Coed Pen-y-Gelli and More 9th May 2018

Date should be 9th May 2018.

Bluebells in Coed Allt-y-tywod.

Walking along a shaded bridleway  South west of Whitford.

Looking North over the Dee estuary towards Liverpool.

Bluebells in Coed y Garreg.

Early purple orchid North west of Ffordd Las.

Cowslips North of Ffordd Las.

Bluebells in Coed pen-y-Gelli.

Our lunch spot amongst the Bluebells in Coed pen-y-Gelli.

The two cathedrals of Liverpool, taken from the lane east of Waen Farm.

"Friendly bullock, but I'm glad we aren't going that way today!"

St. Paul's Church at Gorsedd.

St. Paul's Church at Gorsedd.

Walk stats: Distance: 9.1 miles. Climb: 800'.

Time: 4 hours 2.4 m.p.h. Overall walk average: 1.9 m.p.h.

Group: Martyn, Sue and Michel, Roger, Ed, David S., Mike and Wendy.

today was just about perfect for walking, not too hot and not cold either, with very little wind. The rain forecast for the afternoon didn't materialise until we were leaving the Brit after the walk.

 This was our first designated "Bluebell Woods Walk", and thankfully all three woods visited had plenty of Bluebells to see. The best Bluebells today wee in Coed Pen-y-Gelli, where we were lucky enough to find felled tree trunks on which to sit as we had lunch surrounded by Bluebells. In certain sections of the woods we could also smell the Bluebells.

 This was a walk to see much more Spring flowers that just the Bluebells. Flowers seen today included: Bluebells , Green alkanet, Red campion, Lesser Periwinkle, Greater stitchwort, Early purple orchid, Common Dog violet, Dandelion, daisy and Rapeseed.

 Birds seen or heard today included: Barn swallow, Chiffchaff, House martin, Shelduck, Common pheasant, Common blackbird, House sparrow, Carrion crow, Jackdaw, Common buzzard, Greenfinch, Goldfinch, Willow warbler, Woodpigeon, Song thrush and Black-billed magpie.

 The best of the walk was in the morning, when we were accompanied by bird song for most of the walk, particularly Chiffchaffs. It was good to see a House martin, our first of the year.

 The walk after lunch was along the lanes, where the highlight was the many flowers seen growing on banks below the hedges,the flowers included many Bluebells, some being white rather than Blue. Otherwise this part of the walk just put a few miles more into our legs and doubled the amount of climb that we did.

  We arrived back at the car having done a 9 mile walk, quicker than usual (Mike got the blame for that as s he was often in front setting the pace.

 At least now we deserved that drink at the Britannia Inn at Halkyn, and thankfully this time they did have Lees Bitter on, which was in excellent condition. No need for pot of tea this time.