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During the Friday afternoon and evening 12 of us met up in the small village of Corwen, set
astride the A5 about 10 miles west of Llangollen. Our accommodation for the next 2 nights was to
be quite unique, a converted police station and courthouse in which the single rooms were the
former cells.
Next morning it was into the cars for the short drive to Llandrillo. From there we walked along
the valley before beginning a long, steady climb into the Berwyns. A short sharp shower had us
donning waterproofs but most of us quickly removed them as the gradient began to bite, only to be
caught out a little later as another shower hit us. Boardwalks carried us over the worst of the
boggy patches as we made for our first summit, Moel Sych (827m), then on to the unnamed highpoint
of the day (830m) followed by Cadair Berwyn (827m) and finally Cadair Bronwen (785m). After those
two showers the day was bright with good visibility but a strong wind made its presence felt and
was quite ferocious on the tops. Luckily we found a sheltered spot with superb views for our lunch
stop. Back on the valley floor, after a very rewarding 12 miles or so, we came across a new born
lamb apparently abandoned by its mother. Its piteous cries touched the hearts of Claire and Sue
who shortly afterwards flagged down a local who promised to contact the farmer. We don't know
whether the lamb succumbed or has gone on to be fattened up ready for the plate, Welsh lamb being
a regular and delicious feature on the menu in the restaurant we used both evenings, as you would
expect (with apologies to vegetarians).
For Sunday Clive planned a linear walk of around 11 miles to Llangollen, catching a local bus back.
He gave us the option of a lowish or highish route and without hesitation we chose the high level.
Waterproofs on at the start to ward off a shower but very quickly the weather became bright and
after a short but steep climb out of the valley our morning break was taken lounging in the
sunshine with glorious views over the Dee. On then to the summit of the day, Moel Morfydd (550m),
where we again encountered very strong gusts of wind, and a long descent via the hamlet of Rhewl
to the Horseshoe Falls on the Dee, then along the canal to Llangollen. At one point we enjoyed the
sight of a horse drawn canal boat on our left and a steam train on our right - magic. Time to
enjoy a break in bustling, but by now rainy, Llangollen before catching the 16:37 bus back to
Corwen for the journey home.
Very many thanks to Clive Williams for once again organising an excellent weekend in a relatively
less frequented but highly recommended walking area.
David Craddock
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