Tuesday 24 February 2026 - The Llangollen Canal

The kayaks came into use for Jeanette, Sue and Paul, the latter of whom took turns in the red kayak whilst Jeanette skillfully manoeuvred the yellow kayak without contriving to fall out.

Rick and I looked on.

We passed several sculptures and information boards on our way to the Trevor basin, about three km from where we started.

This was after crossing Telford's aqueduct at Pontcysyllte, where Sue lingered above the parapet.

Here's a sculpture for AlanR.

There's another excellent café by the Trevor basin.

Then we all walked or kayaked 7km more to Llangollen. 

Lunch was taken beside the canal, before we returned the same way.

Cows drank and Song Thrushes sang as we passed through lovely countryside. 

There were splendid views in the late afternoon to the nearby railway viaduct. 

Here's the route, there and back amounting to 20km on the lovely sunny day.

I'll expand this posting later. Meanwhile we enjoyed a superb meal at The Hand.

Monday 23 February 2026 - A South Circular from Pen y Bint

Rick joined us yesterday afternoon, before Sue cooked some excellent roasted chicken breast wrapped with parma ham and stuffed with red onion marmalade and goats cheese. 

So it was a group of five that set off today on this southern circuit from our holiday home. 

After the steep ascent from the house with improving views (above), we joined a high level bridleway that certainly showed signs of recent rainfall.

We carried on along the Cefn Hir-fynydd track as far as Llidiart-cae-hir, with good views down to the Ceiriog valley.

We then continued west, up a pleasantly grassy path, to a far point beyond a cairn at 496 metres.

This was our turnaround point, from where we strolled down to Llanarmon on more grassy paths.

Lunch was taken on a bench next to the turn out of Llanarmon that I had taken yesterday.

We passed The Hand. Venue for tomorrow's evening meal.

There were snowdrops in profusion in the church yard, as well as some magnificent ancient yew trees.

From there, an easy woodland path took us to Tregeiriog on the route taken by the other three yesterday. An enclave of friendly lambs chewing on swedes and Sue's fingersy were passed shortly after I'd taken a break at the bus shelter where we acquired a couple of interesting books last Friday. 

Here's our route - 16km with 400 metres ascent,  taking about 5 hours.

And here's a reminder of days past on a plaque outside Pen y Bont. (Click on the image.)

Sunday 22 February 2026 - Another Circuit from Pen y Bont

The four of us set off along the old tramway on a sunny morning. 

After passing through Pandy, the horse whisperer and the rest of us strolled along beside the River Teirw.

The path at Gelli was missed, and we struggled up a byway in the unpleasant presence of trial bikes and 4x4 buggies. Elevenses were taken on a bridge in Tyn-y-celyn.

An unrelenting steep track, occasionally blighted with bikes and vehicles, led past the 484 metre summit of Bryn Du.

Lunch was taken in the shelter of a log near the top of the hill.

The other three decided on an extension to the planned route, but I stuck to our more modest intentions and continued along the track to Llanarmon.

It was difficult to walk past The Hand.

From there, a bridleway was soon taken up to point 442. This was a delightful rising path.

Near the high point, a view down to Tregeiriog.

On the high road near Pensarn I was distracted by a flock of starlings assembling at the end of their day. The flock was being boosted by the frequent arrivals of more birds.

Eventually I tore my eyes away from the starlings and continued back to Pen y Bont.

Here's my route - 17 km with 570 metres ascent, taking 5.5 hours.

The others walked an extra 4 km but returned via the valley rather than taking the excellent path to point 442.

Saturday 21 February 2026 - Old Railway Trail parkrun, and a short walk

Leaving Pen y Bont at 8:15 got us to the start in Llangollen of the Old Railway Trail parkrun in plenty of time for the 9am start.

The somewhat convoluted and slightly muddy route followed the course of a disused railway track, soon passing a fairly modern sculpture. 

As usual, I took my time and had a longish chat with a chap who everyone was greeting as Charles on sections where we met some of the other runners. Here he is, clocking in at the finish.

Our results:

Sue - 25:26 position 28

Paul - 26:14 position 31

Martin - 33:07 position 68

Jeanette - 45:17 position 90

A short walk back into town, and we were soon installed in the Riverbanc cafe.

After that, a visit to the pie shop saw us well equipped for lunch. 

Back near the car, lots of Old Men's Beard, a clematis. 

After returning to Pen y Bont, we took a stroll down the old tramway, past the remains of the mine buildings.

Then a gently rising track up to a high point of over 400 metres.

Good views across the valley. 

A lovely sheltered spot for lunch away from a strong and ominously moist wind.

Red kites floated above us in the thermals.

Then waterproofs were donned for a gentle descent back to base.

Here's our route - 6.5 km with about 200 metres ascent, taking us about 2 hours.