Saturday 18 June - Cwmorthin and Moelwyn Mawr

Derek should have been leading this walk, but with the imminent birth of their first grandchild in Uganda he and Wendy flew there just a few days ago. It seems that the baby is fine but unfortunately Derek became quite ill during the flight and was subsequently taken to hospital. That is the only information that we have as yet, but no doubt we will hear more in the next few days, so we can only hope that things are not too serious.

The walk went ahead as Derek had planned, with nine of us enjoying a dry day and gradually clearing skies. Apart from our chatter Cwmorthin was quiet, with the ruined chapel becoming more skeletal as years go by and the remains of the quarry buildings higher up gradually tumbling to the ground. The wisp’s of cloud around Moelwyn Mawr vanished as we climbed to the summit, and we were rewarded with extensive views in all directions.

After taking some care when dropping down the rocky sections to the bwlch below Moelwyn Bach, walking became easier as we descended to the dam at Llyn Stwlan and then down to the café at Tanygrisiau. Unfortunately, the folk we met coming out of the café turned out to be staff and not customers, and John’s fear that it might close at 4pm turned out to be correct. Still, it was the only disappointment of the day, so our thanks to Derek for setting the route, and our best wishes to him for a speedy recovery.

Dave