What do 600 Walkers, a fairytale and a pod of Dolphins all have in common……they were all part of this year's Conwy Walking Week!
The Conwy Walking Week started off in the blazing July sunshine, with walkers taking to the new access bridges that now allow walkers for the first time in many years, to take the journey from Penmaenmawr to Llanfairfechan without having to ascend almost 1000ft or cross a the busy A55! Along the way walkers learned about the historical interests of the route and enjoyed the views across to Puffin Island which were made especially exciting by a pod of dolphins swimming by!
The Week was packed with all sorts of other walks, many of which were new to 2009 giving the week a varied programme.
Walks that focussed on wildlife were led along the seashore from Llanfairfechan, where walkers were joined by the North Wales Wildlife Trust to see what interesting wildlife they could spot as they enjoyed the evening sunshine. At Conwy Mountain Conwy Countryside Service Wardens joined up with the Pensychnant Nature Reserve Warden, to pass on their knowledge of wildlife in the area. And walkers at Lyn Brenig enjoyed a Moonlit Safari where they experienced the rare treat of the call of a Nightjar. Walks with the Forestry Commission at Gwydir and Clocaenog forests took a close look at tree identification and species of wild flower along the way.
There was a chance for people to learn new skills on the navigation day, and even try their hand at paddling on the 'paddle walk', new to this year. Welsh learners had the chance to practice their skills on welsh learner walks and there was the opportunity to try out the recently developed 'Nordic Walking' at Dolwyddelan.
As in previous years there were a range of historical walks led over the county, from Penmaenmawr to Pentrefoelas. They proved as popular as ever and covered stories and sites from the birth place of Abraham Lincoln's Grandmother, to the spot where Violet Charlesworth, the glamorous con woman of the 1900's faked her own death by pushing her Mercedes over the cliffs of Penmaenbach.
During the weekend a group of rainbow children enjoyed a teddy bears' picnic at Bodlondeb woods and there was a chance to learn the delights of finding treasure using a GPS in the Geocahing event. Also, lanterns were created and the tale of Willow the Wisp was told in a Fairytale and Lantern walk, which finished with lanterns being lit in the darkness of the spooky holly arch…
Many Thanks to all the leaders who helped make Conwy Walking Week a success; look forward to seeing you next year!
For more information on Conwy's Walking Week please contact the Access Warden at the address below:
Tel: 01492 576012
Fax: 01248 681881
Post: Yr Heath, Ffordd Penmaenmawr, Llanfairfechan, Conwy, LL33 0PF.
Email: cg.cs@conwy.gov.uk
