of Moel Fferna was not one of them.

 With rain threatening, we decided to head after Paul, and soon caught up with him. About a mile further on we decided to head back to Nant y Pandy and take the path past Dreboeth back to the car. Paul continued on the shorter route to  Glyndfrdwy, with David S warning him to avoid a slippy moss covered section of the path and walk down the field edge on the right. Unfortunately Paul failed to heed the warning and slipped over. Unfortunately his attempts to phone us fell on deaf ears, thankfully he was able to continue on his way.
 Birds seen or heard today included: Greenfinch, House sparrow, Blue tit, Barn swallow, Meadow pipit, Treecreeper, Wheatear, Cuckoo, Chaffinch, Blackcap, Carrion crow, Common pheasant and possibly a Kingfisher.
 We arrived back at the car, having had a a good walk, still dry, and all the better for the fact that Tim had been able to join us for the first time after the move to the Midlands.
 After walk drinks were enjoye at the Pant Yr Ochain at Gresford, where Purple Moose, Snowdonia Ale went down well and Celia could enjoy her crisps, even if she did buy them herself. We were also quite grateful for seats near a roaring fire as the temperature had plummeted with the rain as we arrived at the entrance to the hostelry.
 It rained even more as I arrived home, and sat in my car for ten minutes to allow it to ease off a little before getting out and running to my front door.